C.S. Lewis or G.K. Chesterton?
C.S. Lewis or G.K. Chesterton? I've asked the question because it seemed it might illuminate some differences (maybe not between Catholic and evangelical, but between intellectual styles?), but to be honest, I'd hate to be without either. Maybe a better question is, who among today's Christian writers could be considered anywhere near the class of these giants? Or as Rick put it during a phone call recently -- are there any giants left?
posted by Ernesto at 12:14 PM
11 Comments:
Hans Urs von Balthasar
Seeing as how Lewis learned much from Chesterton, setting these two against each other (Lewis or Chesterton?) as if they opposed one another's views and/or approach is not the best way to go about things. I like your last question.
Balthasar is very helpful but no longer with us as a giant still here (in the way I think you meant it). That said, I would suggest Fr. James V. Schall, SJ, Thomas Howard, Fr. Neuhaus, and Msgr. Lorenzo Albacete. The last is probably least known but is very effective in communicating and making real the presence of the Gospel message, all the while being quite humorous.
All the best,
W.
www.eagleandelephant.blogspot.com
Re: Balthasar
True, he is sadly no longer with us (passing away in 1988). However, he remains a relative unknown (at least on this side of the pond). Ignatius press was founded in order to publish his works.
His impact on JPII and Benedict XVI will be felt for generations.
I suggested him because when compared to Lewis and GK (and I consider them to be giants as well), Balthasar looms as a mountain. The breadth and depth of his learning and thought far outstrip the two great Englishmen.
Regards
I'll have to add Balthasar to my reading list. I didn't mean to set Lewis and Chesterton against each other as though they were opposing schools of thoughts. I was thinking more of their differences in style, and of my own tendency to turn to Lewis when in one kind of mood and Chesterton in another. In a way, Chesterton may be harder work on the front side of the reading experience, and Lewis may seem simpler up front but harder on the back end. In either case, what I think makes them both special is their simultaneous depth and popular accessibility.
"...what I think makes them both special is their simultaneous depth and popular accessibility."
Well said Ernesto!
Balthasar is not quite as 'accessible' but well worth the effort. One reason I like him so much is for the same reason I like Lewis and Chesterton: he is a generalist before he is a specialist (his doctorate was in German Literature, not theology!) He grasps the whole as well as the parts.
A good introduction to him is Edward Oakes' Pattern of Redemption: The Theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar. I recommend it highly.
http://www.leaderu.com/ftissues/
ft9508/public.html
Scroll down to The Glorious Doctor.
and
http://www.firstthings.com/ftissues
/ft0502/reviews/brieflynoted.htm#4
Cheers.
In his own way, I think Al Kimel, author of the blog Pontifications (and recent Anglican convert to Catholicism), is a giant in the making, at least in the blogosphere. ;)
Peter Kreeft thinks Thomas Howard is a worthy successor to C.S. Lewis; I like all three of them.
I don't know of any heirs to G.K. Chesterton.
Evangelical reading lists can seem a bit tacky next to those of the high church traditions. This reflects the topical and reactive posture of evangelicals in relation to contemporary culture. The interaction is competitive and sometimes pugilistic, and there hasn't been as much time to put down contemplative roots. But, that being said, I've enjoyed, been edified and been moved by modern evangelical writers like Phillip Yancey, F.F. Bruce, John Eldridge and Eugene Peterson. Patrick O'Hannigan mentioned Peter Kreeft. While he is a Catholic theologian, his books of neo-Socratic dialogues provided me with a great deal of intellectual traction as I became an unapologetic apologist for Christianity.
The problem with finding giants in our midst is that it's not so much stature as relationship to light that makes a giant. It's not the heights to which an individual rises in the present, but the length of the shadow that the individual casts into the future. Still, it's fun to guess.
I agree with you Rick. The Evangelical community leaves one wanting in this area. If you like Edlredge you might try Dallas Willard (probably his primary influence). Especially The Divine Conspiracy (which may be the best book on discipleship since Bonhoeffer's). Peterson is excellent, I thought most notably his 'pastoral' books.
You identify this lack of depth by saying "there hasn't been as much time to put down contemplative roots". I wonder if there might not be a more systemic reason that would account for this pathology.
Looking back over the whole of Protestantism, since the end of the 16th century, one is hard pressed to identify many 'giants'. Kierkegaard is mesmerizing. Karl Barth remains the giant of Protestant theology in the 20th century but is hardly read anymore.
What is truly amazing is how neglected the most fascinating writers of Christian thought really are. We are always looking for living authors. The real giants lay neglected. Lewis knew this and tried to correct it. These are most of the time both accessible and profound.
Pascal, Irenaeus, Augustine, Dante, just to name a very few, are full of wonder.
FD: Thanks for suggesting Pontifications ... I've added it to our blogroll.
Patrick: I think Peter Kreeft is terrific, and if he thinks Thomas Howard is a worthy successor to C.S. Lewis, I need to add Howard to my reading list.
It may be a good indication of just exactly how much there is out there to read (overwhelming sometimes) that it's so easy to hit some great authors and miss other, related ones entirely. That of course applies to literature, history and and everything else, as well as theology.
With all due respect to Mr Kreeft, and to the excellent Mr Howard, these endorsements of one colleague's books by a peer are given in a spirit of great generosity. And while he may be a worthy successor (i.e. a competent apologist); it is perhaps a stretch (and I have read his work) to consider him comparable to the great Dinosaur. Lewis impacted a whole generation of Christians, I doubt Howard will reach those heights.
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