BOOK REVIEW: The Problem of Pain by C.S. Lewis

Introduction

Clive Staples Lewis, commonly known as C.S. Lewis, was referred to as CS by his closest friends. He is widely regarded as one of the most imaginative Christian fiction writers, having authored influential works such as the Narnia series. In addition to fiction, he contributed significantly to apologetics and produced numerous reflective essays. I have read much of CS Lewis’s fiction and non-fiction. In my view, The Problem of Pain, the book reviewed here is among his most practical works.

CS was born in Belfast in 1898, during a period when the city was experiencing industrial growth alongside significant religious, social, and political divisions. Catholics sought independence from England, whereas Protestants supported the monarchy. From an early age, CS was exposed to these dynamics of religion, faith, and politics, which later influenced his fiction.

CS’s parents fostered intellectual curiosity and filled their home with books on imagination, myth, and classical literature. His mother died of cancer when he was nine, leaving him with profound questions, particularly regarding God. He later served in World War I and was wounded. Many scholars argue that his early bereavement, wartime experiences, and divided upbringing significantly shaped his perspectives on pain, suffering, and evil.

CS was an intellectually gifted student, though he sometimes exhibited boredom. The early loss of his mother contributed to periods of withdrawal. Teachers recognized his advanced verbal, reading, and imaginative abilities. He read extensively in mythology, fantasy, and classical literature.

CS attended University College, Oxford, and later Cambridge. At Oxford, he studied classics, literature, philosophy, and English, graduating with honors. He subsequently became a fellow and tutor. After his tenure at Oxford, he was appointed Professor of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge.

CS entered Oxford as an atheist but gradually converted to Christianity. Scholars suggest that this transformation resulted from conversations with friends such as J.R.R. Tolkien and Hugo Dyson, as well as reflection on philosophy, theology, and mythology. Some argue that his experiences of unexplained joy were pivotal. These moments of joy, his longing for transcendence, and intellectually rich discussions ultimately led CS to faith.

CS married Joy Davidman. Initially, their civil marriage was a practical arrangement to allow Joy to remain in England, but over time, they developed a profound and lasting bond. Joy died of cancer in 1960. This loss prompted CS to write A Grief Observed under the pseudonym N.W. Clerk. In contrast to The Problem of Pain, which employs philosophical argument, A Grief Observed conveys deep personal sorrow and reflection.

CS authored thirteen non-fiction books, primarily in Christian apologetics and theology; ten works of fiction; six books on literary criticism; two biographies; several poems; and additional works on moral philosophy.

CS died at the age of 64 in his home at The Kilns, Oxford.

Summary

The Problem of Pain is a concise work in which CS Lewis addresses the

longstanding atheistic question: if God is both good and all-powerful, why does suffering exist? CS contends that pain is not evidence of God’s malevolence but rather serves as an instrument through which God shapes individuals and draws them closer to Him. While pain is not created by God, it is employed for a greater purpose.

In the book, CS argues that pain is a distortion of the good, akin to how thinkers like Aquinas and Augustine view evil—not as a creation of God, but as a result of human choice. This perspective underpins the book’s discussion of pain’s role in life.

CS begins by discussing divine omnipotence, asserting that God cannot create logical contradictions and grants humans' genuine free will. Pain, therefore, emerges as a consequence of free will, intended to foster personal growth and draw individuals closer to God.

CS presents divine goodness as extending beyond mere comfort; God’s goodness is oriented toward holiness, shaping individuals through challenges. This view aligns with biblical teachings regarding the value of trials in spiritual development.

CS rejects the notion that suffering is meaningless, proposing instead that pain possesses spiritual value. Pain grounds individuals in reality, draws them closer to God, and ultimately guides them toward eternal happiness.

The book presents philosophical and theological concepts for readers grappling with the problem of pain, offering a concise defense of faith and prompting deeper reflection.

Evaluation

Published in the 1940s, The Problem of Pain initially received limited criticism, primarily concerning CS’s treatment of suffering, free will, hell, and emotion.

A central criticism is that CS addresses suffering in overly abstract terms. He analyzes pain as a philosophical problem but often overlooks emotional and experiential dimensions. Critics argue that this approach renders the book detached from real grief, trauma, and suffering. Many observe that A Grief Observed provides a more personal and emotional response from CS following his wife’s death.

Another criticism concerns CS’s assertion that suffering cultivates virtue and dependence on God. Critics contend that suffering frequently results in emotional, psychological, or spiritual harm. Trauma can lead to despair, bitterness, mental illness, or loss of faith. Philosophers question whether suffering is genuinely necessary for spiritual growth.

CS’s reliance on free will to explain evil has also been criticized. Lewis maintains that genuine love necessitates freedom, which in turn allows for the possibility of evil choices. Critics concede that free will may partially account for moral evils such as murder, oppression, or war, but argue that it does not sufficiently explain natural evils such as earthquakes, childhood cancer, birth defects, hurricanes, or diseases. Some critics assert that CS never fully addresses why an all-powerful and loving God would create a natural world capable of immense innocent suffering.

Some critics assert that CS never fully addresses why an all-powerful and loving God would create a natural world capable of immense innocent suffering.

The chapter addressing animal suffering has attracted particularly strong criticism. CS openly acknowledges that animal pain is among the most challenging aspects of the problem of evil and admits that much of his explanation is speculative. Critics argue that his proposed solutions are ultimately unsatisfactory because animals are not moral agents capable of sinning in the same way humans are. Consequently, Christian explanations involving free will, moral rebellion, or spiritual development are more difficult to apply to animals. Even many sympathetic readers regard this chapter as one of the book's weakest philosophical sections.

CS’s depiction of God has also drawn criticism. CS repeatedly argues that God’s primary concern is human holiness rather than human ease and compares God to a surgeon performing a painful operation to heal a patient. Some critics claim that this portrayal may make God appear overly severe.

Some readers criticize the book for its limited engagement with psychology, trauma studies, and systemic injustice. Written in 1940, the book primarily interprets suffering through moral and theological frameworks. Contemporary critics argue that modern understandings of mental illness, abuse, social oppression, and collective trauma necessitate a more nuanced approach than Lewis offers a more nuanced treatment than Lewis provides.

Conclusion

In conclusion, although the book is brief, it is densely packed with insight and intellectual rigor. Reading it feels as though I am engaged in a personal conversation with Professor Lewis, posing questions as he thoughtfully considers the complexities of God, omnipotence, pain, suffering, and the human condition. As with every one of his books that I have read, this work stands out as a favorite due to Lewis’s logical communication and compelling apologetic voice, which even the staunchest critics and atheists may find difficult to dismiss. While no work of apologetics offers a flawless argument, at least from my perspective, CS comes remarkably close to achieving this ideal.

SOURCES

Sayer, G. (1994). Jack: A life of C. S. Lewis. Crossway Books.

Green, R. L., & Hooper, W. (2002). C. S. Lewis: A biography (Rev. ed.). HarperCollins.

McGrath, A. (2013). C. S. Lewis: A life. Tyndale House.

Harmon, J. (2012). C.S. Lewis On The Problem of Pain. C.S. Lewis Institute. https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/resources/c-s-lewis-on-the-problem-of-pain.

Bacz, J. (N.D.). C.S. Lewis: The Problem of Pain. Apologetics, Religion and Philosophy. https://catholiceducation.org/en/religion-and-philosophy/c-s-lewis-the-problem-of-pain.html.

Wolterstorff, N. (2013). C. S. Lewis on the Problem of Suffering. Res Philosophica.

Sollereder, B. (2017). Challenging C.S. Lewis on Evil and Evolution. Biologos.