C. S. Lewis: A Reluctant Christian

C. S. Lewis: A Reluctant Christian

From Unlocked: Daily Devotions for Teens by Keys for Kids Ministries

July 20, 2026 · 5 min

About this episode

The episode explores the life of C. S. Lewis, his struggles with faith, and his eventual return to Christianity.

READ: PSALM 19; MATTHEW 22:37-39; PHILIPPIANS 1:9 The author C. S. Lewis is considered one of the most influential Christian apologists of his time. He taught at Oxford and wrote several great books related to apologetics and Christianity, including Mere Christianity and The Chronicles of Narnia. Yet, like all of us, C. S. Lewis wasn’t always a Christian. He grew up in a Christian home. Sadly, his mother died of cancer when he was a boy. In his grief, Lewis understandably became angry that God had not healed her. He also fought in World War I and suffered from depression after seeing the horrors of trench warfare and losing friends in battle. His mother’s tragic death and his experiences of war were some of the reasons that eventually led Lewis to become an atheist. But God still loved Lewis, and He was still at work in his life. Through the help of the writings of authors like George MacDonald, as well as through friends like J. R. R. Tolkien, Lewis returned to Christianity and found that it was, in fact, logical. Lewis himself said that his conversion was not easy. In his memoir, Surprised by Joy, he even described himself as “kicking, struggling, resentful, and darting his…

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Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: Mere Christianity, The Chronicles of Narnia, Surprised by Joy

Places: Oxford

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