Influences on Lewis: Chesterton and Augustine

Recently I read G. K. Chesterton's _Heretics_ and _Orthodoxy_, and I was
amazed at how much sound good sense they contained -- in particular,
how applicable a lot of what he said is today, even in cases where
he was specifically criticising his faddish contemporaries. I heard
echoes of Lewis at times -- didn't Lewis admire Chesterton? I seem to
recall some reference somewhere, but I can't remember specifics.

I also read _Augustine: A Very Short Introduction_, and was surprised
at how many of the theological beliefs I had attributed to Lewis (in
my naivete) actually originated with Augustine. It makes me want to read
his Confessions, although not right now (there are three large piles of
unread books in my room, and they scream in my head every time I consider
adding another to the list). Of course, knowing Lewis, he probably read
the entire _City of God_ in the original Latin in an afternoon... but
again, I can't remember any specific references. Anyone?

Katherine F.

"Katherine F." <katherinef.DeleteThis@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:f7decc1b.0404050701.4bdaf03@posting.google.com...
didn't Lewis admire Chesterton? I seem to
 > recall some reference somewhere, but I can't remember specifics.

CSL mentions Chesterton in Suprised by Joy- saying he loved his brand of
humor, praised his apologetics, read _Everlasting Man_ and said for the
first time the whole outline of Christian history made sense, said that it
was perilous for an atheist to read Chesterton

Reading Chesterton, I find a definite likeness of style in Lewis- the humor,
the turn of the phrase, liberally spiced by quotes and paraphrase from just
about every philosopher you can think of. And plain good sense, Scripture
based, about what it is to be a Christian- and also what it is _not_.

And, if you are reading Chesterton, please don't neglect Chesterton's _Saint
Thomas Quinas, "The Dumb Ox"_ It's the best biography of anyone I've ever
read- and this isn't even a proper formal biography. It's a stunning book,
too small to contain so big a man as Aquinas- and yet you finish feeling
that the essence of the man has been captured.
 >
 > I also read _Augustine:

CSL quotes Augustine or speaks of him in
The Problem of Pain
The Four Loves
Letters of CSL
Letters to Malcolm (where he recommends _Confessions_)

I read a lot, but I can't get through much of Augustine. His
autobiography_Confessions_, however, is a very entertaining read.

BTW, George MacDonald is another Christian writer Lewis admired. Lewis
published a very good collection of MacD's quotes in a little book, _George
MacDonald, An Anthology_.

Blessings,
Ann
"I walk in wonders beyond myself." --C. S. Lewis<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->