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Mere theology - a guide to the thought of C S LewisLewis the theologianMERE THEOLOGY This book by an American minister in the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) seeks to give an overview of the thinking and teaching of C.S. Lewis on a wide range of subjects. There are 25 chapters, covering not only specifically theological topics such as 'Prayer', 'Scripture', 'Creation', 'Fall' and 'The Sacraments', but also wider areas of thought (albeit with a theological slant) such as 'The Tao', 'Men are from Mars', 'I am the King's Man' and 'War and Peace'. The book contains a foreword by Douglas Gresham, adopted son of C.S. Lewis, with whom the author is now working in Ireland. As an overview of Lewis's thinking, this is an excellent and much-needed book. The author is very generous and gracious towards Lewis whom he clearly holds in the very highest regard. Indeed, even when he comes upon an aspect of Lewis's theology with which he disagrees, Vaus tries always to put the best light on this and finds ways of explaining what might have led Lewis to these conclusions. This does mean, however, that the book's intention is not to offer a critical analysis of Lewis's thought, but rather is an attempt to state briefly and clearly what he believed (and why) on a range of topics. The picture which emerges of Lewis, as a conservative, high Anglican churchman with some evangelical views, will not surprise most readers but the interest is in the detail. For example: Why did Lewis begin to go regularly to confession? Why was he not a pacifist? Why did he believe in purgatory? Vaus has made a deep and careful study of Lewis's writings and the way in which he brings Lewis's fiction, literary output, theo-logy and children's stories to bear on explaining Lewis's overall thought is impressive. This book is worth reading. Professor A.T.B. McGowan, © Evangelicals Now - November 2004 |