Lewis' Lager: A Toast To Cs Lewis' Beer Of Choice

C.S. Lewis is a beloved author, known for his works of fiction and Christian apologetics. But some of his habits have been a source of controversy, especially among Christians. One of these was his drinking.

Lewis was known to enjoy a pint of beer, and even wrote about the subject in his book Mere Christianity. In it, he explains the principle of temperance, which he says does not refer specially to drink, but to all pleasures, and means not abstaining, but going the right length and no further. He believed that it was not sinful for Christians to drink in moderation, but that drunkenness was indeed a sin.

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 drinking habits have been a source of consternation for some who would otherwise benefit from reading his work.

Lewis's views on alcohol were not limited to his adult works, however. Drinking is also represented in his Chronicles of Narnia series, which was written for children. In these books, drinking is mostly done by the good characters, and is associated with revelry and partying. In one instance, a character drinks until he is stupid drunk, and the event is cast as rather comical.

While some may take issue with Lewis's drinking habits, he did not view alcohol as inherently sinful, and believed that it was acceptable for Christians to drink in moderation.

C.S. Lewis drank beer in the morning

C.S. Lewis was a man of many talents and interests. He was a novelist, a poet, a lay theologian, and a member of the Inklings, an informal literary discussion group that met in Oxford, England. One of his interests was beer, and he is known to have enjoyed a pint or two with his friends. In fact, it has been said that Lewis once drank three pints of beer in the morning and considered that to be "going short for Lent."

While some may view Lewis's drinking habits as excessive, it is important to note that he did not condone drunkenness. In his book "Mere Christianity," Lewis wrote about the importance of temperance, which he defined as "going the right length and no further" when it came to pleasures like drinking. He believed that Christians did not need to be teetotalers and that drinking in moderation was acceptable.

Lewis's views on alcohol were shaped by his Christian faith and his understanding of the Scriptures. He recognized that alcohol could be abused and cause harm, but he did not believe that drinking itself was a sin. He also understood that some people might need to abstain from alcohol completely if they were unable to drink in moderation or if they were with people who were inclined to drunkenness.

Lewis's perspective on alcohol was not universally shared, even within Christian circles. Some denominations took a stricter view, condemning any consumption of alcohol as sinful. Others went to the other extreme, celebrating their freedom in Christ to the point of excess. Lewis cautioned against both of these positions, advocating for a balanced and thoughtful approach to the issue.

In addition to his writings on Christianity, Lewis left behind a legacy of fantasy literature, particularly his "Chronicles of Narnia" series. Interestingly, some have pointed out that drinking is portrayed positively in these books, with good characters consuming beer, wine, and other alcoholic beverages. While Lewis likely did not intend to promote drunkenness to children, his inclusion of alcohol in these stories may have influenced his young readers' perceptions of drinking.

Overall, C.S. Lewis's attitude towards beer and alcohol was complex. He enjoyed drinking and saw it as a pleasure to be enjoyed in moderation. He recognized the potential for abuse and encouraged Christians to be mindful of their own limits and the impact of their drinking on others. In a culture that often takes extreme positions on alcohol, Lewis's nuanced perspective offers a thoughtful alternative.

Lewis was a drunkard

C.S. Lewis was a drunkard. He was a heavy drinker, and his writings reveal his love for alcohol. In fact, he once consumed three pints of beer in the morning and then claimed he was "going short for Lent." Lewis' works, such as "The Chronicles of Narnia," also reflect his affinity for alcohol, with characters regularly consuming beer, rum, and wine. He even associated drinking with revelry and partying, often portraying it as something enjoyed by the "good" characters.

Lewis' drinking habits were not limited to beer. He also had a taste for rum and wine, as evidenced by his writings and the accounts of those who knew him. In one of his letters, J.R.R. Tolkien described Lewis as "energetic and jolly," highlighting his cheerful demeanor, which was likely influenced by his alcohol consumption.

Not only did Lewis drink, but he also wrote about alcohol in a positive light, normalizing and even glorifying its consumption. In "Mere Christianity," he distinguished between temperance and teetotalism, arguing that Christians need not abstain from alcohol entirely. He believed that drinking in moderation was acceptable, as long as it did not lead to intoxication.

Lewis' defense of alcohol extended beyond his personal consumption. He justified his drinking by claiming that it was not the substance itself but the attitude towards it that mattered. He criticized those who gave up drinking yet wanted others to follow suit, calling it a "mark of a certain type of bad man."

However, Lewis' drinking habits had negative consequences. He died due to his alcoholism, and his writings have been criticized for promoting alcohol to children. In "The Chronicles of Narnia," he included detailed descriptions of drinking and even associated it with Aslan, the character symbolizing Christ. This has led to concerns about the message he was sending to young readers.

In conclusion, C.S. Lewis' drinking habits were well-known and had a significant impact on his life and work. He was a heavy drinker, and his writings and personal correspondence reveal his affinity for alcohol. While he argued for temperance and moderation, his consumption and advocacy of drinking earned him the label of a drunkard.

Beer is for grown-ups

At least, that's what C.S. Lewis seemed to think. In his classic work, Mere Christianity, Lewis 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 was not alone in this opinion. J.R.R. Tolkien, his friend and fellow Inkling, wrote in a letter to his son, Christopher, that Lewis "put away three pints in a very short session we had this morning, and said he was 'going short for Lent.'"

Lewis was not advocating drunkenness, of course. He was simply acknowledging that drinking in moderation is not a sin. As he wrote in Mere Christianity:

> 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 was not alone in this opinion either. In fact, one of the most famous parables in the Bible is about wine. In the Gospel of John, Jesus says, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser" (John 15:1). And in the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus says, "Neither do men put new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they put new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved" (Matthew 9:17).

So, what's the takeaway? Beer is for grown-ups. It's not for children, and it's not for those who cannot handle it. But for those who can enjoy it in moderation, it can be a gift from God.

Drinking is a good time

The Scriptures could not be clearer on the use of alcohol. Unless God has directed an individual to a particular course (or vow) in their personal life, the general rule is this: in moderation, treated as a beverage without the goal of intoxication, drinks containing alcohol are okay.

I know that some churches teach otherwise, but from the Bible itself it is clear that merely drinking a glass of wine or beer is not a sin. It is drinking to excess that is sinful.

C.S. Lewis provides an extremely clear explanation of this distinction. He explains how the principle of temperance is applicable to many aspects of our lives.

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.

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.

But the whole point is that he is abstaining, for a good reason, from something which he does not condemn and which he likes to see other people enjoying.

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.

One great piece of mischief has been done by the modern restriction of the word Temperance to the question of drink. It helps people to forget that you can be just as intemperate about lots of other things. 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.

Of course, it does not show on the outside so easily: bridge-mania or golf-mania do not make you fall down in the middle of the road. But God is not deceived by externals.

If he were alive today, Lewis could easily add sports-mania and social media-mania to his list of excesses that voraciously consume a person.

The fact that C.S. Lewis could enjoy a pint of beer with his friends becomes a stumbling block to some who would otherwise benefit from reading his work. Likewise, some readers of this post may consider it an endorsement of drinking.

That could not be farther from the truth. We children of alcoholics are acutely aware of the pain and chaos caused by its abuse.

On the contrary, these words are written to caution my brothers and sisters in Christ about a potentially more destructive sin, legalism.

Fortunately, the simple solution to both problems is an unfiltered, honest reading of God’s word.

So, drinking is a good time. But only in moderation.

Drinking is sinful

It is a mistake to think that Christians ought all to be teetotallers; Mohammedanism, not Christianity, is the teetotal religion. However, it may be the duty of a particular Christian, or of any Christian, at a particular time, to abstain from strong drink.

The Scriptures could not be clearer on the use of alcohol. Unless God has directed an individual to a particular course (or vow) in their personal life, the general rule is this: in moderation, treated as a beverage without the goal of intoxication, drinks containing alcohol are okay. It is drinking to excess, that is sinful.

Drinking can be a hindrance to "personal holiness". If you have a propensity to drink to excess, maybe it is time for some biblical amputation. If you are still torn in your conscience, you shouldn’t drink. Furthermore, why spend so much energy fretting over something like drinking anyway?

Don't drink to numb yourself. People regularly use recreational drugs to numb themselves from the ache of their inner soul. Is this why you drink alcohol…to forget? To find relief? Is your union in Christ not enough? Are the Scriptures not sufficient to give hope to a hurting heart?

The Scriptures say, "For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." It is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but what comes out of the mouth; this defiles a person.

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