Contemplating Clive

Like most issues in Christianity, the popularity of CS Lewis is securely duct taped to a pendulum. Obviously, with the release of "Narnia," he will be back on the rise.

While I am not diminishing the fine work that the "Chronicles" are, I do wonder one thing:

What would we allow CS Lewis to do in our church?

Many would willingly turn the pulpit, sunday school, or the very least, their small group over to Lewis' control. There are good reasons for this:

1) Amazing Intellect--The man covered so many topics in a variety of genres. He could definitely make the group think.
2) Power of Allegory--But he would not lose people in lofty, intellectual jargin (unless he chose to). There is a practical side to his work that keeps it out of the clouds and is real and applicable.
3) Logic and Reasoning--His appeals were often made from logic and reasoning. He exposed the errors of differing worldviews by "taking them to their very end." He could make a person respect what he believed even if they weren't ready to accept it or willing to believe the Bible as true. If you have not used the classic "Liar, Lunatic, Lord" platform in a discussion, what are you waiting for?
4) Quick Witted--The man made some great and profound comments on the spot. My favorite: "I don't pray to change God. I pray to change me."

But before we slap on a WW"CSL"D bracelet, or start referring to him as "Jack" (as if we have a congenial relationship with him), let's consider some other things:

1) He believed (incidently, I doubt he still does) in Purgatory. My concern is not geographic (whether one exists or not) but more pragmatic (why does it need to exist). If, after my death, I still need a cleansing from sin, and my being disciplined for a time will accomplish said cleansing, what does that say of the work of the atonement?
2) He was really an inclusivist. This comes out in the "Chronicles," though not in the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe." He wasn't a universalist, but I think he saw the road to heaven as a bit wider than Scripture describes.
3) There tends to be a de-emphasis of Scripture. Scriptural quotes are infrequent. Even less frequent is any form of Scriptural exegesis. Granted, this often was due to his purpose in writing. While I am all for using logic, I really appreciate arguments that make there way back to "logos." I think you can do both, and just feel at times, he neglected the one.

Again, I'm not disqualifying "LLW" or "Screwtape Letters" or even "Mere Christianity" as good literary works. I even see that they have benefit to the Body of Christ. But I just wonder, what would you allow him to do if CS Lewis were still alive and chose to make your church his home? What wouldn't you let him do?