Tim Keller and John Piper Discuss the Influence of C.S. Lewis

[@1973wildcatman]

Perhaps, CSLewis’ greatest contribution to me has been learning to think and reason in a spiritual context.

[@leonardobeau149]

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[@philipcash9261]

@Leonardo Beau Instablaster =)

[@leonardobeau149]

@Philip Cash thanks so much for your reply. I found the site thru google and Im trying it out atm. Seems to take a while so I will get back to you later with my results.

[@leonardobeau149]

@Philip Cash It worked and I now got access to my account again. I am so happy! Thank you so much, you saved my ass !

[@philipcash9261]

@Leonardo Beau glad I could help xD

[@karaj555]

i love lewis! I adore his books. No other author has God uses in my life so profoundly as him. Its funny because I don't theologically agree with him in many areas, but oh how many truths he was so beautifully able to communicate. He is a kindred spirit for sure. A fellow brother! We all have areas of disagreement, but as long as we share in the same spirit under the gospel we are family.

[@divyababu8327]

Amen. We all know in part in this life and the humility to understand that is most important I guess.

[@Alma-ld1lc]

To know C.S. Lewis and Tim Keller are now with our maker. ❤

[@davet2625]

CS Lewis is very relatable. He connects deep theological awe, adoration, and truth with all the flaws, frailties, limitations and strengths of being a thinking human being imperfectly but earnestly trying to get to grips with God. I first came across John Piper's work about 20 years ago and read a bit. I found he came across as quite insightful but severe. I haven't read or seen him since that time so this is my first time ever actually seeing him talking. I'm surprised at how warm and personable he seems to be. I've just recently been trying to resurrect a faith that had become defunct, and part of that has put me in the way of Tim Keller. I like the cut of his jib. I'm going to be reading a lot of cs lewis, nt wright, and tim keller over the next few months.

[@ROCKLIKEACOBB]

My two favorite preachers (other than my own) talking about my favorite Christian apologist. (other than Paul)

[@CaptainBricky]

They don't understand Lewis, because Lewis' favourite preacher was MacDonald, whose influence on him is almost impossible to overstate. To deny that GM was a Christian is not only sinful, but if they were consistent, it would also mean either that Lewis himself wasn't one, or that he had incredibly poor spiritual discernment. The 'great generosity' explanation given by JP and TK is ridiculous.

[@jerryalakara]

Hey! That kinda rhymes-ish

[@stillwaterapologetics3626]

@@CaptainBricky this comment screams uneducated.

[@newmannoggs]

@@stillwaterapologetics3626 the uneducated ones are Piper and Keller. Piper even admits it, and wears it as a badge of honour.

[@stillwaterapologetics3626]

@@newmannoggs Honestly, i want to formally apologize and say that im in agreement with you now. Many of John Pipers sermons have helped me on certain subjects for years, however, after seeing more recent stuff by him and how "woke" hes become, i have to agree with you on this one now. I stand corrected.

[@aveekdas4948]

People who influenced and shaped me the most and added muscle to my faith #1. CS Lewis #2. Dallas Willlard I can't imagine what I would have become without the influence of these two great men. Perhaps I would have remained a very conflicted person within, making little sense of life, world and the gospel.

[@anthonybardsley4985]

He was one of the greatest philosophers and writers of his time.

[@annchovey2089]

The last letter in the book "C.S. Lewis Letter to Children" is from a girl named Kathy who went on to be Kathy Keller.

[@1satisfiedmind]

as far as I can see, reading Mere Christianity and Miracles, Mr. Lewis not only acctepts the tenets of the Christian faith as set in all the Creeds, but he articulated them better than many of his contemporaries.

[@lukeabendroth261]

+Raleigh Rob "There are people who do not accept the full Christian doctrine about Christ but who are so strongly attracted by Him that they are His in a much deeper sense than they themselves understand. There are people in other religions who are being led by God’s secret influence to concentrate on those parts of their religion which are in agreement with Christianity, and who thus belong to Christ without knowing it. For example, a Buddhist of good will may be led to concentrate more and more on the Buddhist teaching about mercy and to leave in the background (though he might still say he believed) the Buddhist teaching on certain other points"

[@nancycrayton2738]

Read "The Great Divorce". He writes it as though it were a dream he had. But I was amazed at how current it was and addressed what we as Christians see and experience in life today.

[@harrisonrakhshani4706]

Tim's comments about Lewis' foresight regarding postmodernism were spot on. The Abolition of Man reads like a prophetic oracle for the 21st century. 😳

[@27joshuaguerrero]

So people come and harp on C.S. Lewis's faults and errors, but don't have a word to say about Calvin, Edwards, Luther, Ravenhill, the ENTIRETY of Patristics, Wycliffe, Wesley, and pretty much EVERY writer that's influenced modern Christianity. On a contemporary note, claims can be made about Karl Barth and Bonhoeffer. I personally enjoy C.S. Lewis. I do believe he is readable and edifying to the soul. And I do believe that he posses elements of truth, contributing to the evolving understanding of God, in combination with other writings, derived from the source of truth, scripture. He had some things wrong, yes, but boy did our other church fathers and even modern theologians as well. I guaran-freeking-tee that the guys offering up lofty claims against Lewis's works in these comments here have some CRITICAL errors in their theology that will be looked at as passing understandings of the scriptures. I sure do. Piper does, Keller does, and I'm sure they're a lot smarter and read than nearly all, this comment box included lol. The arrogance of an "educated" mind can make a person so blind to the humility that's needed to actually offer truth in a way that impacts the hearts of man. Can be frustrating. But hey, I'm just trying to stay in the will, stay in the Word, preach the Gospel, make disciples, and delve into some theology now and again. Regardless of Lewis, I sure hope y'all are too!!!! LOL

[@CaptainBricky]

I agree, and that arrogance is supremely shown by Piper and Keller in their dismissal of MacDonald, without whom we wouldn't have Lewis's writings as we know them. There was no bigger influence on his faith than MacDonald, and Piper and Keller both know and hate the fact.

[@lifewasgiventous1614]

G.K Chesterton was another great influence on him, I mean honestly if all these name drops are people akin to C.S Lewis, then I’ve got some reading to do. 😍

[@nancycrayton2738]

@@lifewasgiventous1614 I was familiar with G.K. Chesterton but until I found that C.S. Lewis was influenced in his return to Christianity by Chesterton's "Everlasting Man", I would not have read it. Nor would I have read Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress", but did because Lewis wrote "Pilgrim's Regress". And, yes, one thing seems to lead me on to another and all to my benefit. In many ways, C.S. Lewis continues to teach though he passed away 50 years ago. Oh, yes, and I tackled George MacDonald, as well. He's more difficult for me for several reasons but his themes and characters are memorable and thought provoking.

[@thomasecker8897]

@@nancycrayton2738 We cannot forget C.S Lewis' best friend J. R. R. Tolkien. ^-^

[@benson0509]

Lewis certainly didn't believe in predestination in the way a calvinist would that is for dang sure. He believed in both free will and predestination. Was he a universalist? I wouldn't say so, but he certainly was more gracious in his thoughts on salvation that the modern reformed camp. These are very clear in Mere Christianity and the Problem of Pain.

[@Bersztipflag]

You are right. At the end of "The Great Divorce", you can find a profound discussion of this. He believes in both predestination and free will, but "freedom is the the deeper mystery of the two".

[@rockd3021]

My favorite author... The Narnia books were amongst my favorites as a child.

[@macklockwood6638]

no one hates on a christian like other christians. I read the first 20 comments of this thread and figure Christian unity is something only the return of Jesus can create; there is very little love in the comments below, people seem to have missed the message while busy shooting each other and the messenger.

[@Doctrina_Stabilitas]

CS lewis has influenced me so much, regardless of some of his failings in what can be percievd as a soft universalism, he has put into words some of the core teachings of Christianity in terms that anyone could understand.

[@TragedysHalo]

Wish I could have been alive to hear CS Lewis speak just once.. Dr. John Lennox is ab as close as we can get these days! He attended one of his talks!

[@Your_Mossad_Handler]

I’ve always loved him. My Christian Theology term paper was titled “The Compatible Hamartiology of CS Lewis and Saint Augustine of Hippo”

[@noahspencer857]

the people in this comment section that choose to come here and bash these kins and educated men as well as the beautiful author C.S. Lewis bring great sadness to my heart. these men love God and Jesus with such a profound depth, and yet you come here to put them down and cry HERETIC from the highest tower. let me ask you this, is that what christ would do, would he reject brethren in his love because he disagreed with them? how on earth are you any better of a christian for coming here and degrading your neighbors because of theological differences (in which you might be mistaken since you are also imperfect), i pray that you all find some sort of council or revelation that opens your hard hearts to stop being so exclusionary, christ said to love thy neighbor as thyself and i strongly urge you to follow these words. God bless!

[@newmannoggs]

Sorry to break it to you, but everything you just wrote applies directly to Timothy Keller. George MacDonald was a man who "loved God and Jesus with such a profound depth," (that was why Lewis held him in such admiration) but Keller appears in this video, which is posted publicly for the world to see, and says he doesn't think MacDonald was even a Christian.

[@michaelmallory5942]

These words are very true today ... Technique has become an idol. Where is my new iPhone?

[@projectg408]

I love these guys. And man I’d love to see those letters to Keller’s wife!

[@georgiagrrr]

wow :) That is awesome your wife wrote to CS Lewis :)

[@karaj555]

How cool is it he wrote back! I love it.

[@rockd3021]

Genius. Inspiration from God.

[@cecilialynnecann7318]

Thank you for sharing your website. It is uplifting and encouraging.

[@jesuschristbiblebiblestudy]

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. (2 Timothy 4:1-5). Amen

[@newmannoggs]

If you want to understand Lewis's faith, read the man who inspired him, who is dismissed out of hand by these two.

[@CyntheaAnderson]

Yes! And for the record, I don't see how anyone dare doubt his Christianity!

[@CGABOR]

So many theologians in the comments with no evidence of Christ in the way you speak to one another. Interesting. Very interesting.

[@chrisgale5634]

The Cosmic Trilogy is superb.

[@LawrenceB123]

Wow i loved the Narnia books as a kid , now im discovering Lewis the Christian teacher, had no idea he was so prophetic about post modernism

[@okeyatimilehin7906]

3:55 it’s crazy how accurate he was

[@benson0509]

No, Calvinism does not teach free will. And yes i know the Anglican view b/c i'm Anglican myself. And they don't teach that man's salvation is predestined solely. They believe both. They leave it to mystery. Just like Lewis does. When we say "predestination" i think we also need to understand what view we are using also (e.i. Luthers? Calvin's double predestination? Or the traditional view of Roman Catholicism, Orthodoxy, Anglican?). They are all different, Calvin's being the newest.

[@kavithapeter1190]

"Leave it to mystery" ....so satisfying....

[@Vlugazoide]

Actually Arminius also had a proposition of predestination

[@BigG99]

great stuff... I can associate much of my experience reading C.S Lewis with these thoughts.. glad im not the only one lol

[@thedramaticcharismatic5664]

Oh geez. For a second I thought John Piper was Lawrence Krauss.

[@JuvyG]

Dude, I love your comeback. xD

[@nickpeek2541]

Goodness me, such negativity and religious judgmentalism in a lot of these comments! Personally, I thank God for the writings of CS Lewis in the way he explains the things of the kingdom of God in the language of humanity. His explanation of the point of praise and worship in Reflections on the Psalms is a case in point: '...it is in the process of being worshipped that God communicates His presence to men.....Even in Judaism, the essence of the sacrifice was not really that men gave bulls and goats to God, but by their so doing God gave Himself to men'.

[@samdg1234]

Tim Keller avoided giving a clear answer to John Piper's question at 7;05, "Did he tackle specifics in his day?" The answer to that question is yes. A few that come to mind are Lewis's essays titled, "Democratic Education", "Vivisection", and "Why I am not a Pacifist".

[@WizzRacing]

The reason C.S. Lewis endures is he made it personal. Then gave you illustrations in everyday life to look at. It wasn't abstract.

[@koala8419]

I don’t think John piper understands Lewis...

[@lukemerrick8517]

Wow, both Keller and Piper severely misunderstand George Macdonald.

[@benson0509]

You gotta be kidding my friend? Lewis had a type of Universalism in saying that all types of men could be saved, but he didn't claim that all would be. Big difference bud. He said "the gates of hell are locked from the inside." But we can't know who or how many. And to claim that he truly believe in the gospel, we'll that's just lunacy! Who are you to know what is in a man's heart??? Check yourself.

[@MrGaboredimido]

esta muy corta la entrevista :(

[@jctorod1]

alguien puede traducirla al español??

[@jangmyeongeon]

0:26, 1:27, 3:19, 5:06

[@WTG194]

Why do people always harp on about what CS Lewis got wrong. Why don't we hear about how these two men get things wrong too, we all carry on as though their understanding of scripture the best and therefore we should always understand scripture through them. Why do you think the ask pastor John series exists?

[@Patricia-xz1vz]

This comment section makes me sad :(

[@nixthelapin9869]

what about it?

[@christophersnedeker2065]

1 john 2 2 and he is not the atonement for our sins only but for those of the whole world.

[@christophersnedeker2065]

3:55 post modernism was already growing up during Lewis's lifetime.

[@LRGabriel]

I think it's important to keep in mind when reading Lewis is that he's not a theologian, but an apologist. Sure he's original and creative in the use of language and illustrations (personally I found his metaphors in Mere Christianity got tiresome), but he doesn't use Scripture to support his points. I am willing to allow him his creativity in his fictional works, but I find it troublesome and IMO dangerous in his non-fiction, MC for one. I recently wrote a review on MC on my blog, ImAllBooked.

[@flitzgerald7984]

Can you give the link to your blog?

[@benson0509]

*Than the modern reformed camp*

[@techoffuture77]

Allegheny College is my alma mater

[@shelholl4moloweeatwh]

John piper needs a haircut.

[@deezynar]

Lazarus was dead in his tomb, and Jesus told a corpse to come out. Many would tell you that Lazarus came out by his own free will and power. That is clearly not what happened. The command was given, then God gave the corpse the ability, and the desire, to respond. The elect, who were as spiritually dead as Lazarus was physically dead, are given by God, the ability, and the desire, to respond to the call of the gospel. A call to respond to the gospel is NOT evidence that man has both the free will, and the power of his own to respond. A call to respond to the gospel is a call that only the elect can respond to, only because GOD has made the elect alive PRIOR to the giving of the call. How much prior? Usually a millisecond. Before God gives them life, the elect are just as dead as those who are not elect. Salvation is not of the flesh, or of a man's will, it is of God alone.

[@andrewt248]

Yes! "It depends not on human will or exertion, but of God who has mercy." That's pretty clear to me.

[@timwelch3297]

lazarus is not an example of explaining the gospel I wish refomers and calvinists would stop using this example. Lazarus was physically dead.

[@deezynar]

Tim Welch The analogy is valid because after the fall, all humans are dead in our sins. We have no spiritual life in us, and are incapable of gaining spiritual life by our own efforts. In fact, one of the defining characteristics of the spiritually dead is that they run from God.

[@timwelch3297]

arghhhhhh deezynar no one is arguing from an arminian viewpioint or any other view that humans are dead in our sins/ the issue is what does that mean? If death means separation then we still HAVE THE ABILITY TO hear and pray and aswere reply to the gospel.. thats why mankind has a free will. very simple to understand. eph 2:8-9 John 3:15 and john 3:15 John 1:12 election does not always to refer to god choosing certain people appointed to eternal life. thats classic esiegesis

[@deezynar]

You don't believe that people are dead in their sins. You believe they have free will, which supposedly allows them to not be dead when they are dead. Well, dead, means dead. To be saved, a dead person has to be made alive first, and given faith. Without God acting on dead people, everybody stays dead because 'nobody seeks God, no not one.'

[@paulbracken6216]

Lewis is their better. Disappointed with Keller Expect as much from Piper

[@ronhanish]

part 2 (Acts 2:40 KJV) And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (Acts 2:41 KJV) Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

[@K1370]

need to finish reading mere christianity

[@soyishk8469]

these comments are complete junk.

[@natserog]

NIce try. Just not true.....Get behind thee........

[@williamburke4099]

The John Piper Deception

[@Michael_Chandler_Keaton]

Lewis said some very good things, but let's face it, he was a committed Roman Catholic. So, not one whose theology I would put much stock in. Mere Christianity movement going strong.

[@help4343]

He was never a Roman Catholic.

[@flitzgerald7984]

Anglican not RC.

[@thomasecker8897]

I think you might have confused the religion Clint Staples Lewis followed for the one that his friend J. R. R. Tolkien followed. It was Tolkien who was a Catholic, while Clint Staples Lewis was of Anglican ideology.

[@TitusCastiglione1503]

Bruh he was a trad Anglican

[@HkFinn83]

@@TitusCastiglione1503 fyi from the perspective of certain Protestants, Anglicanism is much closer to Catholicism than it is Protestantism. The name of the C of E is actually the Catholic Church of England, it didn’t split from Rome for Lutheran reasons, but contemporary political reasons

[@ronhanish]

part 1 i dont beleive any of these men have found the real christianity taught in the bible. it all starts with (Acts 2:38 KJV) Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:39 KJV) For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call

[@glenallen623]

Did CS Lewis marry a divorced woman? Check the Bible on that.

[@blessedjohn]

glen allen check the murderous oversight of Luther and John Calvin.

[@gpsheppardgps]

glen allen .....A widow.

[@wayfarer1101]

He married a woman whose husband had taken a mistress and refused to dissolve that relationship. Only then did Joy Gresham divorce her adulterous husband and a long time later she and Lewis married.

[@adamshaw9356]

wow. Pharisee much, Mr. Allen?

[@lastofatruebreed]

C.s lewis was a universalist who did not truly believe in the gospel. I'm sorry to upset anyone but it is true. Look at his books read his beliefs.

[@CaptainBricky]

Lewis was not a universalist. He didn't go as far as his master George MacDonald who believed that all would ultimately be reconciled (but even MacDonald himself was not a universalist in the way that is usually defined...it's just a label thrown at him by people too lazy to try and counter what he articulates about his beliefs in his writings.)

[@zacharystewart3216]

9:10

[@parnelharris4346]

CS Lewis was a UNIVERSALIST. How dare you spread his lies?!?!

[@digitalnomad9985]

No, a universalist believes that everyone will be saved. Lewis did not believe this.

[@MagnificentFiend]

It's impossible to read _The Great Divorce_ and conclude that Lewis was a universalist.

[@christophersnedeker2065]

He wasn't but he got a lot of his opinions from one George MacDonald.

[@jonahwaisman3204]

@@christophersnedeker2065Macdonald is such a great theologian.

[@ronbraswell6209]

What is missing from Mere Christianity? Christianity!

[@regelemihai]

Ron Braswell Wow, that's a radical claim! What makes you say that?

[@ronbraswell6209]

regelemihai I say that because the Biblical gospel is missing from his writings. Without a true gospel, Christianity is absent, salvation is not possible and there is nothing left but damnation. Mar 16:15-16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. If you can show me a clear gospel message in "Mere Christianity" I will reconsider my comments. So my question to you is, what is the gospel that is presented by Lewis in "Mere Christianity"? and is it Biblical. It is claimed by many that Lewis was an apologist but not a theologian. I don't believe that a man can be a apologist without being a theologian. I hope this sends you to the Bible to get a true understanding of what the gospel really is and it aids either in your salvation or your sanctification. For the glory of God alone.

[@regelemihai]

Ron Braswell I've only read bits and pieces of Mere Christianity, so I honestly dunno. But he never mentions the Gospel in the entire book? Christ's death and resurrection as an atonement for our sins? Repentance and faith? Nothing?

[@ronbraswell6209]

regelemihai I recommend that you read the book carefully and thoroughly for yourself and compare it to Scripture. I am more than willing to be proven wrong, if my comments are wrong. Also, to add some clarity to your statement, "Christ's death and resurrection as an atonement for our sins?" . Christ's death was in order to atone for the sins of His people, his resurrection was a testimony that God the Father was fully satisfied with the atoning work of the Son. Rom 4:25, " Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification." The word "for" is ambiguous Rom 4:25 and must be interpreted by other Scripture to understand its meaning. A more clear interpretation would be "because of" our justification. His blood sacrifice was what was required for atonement, just as it always has been and is detailed in the OT and NT. For His glory

[@ronbraswell6209]

***** Hi Nick, Do you think Lewis accomplished defining what basic Christianity is? If you think he did, can you define basic Christianity for me according to his book and then support his definition with Scripture. For His glory.

[@dogsoldier2852]

C. S. Lewis was a Catholic. Not sure if he went to Heaven! All Catholics don't go to Heaven

[@TheLongSummer]

C.S Lewis was an Anglican not Catholic.