In this discussion, Michael Ward, a literary scholar and theologian acclaimed for his insights on C.S. Lewis, delves into the profound themes of joy and tears in Lewis's writings. He unpacks the symbolism of waterfalls, illustrating how they reflect spiritual truths and the beauty found in suffering. Ward examines how redemption emerges through emotional experiences, emphasizing the transformative power of both love and grief in Lewis's works. His insights paint a rich tapestry of imagination and depth, revealing the layers behind familiar narratives.
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insights INSIGHT
Waterfalls as Christian Symbols
C.S. Lewis used waterfalls as powerful poetic symbols to convey Christian life and spiritual journeys.
Waterfalls represent cycles of descent and ascent, reflecting death and resurrection themes.
insights INSIGHT
Objective Reality in Waterfalls
Lewis starts The Abolition of Man by discussing a real waterfall to highlight objective reality.
He argues that values and reality exist independently of our subjective views and must be acknowledged correctly.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Lewis's War Experience
Lewis experienced near-death in WWI and felt no fear or courage at that moment.
This personal experience deeply informed his emphasis on objective value and sacrifice in his writings.
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In 'The Abolition of Man', C.S. Lewis delivers a defense of objective value and natural law, originating from his Riddell Memorial Lectures at the University of Durham in 1943. Lewis argues that education should be conducted within the context of moral law and objective values, which he terms the 'Tao'. He criticizes modern attempts to debunk these values, warning that such actions could lead to a dehumanization of society, resulting in what he calls 'Men without Chests' – individuals whose emotions have not been trained to conform to reason. The book emphasizes the universal nature of traditional moralities across different cultures and warns against the dangers of moral relativism and the reduction of human beings to mere objects of scientific analysis[2][4][5].
The Problem of Pain
C.S. Lewis
In 'The Problem of Pain', C.S. Lewis addresses the age-old question of how a good and all-powerful God can permit pain and suffering. Lewis argues that human suffering is a consequence of the existence of evil and free will, and that God uses suffering as a tool to draw us nearer to Him. He categorizes pain as both physical and emotional, serving as a warning signal that alerts us to potential harm and compels us to make necessary changes. Lewis also discusses the Fall of Man and how it led to chaos and disaster, emphasizing that God's goodness is not negated by suffering but rather evidenced through His merciful intervention. The book concludes by reassuring that God's wisdom is infinitely superior to ours and that pain eventually leads us back to a loving relationship with our Creator[2][3][4].
The Four Loves
C.S. Lewis
In 'The Four Loves', C.S. Lewis examines the nature of love from a Christian and philosophical perspective. He categorizes love into four types based on ancient Greek words: *storge* (affection), *philia* (friendship), *eros* (romantic love), and *agape* (the love of God). Lewis discusses the characteristics, strengths, and potential pitfalls of each type of love, emphasizing the importance of understanding and balancing these loves to avoid corruption and to draw closer to God. He also explores the distinction between 'need-love' and 'gift-love' and how these concepts relate to human experiences and divine love[1][3][4].
The Chronicles of Narnia
C.S. Lewis
Planet narnia
Michael Ward
Michael Ward's "Planet Narnia" explores the allegorical structure of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, arguing that the series reflects the imagery of the seven heavens. The book delves into the literary and theological depth of Narnia, revealing its profound Christian symbolism. Ward meticulously examines each book in the series, demonstrating how Lewis subtly incorporated theological concepts and celestial imagery. This analysis challenges the perception of Narnia as mere children's literature, showcasing its rich intellectual and spiritual significance. The book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Lewis's masterpiece.
The Great Divorce
C.S. Lewis
In 'The Great Divorce', C.S. Lewis presents an allegorical narrative where souls from a gray, dreary town (representing hell) are given the opportunity to visit heaven. The story follows the narrator and various ghosts as they encounter spirits in heaven, engaging in dialogues that reveal the nature of their choices and the reasons they remain in hell. The book emphasizes that hell is a self-imposed state, and individuals choose to remain there due to their inability to let go of their earthly attachments and sins. Through these encounters, Lewis explores themes of redemption, the afterlife, and the importance of spiritual choices, underscoring that true joy and salvation are available to those who seek them sincerely.
In our last episode, Chase Whitney talked about the role of tears in relation to joy, and how that is laid out in Scripture. But the night before Chase gave that talk, he was in the audience at an Anselm Society pub night listening to Michael Ward give the following one—and he joked with me afterward that Michael must have been reading his notes. A day later, after I'd heard the sermon, I understood why.
Michael's talk, in this episode, deals with much the same topic—but this time, using various writings of C.S. Lewis as literary illumination to help us understand joy and tears even more deeply.
In case you're unfamiliar with Michael, I'll tell you he is a literary scholar and theologian, renowned for his work on C.S. Lewis. Ward is best known for his book Planet Narnia, where he argues that C.S. Lewis structured The Chronicles of Narnia to reflect the imagery of the seven heavens. I highly commend that book to your attention if you think Narnia is only for children.
Imagination Redeemed 
