Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis
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Book Reviews of Mere Christianity
Book Review: A Timeless Defense of Timeless Truth
Summary: 5 Stars
Though over sixty years old (in their first incarnation as radio broadcasts), C. S. Lewis' insights into the validity of Christianity remain as current as today's internet blogs. "Mere Christianity" answers the intellectual questions of post-modern intellectuals and provides nourishment for the spiritual hunger of Gen X/Gen Y seekers.
Lewis writes in the style of his intellectual mentor, G. K. Chesterton. Both men entered adulthood as agnostics. Both men spent their careers defending the rational integrity of Christianity. Chesterton's "Orthodoxy" addressed the questions typical of the agnosticism of his era (1900). Lewis' "Mere Christianity" addresses the hardened agnosticism of his WW II generation.
Like Chesterton, Lewis not only discusses how Christianity is rationally consistent, but also how it meets the "real world/real hunger" test. That is, he demonstrates how Christianity is relationally fulfilling, meaningful, and consistent.
"Mere Christianity" also reads something like a Christian version of Plato's "Republic." In the "Republic," Plato attempted to define the shape of a society that would produce "happiness"--meaningful, purposeful existence for the individual and the society. Philosophically, Lewis offers the Christian version of the ideal individual, in the ideal society, following the ideal Supreme Being. Stepping back and seeing the big picture, you finish "Mere Christianity" and realize, "Christianity really does make sense. It works. It fits the world as it is and the world as we wish it to be."
Reviewer: Dr. Robert W. Kellemen is the author of "Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," and the forthcoming "Sacred Companions: A History of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."
Book Review: Good for Christians and Non-Christians to read
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is valuable to read for both Christians and non-Christians. First of all, it is good for Christians to review the basics of their faith. Even those who have been raised in the Christian tradition for a long time can learn a lot from Lewis' explanations of the basics. And those who do not accept Christianity would still be helped by reading it, as Lewis writes in a non-sectarian and interdenominational way, and will help greatly in understanding what Christianity actually is.
Originally a series of talks for the radio, Lewis expanded on them and put those and more into the book MERE CHRISTIANITY. The book is divided into four divisions:
1. RIGHT AND WRONG AS A CLUE TO THE MEANING OF THE UNIVERSE. This is then divided into five chapters dealing with the ideas of right and wrong.
2. WHAT CHRISTIANS BELIEVE? There are five chapters dealing with basics in the Christian faith, doing a comparison of how Christianity and other faiths actually have a lot in common with other religions and that it is at the point of departure that Christians then embrace their faith as opposed to others.
3. CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR. I especially appreciated this section. I was raised in a strong Christian home, for which I am grateful. But the biggest problem I had were other Christians (most of them outside the home) with people putting together arbitrary lists of what Christians "should" and "shouldn't do - most of them being conspicuous by their absence in the Bible.
4. BEYOND PERSONALITY: OR FIRST STEPS IN THE DOCTRINE OF THE TRINITY. This covers a number of aspects of Christian living. I especially appreciated the chapter "Is Christianity Hard or Easy?" and "Nice People or New Men?"
It is a knowledgeable book. You'll be glad you read it.
Book Review: The best Christian writer available...
Summary: 5 Stars
C.S. Lewis is the best Christian writer that I've found in my efforts to better understand this influential world religion. Although much of his language seems dated and a bit stuffy (he died in 1963), his use of metaphor is excellent and he has a lucid style that perfectly deconstructs Christian philosophy and its tenets.Why should someone believe in Christ, Lewis wonders? The fact is, there is independent historical documentation to prove that Jesus lived, as much as there is proof that Alexander the Great lived. So, Lewis argues, you either believe what this man claimed or you believe he was a lunatic. While I appreciate Lewis's point here -- and it is a woeful indictment on the education system that many Americans don't know this fact-- it ignores a bigger issue. Yes, Jesus, lived...but the written accounts of his life and the upstart nature of his religion were written 30-100 years after he lived, and do not necessary perfectly reflect his message or life. Any examination of the life of Jesus needs to include consideration of the fact that the writings about him are fallible and contradictory.
After an examination of reasons to believe, Lewis details various aspect of Christian morality. Many of his points are important and surprising. For one, Lewis states that "all sins of the flesh are bad, but they are the least bad of the sins. All the worst pleasures are purely spiritual: the pleasure of putting people in the wrong, of bossing and patronizing and spoiling sport... This is why a cold, self-righteous prig who regularly goes to church may be nearer to hell than a prostitute. But, of course, it is better to be neither." Take that, Fred Phelps!
"Mere Christianity" is a comprehensive and fascinating book. I learned a lot about Christian faith from it and it lead me to read most of Lewis's other books.
Book Review: Keeping it simple, like it's supposed to be.
Summary: 5 Stars
For all of his well deserved reputation as a brilliant thinker and writer, C.S. Lewis demonstrates it best by resisting the urge to 'sound brilliant.' In the three books that comprise "Mere Christianity," Lewis shows off his mastery of discussing the simplicity of the gospel in simple terms without losing one iota of his intellectual or philosophical punch. Quite the opposite is true, in fact -- his lack of ostentation only adds force to arguments about a subject which shouldn't be all that complicated, but for some reason always seem to come out that way.One of the reasons Lewis was able to achieve this balance was that the book is actually derived from transcripts of a series of radio talks which Lewis presented in England during the WW2 years. As a layperson, lacking advanced theological training, and speaking to an audience of laypersons, Lewis delivered his talks with none of the jargon that typically accompany this type of discussion. In fact, when the talks were "cleaned up" and adapted into book form, Lewis intentionally chose to retain the folksy, familiar manner of speech that had characterized the original presentation.
Lewis tackles a broad variety of subjects without hinting at too many "doctrinal distinctives," things that tend to be particular to one denomination or another. His focus was on the common ground that the great majority of Christians can agree on. I was particularly impressed with his powerful apology for the existence of God. The classic ontological and teleological arguments are laid aside as Lewis proves with undeniable clarity and reason the logical necessity of God based on the innate human sense of right and wrong. Even the hardest skeptics will be challenged by this simple yet brilliant presentation. Whether you're a believer or a naysayer, this book will expand your mind.
Book Review: Mere Christianity..... Unparalleled
Summary: 5 Stars
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is a masterful portrayl of an aspect of Christianity not normally explored. Lewis uses his analytical and logical mindset to discuss simply the facts, and in doing so strengthens his argument that, although no one can truly prove what the after life has in store for us, Christianity is the most logical. By relying only on what we know, and many times stressing he is but a layman with a keen sense for what "makes sense", Lewis covers every knook and cranney of an argument, many times stating his oponents views, and diminishing them with such ease and logic that it becomes difficult for the reader to disagree. Christian or not, apreciation for this novel should be granted to Lewis, if nothing else for his anological comparisons which simply stated are amazing. With analogies that seem to bring every aspect of his argument into a simple comparison or mental picture, Lewis succeeds in explaining one of the most controversial and complicated subjects known to man. What is interesting however is not that he succeeds, but how he succeeds. He does not overload his audience with useless information or come off as feeling superior in any way, he allows his reader, step by step, logic to logic, to follow him on the only possible solution to the problem. For this Lewis indeeds deserves reverance becauses he refuses to attack his oponents views lilke many speakers of his time and instead focuses on proving what he believes is the truth. With the truth backing Lewis how can he be wrong? I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a masterful work of logic, or better yet someone unsure of their faith. Read this work with an open mind and open heart and little will be left to question, or better yet, little left worth questioning.
-Chase Brumfield