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Post by Tertium non datur on Aug 5, 2014 23:41:07 GMT
I think it's very possible that I would never have overcome certain intellectual difficulties I had with the Christian faith if it hadn't been for the writings of C.S. Lewis. So where do the writings of pre-conversion Chesterton and Newman fit in to this philosophy? CS Lewis was not a catholic. His intellect therefore remained shrouded in the cloud of unknowing that Newman tried to make a virtue of. Chesterton/Newman were both converts to catholicism. [Newman remained particularly confused about many matters] Many non catholics remain confused after converting and this finds expression in their writings. It illustrates how importent that people become catholics early in life so that Gods grace can do its work effectively and with maximum input.
Catholicism is perfectly rational to the well ordered mind and should not present any insurmountable intellectual difficulties .
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Post by Tertium Non Datur on Aug 5, 2014 23:59:25 GMT
Which of Lewis's books was it, and why did you get bored? It's important to analyse your own responses in order to understand them better. What a remarkable person you must be to be able to judge not only all of Lewis, but everything ever written by non-Catholics, on the basis of three pages of his work. What do you think of St Thomas Aquinas? Not only are his works not exactly a bundle of laughs, but he notoriously makes use of non-Catholic writers, so by your standards he can't be any good either. "Mere Christianity" by CS Lewis. I found the title disrespectful to begin with.! After a few sentences I sensed a ghastly condescension by the writer toward the reader. I then tried understanding if this man had anything valuable to say to me in his book but after three pages and a brief glance through the rest of it I decided it was not for me. I do not judge all of Lewis but I have excommunicated him at a spiritual level in terms of his writings. I am a great admirer of St Thomas Aquinas who was as far as I know a "cradle" catholic. Aquinas used some writings of pre and post Christian pagans he did not use the writings of Christian heretics. Are you familiar with the Maynooth Cathecism of 1951? It is as valid today as it was when first printed containing all the elements of Christianity clearly and simply explained. It also contains advice that is extremely sensible. Finally I am sorry to detect a note of dissatisfaction in your reply to my post. Good Luck.
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Post by maolsheachlann on Aug 6, 2014 8:18:13 GMT
Have you read Pope Benedict's magnum opus on Jesus Christ? He refers copiously to non-Catholic theologians and non-Christian writers. Is Pope Benedict also tinged with this suspicion of being insufficiently Catholic?
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Post by Tertium non datur on Aug 6, 2014 12:22:41 GMT
Have you read Pope Benedict's magnum opus on Jesus Christ? He refers copiously to non-Catholic theologians and non-Christian writers. / I have not read Joseph Ratzingers magnum opus. Is Pope Benedict also tinged with this suspicion of being insufficiently Catholic? The work you refer to by Ratzinger contains his private opinions and do not form part of the catholic church's teaching. Certain of these private opinions are completely wrong and in some cases contradict the de fide teaching of the church. Former pope Benedict now calling himself pope emeritus is a brilliant theologian and a good catholic. However he is confused concerning what happened at Christs Ressurection . His failure as pope to discipline heretical theologians like hans Kung is disappointing. In addition by retaining the title of " pope" in his retirement he creates confusion and dilutes the office of his successor. Interesting times no doubt for all Catholics.
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Post by hibernicus on Jun 13, 2015 10:45:40 GMT
Edward Feser has an interesting post on the profundity of Lewis's discussion of how our images of God, HEaven and the supernatural are inevitably simplified but nonetheless convey something of the truth (the example he gives is of a drawing which resembles its subject, but it would nonetheless be foolish to see the subject as composed of pencil-marks). edwardfeser.blogspot.ie/2015/05/lewis-on-transposition.html
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Post by hibernicus on Dec 8, 2020 21:47:31 GMT
This may be the place to notice the recent death of Walter Hooper, who was briefly CS Lewis's secretary towards the end of his life and acted as his literary executor. In this capacity he played a vital role in tracking down Lewis's uncollected writings and keeping his works in print. Everyone who reads or studies Lewis owes Hooper an immense debt. In some respects he was an odd fish - the sort of American who becomes more British than the British themselves, so that even some Americans could talk to him without realising he was American. He converted to Catholicism in the 80s in protest against Anglican ordination of women. Remember him in your prayers. www.nationalreview.com/2020/12/walter-hooper-r-i-p/
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