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Truth Unites

Did C.S. Lewis Abandon Apologetics After the Anscombe Debate?

Nov 12, 2023

C.S. Lewis, author and apologist, addresses the myth that he abandoned apologetics after his debate with Elizabeth Anscombe. The podcast explores how Lewis continued his apologetics and revised his arguments in response to Anscombe's criticisms. It also discusses Lewis's academic work at Oxford and his intentional use of a humble writing style.

14:27

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Quick takeaways

C.S. Lewis did not abandon apologetics after his debate with Elizabeth Anscombe, as evidenced by the continued publication of his apologetic works and revisions to address critiques.

Lewis's turn to children's literature was not a result of a crisis or external cause, but rather a natural progression stemming from his pre-existing interest in the genre and his diverse literary output.

Deep dives

The Debate with Elizabeth Anscombe

C.S. Lewis had a debate with Elizabeth Anscombe, a Roman Catholic philosopher, at the Socratic Club in Oxford. Anscombe criticized Lewis's argument from reason, which was discussed in his book Miracles. However, the debate did not result in a crisis for Lewis or cause him to reject his apologetics works. Some of Lewis's friends have different views on the extent to which he was personally bothered by the event, but no one claimed that he had a crisis of faith or rejected his earlier works.

1.

Introduction

3min

2.

Did C.S. Lewis Abandon Apologetics After the Anscombe Debate?

4min

3.

C.S. Lewis' Continued Engagement in Apologetics and the Misunderstanding of His Turn to Children's Literature

5min

4.

An Examination of C.S. Lewis's Academic Work and Writing Style

3min

In this video I argue against the myth, articulated in several biographies, that C.S. Lewis abandoned apologetics after his 1948 debate with Elizabeth Anscombe.

Truth Unites exists to promote gospel assurance through theological depth.

Gavin Ortlund (PhD, Fuller Theological Seminary) serves as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of Ojai.

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