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Gresham’s Christianity

The Lewis Legacy-Issue 78, Autumn 1998 The C.S. Lewis Foundation for Truth in Publishing

At Oxbridge Doug Gresham said he was not a Christian when he wrote the book Lenten Lands at the end of the 1980s. He dates his conversion to about “eight years ago” when his world came crashing down after he became involved in a “semi-sexual relationship” with another woman.

When asked whether he was still an Anglican, Gresham said no and indicated that he was not a member of any church. He complained about Christians who spend too much time thinking about denominations. He said if someone had to describe him as something, they could call him a “mere Christian.” He said that one reason he doesn’t want to be affiliated with any church is that it allows him to preach to any sect or denomination or even any “cult.” (His word.)

This non-denominational Christianity does not mean that he necessarily thinks he needs to be respectful to those he regards as wrong. At one of the ending banquets, Gresham talked about how he offended some Mormons during the conference by talking about how he had done missionary work among the “Morons” in Utah. He also talked about the stupidity of Christians who think that it is wrong to drink alcohol. While he ostensibly told these anecdotes by way of apology, he did not seem apologetic, and indeed, he reiterated his comment that it was stupid to think it is wrong to drink alcohol.