August 2023 -- The Great Divorce -- spoilers allowed

[Mary]

Free discussion of any element

[Mike (the Paladin)]

I love this book as it helps in the understanding (I believe) of certain difficult points in life and in Christian teachings. I'd be happy to discuss in more detail about specific points if anyone wants.

[Barb]

I would be interested in discussing this.

Mike (the Paladin) wrote: "I love this book as it helps in the understanding (I believe) of certain difficult points in life and in Christian teachings. I'd be happy to discuss in more detail about specific points if anyone ..."

[Jerry]

I think it also directly addresses some of the complaints he notes in his nonfiction, about how we cannot imagine the Christian afterlife because it is too filled with contradictions to exist. While he says in the introduction that this is purely fantasy, it is also an attempt to answer those complaints: heaven and hell are possible, and while they may be just beyond human understanding, it is possible to glimpse how they might exist and how those impossibilities are not impossible.

[Mike (the Paladin)]

The book helped me as I have always found the traditional view of Hell somewhat non-Biblical. It's based on things like the account of Lazarus and the Rich man. The bible tells us that God is not willing that any should perish. this could get long and detailed but the reasoning pictured here gives a view of the kind of reasoning that can lead "us" into continued rebellion against all logic.

[Mary]

On the other hand, I have known an atheist to read it with great interest solely for the moral issues presented.

[Clyde]

That was a quick read. The problems in moral philosophy that it presents in a series of encounters in an afterlife are worth serious consideration -- even for agnostics such as myself.

[Sheryl]

Mike said, The book helped me as I have always found the traditional view of Hell somewhat non-Biblical.

Agreed. The working title was "Who Goes Home?" which has always made me wonder if it was partially inspired by Matthew 7:21-23, and by thoughts of the "sheep and goats" story in Matthew 25, but I've never run across anyone who said so.

Bishop Robert Barron (whoever he may be) says what I've heard before, namely, "The inspiration for this theological fantasy is the medieval idea of the refrigerium, the refreshment or vacation from Hell granted to some of the souls abiding there." I've never run across that "medieval idea" anywhere but in discussions of this book, so I know no more, but I would love to know how that idea evolved!

https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/b...

But the book is not meant to be a discussion of theology I don't believe. This is an imaginary heaven and hell and if I remember rightly Lewis rejected any claim that it was his vision of what the real ones are all about.

If I am interpreting Clyde correctly, I think he is right in thinking this book a creative exploration of some of the conundrums of moral philosophy. I think it succeeds admirably in that exercise. It seems to me the best sort of fantasy -- entertaining, original, full of glorious imagery, and it leaves the reader with much food for thought.