Schakel (The Way into Narnia
), an English professor at Hope College, bases this book on C.S. Lewis's idea that our conception of God should grow as we grow. As Aslan tells Lucy in the Narnia series' Prince Caspian
, “Every year you grow, you will find me bigger.” Each chapter addresses a practical or theological aspect of the Christian life (like prayer, grace, church and the problem of pain), summarizing Lewis's writing on the topic and tracing how his thinking changed as he matured in his faith. Chapters begin with a Bible passage and are filled with quotes from Lewis's books and letters, the musings of his Inkling friends, and other writers he admired, like George MacDonald. Each chapter also refers to how the idea is expressed in Lewis's popular Narnia series. It's a testimony to Schakel's deep familiarity with Lewis that all of this is seamless and easy to read in spite of the vast source material. Readers may find that the book does not entirely live up to the title's premise, but it's a valuable summary of Lewis's thoughts on Christian living, which will be especially useful for small groups. Readers new to Lewis will find the book approachable, and longtime fans will find something new or be reminded of passages they love. (Feb.)
