Sarah Mitchell
C.S. Lewis, the Belfast-born Anglican writer, is a beloved figure among Catholics, despite never converting to Catholicism. Lewis's work has been praised by prominent Catholics, including Bishop Barron and St. John Paul II, and his ideas have influenced Pope Benedict XVI. While Lewis's writings have been described as Catholic-adjacent, he had several objections to Catholicism, including the Catholic Church's doctrine of the authority of the Church and tradition, as well as its views on the Virgin Mary and the Pope. Lewis attributed his prejudice against Catholicism to his Northern Irish upbringing, and some speculate that he may have converted to Catholicism if he had lived longer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Admired by Catholics | C.S. Lewis is admired by Catholics for being a respectable public intellectual, a creative personality, and a teacher of Catholic truth. |
| Catholic-Adjacent | C.S. Lewis is considered Catholic-adjacent due to his proximity to Catholicism in his beliefs and friendships. |
| Non-Sectarian | C.S. Lewis was non-sectarian, avoiding sectarian divisions and being sympathetic to Catholic viewpoints. |
| Objections to Catholicism | C.S. Lewis had objections to Catholicism, including the doctrine of the authority of the Church, the position of the Virgin Mary, and the doctrine of papal infallibility. |
| Influence on Catholics | C.S. Lewis has influenced Catholics and their beliefs, with some converting to Catholicism after reading his works. |
| "Mere" Christianity | C.S. Lewis described himself as a "mere" Christian, focusing on the basics of the faith rather than denominational differences. |
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What You'll Learn
C.S. Lewis's objections to Catholicism
C.S. Lewis, a renowned Christian writer, had several objections to Catholicism, despite his popularity among Catholics.
Firstly, Lewis held anti-Catholic biases due to his upbringing in Northern Ireland. He once stated that he had been implicitly warned "never to trust a papist" as a child. This deep-seated prejudice likely influenced his views on Catholicism as an adult.
Secondly, Lewis disagreed with the Catholic veneration of the Virgin Mary, believing that it could lead to her being treated as a deity and becoming the centre of the religion, rather than her son, Jesus. In a letter to Mary van Deusen in 1952, he wrote, "I therefore think that such salutes [to the Virgin Mary] are better avoided". He also attributed his resistance to Catholicism to his concerns about the authority of the pope, or "papal infallibility".
Thirdly, Lewis believed that the Catholic Church's tradition of compulsory confession was unnecessary, as he felt that forgiveness could be attained without it. He also objected to the idea that one must accept all future doctrines produced by the Catholic Church, stating that it was like agreeing not only to what a man has said but also to what he will say in the future.
Furthermore, Lewis held specifically Protestant beliefs and saw Catholic beliefs as "a mass of comparatively harmless human tradition". He also believed that the Catholic Church placed too much importance on certain traditions and practices, such as addressing devotions to saints or angels, which could potentially lead people away from pure devotion to God.
Lastly, Lewis's friend and fellow writer, J.R.R. Tolkien, suggested that Lewis's resistance to Catholicism may have been due to an "Ulsterior motive", indicating that there could have been additional factors influencing his objections beyond those stated explicitly.
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Lewis's Northern Irish upbringing
C.S. Lewis was born Clive Staples Lewis in Belfast, Northern Ireland, in 1898. He was a British citizen, as when he was born, there was only one "Ireland". Although he never lived in the Republic of Ireland, he would have qualified as a citizen by birth under the law of that nation. Lewis himself identified as Irish, and he regularly visited Northern Ireland throughout his life. In 1958, he spent his honeymoon in Crawfordsburn, which he called "my Irish life".
Lewis was immersed in Irish culture and literature from a young age. He developed a particular fondness for W.B. Yeats, due to the poet's use of Ireland's Celtic heritage in his work. In a letter to a friend, Lewis wrote:
> I have here discovered an author exactly after my own heart, whom I am sure you would delight in, W. B. Yeats. He writes plays and poems of rare spirit and beauty about our old Irish mythology.
Lewis also expressed an interest in the Irish language, though there is little evidence that he attempted to learn it. He sought out the company of other Irish people living in England, and in a letter to a friend, he wrote:
> I am often surprised to find how utterly ignored Yeats is among the men I have met: perhaps his appeal is purely Irish – if so, then thank the gods that I am Irish.
Lewis's mother died of cancer when he was nine years old. After her death, he was sent to boarding school in England, which he disliked intensely. He found the experience so traumatic that he later compared his school to a concentration camp in his autobiography.
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The appeal of Lewis to Catholics
C.S. Lewis is a beloved figure among many Catholics, despite his Protestant faith and affiliation with the Church of England. Lewis's works, such as "The Chronicles of Narnia," have significantly shaped modern Christianity and apologetics. Lewis's ability to smuggle ideas past the "watchful dragons" of prejudice and his focus on the basics of Christianity have made him accessible to a broad audience, including Catholics.
One of the key appeals of Lewis to Catholics is his ability to bridge the gap between Protestants and Catholics. Lewis himself had many Catholic friends, and his works were influenced by Catholic thought. For example, Lewis consulted with both Catholics and Protestants before publishing "Mere Christianity" to ensure that it expressed sentiments agreeable to both denominations. Lewis's non-sectarian approach is summed up in his belief that submission to a Christian church was more important than the specific branch of Christianity one followed.
Lewis's works also provided a simple, sensible, and Christocentric entrée to the faith, making him a favourite of Bishop Barron, who praised "The Great Divorce," and St. John Paul II, who admired "The Four Loves." Lewis's turns of phrase have influenced Catholic apologists, including Pope Benedict XVI, who quoted Lewis's "Surprised by Joy" in his "Jesus of Nazareth."
Lewis's appeal to Catholics also lies in his progressive exploration of Christian doctrines and dogmas, which some believe led him closer to Catholicism. Lewis's writings on the Blessed Virgin Mary, for instance, show a development in his thought, with later writings showing a more Catholic-leaning perspective. Lewis's influence has created a vast safe space for ecumenical dialogue, welcoming Evangelicals and others to explore Catholicism.
While Lewis never became a Catholic, his works continue to be cherished by many Catholics, who find inspiration in his ideas and his ability to transcend denominational boundaries.
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Lewis's non-sectarian approach
C.S. Lewis is known for his non-sectarian approach to Christianity, which has been attributed to his upbringing in Northern Ireland. Lewis himself stated that the important thing was to make one's submission to a Christian church, and that the specific branch of Christianity one chose was far less important. This is reflected in his works, where he avoids sectarian division and is often sympathetic to Catholic viewpoints.
Lewis's non-sectarian stance is also reflected in his personal life, where he counted many Catholics among his friends, including J.R.R. Tolkien. When asked about his reluctance to convert to Catholicism, Lewis attributed it to his upbringing in Belfast, suggesting that his Northern Irish background influenced his religious views.
Despite his non-sectarian approach, Lewis did have some objections to Catholicism. He disagreed with certain Catholic practices and doctrines, such as the position of the Virgin Mary and the doctrine of papal infallibility. Lewis also believed that the Catholic Church added too much to the depositum fidei, or the body of faith, leading to a ""jungle" of credenda, or beliefs, that were difficult to navigate.
Overall, C.S. Lewis's non-sectarian approach to Christianity made him accessible to a wide range of religious audiences, including Catholics. His focus on the basics of Christianity and his avoidance of sectarian division created a space for ecumenical dialogue and exploration, even if he himself never fully embraced the Catholic faith.
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Lewis's influence on Catholic converts
C.S. Lewis was raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and was Anglican. Despite having many Catholic friends and admirers, Lewis never converted to Catholicism. He attributed his prejudice against the Roman Catholic Church to his Northern Irish upbringing. Lewis also disagreed with certain Catholic doctrines, such as the position of the Virgin Mary and the doctrine of papal infallibility.
However, Lewis's works have influenced many Catholic converts. His writings are known for their clarity and profundity, and he was sympathetic to Catholic viewpoints, consulting Catholics and Protestants before publishing Mere Christianity to ensure it expressed universally agreeable sentiments. Lewis's works have been cited as a significant influence on the spiritual and intellectual progress of many Catholic converts, including Dr. Michael Ward, author of Planet Narnia, philosopher Peter Kreeft, Father Ker, Father Dwight Longenecker, Francis Beckwith, and Mark Brumley, president and CEO of Ignatius Press.
Lewis's friend J.R.R. Tolkien, who was Catholic, is said to have been largely responsible for Lewis's conversion to Christianity. Lewis's works have also been credited with helping prominent figures such as the German economist E.F. Schumacher, British journalists William Oddie, David Quinn, and Michael Coren, and British humanitarian Leonard Cheshire on their paths to Catholicism.
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Frequently asked questions
Lewis was raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and attributed his prejudice against the Roman Catholic Church to his upbringing. He also believed that the most important thing was to submit oneself to a Christian church, and the denomination was far less important.
Lewis was sympathetic to Catholic viewpoints and sought advice from Catholics and Protestants before publishing Mere Christianity to ensure that it was universally agreeable. However, he disagreed with certain Catholic practices, such as the treatment of the Virgin Mary as a deity and the doctrine of papal infallibility.
Lewis's works have been used by the Catholic Church to teach and explore Catholicism, particularly in the New Evangelization, which demands a simple and Christocentric approach to the faith. Lewis's writing style and turns of phrase have also influenced Catholic apologists.
Yes, Lewis had several Catholic friends, including J.R.R. Tolkien, who was largely responsible for his conversion to Christianity. Lewis also corresponded with American Catholic poet and writer Joy Gresham, who eventually moved to England with her two sons.
Catholics have generally appreciated C.S. Lewis's work, especially his ability to smuggle ideas past the "watchful dragons" of prejudice. Some Catholics have even wished that he had become Catholic. However, others have criticized his Protestant beliefs as "a tissue of damnable errors."
