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There are many fundamentalist Christians who would see these guys as one of their own. Especially Lewis whose books are popular still.
But there are also the more dogmatic ones who would consider them heretics for denying that Belief is not important, and they think the millions of believers who are fans just aren't aware of how dangerous they really were. Lewis always acknowledged that the Universalist writer George MacDonald was his master. I have to assume that Lewis himself may have been a Universalist as well. Though he wrote about Hell, he was probably more metaphoric than some would like. I would identify him as a Liberal Christian which to some is equivalent to Satanist.
JRR Tolkien was Roman Catholic which probably makes him 100% worthless in some Christians' eyes.
How do you as a Christians view these men? (This question is obviously directed at the more dogmatic ones.)
There are many fundamentalist Christians who would see these guys as one of their own. Especially Lewis whose books are popular still.
But there are also the more dogmatic ones who would consider them heretics for denying that Belief is not important, and they think the millions of believers who are fans just aren't aware of how dangerous they really were. Lewis always acknowledged that the Universalist writer George MacDonald was his master. I have to assume that Lewis himself may have been a Universalist as well. Though he wrote about Hell, he was probably more metaphoric than some would like. I would identify him as a Liberal Christian which to some is equivalent to Satanist.
JRR Tolkien was Roman Catholic which probably makes him 100% worthless in some Christians' eyes.
How do you as a Christians view these men? (This question is obviously directed at the more dogmatic ones.)
Both the far left (atheists) and far right (fundamentalists) have problems with Lewis:
Quote:
C.S. Lewis presents a big problem to both the atheist' and Bible fundamentalist' extremes. He was once an atheist and hated Christianity, but his conversion produced one of the most popular theologians of the 20th Century according to some and his influence is alive and well in 2009. His rejection of atheism aside, he is no Bible thumping fundamentalist. Lewis was a professor of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University. He had no formal theological training.
In C.S. Lewis and evolution (www.creation.com) Peter Barnes writes, "Theologically, Lewis described himself as an Anglican...He is often regarded as suspect in his views, especially regarding the doctrines of revelation and the atonement. Certainly, Lewis retained some liberal elements in his thinking..." In other words, by thinking for himself, he was a heretic. He was converted to Christianity by J.R.R. Tolkien of Lord of the Rings fame.
Among the problems for people like Barnes is Lewis believed other faiths were "open" to Christ' salvation and parts of the Bible (such as Noah's Flood, Jonah, etc.) were "fabulous" versus "reliable" elements. Barnes wrote of this kind of thinking, "rightly needs to be criticized by evangelical believers."
Creation Ministries International (CMI) whom Barnes writes for advocates a literal Six-Day Creationism or what is deceptively called "Creation Science." Invented after his death in 1963, Lewis would have soundly rejected their claims. Lewis while a Christian, was also a theistic evolutionist or Old Earth Creationist. For Barnes and Creation Ministries, Lewis' appeal to the public can bring people to God, but undermines their dogmatic views and efforts to dictate belief as they see it. In many cases he contradicts them.
I remember using the Screwtape Letters in Sunday school at my conservative, somewhat fundamentalist congregation.
Lewis was also quoted from time to time from the pulpit.
Tolkien I mostly just know from the movies.
I remember using the Screwtape Letters in Sunday school at my conservative, somewhat fundamentalist congregation.
Lewis was also quoted from time to time from the pulpit.
Tolkien I mostly just know from the movies.
Some would say that your church teachers were being led away, due to their own ignorance, by the enemy. Since Lewis was basically a wolf in sheep's clothing from their point of view. That's how some Christians view Lewis the Heretic.
He's even more dangerous than secular people because he is a Universalist convincing people he is orthodox. Look at any published book of George MacDonald. You will usually find a quote from Lewis praising the Universalist as his "master".
They were very talented English writers and thinkers. I thank God for them, and their writings and contributions.
Going beyond that would be pettiness. I'd like see any complainers try to contribute anything of value and significance like them. Tolkien and Lewis will be remembered, while the naysayers will be long forgotten. Also for the naysayers: would you want to be remembered for positive contributions, or some trivial negativity that others bring up and would dwell on? If you throw stones at Tolkien and Lewis, you welcome others to do the same towards you. See the good in others, not poo-poo everything.
Last edited by Thoreau424; 04-01-2018 at 05:37 PM..
They were very talented English writers and thinkers. I thank God for them, and their writings and contributions.
Going beyond that would be pettiness. I'd like see any complainers try to contribute anything of value and significance like them. Tolkien and Lewis will be remembered, while the naysayers will be long forgotten. Also for the naysayers: would you want to be remembered for positive contributions, or some trivial negativity that others bring up and would dwell on? If you throw stones at Tolkien and Lewis, you welcome others to do the same towards you. See the good in others, or poo-poo everything.
There are many fundamentalist Christians who would see these guys as one of their own. Especially Lewis whose books are popular still.
But there are also the more dogmatic ones who would consider them heretics for denying that Belief is not important, and they think the millions of believers who are fans just aren't aware of how dangerous they really were. Lewis always acknowledged that the Universalist writer George MacDonald was his master. I have to assume that Lewis himself may have been a Universalist as well. Though he wrote about Hell, he was probably more metaphoric than some would like. I would identify him as a Liberal Christian which to some is equivalent to Satanist.
JRR Tolkien was Roman Catholic which probably makes him 100% worthless in some Christians' eyes.
How do you as a Christians view these men? (This question is obviously directed at the more dogmatic ones.)
Good writers. Religion or belief has nothing to do with the fiction they wrote other than maybe giving them a few ideas for their ..... fictional writings.
Good writers. Religion or belief has nothing to do with the fiction they wrote other than maybe giving them a few ideas for their ..... fictional writings.
Not exactly, especially regarding CS Lewis. He didn't only write fiction but he wrote Christian "apologetics". In other words, he was regarded as an "expert" on Christianity. Although maybe he only appeals to Liberal Christians and Universalists. But I get the feeling orthodox Christians may have a misunderstanding about him and consider him to be orthodox. He's not.
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