The Most Reluctant Convert
C.S. Lewis, a man once deeply entrenched in atheism, found himself in the quiet confines of his room at Magdalen College, Oxford, confronting the presence of a God he had long denied. In the Trinity Term of 1929, Lewis felt the 'steady, unrelenting approach' of God, a presence he had earnestly wished to avoid. As he later recounted in his autobiography, 'Surprised by Joy,' Lewis found himself 'the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England,' as he knelt and admitted that God was indeed God. This reluctant surrender marked the beginning of a journey from atheism to a profound Christian faith.
Friends Who Challenged His Worldview
Lewis's transformation didn't happen overnight. It was a gradual process, influenced heavily by deep, thoughtful conversations with friends such as J.R.R. Tolkien and Hugo Dyson, both committed Christians. These discussions challenged his materialistic worldview, moving him from disbelief to a reluctant acceptance of theism in 1929, and eventually to a full embrace of Christianity by September 1931.
From Skeptic to Apologist
Before his conversion, Lewis had been a staunch atheist, drawing influence from writers like Lucretius and philosophers such as Bertrand Russell. However, his encounter with God brought a significant shift. Post-conversion, C.S. Lewis emerged as one of the most influential Christian writers of the 20th century, authoring works like 'Mere Christianity' and 'The Chronicles of Narnia,' which conveyed his deep theological insights.
Surprised by Joy
Through these writings, Lewis shared the joy and truth he found in his faith, pointing countless others towards Christ. Lewis himself attributed this profound change to divine intervention. He described being 'surprised by joy,' a joy he did not expect to find within the bounds of faith. Ultimately, it was Jesus who transformed Lewis's life, turning him from a skeptic into a passionate advocate for Christianity, whose works continue to inspire and lead others towards faith.
