I have only read (completely) the "Letters".

However, it is truly an amazing book!

I just wish that I could have had the opportunity to hear him speak portions of these books over the radio.

It serves as a wonderful window into the world of the devil!

By looking at Satan's tricks through this book, I have become more acutely aware of how vulnerable I am to them!

It makes me realize that we must always be vigilant and on guard against the wiles of the enemy.

The insights provided in this book are truly eye-opening and have made a profound impact on my understanding of the spiritual realm.

I am grateful to have come across this remarkable work and would highly recommend it to others.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the deeper aspects of the battle between good and evil.

This collection truly showcases Lewis' extensive range within the realm of nonfiction and religious writings.

Although I may not concur with every single aspect presented in these works, they are undeniably filled with profound insights and make for a great read.

Mere Christianity offers a thought-provoking exploration of Christian beliefs. The Screwtape Letters presents a unique perspective on the spiritual battle. Miracles delves into the concept of the supernatural. The Great Divorce takes readers on an otherworldly journey. The Problem of Pain grapples with the difficult question of why pain exists. A Grief Observed is a deeply personal account of dealing with loss. And The Abolition of Man examines the implications of modern thought on human nature.

For a more in-depth look at each individual book in this collection, all links lead to my review of the respective titles.

It is evident that Lewis' works have had a significant impact and continue to be relevant and engaging for readers today.

Surprised by Joy
This emotion of joy that surprises us is truly remarkable. It stems from an unsatisfied desire that holds a unique allure. It is a desire that, in its very nature, is more desirable than any other satisfaction one could obtain. It is as if this unfulfilled longing has a charm of its own, pulling us towards it and making us wonder what lies beyond.

A Grief Observed
In the face of grief, we often find ourselves in a state of denial. We think there might be some device, some secret formula, if only we could discover it, that would make the pain cease to be pain. But the truth is, it doesn't really matter how we react. Whether we grip the arms of the dentist's chair tightly or let our hands lie limply in our lap, the drill of pain continues to bore into us. Grief has a way of persevering, regardless of our attempts to avoid or escape it. It forces us to confront our emotions and come to terms with the reality of loss.

These two works, "Surprised by Joy" and "A Grief Observed," offer profound insights into the human experience of joy and grief. They remind us that both emotions are an integral part of our lives and that we must learn to embrace them, even when they are difficult to understand or accept.

June 29, 2013
I have just completed reading Mere Christianity, and I must say that I am truly relishing C.S. Lewis' writing style. He presents his own perspective on his faith in a remarkably humble manner. He never claims to possess the absolute answer to everything, and wisely avoids certain topics. These topics, although controversial and interesting, are best left untouched simply because he could never fathom the struggles associated with the positions they demand. For instance, Lewis refrains from discussing abortion. It is all too easy to rant and impose one's opinion on something that one only theoretically knows but has never actually experienced. Lewis adheres to his own life experiences, and for this, I am truly grateful.

Moreover, he is a virtuoso of analogies. The comparisons and metaphors he employs to bring typically abstract and distant ideas into clear perspective are truly astonishing. I have spent a great deal of time reflecting on what I have just read, turning over many a thought in my mind. He has certainly managed to make me think deeply in several examples, and has assisted me in clarifying my own stance. However, this does not mean that everything he says is flawless. If one wishes, it is possible to find flaws or other aspects to argue against his faith. But that is not the essence of it. It is a perspective, an enlightening one that delves into the realm of Truth, and for me, it has left a refreshing aftertaste.

Mere Christianity is a book that I will surely return to time and again.
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July 21, 2013
Today, I finished reading The Screwtape Letters! It was an amazing read. It is always a pleasure to be placed in the shoes of the "Other side." I am not entirely certain whether this work is completely theologically sound, as there were some ambiguous parts that could be interpreted in more than one way (all of which seemed a bit inaccurate from my own understanding). Unlike in Mere Christianity, Lewis does not make any assertion about his fact-checking at the beginning of the novel, so I would suggest taking what you read with a slight degree of caution. But only a very slight one.

Nonetheless, it is a great read. It is informative, amusing, and a testament to his British wit (something that has always appealed to me).

It was a good choice to read this right after Mere Christianity, which is perhaps why it was arranged in such a way.

So far, I have delved into Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, and I am currently part way through Miracles.

I have a penchant for the analytical approach to Christianity, provided it is not the sole perspective. After all, I firmly believe that in this life, we are called to exercise faith to a certain extent.

Undoubtedly, learning itself is an act of faith, and I am profoundly grateful for the profound thinking that Mr. Lewis has engaged in and his remarkable ability to convey it to the rest of us.

Knowing the Gospel undoubtedly aids in putting some of his thoughts into proper perspective and helps to eliminate other ruminations as being erroneous. Overall, I am finding this exploration to be an extremely enjoyable, beneficial, and edifying read.

I have now completed these works and deeply cherish the opportunity to partake of Mr. Lewis' knowledge, intellect, and wisdom.

I favored some of the works more than others, with a particular affinity for The Great Divorce, Mere Christianity, and The Screwtape Letters.

I would recommend these works in the following order (which perhaps reveals more about me than about them or him): The Great Divorce, Mere Christianity, The Screwtape Letters, Miracles, The Problem of Pain (which is really close to Miracles), A Grief Observed, and The Abolition of Man.

Each of these works offers unique insights and perspectives that have enriched my understanding and appreciation of Christianity and life in general.

So good, so happy to reread Lewis' stuff.

Lewis is one of those remarkable authors, along with Robert Barron, Walter Miller and GK Chesterton, whose writings have had a profound impact on strengthening my faith.

Take The Screwtape Letters, for instance. Admittedly, it always manages to scare the crap out of me because I recognize so much of myself in what Screwtape is encouraging. However, it also serves as a reminder to laugh at my failings and foibles and to always keep in mind God's mercy. But truly, whenever I read Screwtape, my mood follows a sine curve. First, I'm up because it's funny. Then, I'm crushed because I'm reasonably certain I'm going to Hell. And by the end, I'm mellowed out again and remembering to keep an eye on my 'harmless' sins.

And there's that hilarious moment when Screwtape accidentally turns himself into a giant centipede and has to dictate the rest of his letter. It's just plain funny.

I also discovered a new favorite in The Great Divorce, where souls ride a bus to Heaven and the saints attempt to convince them to stay. It's kind of heartbreaking how few choose to stay and how the rest cling to their sins and refuse to admit their flaws. As Lewis said (somewhere), there are two kinds of people in the world. Those who say to God, \\"Thy will be done\\" and those to whom God says, \\"Fine, have it your way.\\"

It's also the source of one of my favorite quotes. One of the Ghosts is complaining that he only wants what's due to him and that he's never asked for 'anybody's bleeding charity'. And one of the Souls immediately tells him, \\"Then do. At once. Ask for the Bleeding Charity. Everything is here for the asking and nothing can be bought.\\"

Finally, there's A Grief Observed. That one was borderline painful to read. It was like observing a particularly private moment, which I suppose it literally was. But it was still difficult to see someone else suffering in such a close and personal manner.

Overall, Lewis' works are a treasure trove of wisdom, humor, and profound insights that continue to enrich my spiritual journey.

The C. S. Lewis canon is an absolute must-read for every thoughtful Christian.

I have a particular fondness for The Great Divorce. It presents a rather unique concept of hell, not as the traditional fiery pit but more like a bus station.

The Screwtape Letters, on the other hand, is an extremely witty series of letters. These letters are penned by a senior devil named Screwtape to a junior devil called Wormwood. Their objective is to ensure the damnation of a human referred to as "the patient."

Screwtape provides Wormwood with an abundance of excellent (and highly amusing) advice on how to undermine the faith of humans. In this book, hell is depicted as a bureaucracy, and how fitting that is! It offers a fresh and thought-provoking perspective on the nature of evil and the spiritual battle that rages within each of us.

C. S. Lewis's works continue to inspire and challenge readers, inviting us to reflect on our own spiritual journeys and the forces that seek to lead us astray.

C.S. Lewis interestingly used a variation of storytelling when pointing out different sectors in his belief system with Christianity, atheism and other philosophical observations.

His approach was unique and engaging, yet I did find the book to be somewhat complex in understanding certain points he was trying to emphasize.

However, overall I took out the meat of his message that was relative to my understanding and didn't try to stress over the portions of the book I was unable to fully comprehend.

This allowed me to focus on the aspects that resonated with me and gain valuable insights from his work.

Lewis's exploration of these different belief systems and philosophical ideas provides a rich and thought-provoking read.

It challenges the reader to think deeply about their own beliefs and perspectives, and to consider alternative viewpoints.

Despite the complexity, I believe that the effort to understand his message is well worth it, as it can lead to a greater understanding of oneself and the world around us.

Overall, I found C.S. Lewis's work to be an interesting and rewarding read, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in exploring the intersection of faith, philosophy, and literature.

The Screwtape Letters is diabolically incredible.

It provides a theoretical insight into the devil's perspective on prayer and the temptations he can hurl our way. What may seem like a normal turn of events or a change of thought is, in fact, the devil's devious ways of keeping us trapped in the "real world."

This remarkable book compels you to think deeply and take a comprehensive inventory of your life and habits. It is filled with epiphanies galore!

As you read, you begin to see the world through a different lens, realizing the hidden forces at play that can influence our actions and decisions.

The Screwtape Letters serves as a powerful reminder to be vigilant and discerning in our spiritual journey, constantly on guard against the devil's wiles.

It challenges us to examine our motives, question our beliefs, and strive for a closer relationship with God.

This book is not only a fascinating read but also a valuable tool for personal growth and spiritual enlightenment.

In reading the first part, I'm actually re-reading Mere Christianity which I first read a year ago.

It had a profound impact on me the first time around. However, since then, I've come across some of the more pessimistic reviews.

I guess I can see their point to a certain extent. It's not that I outright disagree with his points.

Rather, I can understand why they might be perceived as simplistic.

Perhaps my perspective has changed a bit over time.

I'm hoping that I haven't become overly cynical.

Despite this, I'm still looking forward to reading the rest of the book with fresh eyes.

I'm curious to see if I'll gain new insights or if my initial impressions will be reaffirmed.

Maybe this second reading will help me to better understand the nuances and subtleties that I might have missed the first time.

Only time will tell, but I'm excited to embark on this reading journey once again.

All great!

Mere Christianity is logic at its best. It presents profound and rational arguments about the nature of Christianity and its significance in our lives.

The Screwtape Letters, which are written from a senior devil to a junior one, are not only succinct but also highly sensible. Each chapter contains a nicely crafted, vicious threat that serves as a警示 and a reminder of the temptations and pitfalls that we face in our spiritual journey.

The Great Divorce shows that no one stays in 'the grey place' unless they choose to. It explores the concept of heaven and hell and the choices that we make that determine our eternal destination. This book challenges us to examine our own lives and the decisions that we make, and to strive for a closer relationship with God.

Together, these three works offer valuable insights and teachings that can help us to grow in our faith and to become better Christians.

I could read anything that C.S. Lewis wrote over and over and over again. His works have such a profound impact on me. I truly wish that I could have the opportunity to sit with him, sharing a cup of tea, and asking him about his thoughts on today's culture, politics, and the state of the Church. However, in reality, many of the things he wrote 40 - 50 years ago are still incredibly relevant and accurate when we read them in the context of contemporary events. It's almost as if he had a prescient understanding of the future.

This particular volume is one of my absolute favorites. It holds a special place in my heart, and I'll never let it out of my house. It's like a precious treasure that I cherish and protect. I often find myself turning to its pages, seeking wisdom and inspiration from the words of this great author.