The “Great Divorce”, written in 1945 by acclaimed apologist C. S. Lewis, is a fictional story about people in hell who are offered an opportunity to go to heaven, and the excuses they use not to.
While I believe the story is amusing, and gives us insight into some of the ways we separate ourselves from God, the story is based on a faulty premise – those in hell/purgatory get a second chance to choose God. The Bible teaches us this is simply not true, there is no second chance. Recalling the story of the rich man in hell calling out to Abraham to have Lazarus, who is in heaven, bring him a drink of water.
“And besides all this, between us and you a great chasm has been set in place, so that those who want to go from here to you cannot, nor can anyone cross over from there to us.” LUKE 16:26
This is not the only place we’re told there is no second chance.
“I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
“And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment”. HEBREWS 9:27
It’s comforting to believe we’ll have a second chance to save ourselves from hell, but even if there is, the gospel clearly teaches we aren’t capable of saving ourselves. Only the blood of Jesus can.
I hesitate to recommend this book fearing one might come away from it believing there will be a second chance after death. Since C. S. Lewis prefaces the book with a disclaimer that this book should not be taken as doctrine, I highly recommend it.
CS Lewis is a master at teaching through fiction, making it easier for many to read. It’s quite an eye opener when you recognize yourself and others in some of the behaviors of the books characters. I think it’s worth a second and third reading. Remember to test all things against the scriptures.
“Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.” ACTS 17:11
Enjoy the book, and let us know which character(s) you recognize.
Review by: ceko