Between Interpretation and Imagination: C. S. Lewis and the Bible

In this highly original study, New Testament scholar Leslie Baynes illuminates C. S. Lewis’s writing on the Bible. She reveals never—before—published notes, written by Lewis in books that he owned, that offer unique insight into his thinking on Scripture, and she identifies the figures who shaped his approach to biblical interpretation: Charles Gore, James Moffatt, Sister Penelope Lawson, George MacDonald, Austin Farrer, and more.

While sympathetic to Lewis’s work, Baynes uncovers problems, too. These hinge upon his understanding of the Gospel of John—as evidenced by essays like “Modern Theology and Biblical Criticism” and the “Liar, Lunatic, Lord” argument. The controversies Lewis takes up in these arguments encompass fundamental questions in Christian thought, and his responses to them have formed the minds of his readers for generations. At the same time, Baynes highlights the subtle beauty of his use of Scripture in the Chronicles of Narnia, arguing that Lewis’s most glorious writing emerges when he eschews academic biblical scholarship and relies instead on his greatest strength—his literary imagination. Between Interpretation and Imagination: C. S. Lewisand the Bible is a vital addition to any Lewis fan’s library, offering rich insights into how this influential author wrestled with Scripture.