When this broadcast was made, Nazism was at the Zenith of its power. Freedom & democracy had been wiped from continental Europe due to an agreement between Hitler & Stalin, that divided Poland - the Nazis' only remaining enemy in the east. This allowed Hitler to turn on the Western Allies with full force without fear. With the West won, Hitler turned on Stalin. The self-proclaimed “supermen”, Nazis & Communists, were now locked in a life-&-death struggle as to which brand of socialism would triumph.
This broadcast was made on the ‘For the Forces’ Radio station in the UK, & was the third Lewis broadcast to be heard by the American GI’s who had arrived in Belfast the previous month.
(0:46) For C.S. Lewis' views on 'popular evolution' see this doodle here: ( • Video )
(2:32) In 1942, private vehicle transport was not possible due to petrol rationing with most garaged for much of the war. Ships were slow, less frequent than trains & in constant danger from submarines. Planes were very expensive, & in danger of being shot down.
(4:12) “It is Reason herself which teaches us not to rely on Reason only in this matter. For Reason knows that she cannot work without materials. When it becomes clear that you cannot find out by reasoning whether the cat is in the linen-cupboard, it is Reason herself who whispers, 'Go & look [or consult persons who have already looked]. This is not my job: it is a matter for the senses’. ” (‘Miracles’, “Christianity and ‘Religion’”)
(4:37) In 1066 A.D. the English king died, & his brother-in-law, Harold, was crowned. After Harold's own brother rebelled & joined a viking invader, Harold traveled north & defeated both armies. Harold then raced back to Hastings to fight a Norman army which had just sailed from Northern France. The Normans, led by William the Conqueror, killed Harold - the last of the English Kings - with a clever combination of arrows timed with infantry advance & took over the kingship but also all the positions of power.
In 1588 A.D. the superpower of the time, Catholic Spain, sought to invade the Protestant British Isles. After a series of naval battles, the Spanish Armada lay anchored in Calais, waiting to transport an invasion army across the English channel. The English sent 8 fire ships into the Spanish fleet, & though they all completely failed to inflicted damage on the Armada, most Spanish ships cut their anchor ropes in panic, & very few remained or were able to return for the naval battle. The English won the battle, & the Spanish were forced to sail away & then around Britain to return home. More Spanish ships were lost to storms than to the English fleet, who accredited the victory to God - “God blew his breath & the enemies were scattered.” England now no longer feared invasion.
(6:04) This effort to upkeep what we did not create is mentioned in scripture many times:
"This is why I remind you to fan into flames the spiritual gift God gave you when I laid my hands on you." (2 Timothy 1:6) biblehub.com/2...
"Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you - guard it by the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." (2 Timothy 1:14) biblehub.com/2...
“…Work out your own salvation with fear & trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will & to do for His good pleasure.” (Phil. 2.12-13) biblehub.com/p...
(8:14) One example - "Smell": “To one there is given through the Spirit…the distinguishing between spirits.” biblehub.com/n...
“To those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death & doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume.” biblehub.com/2...
(8:32) Romans 10.9-10
(9:12) “The Good Earth” - A paraphrase of Genesis 1 that the crew of Apollo 8 called the earth in their Christmas Eve Broadcast of 1968, after they saw the earth rise for the first time from the desolate & barren moon, & had read a portion of Genesis 1. See a recreation here: • "The Good Earth" - Th...
(9:46) ‘For there is no difference between Jew & Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all & richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? & how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? & how can they hear without someone preaching to them? & how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”’ (Romans 12:10-15, biblehub.com/n...)
The problem here was not the lack of preaching of the message of rescue, but the unprepared heart of the hearer. And this is a common problem that Isaiah details about any message from God. See Romans 2.14-16, 1 Pet. 3:19 also.