“Nothing is more dangerous to one’s own faith than the work of an apologist. No doctrine of that faith seems to me so spectral, so unreal as one that I have just successfully defended in a public debate.”
Image credits：Aronsyne,”Lewis, age 48″,CC BY-SA 4.0,C.S.-Lewis – C. S. Lewis – Simple English Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- November 29, 1898 – November 22, 1963
- Born in Ireland
- Writer, scholar
- Had a major influence on fantasy literature and religious thought through his many works, including the Chronicles of Narnia series and The Poetics of Christianity
Quote
“Nothing is more dangerous to one’s own faith than the work of an apologist. No doctrine of that faith seems to me so spectral, so unreal as one that I have just successfully defended in a public debate.”
Explanation
In this thought-provoking quote, C. S. Lewis expresses a cautionary view about the role of an apologist—someone who defends or explains a particular faith or doctrine, especially in public debates or intellectual discussions. Lewis argues that engaging too thoroughly in rational defense of a doctrine can undermine its authenticity for the individual. After successfully defending a belief in a debate, Lewis suggests that it can sometimes feel detached or artificial, as the act of argumentation might turn the belief from a personal conviction into an abstract concept. The intense intellectual focus on defending the faith, rather than living it out through experience and relationship, may leave the defender with a sense that the doctrine has become merely theoretical, losing the lived truth that made it meaningful in the first place.
Historically, Lewis, as both a theologian and apologist, was deeply aware of the potential pitfalls of intellectual engagement with faith. While he believed in the importance of rational thought and reasoned defense of Christianity, he also cautioned that intellectualization of the faith could become dangerous when it overshadowed the heartfelt practice of living out one’s beliefs. This tension is evident in much of his work, such as Mere Christianity, where he seeks to balance reason with a deeper, more personal understanding of the Christian faith. Lewis’s warning reflects his own journey of faith and reason, where, over time, he realized that faith needed to be alive and active in the heart, not just defended in arguments.
In the modern context, this quote is a reminder for Christians and others engaged in intellectual or apologetic work to be mindful of the personal dimensions of belief. In an age of intense debates and public discourse, it’s easy to treat faith or philosophy as intellectual pursuits disconnected from lived reality. This quote encourages us to experience and embody our beliefs in daily life, rather than reducing them to concepts to be won or lost in debates. Whether in theology, politics, or personal interactions, the quote challenges us to keep our beliefs grounded in practice and experience, rather than allowing them to become detached or spectral.
