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Deeper Magic: The Theology Behind the Writings of C.S. Lewis
This book presents a carefully researched analysis of how C. S. Lewis' theology fits into a traditional systematic theology outline.
287 pages, Paperback
Published December 19, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
April 9, 2017
So my selection for this month (April 2017) is Deeper Magic by Donald T. Williams. The subtitle brings everything into focus—The Theology Behind the Writings of C.S. Lewis.
The book is a fantastic resource for those who are interested in the theological underpinnings of Lewis’s writings. What Williams does is take the standard loci of systematic theology, and in each section he brings in all the relevant sections from Lewis’s corpus. For example, chapters address the doctrine of Scripture, theology proper, the person of Christ, the atonement, and so on. In each section you encounter what Lewis taught on that subject, gathered from his fiction and nonfiction alike, and all woven together by the Williams, the sympathetic and intelligent critic.
Williams clearly has Lewis on everything at his fingertips. But he does not simply gather and record—he also engages with Lewis where that is necessary. In his discussion of the famous Trilemma, Williams defends Lewis against the soi disant intellectuals who sneer at anybody who knows how to write on theology as though horse sense were an important commodity, which it is, and which Lewis had. At the same time, although Williams is an amiable critic, he knows how to take Lewis to task where necessary. A couple of examples of that kind of interaction would be Lewis’s view of inspiration, and Lewis’s misunderstanding of the doctrine of total depravity.
This is a good book. It is a useful book. It is an engaging book. It is a resource book. It is a book to read clean through. It is an orange book.
I recommend you get it. Alas, the Amazon page says that it is not currently on their premises, but the publisher’s page says that you can get it from Ingram. So do that.
The book is a fantastic resource for those who are interested in the theological underpinnings of Lewis’s writings. What Williams does is take the standard loci of systematic theology, and in each section he brings in all the relevant sections from Lewis’s corpus. For example, chapters address the doctrine of Scripture, theology proper, the person of Christ, the atonement, and so on. In each section you encounter what Lewis taught on that subject, gathered from his fiction and nonfiction alike, and all woven together by the Williams, the sympathetic and intelligent critic.
Williams clearly has Lewis on everything at his fingertips. But he does not simply gather and record—he also engages with Lewis where that is necessary. In his discussion of the famous Trilemma, Williams defends Lewis against the soi disant intellectuals who sneer at anybody who knows how to write on theology as though horse sense were an important commodity, which it is, and which Lewis had. At the same time, although Williams is an amiable critic, he knows how to take Lewis to task where necessary. A couple of examples of that kind of interaction would be Lewis’s view of inspiration, and Lewis’s misunderstanding of the doctrine of total depravity.
This is a good book. It is a useful book. It is an engaging book. It is a resource book. It is a book to read clean through. It is an orange book.
I recommend you get it. Alas, the Amazon page says that it is not currently on their premises, but the publisher’s page says that you can get it from Ingram. So do that.
July 17, 2018
Williams is a brilliant fellow and writes well. He sets out to review Lewis' theology from a Reformed view and keeps to that task. From my review in a recent edition of Sehnsucht:
"Deeper Magic is important for Lewis scholarship, clarifying issues and factually nailing Lewis down as to his theological stance within the Christian faith. It is also itself an instructive book for people who want to understand Reformed Evangelicalism. He does such a good job literarily, I kept wanting to stop reading and "tweet" to friends many of William's one-line statements, for they were so insightful and well-stated. But I refrained. The end result of his labour is not only a book illuminating Lewis' theological beliefs, but one might even consider this a good general introduction to Reformed Evangelicalism, not only for readers of C. S. Lewis, but for anyone interested in the subject."
"Deeper Magic is important for Lewis scholarship, clarifying issues and factually nailing Lewis down as to his theological stance within the Christian faith. It is also itself an instructive book for people who want to understand Reformed Evangelicalism. He does such a good job literarily, I kept wanting to stop reading and "tweet" to friends many of William's one-line statements, for they were so insightful and well-stated. But I refrained. The end result of his labour is not only a book illuminating Lewis' theological beliefs, but one might even consider this a good general introduction to Reformed Evangelicalism, not only for readers of C. S. Lewis, but for anyone interested in the subject."
September 3, 2022
Deeper Magic was just what I hoped it would be! Taking a thorough research into all of CSL's books by comparing specific Christian Reformed Orthodox theology, Dr Donald Williams was able to give an overview that was so beneficial to understanding CSL's many writings. The wholeness of CSL's comprehension of Christianity was outstanding in how he mingled his theology throughout his many writings. DDW used his clarity of being a theologian and was able to decipher a few of CSL's theological problems. With that in mind, I will be able to have more freedom to read the varieties of CSL's books, letters and articles with a clearer perspective to look for the many nuggets that are embedded in his array of genres. Thinking I will start with another reread of "The Weight of Glory".
Many thanks to BM, who recommended this to me!
I also highly recommend this book to those who are branching out into reading more of CSL's books.
Many thanks to BM, who recommended this to me!
I also highly recommend this book to those who are branching out into reading more of CSL's books.
March 8, 2022
"Love of our neighbor and faithfulness to our calling that flow from our love of God are what makes us spiritual, not being learned or cultured."
"Salvation is not a matter primarily of removing us from the world but of restoring us to our proper role in it, to care for it and to develop it as we care for each other under God."
"The great business of life is to choose between God and anything else, with eternal consequences depending on that choice."
"All the beauties, joys, and gifts of this life can be taken either as signposts leading us to eternal Joy or distractions keeping us from it."
"Salvation is not a matter primarily of removing us from the world but of restoring us to our proper role in it, to care for it and to develop it as we care for each other under God."
"The great business of life is to choose between God and anything else, with eternal consequences depending on that choice."
"All the beauties, joys, and gifts of this life can be taken either as signposts leading us to eternal Joy or distractions keeping us from it."
June 5, 2020
CSL fans will love this one. Most CSL readers regard him as a master at explaining abstract theological concepts for the common man, but some wonder whether he occasionally deviates from orthodox Christianity. Williams explores Lewis’ thinking, including these infrequent lapses, to build an overview of his theology, which turns out to be both orthodox and “whole.”
Highly recommended.
Douglas Wilson, who also wrote a great book about CSL’s ideas, “What I Learned in Narnia,” wrote a good review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Highly recommended.
Douglas Wilson, who also wrote a great book about CSL’s ideas, “What I Learned in Narnia,” wrote a good review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
September 13, 2020
"Lewis then may be the most important amateur theologian ever...." -- Donald T. Williams, Deeper Magic
A clear, systematic review of Lewis’s theological positions, written from a conservative Evangelical viewpoint.
A clear, systematic review of Lewis’s theological positions, written from a conservative Evangelical viewpoint.
June 16, 2023
Great book for someone who wants to specifically look at CS Lewis’s theology. An honest book as well. While the author does deeply admire Lewis, he was honest about areas of disagreement (for example Lewis did not hold to biblical inerrancy while the author does). With that said, the author does to a great job pointing to what made Lewis such an effective writer and Christian Apologist. Highly recommend this book.
January 22, 2025
4.5 stars! Being a fan of Williams’ other work, this book is of the same excellent caliber as Mere Humanity. Williams takes the vast work of CS Lewis and organizes it neatly into specific doctrines. He points out where Lewis is consistent biblically and questions places where more clarification may be needed. Williams supports his arguments well and writes in a way that is readable, engaging, and edifying. Recommended for any fan of CSL.
April 13, 2023
Absolutely wonderful. Very much worth reading, very readable and does much more than admire the Brilliance of Lewis. I’m leaving this book with a strong desire to walk in Lewis’ path of faith: with rich imagination coupled with rigorous logic.
May 12, 2022
Excellent.
Want to read
April 8, 2017Positive review here, where Lewis is defended when necessary, and taken to task when appropriate.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews