“But it is the main question of the moment: which side one’s on – obscurantism or Order. It does really look as if we now had the power to dig ourselves in as a species for a pretty staggering period, to take control of our own destiny. If Science is really given a free hand it can now take over the human race and re-condition it: make man a really efficient animal.” Lord Feverstone in C.S. Lewis’ That Hideous Strength.

C.S. Lewis is very well known for his writings, the most famous are likely the Narnia series and Mere Christianity.

Although I have not read every one of his works, I think his lesser-known book That Hideous Strength is one of the most pertinent for the times. The Abolition of Man is also a germane read.

It is part of a series entitled, the Space Trilogy. It is the last book in the series and yet, on some level, it stands on its own. One could conceivably read That Hideous Strength without reading the other two books.

In this somewhat fantastic novel, Lewis delves into an analysis of the world order we see around us. Published in 1945 it is a profound examination of the methods and goals of the “power elite.”

That Hideous Strength is nothing less than an expose of the conspiracy for global control in a novel form.

The story centers around an organization called N.I.C.E. In its inner workings, it is a secret society. One with varying levels of initiation. Those in the inner circle truly understand the goals and agendas, while those on the outer sphere are kept in general ignorance. Vague ideas about the “greater good” are used to keep the less initiated working hard for the “cause.” The outer sphere is vital to the ongoing work of the elite inner circle.

In reality, this is the pattern used in our real world as a method of control. Carrol Quigley, an establishment historian, notes in his book The Anglo-American Establishment, which documents the Anglo-American power structure, that it is founded on “a plan of organization for … secret society … The plan of organization provided for an inner circle, to be known as ‘The Society of the Elect,’ and an outer circle, to be known as ‘The Association of Helpers.’ Within the Society of the Elect the real power was to be exercised by the leader, and a “Junta of Three.”

Another writer, Edward Bernays, known as the “Father of Propaganda,” tells us in his book Propaganda, “The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country.”

This, in short, is exactly the goal of N.I.C.E in Lewis’ novel – population control. The “masses” are to be manipulated and controlled by a secretive group of ultra-elites.

Lewis in a fantastical form is striving to inform people of this actual conspiracy by these actual “elites.” It is quite plausible that Lewis had direct contact with characters of the elite given his position in “prestigious” institutes of learning.

N.I.C.E could correspond to numerous organizations, some intersecting, and some which were and have morphed or merged into other groups, in our world, such as – Tavistock Institute, The Milner Group, The Round Table, The Frankfurt School, Bilderberg Group, CFR, DARPA, WHO, as just a few examples. A few Foundations that can be noted are: the Rockefeller Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Carnegie Foundation, and the Bill and Malinda Gates Foundation. A number of government agencies also act as vehicles for the implementation of elite agendas. Keep in mind these are not exhaustive lists.

The fact that various groups exist should not be surprising, they are all generally working towards the same goals. The various groups or organizations are but changeable fronts for the more solid governing elite “power” behind them.

Mr. Lewis deftly elucidates some methods of infiltration and control. The use of media and such as propaganda, with a specific target towards people of influence, i.e. actors, musicians, and such; the use of institutes of higher education as recruitment centers; the placement of the organization’s own people in positions of power both governmental and civilian; actors and front-men who pose as the face of the organization, going around doing “charitable” deeds for publicity purposes. These PR persons have no actual power in the upper ranks of the elite group. They are the “salesmen” (frequently paid very well) to convince the masses to accept the program of the elites. “Progressive Elements” are of special importance to the functioning of power. Lewis uses this exact phrase in his book. These are those who are ignorant concerning the true goals but have fervently believed the fairy-tale narrative of the “glories of progress.” In the long run, they are but useful idiots, yet their numbers are needed to advance the program.

N.I.C.E, as in our world, is “satisfied to possess the reality of power rather than the appearance of power” (Quigley). Thus, it willingly allowes certain people to have an “appearance of power.”

Indeed, as if lifting the script right from one of our “real world” groups, a leader of N.I.C.E outlines some of the goals in this manner, “Quite simple and obvious things, at first – sterilization of the unfit, liquidation of backwards races (we don’t want any dead weights), selective breeding [the abortion agenda, my note] Then real education I mean one that has no ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ nonsense. A real education makes a patient what it wants infallibly: whatever he or his parents try to do about it. Of course, it’ll have to be mainly psychological at first. But then we’ll get to biochemical conditioning in the end and direct manipulation of the brain …”

Oh my! Lewis is a conspiracy theorist! No, he is no theorist, rather, Lewis understood all too well the goals and agendas of the secular world and those that seemingly govern it, this is a very real conspiracy.

Ultimately the goals of N.I.C.E in That Hideous Strength are directed towards cybernetics and transhumanism with the intent for a completely engineered society. Today, this continues to be one of the very goals of the powers that be, one which they themselves constantly confirm.

Reeducate and recreate.

Summed up, the goal is the control of not only humanity but of human persons, down to how and what they think. That is, they seek to control even the inner workings of humanity.

It is vital to note that the main persons in N.I.C.E are not atheists whatsoever. They are intensely “spiritual” on some level. They leave the baseness of atheism to those on the lower levels, it is only convenient as a controlling ideology. They know they are working for dark powers and are willingly and concertedly working against the light. Ultimately, in Lewis’ book, the elite knowingly serve demonic powers, which is probably not far from reality.

In fact, their end goal is quite spiritual on some level, it is an inversion of the Gospel, it is anti-gospel, the recreation of man – in what is, in reality, a hellish image – and the establishment of a “paradise” where they govern as gods over all of humanity.

The substantial religious fiber of N.I.C.E is made explicit in the character of Rev. Straik. He represents the conversion of traditionally religious persons to the new religion that is being proclaimed. Rev. Straik is a vital component in advancing the goals of the elite rulers. Most of all, Rev. Straik represents the hollow remains of Christianity as it sells its soul to the powers of this world. It has merchandised itself because it now desires only the power of this world. Such compromised men of “faith” are of great value to the elites. Rev. Straik, who is part of the inner circle, confidently proclaims, “The Kingdom is going to arrive: in this world” (pg. 79). This prophetic and chiliastic spirit is vital to the power of the “kingdom.” Faith is demanded of all. “Neither a historical fact nor a fable … but a prophecy. All the miracles – shadows of things to come. Git rid of false spirituality. It is all going to happen, here in this world, in the only world there is … The son of God – that is, Man himself, full grown – has power to judge the world – to distribute life without end, and punishment without end. You shall see. Here and now,” (pg. 128).

A clear and stated goal is the creation of the “new man.” Such a demonic goal is the horrible mimicry of the devil who is desperately striving to copy the Lord God, the only one Who can truly create anew. The apostate Christian, Rev. Straik gives this religious goal a vivid enunciation, “It is the beginning of Man Immortal, the Man Ubiquitous. Man on the throne of the universe. It is what all the prophecies really meant” (pg. 178).

Of course, it is then made clear the “new man” does not include all men. One Mr. Filostrato reveals, “All the talk about the power of Man over Nature, man in the abstract, is only for canaglai [i.e. trickery, my note] … Man’s power over Nature means the power of some men over other men with Nature as the instrument. There is no such thing as Man – it is a word. There are only men. No! It is not Man who will be omnipotent, it is some one man, some immortal man,” (pg. 178). The elite powers view only themselves as the “immortal man” who has been given power to control and govern every aspect of all men’s lives.

It is also revealed that there is no free will in the process; no one has the right to refuse the coming “kingdom,” “Does clay co-operate with the potter? Did Cyrus co-operate with the Lord? These people will be used. I shall be used too. Instruments. Vehicles. But here comes the point … you have no choice whether you will be used or not” (pg. 79-80).

Elsewhere, C.S. Lewis puts it starkly, “The man-moulders of the new age will be armed with powers of an omnicompetent state and an irresistible scientific technique: we shall get at last a race of conditioners who really can cut out all posterity in what shape they please,” (The Abolition of Man, Harper One, 2001. pg. 60).

In the long run, N.I.C.E is a totalitarian-dystopian nightmare. It is a technocracy. They institute their own novel government structure, including a police force to monitor everyone’s actions. Top of the list of importance is the destruction of light and goodness. They understood that the only substantial enemy is Truth.

Such a goal is also explicitly stated by the real institutes and foundations that I listed above. “The task of the Frankfurt School, then, was first, to undermine the Judeo-Christian legacy through the ‘abolition of culture’ and, second, to undermine new cultural forms, which would increase the alienation of the population, thus creating a ‘new barbarism” (Estuline, The Tavistock Institute). This task has not changed in the least.

In some sense, we are witnessing That Hideous Strength unfold around us. Currently, there is a massive push by godless powers, under the mask of “caring for humanity,” to establish a new reality, a new world order, a new normal, a great reset, or whatever else it may be called.

“The United States were to be programmed to change and become so accustomed to such planned change that it would hardly be noticeable when profound changes did occur … Strategies called for control of the masses through manipulation of industry, peoples’ pastimes, education and political leanings. It called for a quiet revolution pitting brother against brother, to divert the public’s attention from what is really going on” (Estuline, The Tavistock Institute).

Ultimately, N.I.C.E is destroyed by its own power lust, and the very spiritual powers it thought would give it authority and might become its downfall. Demons always destroy. It could not defeat the light. And so it will be the same with the current powers rising up in the clouds of darkness.

So, although Lewis clearly unmasks the layered conspiracy of the secular powers he does so in a Christian context. Darkness is doomed to defeat. It may seem exalted for a time but its overthrow is inevitable.

Many people do not have the time or desire to wade through the many books that expose the real conspiracy of the global elite. On a certain level if one reads this novel by Lewis, with the understanding that it’s revealing this agenda, such a one will gain knowledge. For some people, a good novel is just easier to read.

On a certain level, I think That Hideous Strength is one of Lewis’ most brilliant works.

It is a fantasy in the long run, yet, as is the custom of C.S. Lewis, it is a fantasy packed full of allegory and substantial insights into the world around us. At its heart, it is a penetrating commentary on the modern world we all live in. Lewis explicates the hideous conspiracy of the powers of our time in a most engaging fashion.

For all of us, the question is – “which side” are we on? For, as N.I.C.E knew perfectly well, as do the powers that be, “there is a real war, with real casualties … it is just seriously beginning” (That Hideous Strength).

“The Light shineth in the darkness, and the darkness overcame it not” (Jn. 1:5).

[I originally penned this article in November of 2020. I have briefly expanded and updated it in August of 2024. The warnings and resolutions that Lewis offers in the book “That Hideous Strength” are even more urgent in our times. But we seem to be slow of hearing, and our desire to “hope for the best” is sometimes our downfall. Yet, waking up a bit late is better than never waking up at all.]