How Can I Love My Enemy? Observations from C. S. Lewis on Forgiveness
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 14760484 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Jason Lepojärvi (0000-0002-9108-403X, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Volume | 53 |
| Issue | 4 |
| Pages | 464-482 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Journal of Religious Ethics (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0384-9694 • E-ISSN: 1467-9795 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/jore.70012 |
| OpenAlex | W4417290059 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 10 |
This essay explores C. S. Lewis’s reflections on enemy love and forgiveness, focusing on the emotional and spiritual challenge of overcoming resentment. Drawing from his writings and personal experiences, it defines enemy love as a commitment to the good of those who wish us harm. For Lewis, forgiveness is a demanding yet essential Christian duty, supported by the spiritual practice of prayer and critical self‐awareness. This article highlights his decades‐long journey to forgive a deeply resented figure, illustrating the process of emotional healing. It also critiques Lewis’s limited engagement with the relational and morally constructive aspects of resentment in the broader context of forgiveness
Adversary · Blame · Compassion · Constructive · Context (archaeology · Forgiveness · Philosophy of love · Prayer · Resentment · Emotions and Moral Behavior · Forgiveness and Related Behaviors · Philosophical Ethics and Theory
| Citation velocity | historical |
|---|---|
| Highly cited | No |