Did C.S. Lewis Enjoy Beer?

C.S. Lewis is widely regarded as one of the greatest Christian theologians, thinkers and authors of all time. However, some have questioned the nature of his Christianity, pointing to his lifestyle choices, such as his fondness for beer, as evidence of a checkered pedigree.

Lewis was a regular drinker and smoker, and often visited pubs with friends, including J.R.R. Tolkien, with whom he would discuss theology over a glass of ale. In a letter to his son, Tolkien remarked that Lewis had put away three pints in a very short session, and that he was going short for Lent.

Lewis himself wrote about drinking in his book 'Mere Christianity', explaining that:

> It is a mistake to think that Christians ought all to be teetotallers; Mohammedanism, not Christianity, is the teetotal religion... The whole point is that [a Christian] is abstaining, for a good reason, from something which he does not condemn and which he likes to see other people enjoying.

C.S. Lewis's drinking habits

Lewis was known to enjoy a drink with friends, including fellow author J.R.R. Tolkien, with whom he would discuss theology over a glass of ale in English pubs. In a letter, Tolkien wrote that Lewis could "put away three pints in a very short session" and still considered himself "going short for Lent." This suggests that Lewis had a high tolerance for alcohol and could consume a significant amount without appearing intoxicated.

Lewis's writings also reflect his views on alcohol. In "Mere Christianity," he explains the principle of temperance, noting that it used to refer not just to drink but to all pleasures, and that true temperance meant enjoying things in moderation without going to excess. He believed that Christians could drink alcohol in moderation without sinning and that abstaining from alcohol was a personal choice, not a religious requirement.

Lewis's fiction, such as "The Chronicles of Narnia," also includes references to alcohol consumption, often by the "good" characters. In these stories, alcohol is associated with revelry, partying, and celebration, and it is offered to children in some instances. This has been criticised as promoting alcohol to young readers, while others view it as a natural part of life that can be enjoyed responsibly.

In addition to beer and wine, Lewis also smoked cigarettes and a pipe, which has drawn further criticism from some who believe it sets a poor example for Christians.

Overall, C.S. Lewis's drinking habits appear to have been characterised by enjoyment and moderation, rather than excess or drunkenness. He saw no conflict between his Christian faith and the consumption of alcohol, as long as it did not lead to intoxication or cause harm to oneself or others.

Lewis's views on alcohol

C.S. Lewis was a man who enjoyed a drink. In a letter to his son, J.R.R. Tolkien wrote that Lewis "put away three pints in a very short session we had this morning, and said he was 'going short for Lent.'” Lewis's friend and literary executor, Walter Hooper, described him as "the most thoroughly converted man I ever met."

Lewis himself wrote about alcohol in his book, 'Mere Christianity'. He explained how the principle of temperance is applicable to many aspects of our lives. He wrote:

> "Temperance is, unfortunately, one of those words that has changed its meaning. It now usually means teetotalism. But in the days when the second Cardinal virtue was christened ‘Temperance,’ it meant nothing of the sort. Temperance referred not specially to drink, but to all pleasures; and it meant not abstaining, but going the right length and no further."

Lewis believed that it was acceptable for Christians to drink alcohol in moderation, and that it was not the alcohol itself that was the problem, but the abuse of it. He wrote:

> "It is a mistake to think that Christians ought all to be teetotallers; Mohammedanism, not Christianity, is the teetotal religion. Of course, it may be the duty of a particular Christian, or of any Christian, at a particular time, to abstain from strong drink, either because he is the sort of man who cannot drink at all without drinking too much, or because he is with people who are inclined to drunkenness and must not encourage them by drinking himself."

Lewis also believed that it was wrong to give something up and then expect everyone else to do the same:

> "One of the marks of a certain type of bad man is that he cannot give up a thing himself without wanting every one else to give it up. That is not the Christian way. An individual Christian may see fit to give up all sorts of things for special reasons—marriage, or meat, or beer, or the cinema; but the moment he starts saying the things are bad in themselves, or looking down his nose at other people who do use them, he has taken the wrong turning."

Lewis also pointed out that it is possible to be intemperate about many other things, not just alcohol:

> "A man who makes his golf or his motor-bicycle the centre of his life, or a woman who devotes all her thoughts to clothes or bridge or her dog, is being just as ‘intemperate’ as someone who gets drunk every evening."

Lewis's drinking companions

C.S. Lewis was a man of contradictions. A Christian who smoked and drank, he was also a teetotaler who believed in the virtues of moderation.

Lewis was a regular at "The Eagle and Child" pub, nicknamed "The Bird and Baby", where he would meet with J.R.R. Tolkien to discuss theology over a glass of ale. In a letter to his son, Tolkien wrote that Lewis could "put away three pints in a very short session" and still considered himself "going short for Lent."

Lewis's beliefs about alcohol were clear: drunkenness was a sin, but drinking in moderation was not. In "Mere Christianity," he wrote:

> "Temperance is, unfortunately, one of those words that has changed its meaning. It now usually means teetotalism. But in the days when the second Cardinal virtue was christened 'Temperance,' it meant nothing of the sort. Temperance referred not specially to drink, but to all pleasures; and it meant not abstaining, but going the right length and no further."

Lewis believed that Christians ought not to be teetotalers, but that abstaining from alcohol might be necessary for certain individuals:

> "Of course, it may be the duty of a particular Christian, or of any Christian, at a particular time, to abstain from strong drink, either because he is the sort of man who cannot drink at all without drinking too much, or because he is with people who are inclined to drunkenness and must not encourage them by drinking himself."

Lewis also believed that abstaining from alcohol did not mean one should look down on those who chose to drink:

> "One of the marks of a certain type of bad man is that he cannot give up a thing himself without wanting every one else to give it up. That is not the Christian way."

Lewis's views on drinking extended beyond the consumption of alcohol. He believed that one could be just as intemperate about other things, such as golf or social media.

Despite his beliefs, Lewis's enjoyment of alcohol became a stumbling block for some who would otherwise benefit from reading his work. Some considered him a drunkard, and his books for children, such as "The Chronicles of Narnia," were criticised for their positive portrayal of alcohol consumption by the "good" characters.

However, Lewis's views on drinking were not universally accepted, even within his own family. His father considered alcohol to be a sin, and was shocked when Lewis and his wife chose not to serve alcohol at their wedding reception.

So, while C.S. Lewis may have been a drinker, he was also a man of moderation and believed that the key to enjoying alcohol responsibly was to go "the right length and no further."

Lewis's drinking in relation to his Christianity

C.S. Lewis was a Christian who drank alcohol. While some Christians believe that drinking alcohol is a sin, Lewis did not. In fact, he believed that drinking in moderation was acceptable, and that it was drunkenness that the Scriptures condemned.

Lewis was known to enjoy a pint of beer with his friends, and he and J.R.R. Tolkien would often meet to discuss theology in an English pub over a glass of ale. Lewis also wrote about alcohol in his Chronicles of Narnia series, where it is consumed by both good and evil characters.

Some Christians today continue to view any type of alcoholic drink as a serious sin, and some denominations extend the prohibition to all drinks that contain alcohol. However, this was not the view of the early church fathers, who universally preached moderation, not prohibition.

Lewis's drinking habits may be seen as a stumbling block to some who would otherwise benefit from reading his work. However, his enjoyment of alcohol does not detract from his contributions to Christian thought and literature.

Lewis's drinking in relation to his health

C.S. Lewis was a man who enjoyed drinking beer, wine, and spirits. He was also a heavy smoker, consuming up to 50 cigarettes a day.

Lewis's drinking habits have been a source of controversy, with some arguing that his consumption of alcohol contradicted his Christian faith. However, others have pointed out that Lewis's drinking was moderate and that he did not condone drunkenness. In his book "Mere Christianity", Lewis himself argued that temperance referred not only to drink but to all pleasures, and that it meant not abstaining but going the right length and no further. He also wrote that it was not sinful for Christians to drink in moderation, as long as it did not lead to intoxication.

Lewis's drinking habits may have had an impact on his health. While there is no direct evidence that his drinking caused any specific health issues, it is possible that it contributed to his early death at the age of 64. Some have speculated that his heavy smoking habit may have been a more significant factor in his death, as he reportedly declined to quit smoking despite advice from his doctors.

Lewis's drinking and smoking habits are certainly a topic of interest for many, and they continue to be debated even years after his death. While some may view his consumption of alcohol and tobacco as a contradiction to his Christian faith, others see it as an example of his moderate and balanced approach to life. Ultimately, the impact of Lewis's drinking on his health remains a matter of speculation.

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