The University of Idaho Argonaut

Lewis was an Oxford professor, popular writer and quite possibly the most influential Christian thinker of the last century. Freud, of course, was the father of psychoanalysis. Anyone not familiar with both men should buy Nicholi’s book if for no other reason than to be introduced to them. In each format,  Nicholi himself tries to remain completely neutral and objective and never reveals where his views lie.

In an interview with Charlie Rose, Nicholi says readers who agree with Lewis tend to think the book is very fair, while those who agree with Freud tend to think it favors Lewis. Reading the book, this is not surprising, because Lewis’ arguments are better. It’s not Nicholi’s fault if Freud loses the debate. After all, the purpose of objectivity is not to make each position seem equally true, but rather to reveal which one is truer.

Nicholi makes the book even more interesting by discussing not only the thoughts and arguments of the two men, but also their lives and how their beliefs affected the way they lived. The comparisons are especially fascinating because prior to his conversion to Christianity, Lewis’s beliefs and personality were highly similar to Freud’s, but after his conversion, they changed dramatically. The comparison clearly shows that while the winner of the philosophical debate might be more questionable when it comes to quality of life and happiness, Lewis wins hands down. No one, if given the two options, would choose Freud’s life or disposition. This is also highly interesting, because those who read Lewis’s writings know he emphasized that we should not believe in Christianity because it is good, helpful, or will make us happy, but because it is true. Apparently the happiness is a bonus.

Nicholi acknowledges that as a result of the class, despite his unbiased presentation, many students have abandoned their unbelief and have come to faith in Christ, convinced that Lewis’s arguments are true. He also notes the positive changes he has observed in the lives of these individuals, similar to those in the life of Lewis himself.

As Nicholi says in his epilogue, “The answer to the question of God has profound implications for our lives here on earth, both Freud and Lewis agree. So we owe it to ourselves to look at the evidence, perhaps beginning with the Old and New Testaments.” It is amazing what can happen when arguments are analyzed objectively and honest people take the conclusions seriously.

There are other people in history who have placed high value on considering the evidence. The Gospel of Luke begins with the followings lines: “Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught.”

Send letters to This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it