C. S. Lewis has had a tremendous impact on millions of Christians.  Mere Christianity is, as far as I'm concerned, required reading for all believers.  The Screwtape Letters is a wonderful book to help Christians understand what spiritual warfare really is.  The Abolition of Man demonstrates clearly the flawed logic of modern thinking.  Lewis' "The Weight of Glory" is one of the best sermons ever preached.  I could go on and on.  His insight into the human condition in the light of Christ when combined with his ability to communicate clearly and powerfully makes for a gift set that is unsurpassed.

But do not build your systematic theology around Uncle C.S.' writings.  He got several doctrines badly wrong, most notable among those being the doctrine of hell.  

Lewis basically thought that hell is something that people choose.  He argued that people, through years of unrepentant sin, essentially become a hell unto themselves. 

John Piper, one who has been greatly influenced by C.S. Lewis as well, disagrees strongly with his mentor and has written on Lewis' view of hell.  I highly recommend it.  It reads in part: "The misery of hell will be so great that no one will want to be there.  They will be weeping and gnashing their teeth (Matthew 8:12).  Between their sobs, they will not speak the words, "I want this."  They will not be able to say amid the flames of the lake of fire (Revelation 20:14), "I want this."  "The smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever, and they have no rest, day or night" (Revelation 14:11).  No one wants this."

Read the rest here.

HT: Denny Burk