A Highly Influential Person: Reflecting on C.S. Lewis

December 1, 2025

On November 22, 1963, three notable figures passed away within a short time. John F. Kennedy, the 35th President of the United States, Aldous Huxley, an acclaimed British writer, and a man fondly referred to as “Jack” by friends. Among them, it’s the last individual whose influence on my life feels the most profound.

As the calendar shifts from November to December, I often find myself reflecting on C.S. Lewis, who not only left us in November but was also born that month (November 29, 1898). Though many recognize his name, few truly grasp the essence of the man behind it.

Clive Staples Lewis, hailing from Belfast, Ireland, faced the horrors of World War I, getting wounded while serving in France in 1917. His academic journey led him to University College, Oxford, where he remarkably earned double firsts in both classics and English, eventually claiming the Prime Minister’s Award for Academics. Following this, he took on a role at Magdalen College, Oxford, as a fellow and tutor from 1925 to 1954, then later became a Professor of Medieval and Renaissance English at Cambridge University until 1963.

In 1931, after years of atheism, Lewis rekindled his Christian faith, significantly influenced by his friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien, known for *The Lord of the Rings*. The philosophical quandaries he faced during this spiritual transformation—like the reasons behind suffering and the uniqueness of Christianity—morphed into themes he would help others grapple with through his writings.

His initial work, *Pilgrim’s Regress: An Allegorical Apology for Christianity, Reason, and Romanticism*, launched an impressive stream of around 40 titles, most aimed at promoting Christianity in a largely unwelcoming world. Some of his most renowned contributions include *The Screwtape Letters*, a trio of science fiction novels from an era when that genre was still emerging, and *The Chronicles of Narnia*, a beloved seven-book series adored as classic fantasy literature.

Lewis’s mission was to clearly convey the Christian faith in an accessible way. He was genuinely motivated by the desire for people to grasp what Christianity truly meant. His series of radio broadcasts during World War II turned into *Mere Christianity*, published in three segments. His engaging dialogue, sharp wit, and down-to-earth charm helped illuminate the faith for countless listeners.

The first series contained four 15-minute talks, but the response was overwhelmingly positive, leading to additional segments including a Q&A session. His ability to synthesize diverse ideas made a lasting impression, with one listener exclaiming that no one has had such a significant impact through unembellished discussions. The BBC eventually invited him back for a third series, this time of eight consecutive weeks, which he agreed to but stipulated would be his last appearance.

His overarching aim was rather straightforward: to elucidate ‘mere’ Christianity—essentially the essence of Christianity itself, which has been around long before his time.

There’s something intriguing about pondering how Lewis would engage in today’s world. Richard John Neuhaus explored this in an essay titled *C.S. Lewis in the Public Square*, expressing his hope that Lewis would continue his previous work—staying resilient and engaging while drawing people in to ponder deeper questions.

The Old Testament calls for followers to devote their hearts, souls, and strength to God. I would add that engaging the heart is crucial, ensuring no one misses the transformative journey of faith. Maybe he recognized that intellect is often a neglected path to spiritual surrender.

Considering this perspective, we can reflect on the views of Walter Hooper, who was a close friend and assistant to Lewis. He once remarked that Lewis was, in his experience, the most thoroughly “converted” man he ever met.

james emery white