Tonight I came across a letter that was very interesting for me. It was written to Carl F. H. Henry on 9/28/1955. Walter Hooper (the editor of the volumes) says the letter was written in response to Henry's request for Lewis to contribute some articles to Christianity Today. In addition to the letter being interesting because it's written by one hero of evangelicalism to another, it's also interesting because Lewis here states his belief that he can be of more service to the cause of Christ through indirect communication (at this time The Magician's Nephew was about to be published). I wrote a paper a couple of semester's ago on Kierkegaard's and Lewis's use of indirect communication of the Christian faith; I'll have to go back and work this into my paper.
Dear Doctor Henry
Thank you for your letter of Sept. 12th. I wish your project heartily well but can't write you articles. My thought and talent (such as they are) now flow in different, though I think not less Christian, channels, and I do not think I am at all likely to write more directly theological pieces. The last work of that sort which I attempted had to be abandoned. If I am now good for anything it is for catching the reader unawares - thro' fiction and symbol. I have done what I could in the way of frontal attacks, but I now feel quite sure those days are over.
With many thanks.
Yours sincerely
C.S. Lewis
1 comments:
Lewis' remarks in this letter are the epitome of describing the facade that every Christian should exhibit in their daily lives. We should take advantage of catching people "unawares" by daily practicing the call to love one another and to ensure that we conduct ourselves in a manner that glorifies our Savior Jesus Christ thereby always leaving the subtle aura of Christ's gift of salvation and avoiding the animosity and negative impact of a "frontal attack." Thanks for sharing this and helping me refocus my daily conduct.
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