Many of us have heard of and read the Christian classic Mere Christianity, but few know the dramatic, war-torn story of how it came about. The truth is, it was never meant to be a book at all.
Early on in World War II, as Nazi bombs rained down on London, the British people were beginning to despair. Victory seemed nearly impossible against a foe so powerful. They had nowhere to turn.
Surprisingly, the religious radio department of the BBC turned to an unknown scholar. He was not yet famous and had not yet written The Chronicles of Narnia, but C.S Lewis knew how to speak about faith in Jesus Christ on a level everyone could understand.
Undaunted by those who deemed him “unqualified,” Lewis rose to the task. He spoke plainly and persuasively to his nation under attack. And he encouraged millions to turn to Jesus in the hour of their greatest need. He explained what it really meant to be a Christian and walk with Jesus.
The impact of his explosive ideas surpassed everyone’s expectations, and eventually became the basis of Lewis’ famous book Mere Christianity. Lewis was speaking to a generation that had lost its faith in God. Years later, his lasting words continue to articulate Christian truth in a way that is fresh and relevant.
Below is a video introduction to a project produced by Focus on the Family Radio Theatre called C.S. Lewis at War that dramatically tells the story of how Lewis found himself behind the microphone speaking faithfully about Jesus during some of the darkest days the world has ever known. It’s incredibly well-done, entertaining, and spiritually encouraging.
Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at how it was produced and why its a story worth telling and retelling today:
C.S. Lewis at War (2-Disc Set)
C. S. Lewis at War is a powerful and entertaining radio theatre–style recording that brings to life an amazing period in history, providing rare insight into Lewis’ life, friends, and family, illuminating a time of personal difficulty that also brought forth some of his most influential works: The Screwtape Letters, The Problem of Pain, and Mere Christianity. Recorded in London and written by Paul McCusker, the script comes alive with a full cast of award-winning British voice actors, cinematic sound effects, and an original score.
