Journey Towards Home

Clives Staples Lewis (1898-1963) called his theological writings as that ""of a layman and an amateur"" who merely attempted to restate ""ancient and orthodox doctrines."" However, S. Steve Park argues that Lewis's theological reflections are well-informed, thoughtful and weighty. For instance, Lewis's notion of ""mere Christianity"" consistently shows his commitment to ""supernaturalism"" (vs. naturalism) and ""eucatastrophic salvationism"" (vs. ethical developmentalism) in sharp contrast to many prevailing theologians of his time.

In this book, the author expounded Lewis's theological writings rather comprehensively and organized the results according to Lewis's signature literary motif of the journey towards home, in four stages: ""Away from Home,"" ""Homeward Turning,"" ""Home Away from Home,"" and ""The Final Home."" Under these headings, Lewis's major theological and literary themes find illuminating treatments with rich contents and penetrating analyses. In so doing, the author presents to the readers, probably for the first time, a systematic theology of C. S. Lewis. It turns out that Lewis, more than just a storyteller, was a significant participant in the world of theological reflections, demonstrating himself to be a rather formidable theological mind to be reckoned with.

""Lewis was not always impressed by scholarly discussions of his work, but he would surely have appreciated the way Park has fastened on the key motif of journeying home, and the insightful and engaging way in which he has expounded it. . . . Journey Towards Home is a splendid addition to Lewis studies and will be welcomed by both scholars and lovers of his work.""
--Sinclair B. Ferguson, Teaching Fellow, Ligonier Ministries

""Park's book is an excellent overview of Lewis's theology and apologetics. Its careful critique helps me to understand better the relation between Lewis's thought and Reformed orthodoxy: how they are compatible and how they are not. I hope this book receives wide distribution.""
--John Frame, Reformed Theological Seminary, Orlando, FL

""Don't miss this chance to journey homeward with Park as he guides us through C. S. Lewis's world of thought. This theologically astute and keen analysis of Lewis's writings is a delight to read and a joy to the heart of faith.""
--Peter A. Lillback, Westminster Theological Seminary, Philadelphia, PA

""S. Steve Park . . . has illumined the protean C. S. Lewis--the fantasy writer, the apologist, the theologian as well as the literary scholar. . . . Park's book is no mere paean to Lewis, but a deeply informed systematic study of Lewis' theological vision of the pilgrimage from this world to the next. Park has given us a tasty morsel of the 'deeper magic' of C. S. Lewis.""
--Frank A. James III, Biblical Theological Seminary, Hatfield, PA

S. Steve Park is the Senior Pastor of Jubilee Presbyterian Church in West Norriton, Pennsylvania, and an Adjunct Professor of Apologetics at Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. He studied at the University of British Columbia (BA), Westminster Seminary in California (MAR), and Westminster Theological Seminary (MDiv, PhD). His recent passion includes promoting theological education for current and future pastors in China and other international settings.