Mere christianity is a revised and expanded version of three radio talks lewis gave, and was written, as lewis explains in the preface, to present the mere essence of christianity. Another overly simplistic worldview is the worldview that claims, god is good, and ignores the existence of sin, hell, and the devil. The purpose of this essay is not to ridicule christianity. I will touch on the arguments, chapter by chapter, in the synopsis, but for the moment, i will outline the argument as a whole. The fool had been told that lewis is an example of a great scholar and intellectual who was at one time an atheist andor agnostic who later. But whenever intelligent christians try to explain their positions, critics of christianity complain that this version of religion is too complicatedsince. Lewis builds the foundation of his apologetic by making a rational argument. The rival conceptions of god the first big division within humanity is between the majority, who believe in some kind of god or gods, and the minority who do not. It is the view i call christianityandwater, the view which simply says there is a good god in heaven and everything is all rightleaving out all the difficult and terrible doctrines about sin and hell and the devil, and the redemption. He was an advocate and defender of mere christianitythe kind taught in scripture and lived with fervor in the real world.
Jan 21, 2006 book 3, chapter 3 social morality 1 christ did not preach a brand new morality. Rationality is the tack lewis takes in mere christianity. As i discussed in part one, lewis intended this book as an modern christian apology. Jul 11, 2016 in mere christianity, lewis sees life as a battle between the forces of good and bad. Lewis begins with human nature, the law, the ability to discern between right and wrong, and stepbystep, slowly but surely. This book mere christianity published in 1953 was based on the transcript of the bbc radio broadcast that lewis gave at oxford during world war ii 19411944. Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1942 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during world war ii. The fool had been told that lewis is an example of a great scholar and intellectual who was at one time an atheist andor agnostic who later converted to christianity. Lewiss analysis of hinduism has been criticized for being too simplisticlewis wasnt a scholar of hindu religion by any means. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way.
Lewis has shown that atheism is too simple to be true. Nov 05, 20 an experiment in criticism ebook written by c. He also wrote some delightful books for children and some science fiction, besides many works of literary criticism. Thereare six to seven questions for each of the lectures. He was a very skilful writer, and he used arguments which are hard to refute without considerable additional learning. Lewiss forceful and accessible doctrine of christian belief. Apr 21, 2015 mere christianity is a foundational book for any christian wanting to defend the faith. It isnt so much long in size my copy is 191 pages as it is in attention to detail. A journal of mere christianity and william dembskis book mere creation. Lewiss book the problem of pain 1940 and, without ever hearing lewiss voice, approached him about doing a radio series. Find a summary of this and each chapter of mere christianity.
People need to be reminded more often than they need to be instructed 2 christianity has no political program for applying do as you would be done by to a particular society at a particular moment. It was a hit because at that point, lewis had already published a number of fiction and nonfiction books including out of the silent planet 1938, the problem of pain 1940 and the. Letters to malcolm, are only a few of his bestselling works. Unfortunately, he relies on numerous logical fallacies and very little research. A format known as the radio talk came into its own during world war. Christopher mitchell, each of which is approximately fiftyminutes long.
In 2006, mere christianity was placed third in christianity today s list of the most influential books amongst evangelicals since 1945. Jun 23, 2012 in book 2, lewis explained the core beliefs of mere christianity. Book 3, chapter 3 social morality 1 christ did not preach a brand new morality. At the end of the first chapter in mere christianity, lewis lays out the scope of his argument. I have been asked to tell you what christians believe, and i am going to begin by telling you one thing that christians do not need to believe. Criticism of christianity has a long history stretching back to the initial formation of the religion during the roman empire. The attempt to prove it logically fails, however, and since this is the object of the book, it also comes up short. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read an experiment in criticism. What is the analogy that lewis offers to answer the question of how something can happen that is contrary to the will of a being with absolute power. The problem with critics of christianity, lewis says, is that the religion theyre criticizing is suitable for a child of six. Mere christianity book 2 chapter 2 summary course hero. In book 2, lewis abandons book 1s attempt at deducing christianity from first principles.
A critique and synopsis of mere christianity, by c. The book has since become among the most popular evangelical works in existence. The law of human nature both parties had in mind some king. Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1941 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during the second world war. Across more than six decades, lewis is talking to me and anyone else who will listen about his christian faith. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books the case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personality mere christianity. This article considers several areas of criticism including some claims of. It is a bit hard to understand, being written by a professor. The stylistic achievement of mere christianity digital commons. The case for christianity broadcast talks in the uk 1942, christian. Mere christianity book 2 chapter 1 summary course hero. Notes preface the contents of the book were first given on air and published into several parts. It is meant to be used to study mere christianity at the rate of about 2 chapters per week.
Lewis 1952 book mere christianity with great sadness, respect and hope. Dec 27, 2012 the book was called mere christianity, and there was nothing mere about it. It uses philosophical methods and historical and scientific evidence to argue for. But make sure to buy a properly produced book rather than this shameful product of the computer age. The case for christianity 1943 christian behavior 1943 beyond personality 1945 book 1. Mere christianity is a superb if slightly dated book, and remains essential reading for anyone exploring the basics of christianity. Another overly simplistic worldview is the worldview that claims, god is good, and ignores the. The formal response of christians to such criticisms is described as christian apologetics. Critics have challenged christian beliefs and teachings as well as christian actions, from the crusades to modern terrorism. Apr 12, 2012 mere christianity is the most popular of c. Nov 09, 2012 1943 england, when all hope was threatened by the inhumanity of war, c. Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the universe i. Mere christianity book 2 chapter 5 summary course hero.
Lewis book mere christianity is a good book for an unbeliever to read to establish a rational basis for belief in christianity. The shocking alternative lewis discusses free will, satan, and the nature of christ. Will a practicing christian gain from cs lewis mere. The intellectual arguments against christianity include the suppositions that it is a faith of violence, corruption, superstition, polytheism.
An introduction to medieval and renaissance literature. Mere christianity is a strange book to become a modern christian classic, partly because it wasnt intended to be a book in the first place. What qualities of lewiss speaking voice come through in the book. First, that human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it. Lewiss mere christianity, book 2 chapter 5 summary. Lewiss mere christianity, book 2 chapter 2 summary. What, in your opinion, is lewis offering us in mere christianity. However if you take your time it will be well worth it. In book 2, lewis explained the core beliefs of mere christianity.
Mere christianity is a christian apologetic book by c. Unlike pantheism, which dismisses the problem of evil by claiming. Discussing mere christianity when your group meets to discuss the book, firstview the appropriate lecture by dr. The ideas for the book came from a series of radio talks he gave during world war ii. Throughout the history of christianity, many have offered criticisms of christianity, the church, and of christians themselves. And i will tell you another view that is also too simple. The intellectual arguments against christianity include the suppositions that it is a faith of. Mere christianity book 1 chapter 1 summary course hero. Problem of pain, the screwtape letters, mere christianity, the four loves and the posthumous prayer. The case for christianity 1942, christian behaviour 1943, and beyond personality.
The next division is between the types of god people believe in. Mere christianity makes no mention of the eucharist or of mary and the saints and we regard these as not being just an additional catholic thing but rather, as essential to christianity. Lewis had a lot to do with my conversion to christianity 5 decades ago, but now i obviously think he was mistaken. Lewis was invited to give a series of radio lectures addressing the central issues of christianity. Mere christianity introduction mere christianity was originally four series of radio broadcasts on the bbc between 1941 and 1944. His conversion was based on his inability to deny what he considered to be rational arguments for christianity. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Learn mere christianity with free interactive flashcards. The is some information on criticism of mere christianity, particularly of the trilemma on the c. If any topic could be relied upon to wreck a book about mere christianityif any topic makes utterly. James welch, director of religion for the bbc, had read c. Lewis first delivered the chapters that make up mere christianity as live radio addresses for the bbc beginning in 1941.
Lewiss mere christianity, book 2 chapter 1 summary. In christ, a new kind of life and a new kind of man has appeared people often ask when the next step in evolution the step to something beyond man will happen. He argues that good reading, like moral action or religious experience, involves surrender to the work in hand and a process of entering fully into the. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in mere christianity, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Choose from 418 different sets of mere christianity flashcards on quizlet. The law of human nature what are the two basic concepts of chapter one. The work began as a series of radio addresses lewis delivered during wwii. I also recognize the great pain that any human being suffers going through life, some much more than others. Mere christianity is a strange book to become a modern christian classic. We recommend using the odd numbered chapters at the ends of books 2, 3, and 4 as time to wrap up and talk about all the things c.
The law of human nature what is the difference between quarrelling and fighting. I recognize the reality of evil acts and systems in the world and of people who do evil. With mere christianity, lewis is not looking to promote religion, or faith, but rather gently point out the many ways in which civilisation, emotion and human decency and its counterpart are so fascinatingly intertwined, so no one should avoid this book fearing it to be a chestthumping propaganda piece for the authors own religious views. In what ways does the writing reflect the fact that it was originally intended to be heard rather than read. He acknowledges repeatedly that he is a layman, not a scholar, and it shows. Mere christianity flashcards and study sets quizlet. In brief, mere christianity is somewhat short on philosophical justification for christianity. Mere christianity, the aforementioned apologetic for what lewis considered basic christianity, independent of denominations.
Considered a classic of christian apologetics, the transcripts of the broadcasts originally appeared in print as three separate pamphlets. The book was called mere christianity, and there was nothing mere about it. Why mere christianity should have bombed christianity today. Heard first as radio addresses and then published as three separate booksthe case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personalitythis book brings together lewiss legendary broadcast talks of the war years, talks in which he set out simply to explain and. In explaining the purpose of the book, lewis says that he is only writing to defend mere christianity the core of the religion, the beliefs common to all denominations and that therefore this book will offer no help to someone who is already a christian and is. That his creation was good from the beginning but that it was perverted or corrupted by an invasion of. Some objections is the moral law social convention or instinct.
In book 1 he works to build the foundations of his apology, or defense, of christianity as the answer to these profound, universal questions. That there is one god, who is a mind, and who is distinct from his creation, the universe and all life in it. Lewis hints at a position known as universalism when he asserts. We now come to my notes on the final chapter of book ii of mere christianity. Lewiss works of nonfiction, with several million copies sold worldwide. It contains a very good explanation of predestination that i found helpful when i was a new christian. Why mere christianity should have bombed christianity. Entwistle 2010 introduces an idea that psychology and christianity are at odds with each another. Mere christianity is a long walk, through which lewis holds your hand the entire time. I have been asked to tell you what christians believe, and i am going to begin by telling you one thing that. Mere christianity project gutenberg selfpublishing. Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the universe chapter 1. That his creation was good from the beginning but that it was perverted or corrupted by an invasion of evil.
Dec 24, 2011 lewiss book is certainly an interesting read and more than anything illustrates the fact that christianity is truly a faith. Book 1 1 there has been a great deal of soft soap talked about god for the last hundred years. Nov 24, 2007 a critique and synopsis of mere christianity, by c. Another critique, though less relatable to non catholics, is that the image of the catholic church being just another room rather than, say, the main banquet. Mere christianity book two summary essays antiessays.
Lewiss book is certainly an interesting read and more than anything illustrates the fact that christianity is truly a faith. There is little mention of christianity in this first book. Lewiss classic an experiment in criticism springs from the conviction that literature exists for the joy of the reader and that books should be judged by the kind of reading they invite. Lewiss views on a wide range of theological, philosophical, and ethical matters.
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