How C.S. Lewis changed the world

He was a man who was little known during his tenure at Oxford. A simple tutor of English literature, medieval literature more precisely, that passionately explored the world in which he lived. Clive Staples Lewis was his name, or C.S. as many have known him. He was said to have been searching for something more in his life when he encountered a man he called Tollers, J.R.R. Tolkien, who was a English tutor as well, Old English. Their friendship grew and Tollers continued to challenge Lewis on his understanding of the world. For Lewis, there were two plausible options, Christianity and Hinduism. All other religions were poor imitations and twisted perspectives. After his conversion, Lewis continued to strive to grow in this newfound relationship with Christ. As a devout Anglican, Lewis searched the scriptures, creeds and early church fathers for all the answers to questions he had for years.
Lewis was not a pastor, parishioner, theologian, or church historian. He was a "layman" that followed through in his faith with a passion and vigor for truth. He was noted, "there will be progress in Christian knowledge only as long as we accept the challenge of the difficult or repellent doctrines." This was a challenge put before a group of pastors and young church leaders at Carmarthen Conference for Youth Leaders and Junior Clergy. Students have noted that within the classroom little was said of his faith, however he was ridiculed and nearly ostracize for his faith. This did not deter Lewis, truth was to be sought at all cost and communicated with the same attention and care.
"If one has to choose between reading the new books and reading the old, one must choose the old; not because they are necessarily better but because they contain precisely those truths of which our own age is neglectful." By many standards a non-conformists, he rejected the fads of the times and choose to address more "universal" matters to speak to all generations. The questions we all seek to answer: Why am I here? What am I to do? What of eternity? To this Lewis spoke out with a series of radio addresses to speak to the nation in a time of physical and moral turmoil. These addresses later became "Mere Christianity," a timeless and priceless guide to Christian apologetics and faith. Lewis topped off his work with a collection of stories that would change the library of children's literature forever, "The Chronicles of Narnia," an explanation of the gospel for children.
Lewis did not set out to shake the world to the core for years to come, he was simply faithful in pursuing the Lord that gave all for his life. What a great picture for us, not to be something spectacular, but to be who God made us to be and use the talents he has uniquely given to us.
Finally, to read Lewis is a joy. Here is a man of great humility and Christlike manner in all his writings. For someone of his wealth of knowledge and capacity to make this quote truly calls to question my attitude in all things:
"That is why we apologists take our lives in our hands and can be saved only be falling back continually from the web of our own arguments, as from our intellectual counters, into the Reality- from Christian apologetics into Christ himself. That also is why we need one another's continual help. oremus pro invicem."

Quotes taken from various essays in "God in the Dock: Essays on Theology and Ethics"