Author's stepson delves into life of C.S. Lewis

Feb. 9--VIRGINIA BEACH -- Douglas H. Gresham sees irony in the near-universal esteem that Christians of all sorts hold for C.S. Lewis , his stepfather and the author of the "Narnia" book series.

"They conjure up an image of Jack in their own image," said Gresham, who is in South Hampton Roads to promote his new biography, "Jack's Life: The Life Story of C.S. Lewis." In his travels, Gresham said, "members of just about every church in the world have told me that, 'Of course, you realize that if Lewis had lived long enough, he'd have become one of us.' "

Lewis, who went by the name "Jack," was an English literary scholar who converted as an adult from atheism to Christianity. He achieved fame both for his reasoned, articulate defense of Christianity and for his children's literature, including "The Chronicles of Narnia."

But though Lewis was a practicing Anglican, "as he grew closer and closer to Christ, toward the end of his life, he moved further and further from anything to do with church," Gresham said.

The same attitude is reflected in Gresham's own passionate but non denominational Christianity. "One of the reasons for that is because I believe most of the churches get most of the things about Christianity wrong most of the time," said Gresham, 61.

Gresham, who co-produced a feature-length Disney film, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," based on Lewis' series, met the author as a child.

Gresham's mother, Joy, married Lewis in 1956; she died a few years before Lewis' death in 1963.

According to Mark Galli , managing editor of Christianity Today magazine, Lewis had a foot in each of what now would be called the mainline and evangelical camps of Christianity.

Evangelicals lauded Lewis for his counter cultural defense of their religion in books such as "Mere Christianity."

Yet Lewis was not an evangelical and wrote in "such a calm, reasoned way that a mainstream reader won't be put off," Galli said.

Gresham, who wore a blue commando-style sweater and white pants tucked into calf-high leather boots, said many of Lewis' admirers don't realize how little they know about his stepfather.

Though Lewis was a committed Christian, he did not proselytize or even raise the subject of faith unless asked.

"He wouldn't bludgeon you with it," Gresham said. "He was well aware that if you beat people over the head with your own faith, or what you think their faith ought to be, the first thing you'll do is alienate them."

Liberal Christians might be disappointed that Lewis believed the faith was the exclusive route to salvation. But conservatives might be dismayed because, according to Gresham, Lewis did not believe in a literal interpretation of the entire Bible.

Gresham said his ale-quaffing, tobacco-puffing stepfather also had a vivacious sense of humor not evident in the 1993 film "Shadowlands," in which Anthony Hopkins portrayed Lewis.

And while some Christians focus on what they see as the Christian themes of resurrection in the Narnia Chronicles, Gresham said Lewis' motive was to write good children's tales.

Yet those tales were infused with the traditional 19th century values that had influenced Lewis, including personal commitment, courage and honesty, Gresham said.

He believes those values fell out of favor with 20th century society, but not with the people who still read Lewis and revel in his children's stories.

"All these qualities," he said, "are exemplified and instructed in the Narnia Chronicles."

Reach Steven G. Vegh at (757) 446-2417 or steven.vegh@pilotonline.com

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