Originally a series of radio broadcasts, Lewis’ examination of the fundamental building blocks of Christianity remains one of the most useful and oft-referenced apologetic works of the last several centuries. Its charm lies in a unique combination of accessibility and thoroughness, raising and answering questions covering a wide swath of Christian life and doctrine. Although Lewis is better known for his Narnia series, this work is perhaps his most seminal and receives my highest possible recommendation.

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Lewis makes clever use of his storytelling ability to present a fresh take on theology – from the perspective of a demon. Written in the form of letters between one demon (Screwtape) and another, Lewis deftly examines the foundational aspects of Christianity by emphasizing that which the Adversary seeks to constantly undermine and attack. Letters remains a terrifically thought-provoking book, serving as a poignant reminder of that which matters most and that which we must guard against.

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Human suffering begs many questions, the most often being “Why?” Lewis delves into this issue with his finely-honed skill. Published the year before his own death, this book stems from a lifetime of Lewis’ understanding of the relationship between God and pain. Fair warning: Lewis does hold to some beliefs that I don’t endorse (theistic evolution, for example). However, he remains a wonderful intellect, and makes many convincing arguments addressing the very real problem of pain.

The problem of reconciling human suffering with the existence of a God who loves, is only insoluable so long as we attach a trivial meaning to the word “love,” and look on things as if man were the center of them. Man is not the center. God does not exist for the sake of man. Man does not exist for his own sake…We were made not primarily that we may love God (though we were made for that too) but that God may love us…To ask the God’s love should be content with us as we are is to ask that God should cease to be God. [43]

A man can no more diminish God’s glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling the word ‘darkness’ on the walls of his cell. [47]

God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains: it is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world. [83]

From our present point of view it ought to be clear that the real problem is not why some humble, pious, believing people suffer, but why some do not. Our Lord Himself, it will be remembered, explained the salvation of those who are fortunate in this world only be referring to the unsearchable omnipotence of God. [93]

Scripture and tradition habitually put the joys of heaven into the scale against the sufferings of earth, and no solution of the problem of pain which does not do so can be called a Christian one. [129] 

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