Weight of Glory: And Other Addresses: No. 15 (Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis)

C. S. Lewis's books often are not an easy read, not because his language is difficult but because it requires concentration and active thinking in order to keep up with his logic and line of arguments. His books often offer refreshing perspectives which are counter-intuitive at first sight, and sink in only upon further mediation. This book is no difference. His observations are sharp and the essays are so well-argued that make the conclusions inevitable. In other words, C S Lewis is persuasive. The way how he writes makes his works very quotable and in turn memorable for us. In this book, Lewis did not shy away from controversies of his time but confronted them head on. His skills rest not only in taking apart and in turn illuminate the questions asked, but also to argue eloquently with conviction from his heart. This is what makes Lewis so compelling to read. In arguing learning in war-time, he says, among other things, "the learned life then, is, for some, a duty." (p.59) Why? "[The learned life] has indirect values which are especially important today... To be ignorant and simple now - not to be able to meet the enemies on their own ground - would be to throw down our weapons, and to betray our uneducated brethren who have, under God, no defence but us against the intellectual attacks of the heathen. Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered. .. Most of all, perhaps, we need intimate knowledge of the past... A man who has lived in many places is not likely to be deceived by the local errors of his native village; the scholar has lived in many times and is therefore in some degree immune from the great cataract of nonsense that pours from the press and the microphone of his own age." (p. 58-59) This sense of mission in learning is broader than personal gain in the labour market, is it not? And in every age, we need someone like Lewis to help us see through the deceptions of the day. Is this not true also? Our world has gotten more confusing , if anything. I find often there is timeliness in Lewis' arguments. I like his directness in addressing issues, for example, on hell and heaven. Rightly said. He makes bold statements that we may not dare to utter these days, but they are truths that we should know. The one essay that has stood out for me from this collection is Membership. What he says about membership is not new if you read the Bible. What is unusual in his skill is in how he crystalises the concept so precisely. The concept of members of a club has been diluted to mean units, which has only quantitative impact on the club. However, the biblical concept of members is that members occupy structural position, such that, 'If you subtract any one member, you have not simply reduced the family in number, you have inflicted an injury on its structure.' (p. 164-165) That's what is wrong in today's society, while in contrast God offers us an identity'in the structure of the eternal cosmos for which we were designed or invented' (p.173)) Isn't that exciting? Let me indulge one more of my highlights from this book: "I believe in political equality. But there are two opposite reasons for being a democrat. You may think all men so good that they deserve a share in the government of the commonwealth, and so wise that the commonwealth needs their advice. That is, in my opinion, the false, romantic doctrine of democracy. On the other hand, you may believe fallen men to be so wicked that not one of them can be trusted with any irresponsible power over this fellows. That I believe to be the true ground of democracy.' (p. 168) Therefore democracy / equality is medicine for its protective function; it is needed because the society is sick. The corollary is that if the society is not sick, we don't need democracy. But the error of the day is that it is pursued as if it is nutritious food intrinsic for our health, rather than being the medicine that perhaps we should loathe the fact that we need it in the first place. If these highlights grip you and excite you, then there are a lot more in this book which you should turn to read and claim them as your own.

Excellent series of talks from this mastermind. The author never stops to consider my personal preferences but rather how to live a radical Christian life of no compromise. Dangerous inspiring reading.

This book is like poetry and theology fused together. I really enjoyed the book.

Que pena colocar o texto de c.s.lewis em uma encadernação tão pobre e mal feita. Sem contar o valor alto do livro.

Each sermon in this collection is worth the price of the book. "The Weight of Glory" is a true masterpiece. "Why I am not a Pacifist" is actually a practical guide for learning how to approach any decision that has moral consequences. That is to say, any decision at all. The author is a Christian, but I believe his thoughts would be beneficial to sincere people of any faith. Also highly reccommended is The Screwtape Letters, by the same author.