Was Lewis a Christian Universalist?

[visitor]

Was C.S Lewis a Christian Universalist or a believer in ultimate Christian restoration? I get the impression that he was from some of his writings.

[Guest]

[Leslie]

[Guest]

[Sven]

Welcome, Coinherent,
I moved your post to the C. S. Lewis forum, as I think it will get more attention and response here than on the 'homework' forum.

For myself, I think the quote Leslie posted from The Problem of Pain nails the answer to your question pretty solidly, Lewis wanted Universalism to be true, but knew that it wasn't. He wasn't one of these folks that wallowed in Schadenfreude, the taking of pleasure from the misfortunes of others.

Selah,
Sven

[Leslie]

Hi Coinherent:

My understanding of most of the quotes you mention is not that Lewis is defending Universalism. Universalism is the belief that all will be saved, regardless of whether they have faith in God or not. I think Lewis is suggesting that people of faith who have not heard of Jesus, may still be saved through Jesus.

[Guest]

Thanks everyone for your comments...I feel at home amongst Lewis readers.

A few thoughts:

I have no problem admitting that Lewis did not think that everyone would be saved in the end...if they willed against God. That is just basic logic.

What would you call a view that says that all good people are saved in the end...I used Universalism, but I know that this term is too wide for what Lewis describes.

Consequently, I feel that all references that refute universalism proper do not apply (as far as I remain to be convinced) to my very humble presentation of a theoretical Lewisian hybrid Christian universalism (now there's a mouthful).

I quoted a host of sources that support (at least in a general sense) some general openness in salvation and so far I have only received one quote that supports refutes universalism proper...more is needed I believe.

So let's reframe the question:

Did Lewis believe that all good people would be saved? Without discrimination on religion (his interpretation of Matthew 25 is also telling)? If yes, what do you call that?

(I know people can choose Hell)

Any thoughts?

[Sven]

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[Leslie]

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[Leslie]

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