God in the Dock

Publisher's Summary

C. S. Lewis was a profound thinker with the rare ability to communicate the philosophical and theological rationale of Christianity in simple yet amazingly effective ways. God in the Dock contains 48 essays and 12 letters written by Lewis between 1940 and 1963 for a wide variety of publications. Ranging from popular newspaper pieces to learned defenses of the faith, these essays cover topics as varied as the logic of theism, good and evil, miracles, vivisection, the role of women in church polity, and ethics and politics. Many of these writings represent Lewis' first ventures into themes he would later treat in full-length books.

©1970 C.S. Lewis Pte Ltd. (P)2007 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

Critic Reviews

"[Both Lewis'] searching mind and [his] poetic spirit are readily evident....Here the reader finds the tough-minded polemicist relishing the debate; here, too, the kindly teacher explaining the cosmic extraction by means of clarifying analogies." ( New York Times Book Review)

A must-have!

Although the title means virtually nothing to American readers not being familiar with English legal terminology, it is still the perfect title. (It means, God on Trial)

If you like C.S. Lewis, or if you have never read him and have an interest in serious philosophical thinking regarding life and meaning and religious and legal issues this book has something for you. An anthology of never printed, or obscure, articles, speeches, letters, and essays ranging from about 5 minutes to perhaps half an hour each, these pieces are a great introduction to critical thought regarding God, criminal justice, existence, miracles, social issues, etc. It is amazing how little has changed in 50+ years since the last of these were presented... but then mankind is always mankind.

If you were thinking about his book Miracles, but had trouble getting through it, two chapters in this give you the simplest summary of much of that book.

I have listened to this book a number of times and will continue to listen to parts of it on occasion as it is timeless and unparalleled in its clarity of thought and expression. I especially like Lewis' assertion that if you cannot explain a theological concept without using theological terms then you probably don't understand the concept. He is a master at presenting complex concepts in simple terms understandable by the masses, hence his being asked to speak to labor organizations and commoners meetings where he was as well received as at the Oxford Society which he led.

23 of 23 people found this review helpful

Astounding

This is the real deal. Excellent. What a beautiful mind.

If you like narrator---I do---try the Divine Comedy.
Beautiful.

This is a superb work. I liked it so much, I ordered the Hard Cover Book---not cheap.

10 of 10 people found this review helpful

More Hidden Gold

I don't why someone said this was boring.

If anyone knows the works of C.S. Lewis, they know that it is so rich that you have to listen to it again and again to get its full benefit.

The narrator is perfect. Sound like the Mere Christianity narrator. I am pumped that this book has been published.

Music, sweet music

21 of 23 people found this review helpful

Superb

Listening to this is like I suspect it would have been to listen at the feet of CS Lewis. Excellent and insightful in every respect. If you like Mr. Lewis, you will love this collection of letters, comments, personal talks, etc that he gave. Amazing mind!

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Excellent for the C.S. Lewis fan

Would you listen to God in the Dock again? Why?

Yes, because C.S. Lewis is a great thinker and helps to elucidate different topics so well.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No. I never do that.

Any additional comments?

I wouldn't choose this as my first C.S. Lewis book, go to Mere Christianity, Chronicles of Narnia, Screwtape Letters and Weight of Glory first. This one is more for the fan who has read most of the other items and wants to continue to read more. Which describes me.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

These Are Great

Any additional comments?

Get this collection and also the audio of his essay collection called "The Weight of Glory" and you'll be in great shape. I'm so much a fan of Lewis that I don't know how valuable my review can be - indeed, I don't even go to him to find answers anymore so much as for the pleasure of his company - but I can at least say that if you like Lewis in general, these essays are not a step down from his books. They're just... you know ... shorter. Happy listening. Cosham performs well as always.

4 of 4 people found this review helpful

Very interesting book

Any additional comments?

This was my first introduction to Lewis, and I have to say it was enlightening. I have not read/listened to any of his books. This is a collection of essays/newspaper articles/speeches that Lewis gave over the years. It seems to really give a sense of Lewis's religious philosophy (and zealousness!) and his logical defense of Christianity. Not only that, it is written so well -- and with such a conscious intention to be accessible -- even when he was discussing topics that are either uninteresting to me or really dated, it still kept my attention. Let there be no doubt -- Lewis was a "true believer" of the truest believer clan. However, some of his defenses of Christianity have such a logical flavor and are so honest and straightforward in the issues and questions that he addresses, that I have to say that I was very impressed.. Who should read this? Let me go secular first and say writers who want to see someone take what could be complicated/boring material and make it really accessible (my bias: this is me) should just absorb the metaphors and analogies he uses to make points that you may think would otherwise be indefensible. For those interested in a defense of Christian dogma -- you'll find a lot of logical defenses here as well. I am sure they are more completely developed in his book-length treatments, but for me I thought this was well worth the listen.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

If you've wanted more C.S. Lewis...This is it!

Absolutely great collection of his essays combined into a collective whole. Many of these aren't available elsewhere.
Also - great reader! Does a wonderful job, you would think Lewis was there speaking it himself.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Great insight

Great stuff. Some is repetitive, but still good. Lewis is amazingly prescient from 50+ years ago.

Can't go wrong with Lewis and Cosham.

My only problem is that I'm sometimes to dumb to understand all he's saying. ;)

Crystal clear logic and great insight

As an ex-atheist with a scientific mind and no time for sentimental and wishy washy drivel, that had driven me away from and kept me away from serious thought about God and existence, it is a huge relief to come across writings (or readings in this case) that actually address in a sensible and logical way the issues surrounding belief. I can say that almost certainly if I had not been recommended to read these works (I bought the Audible version instead so as to listen in the car) - I would almost certainly not now think of myself as (it still makes me cringe to say it) a convert. Yes it was written decades ago, but clear thinking that addresses real and timeless issues does not go out of date (although perhaps someone worthy and trustworthy of the task could rephrase some of the essays with permission of the estate?). The section on vivisection is, for example, one of the clearest pieces of reasoning I have come across, similarly that on the position of women in the church (particularly relevant at the time of my writing this review).

I think that the modern Christian church(es) seriously need someone of this kind to bring balance to the arguments: who will take up the batten?

7 of 8 people found this review helpful

More than just a writer of children's stories.

Most of the secular world knows CS Lewis as the man who wrote the Narnia chronicles. Unfortunately many of them probably don't know that he was one of the most accomplished Christian apologists of the 20th century. His supreme talent lay in being able to tailor the complexity of his arguments to his audience and this is superbly illustrated in this collection of his lectures, letters and articles. There is something for everyone here and is fascinating reading/listening for both those who want to defend their faith to those who seek understand why Christians believe what they do. Don't let the title put you off! It is much more user-friendly that the words "theology and ethics" suggests. It is also a fascinating look into the mind of one of literature's towering intellects.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

A treasure trove of wisdom and insights!

This one is great for short bursts. So many great pieces and all deserving more than a single listen. I highly recommend.

Never Gets Old! Never Gets Dated!

I have listened to this many, many times over the 5 or 6 years that I have owned this. It never gets old...

'The Problem With X' is one that I have bookmarked and listen to often! Because I am X!

Also, 'What Should We Do With Jesus Christ?! Which follows immediately afterwards. If only for these 2 essays alone, this compendium is worth purchasing!

Enjoy!

Classic Lewis compilation....

What did you like most about God in the Dock?

The variety of essays, although written 50 and more years ago, some of which are still relevant today.

What was one of the most memorable moments of God in the Dock?

Essays on history and Literature- especially the short, sharp piece showing why Medieval people did not think the earth was flat, and other memorable answers.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Many essays me and my mother related to, and found relevant or poignant.

Any additional comments?

Well worth a read (or listen), as a collection of lesser know writings.

Interesting but fragmented

Any additional comments?

Even as a non-believer, it's interesting to listen to Lewis's thoughts on theology and ethics. His style is clear and his arguments are still thought-provoking, even if a few of the, are dated. My only complaint is that, because the book is a collection of articles and interviews, it doesn't gain much momentum. Perhaps that's a good thing, if you like to dip into an audiobook and listen for a brief ten minutes; but, because that isn't the way I listen, I found the fragmentary format frustrating.

Interesting

I read this book as I had recently done an Alpha Course and they had mentioned the book a couple of time. It was thought revocting as C.S. Lewis was trying to prove that God didnt exsist but in the end he became Christian because he couldnt prove God didnt exist.

0 of 1 people found this review helpful