C. S. Lewis is generally regarded as a commonsense Christian whose theology is understandable and practical. And yet, from his memoir Surprised by Joy to his beloved Chronicles of Narnia, from his nonfiction essays to his letters, C. S. Lewis’ works display a distinct sense of the mystical. In this book, David C. Downing explores the breadth of Lewis’ writing, introducing us to the context of Christian mysticism in Lewis’ day and to the writers who most influenced him.

Lewis’ critique of mysticism is instructive to us in this day of eclectic religious thought. Exploring Lewis’ sense of the mystical can help us safeguard ourselves from false mysticism, even as it opens the way to a full experience of God’s presence.