The Life of an Influential Christian - C.S. Lewis

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Mathwig

Amanda Mathwig

Mr. Neufeld

Biblical Studies 30S

10 May 2012

The Full Circle Life of C.S. Lewis, the Most Influential Christian

        Clive Staples Lewis, otherwise known as “Jack” by his friends and family, did not have a childhood that inspired him to become the influential Christian author that he is remembered as. Despite growing up in a Protestant Christian household, he found Sunday services to be uninspiring. Rather than an assurance of faith, he viewed the attendance of Church services as a political statement. These weekly rituals formed a distaste for Christianity that Lewis carried well into adulthood. Nevertheless, after spending years in sorrow and anger, he met the man that would eventually bring him back to God at a writer’s group, J.R.R. Tolkien. This relationship led to his conversion and motivated  him to become the influential Christian writer he is remembered as. He pursued his gifts and became the person he was meant to be - meanwhile finding God. Lewis used his gift to glorify and teach others about Christianity. By doing what he loved, Lewis forever changed the lives of countless people, becoming the most influential Christian.

        Born November 29, 1898 in Belfast, Ireland, Clive Staples Lewis lived an ordinary life. He attended school and Church regularly and was raised by two loving parents until 1908. “All settled happiness, that was tranquil and reliable, disappeared from my life” (bbc.co.uk). During this year Lewis’ mother passed away and family dynamics took a turn for the worst. While Lewis and his brother, Warren, grew closer, they both grew away from their Father. From September 1908- June 1910 both Lewis and his brothers attended Wynyard Boarding School which Lewis described as a dreadful place. It was during this period of time that Lewis first tried to be Christian, making lists of resolutions and praying every night. After the closing of Wynyard he switched schools and began to surround himself with comrades that influenced him poorly. Not only did Lewis begin to behave poorly, but his brother did as well, eventually being expelled from college and later joining the army academy (bbc.co.uk).

        After high school Lewis later attended many different Secondary Schools, beginning with Malvern College. He studied Norse mythology in the pursuit of joy, an aspect he was desperately missing in his life. His time spent at Malvern was miserable, mostly due to people who made up rumors about him being homosexual. During this time he lost his Christian faith, and had major disagreements with his brother. Lewis was alone: away from his father, arguing with his brother, and fallen away from God. In 1916 following one year at Malvern, he left to attend University College, Oxford. At this time World War I was two years in, and Lewis enrolled in the army. After the War he returned to University and received three degrees in Greek and Latin Literature, Classical Philosophy, and English Literature and Language (bbc.co.uk).

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        During World War I  Lewis became acquainted with a man named Edward Moore. After growing close to one another they made a promise to one another; if the other did not come home after war, they would support the other’s family. Moore died in combat, and Lewis returned home to live with Mrs. Moore. During this period of time he worked towards his three degrees at Oxford University, and lived with Mrs. Moore until her death. Not only did he stay true to his promise to Moore, he accepted Mrs. Moore as a motherly figure, filling the hole that was ...

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