Published on
February 18, 2007 in
religion.
For the first time since the Protestant Reformation hit the British Isles, Catholics are on the verge of becoming the majority religion among Britons. This according to The London Times (and echoed by CWN). A combination of immigration from Catholic countries and a steady decline within the Anglican church has led to this distinction.
An interesting note in the article is that the influx of Catholics has been overwhelming in certain areas. With average Sunday mass attendance up to one million people, the Times describes the situation as both the church’s biggest threat and biggest opportunity. According to the article, the surge of workers from countries like Poland (~95% Catholic) has caused some parishes, especially in London, to offer masses from 8 A.M. to 8 P.M.
The interesting question is what is happening amongst the actual British people. Once a proud society centered around Christian religious life has slowly faded toward atheism. The Anglican Church seems to be gasping for air along with its sister chruches around the world in the Anglican Communion. Catholicism still seems to be a four-letter word considering to this day an English king or queen can neither be Catholic or marry one.
On top of all this is the issue that all of Europe faces, how long before Islam takes over? A challenge that could change the face of Europe is going virtually ignored in religious circles. Thank God for Pope Benedict XVI. Whether or not Catholics, Anglicans, protestants, and evangelicals understand it, Benedict is out in front, putting his life on the line to defend Christianity in relation to Islam. Catholic and non-Catholic alike should applaud and respect him for this.
Published on
February 13, 2007 in
religion.
“The devill . . the prowde spirite . . cannot endure to be mocked.”—Thomas More (as quoted by C.S. Lewis on the opening page of The Screwtape Letters)
CNA is reporting that Walden Media has made known plans to create a movie version of C.S. Lewis’ classic The Screwtape Letters. This comes on the heels of the massive success that Walden had with Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. It will be the third Walden project based on a Lewis work, as Prince Caspian, the second book of The Chronicles of Narnia, is already in development.
The Screwtape Letters is one of my favorite books. It reveals the correspondence of two demons. Wormwood the elder, accomplished devil and his young, often bumbling nephew Screwtape. Unlike “The Chronicles,” The Screwtape Letters is not a book aimed at children. It reveals the seemingly never ending struggle between good and evil for the rights to the souls of men. What makes this book unique is that it is told from the “opposing” side. While most people look to tell the story of God reaching out to take souls from the hands of the Devil, Lewis show that the other side is still fighting. Lewis shows many of the follies of “the other side” as a young Wormwood learns the ways of devilry.
Like The Chronicles, The Screwtape Letters is set in a time when Europe is dealing with war. With death and destruction all around, Lewis looks at how tempters seek to shift the balance of a soul’s desire. The book is clearly influenced by Lewis’ war experience and his conversion from atheism to Christianity.
Many feared that Christian elements of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe would be sacrificed for the big screen. Although I did not see many of these sacrifices in that movie, I am sure the same concerns will be raised for The Screwtape Letters. However, movies like The Passion of the Christ have proven that an unadulterated Christian message can be shown on the big screen without the financial concerns of those making the film.
I am really excited about this film. I hope they can continue to shine a light on the brilliance of C.S. Lewis. His writings and ideas are as relevant today as ever. The expected release date is sometime in 2008.
