This week in Christian history: CS Lewis marries, Ratzinger becomes pope

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Sunday, April 17, 2022

C.S. Lewis gets married – April 23, 1956

Portrait of CS Lewis, age 50. | WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

This week marks the anniversary of when C.S. Lewis, the notable Christian apologist and bestselling author of the Narnia book series, married American writer Joy Davidman.

Joy was a divorced mother of two boys who initially reached out to Lewis via correspondence about his books. They first met in 1950, with her trying to start a new life in England.

Their wedding was a civil ceremony, which was driven in part to make sure that Joy could remain in the country, as the government had refused to renew her visa.

“Lewis inquired about a sacramental marriage in the Anglican Church because to his mind a civil marriage was a legal convenience but not a real marriage,” wrote Professor Lyle W. Dorsett of Beeson Divinity School. “But the Bishop of Oxford refused. Joy was divorced. The Church did not condone divorce and he would not give his blessing.”

“Joy and Jack lived apart but they continued to see one another. So much so that some people were critical of their relationship despite the fact that they honored the guidance of the Church.”

The two writers would later have a Christian wedding ceremony in March of 1957.