Lewis and Freud Debate God

I few years back I saw a really good show on PBS called "The Question of God." It was based upon a book by the same title, written by Dr. Armand Nicholi. The contents of both pit the intellectual arguments for and against the existence of God, as argued by both Sigmund Freud (against) and C.S. Lewis (for). The end result is a fascinating debate between two of the most influential figures of the 20th century (read one review here).

The book is really hard to put down. Dr. Nicholi does a remarkable job of putting the arguments side by side throughout the book. It is the closest thing to a real debate that could be possible. I must say that Lewis holds many advantages in the debate: (1) He lived a little after Freud and had more time to read and answer his objections. (2) He himself was an atheist for the first 30 years of his life--thus, he knew and had sympathy for the atheists' best arguments. (3) He had read much more theology and philosophy than Freud. Though Freud is no intellectual lightweight here, he didn't have some of the benefits of Lewis in these areas.

Though the book tries to be objective to both sides of the debate, I came away feeling more confident of my own faith. Nicholi does a good job of communicating to us the "weightiness" of the subject matter. If one side is true and the other false then the consequences are considerable. As I weighed the consequences of Freud's arguments, it became clear to me that his view only leads to despair, lawlessness, and futility. Nicholi, in a very non-postmodern tone, argues that these points of view are "mutually exclusive--if one is right, the other must be wrong." Though the book and video seek to be neutral on the subject, Nicholi seems to believe that a conclusion needs to be made. Both Lewis and Freud saw it in this light and so should the viewer (reader). They are absolutely right! It was refreshing to read a non-religious book that actually gets that important point.

G. Campbell Morgan Back In Print

The Westminster Pulpit by G. Campbell Morgan is back in print at a reduced price (see here). Since first reading Morgan at Bible College, I have always wanted to own this series. Since it was out of print for awhile, the price was dramatically higher than what I was willing to spend.

His sermons are some of the best that I have ever read. If C.H. Spurgeon is the Prince of Preachers, then Campbell is surely the "Prince of Expositors". Many evangelicals from many traditions have noted his influence in how they teach the Bible. He lays out the text of scripture in a very clear and easy way, while, at the same time, communicating the gravity and depth of the passage. He's also the man responsible for bringing the great Martyn Lloyd-Jones to Westminster Chapel after hearing him preach. Another good reason to appreciate him!

My lovely wife bought the volumes for me and they have now arrived. I am a happier man because of it!

Anderson Cooper: Dispatches From The Edge

Anderson Cooper's book "Dispatches From The Edge" was one of the most honest and eye-opening books that I have read in a long time (see brief review here). I actually listened to the book on CD (thank God for libraries, I could never afford to buy such things). Why was it honest and eye opening? It left me utterly depressed and empty...that's why. Let me explain.

As Cooper writes about his experiences in covering some of the major stories of our time (war in Iraq, Asian tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, etc.), he reflects on his own life and the personal tragedies that he has experienced,--namely, the death of his father when he was 10 and the horrific suicide of his older brother when he was 20. He offers no conclusions, or solutions to the pain that he has experienced, nor does he attempt to make sense of the world around him--he just reports and reports and reports. That's his job. That's what he gets paid millions for--reporting what he sees in the world. He just happened to throw in his own personal tragedies as well. Though some reviewers deplored this side of the book, I thought that it was highly appropriate and added significant depth to the book.

It was honest because Cooper doesn't claim to have real answers. He simply reports. It was eye opening because it's a good snap shot into our culture. They know what's around them and they know what's in their own life (and heart) but they know that they have no answers to life's toughest questions. The best you can do is give someone a pat on the back and say, "hang in there buddy." Or as Anderson tells them, "it will be all right." Hang in there for what? What if it's doesn't end all right?

It reminds me of how I felt when I saw the movie "Remains of the Day." Great movie. But it leaves you totally depressed. There's no happy ending, there's no resolution--just pain and regrets.

The reality is that this is life without Christ. Without Justification by Faith and God's grace in our lives, there are no real answers. Without the understanding that our world is fallen and that Christ redeemed it for His glory, we can never truly have meaningful answers to the sin, suffering, and misery that we see in the world. We can only look at it, report on it, and move on.

Book Review: "Jack's Life"

Douglas Gresham's new book "Jack's Life: The Life Story of C.S. Lewis" was an attempt by the author to paint a more intimate portrait of his adoptive father, "Jack". Gresham has been dissatisfied with many of the biographies on Lewis, mainly because they don't show the "greatness" of the man apart from his intellectual achievements. "Jack is truly the greatest man that I have ever known," insists Gresham and his biography tries to show that side of him.

Weaknesses: The first part of the book is simply bad. There is no way around it. Gresham does an inadequate job, as a biographer, in taking you through the first part of C.S. Lewis' life. He tends to give you unnecessary comments about his own personal feelings on subjects (see my review on Tolkien's biography--the exact opposite was true with his biographer). From his loathing of war to his feelings on father-son relationships--these comments weren't appropriate in that portion of the book. They would, however, become appropriate later on when, as a young boy, Gresham became intimately involved with Lewis. In an attempt to give his "two cents" he actually interrupted the natural flow of the narration. We were constantly reminded that the author was there breathing down our necks.

Strengths: The closer you get to the story of Joy Gresham, the better the book gets. Here, Douglas Gresham shines through. His insights into this love relationship between his mother and Lewis are well worth the read of the book. I especially liked his inclusion of Lewis' views on Love. I never knew that his book "The Four Loves" was actually put into practice and realized with his relationship with Joy. You can see this story in the movie Shadowlands. (the Anthony Hopkins version). This subject of the four loves is brought up in the movie briefly, but this writer gives it a clearer meaning. What amazes me is just how right Lewis was on this subject.

In the book, he points out how the English language is inadequate in defining love. There were different types of love as defined in the Greek language (ie. agape--the love of God, the highest love). The eros love (romantic love) finally happened between Lewis and Joy only after she was diagnosed with terminal cancer. He realized just how big of a hole she filled for him and when he saw that she was dying, he suddenly knew that he was in love. This was an important point of Gresham's book. Lewis did, indeed, practice loving others and made it an important part of his Christian life. He took an important commandment in the scriptures and applied it. By this fact, Gresham regarded Jack as the "greatest".

I Corinthians 13:13: "And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

Three Stars (out of Five)

Book Review: "Miles Gone By"

William F. Buckley's "Miles Gone By: A Literary Autobiography" was both an entertaining read and an educational course on the so-called "Conservative Movement" in America. For those of you who think that the Conservatism of Ronald Reagan and George Bush is just a natural "reactionary" inclination of some to progressive thinking, then you are way off the mark. Buckley, in many ways, gave the intellectual backbone to the Conservative Movement that was, before the late 1950's, pretty much taboo to most political thinkers. As Buckley moves into the twilight of his life, we just may be seeing the passing of one of the most influential thinkers of our time. You see, Conservatism, as proposed by Buckley, was progressive. It went against everything (and every current) of political thinking of his time. It has now taken deep root in our society, but that hasn't always been the case.

Buckley is an excellent writer who has few peers. This fact alone makes this a delightful read. Most great men are excellent communicators. But when you mix great ideas with great communication, then you get brilliance. Columnist and Editor George Will (who is no lightweight in his own abilities) states, "Bill Buckley is the most consequential journalist and most skillful controversialists of our time." Whether it be in print, speech, or public debate, Buckley took discourse to a higher level--this confounded and shocked most liberals of his time. It wasn't just rhetorical ability that made him fascinating, it was the ideas that he proposed.

As the title of the book suggests, it is a literary autobiography. He paints you pictures and scenes of his life growing up and of the various delights and pleasures that he has experienced. From sailing to wine, to music to fictional writing, Buckley gives you a well-rounded dose of who he is and this style of writing allows him more freedom to express his passion and pleasure in ordinary things. Though some of the book was of little interest to me (i.e. his passions for sailing and music), other elements were very interesting (i.e. his friendships with men like Reagan and Kissinger). Since each section is kind of a snapshot into different areas and subjects, you might find yourself skipping around the book a bit (as I did). It doesn't take away from the book to do so (since it's not necessarily written in chronological order).

If Buckley had enemies because of his "arrogance", it is highly possible that such persons just couldn't handle his enormous gifts in wit and satire. He would consider it disrespectful not to give you that part of himself. He was an actor of sorts--he could act like he really believed in what you were saying, and at the same time, wrap a noose around the neck of your proposition, and slowly watch you die in it. Even in his present day columns (you can read them at National Review) you can't always tell what he actually believes--I've found myself thinking at times, "He surely doesn't believe that liberal line does he?!" This was actually his way of showing respect to even the dumbest of ideas. Arguing from the standpoint of your opponent can be a highly effective device in showing just how wrong the idea actually is. If you become confused by this technique then you have pleasured Buckley even more. He enjoys these kinds of games just as much as he enjoys straight debate.

That isn't to say that he always agrees or defends what most Conservatives would argue for. A case in point is the current war in Iraq. He has traditionally said, "Our military is only for fighting and winning wars, not nation building." George Bush actually campaigned on this tenet of Conservatism, but quickly abandoned it after 911. If history proves Bush wrong then that is fine with Buckley, but if it doesn't, then he will be okay with that too. Buckley is more concerned with ideas than he is with ego. As he has done before, he will simply admit error, revise and move on. Far from arrogance, he actually displays humility in such matters and shows that he isn't above opposing viewpoints. He is satisfied with simply having the right proposition (and the best wit to go along with it). Another sign of greatness, I presume.

Five Stars (out of Five)

Book Review "God's Greater Glory"

Bruce Ware's "God's Greater Glory: The Exalted God of Scripture and the Christian Faith" rightly exalts God where He should be and exposes the various weaknesses of many contemporary views of God. Theology Proper (the doctrine of God) is a long neglected area of study in the church. No one has been burdened by this more than Dr. Ware. With many in the church being "tossed to and fro" with every new trend, Ware builds back some much needed foundation.

The book uses technical language to lay forth it's arguments. If you haven't taken Systematic Theology in college or aren't familiar with the various theological works on the Doctrine of God (such as Berkhof or Frame) then this book may be a hard read. Ware has published two previous books entitled, "God's Lesser Glory" and "Their God is Too Small" more for the layperson--both are excellent introductions to the various topics on hand. I've had the pleasure of hearing much of this material in his Systematic Theology class at Southern Seminary and also at his Sunday school class at Clifton Baptist Church. "God's Greater Glory" is much more weightier than the previous two books. Read it with your Bible handy and a good Dictionary of Theological Terms and you'll do just fine.

The one thing that really sticks out about Ware when he both lectures and writes is his honesty. He isn't afraid to deal with the harder issues of Calvinistic Theology. More than any Calvinistic writer that I've read, Ware carefully lays out his arguments and doesn't steamroll over his opposition. There are hard issues for Calvinists to overcome and Ware deals with them exceptionally. These issues of theology aren't just high and lofty paradoxes that only intellectuals can comprehend. Rather, they are important for us all. What do you do when your spouse dies? When your kid dies? When you suffer through depression and heartache? These are the practical issues of life. If your view of God is warped then you won't be able to handle these realities of living in a fallen world.

Though I am still hesitant about some aspects of Calvinism, I have been thoroughly convinced that their Theology of Providence is right on the money. I have yet to see another form of theology that covers all of the issues and problems and shows clearly from scripture the solutions. It's one thing to argue philosophically about the Problem of Evil. But unless you go to the Scriptures and show your arguments there, it is all meaningless. Bravo to Ware!!

Four Stars (out of five)

Book Review "J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography"

Humphrey Carpenter's biography on J.R.R. Tolkien has proven to be a delightful look into the life and career of a remarkable man. I was pretty familiar with his friend "Jack" (C.S. Lewis) but I had never read anything about Tolkien before. If you appreciate the great literature that he produced, then you will certainly like this biography.

Carpenter excels in really 2 areas: 1. Putting Tolkien in his proper context. I appreciate writers who give you a proper understanding of what kind of culture a person belongs to. He gives Tolkien the benefit of the doubt in many areas. There is nothing worse than a condescending biographer who can't stand the fact that their subject isn't up on the latest social and philosophical leanings of that particular writer. Feminist literary critics are notorious for doing this. 2. Details, details, details. It is obvious that Carpenter did his homework on Tolkien. He had remarkable access into much of Tolkiens personal writings and developed good relationships with his surviving family members. This really comes through as you read it. A proper amount of details without burdening you with unnecessary details is what good biographies are all about.

Did Tolkien find true grace in his religious life? The biography doesn't exactly give one that impression. It is always a sad story to see someone so religious and devout and yet never come to that point in their life where they say, "Grace, grace, grace...I am His child by His grace!" If someone has seen evidence of this in any of his writings (0r others) then I would appreciate a quote or a link. Nevertheless, a good read.

Four Stars (out of five)