C.S. Lewis on Building Men With Chests

Faith Journey

C.S. Lewis's conversion from atheism to Christianity was a pivotal moment that deeply influenced his philosophical outlook. Lewis Markos explains that Lewis's embrace of Christianity allowed him to reconnect with his love for myth and legend, seeing them as reflections of a universal truth 1. This transformation was sparked by a conversation with J.R.R. Tolkien, who suggested that Jesus was "the myth that became fact," a realization that profoundly changed Lewis's perspective 2. Lewis's early life in Ireland, marked by the loss of his mother and a challenging upbringing, initially led him away from faith, but these experiences planted seeds that later blossomed into his Christian beliefs 3.

   

Moral Order

Lewis's belief in a universal moral order, which he termed 'the Tao,' is central to his philosophical and fictional works. Brett McKay and Lewis Markos discuss how Lewis argued that stepping outside this moral order makes us less human, a theme explored in his book "The Abolition of Man" 4. Markos highlights that the Tao is the way we expect others to treat us, and it is essential for the head to align with the chest to overcome base instincts 5. The concept of the chest, as the seat of virtue and courage, is vital for maintaining this moral order, and Lewis believed that stories of heroism and virtue are crucial in building it 6.