There are few more famed Christian authors than Clive Staples Lewis, a former Oxford Professor, Christian apologist, and lay theologian. He was a writer who captured the imaginations of children across the world with his fictional tales of Narnia. But C.S. Lewis is also famed for his more spiritual works – books such as Mere Christianity and The Four Loves. These are books that, to this day, remain some of the most widely read texts on the Christian faith.

Today, November 29, marks 120 years since C.S. Lewis’ birth. So we thought we’d celebrate his life by revisiting some of Lewis’ thoughts on God, faith, life and much more.

Quotes on Christianity

“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.” – C.S. Lewis

“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in you.” – C.S. Lewis

“If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.” – C.S. Lewis

“The Christian does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us.” – C.S. Lewis

“The great thing to remember is that though our feelings come and go God’s love for us does not.” – C.S. Lewis

“I think that if God forgives us we must forgive ourselves. Otherwise, it is almost like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than Him.” – C.S. Lewis

“Miracles are a retelling in small letters of the very same story which is written across the whole world in letters too large for some of us to see.” – C.S. Lewis

“God can’t give us peace and happiness apart from Himself because there is no such thing.” – C.S. Lewis

“A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell.” – C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain

“He died not for men, but for each man. If each man had been the only man made, He would have done no less.” – C.S. Lewis

“Whether we like it or not, God intends to give us what we need, not what we now think we want.” – C.S. Lewis

Quotes on Love, Friendship & Life

“Friendship … is born at the moment when one man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .” – C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…. It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.” – C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves

“Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained.” – C.S. Lewis

“Experience: that most brutal of teachers. But you learn, my God do you learn.” – C.S. Lewis

“Spiteful words can hurt your feelings but silence breaks your heart.” – C.S. Lewis

“You are never too old to set another goal, or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

Quotes about Books & Reading

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.”  – C.S. Lewis

“I can’t imagine a man really enjoying a book and reading it only once.” – C.S. Lewis

“It is a good rule after reading a new book, never to allow yourself another new one till you have read an old one in between.” – C.S. Lewis

“Some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again.” – C.S. Lewis

“A children’s story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children’s story in the slightest.” – C.S. Lewis

“Eating and reading are two pleasures that combine admirably.” – C.S. Lewis

Quotes from The Chronicles of Narnia

“Courage, dear heart.” – C.S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

“What you see and what you hear depends a great deal on where you are standing. It also depends on what sort of person you are.” – C.S. Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew

“You would not have called to me unless I had been calling to you,” said the Lion.” – C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair

“Things never happen the same way twice.” – C.S. Lewis, Prince Caspian

“Do not dare not to dare.” – C.S. Lewis, The Horse and His Boy

“Crying is all right in its way while it lasts. But you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do.” – C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair

“Now the trouble about trying to make yourself stupider than you really are is that you very often succeed.” – C.S. Lewis, The Magician’s Nephew

“I’m on Aslan’s side even if there isn’t any Aslan to lead it. I’m going to live as like a Narnian as I can even if there isn’t any Narnia.” – C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair

“He’ll be coming and going” he had said. “One day you’ll see him and another you won’t. He doesn’t like being tied down–and of course he has other countries to attend to. It’s quite all right. He’ll often drop in. Only you mustn’t press him. He’s wild, you know. Not like a tame lion.” – C.S. Lewis, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

The post 32 Inspiring C.S. Lewis Quotes on Faith & More appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.

There are few more famed Christian authors than C.S. Lewis. A writer who captured the imaginations of children across the world with his fictional tales of Narnia. But, have you read C.S. Lewis’ spiritual works? Books such as Mere Christianity and The Four Loves are marvelous reads about faith and growing as a Christian. Best of all? They’re still relevant today.

With the recent repackaging of C.S. Lewis classics, we thought we’d revisit these great reads…

Mere Christianity

In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis explores the common ground upon which all those of Christian faith stand together. A powerful apologetic for the Christian faith that proves time and again to be a great read for believers and non-believers alike.

The Screwtape Letters

A brilliant satirical piece, The Screwtape Letters entertains readers with its ironic portrayal of human life from the vantage point of Screwtape, a highly placed assistant to “Our Father Below”. The book is a masterpiece and does a superb job of addressing common theological issues – most importantly temptation and the triumph over it. A highly entertaining and engaging read from the moment you turn that first page!

The Great Divorce

This Christian allegorical tale is an exploration of good and evil, all told from the setting of a bus ride from hell to heaven. In The Great Divorce, C.S. Lewis expertly weaves a story that is vivid in its descriptions and highly imaginative – as we’ve learned all C.S. Lewis works to be! It may be a small book, but boy, is it a powerful read.

The Problem of Pain

It’s a question often asked… ‘If God is good and all-powerful, why does he allow his creatures to suffer?’. In The Problem of Pain, C.S. Lewis explores this question in more detail, arguing that pain and suffering is not reason enough to be an unbeliever in a good and powerful God. A must-read if you’ve ever asked yourself this question.

A Grief Observed

Perhaps one of C.S. Lewis’ most emotional works, written after his wife’s tragic death. A Grief Observed is Lewis’ honest reflection on the issues of life, death and faith in the midst of loss. Many authors have since explored the topic of grief and faith – but few can rival this classic.

The Abolition of Man

This is perhaps one of C.S. Lewis’ most lauded – and widely debated – works. Having initially been delivered as a series of three lectures, The Abolition of Man is a reflection on education and the necessity of instilling within our students universal values such as honor and courage. As important a read now as it was in the 1940s.

The Four Loves

In The Four Loves – one of his most famous works of nonfiction – Lewis explores the four kinds of human love. Identifying these as affection, the most basic form; friendship, the rarest and perhaps most insightful; eros, passionate love; and charity, the love of God. Lewis continues to delve into how love works in our lives and eventually allows us to be closer to God. Just a beautiful read that will fill you with warmth… and love!

So there you have it, just a few reasons why C.S. Lewis will forever be one of the greatest literary Christians in history. If you’re bookshelf is missing any (or all of these) reads – you know what to do!

The C. S. Lewis Signature Classics (8-Volume Box Set) is now available

The post Christian Book Reads | Classic C.S. Lewis appeared first on Christianbook.com Blog.