In the Highest Degree: Volume One

The theological and philosophical works of C. S. Lewis were grounded in the argument from reason. As such reason is a form of revelation that predates nature and relates to the divine: the Word of God, Christ the Logos. These essays provide some understanding of the essentials to Lewis's philosophical theology, that is, the essentia, ""in the highest degree."" Lewis's corpus can seem disparate, but here we find unity in his aims, objectives, and methodology, a consistency that demonstrates the deep roots of his philosophical theology in Scripture, in Greek philosophy, patristic and medieval theology, and in some of the Reformers, all framed by a reasoned discipline from a perceptive and critical mind: method and form; content and reason--for the glory of God. Here is the essentia of Lewis's thinking. From an analysis of reason, through a theoretically unified proposition for atonement, to the evidence of Christ as the light of the world across human endeavors and religions, to a doctrine of election, to an understanding of Scripture, to ""the Philosophy of the Incarnation"" (as Lewis termed it,) through fundamental arguments with various modern/liberal theologians, we find evidence for the actuality of the incarnation: the divinity of Christ. ""I really like Brazier's historically contextual style! He gives us prominent aspects of Lewis' thinking as they emerge within the failures, criticisms, and hardships that confront and mold this extraordinary twentieth-century philosopher-theologian. Whether it be in the integral relationships of reason and revelation, the Bible and the Word, humanity and divinity, preeminent by Brazier's clear analysis is Lewis' consistent ordering of thought from the unique reference point of Jesus Christ, the God who descends to re-ascend."" --Jeff McSwain, author of Simul Sanctification ""This book is a tour de force: it is replete with observations and reflections on C. S. Lewis as a philosopher-theologian. Brazier does not duck the limitations of Lewis's philosophical method. . . . Treating Lewis as a practitioner of philosophical theology is inspired, for it gives an insight to his strengths and weaknesses as a Christian apologist that other collections rarely do. In short, don't take my word for the excellence of this book: buy it now and see for yourselves."" --Andrew Walker, author of Notes from a Wayward Son P. H. Brazier is an independent theologian and scholar living in London. He holds degrees in Fine Art (B.A.), Education (M.Phil), and Systematic Theology (M.A. and Ph.D.). Paul has published widely in theology and philosophy including an in-depth systematic analysis of C. S. Lewis's theology; he has also published on Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky, Karl Barth and Colin E. Gunton. A retired teacher, the author is the care-giver for his wife Hilary who has severe epilepsy.