Welcome to Tumnus’s Book Shelf where we review any and all books related to Narnia and CS Lewis! For this weeks review, we will be looking at Mere Christianity by CS Lewis
Title: Mere Christianity.
Author: CS Lewis
Publisher: Touchstone Books; 1st Touchstone Ed edition (June 1996
ISBN-10: 0684823780
ISBN-13: 978-0684823782
Summary of the book:
What is a Christian? Who is Jesus? What do Christians believe? What is faith? What is the trinity? These are questions that have baffled theologians and philosophers alike for centuries, and in Mere Christianity, CS Lewis explores these very topics.
Originally radio addresses done for the BBC, this collection of simple, clear and straightforward essays looks at such things as the deity of Jesus, the existence of evil, forgiveness, pride, faith, charity, hope, the Trinity and becoming a new person in Christ. These essays will challenge a readers way of looking at Christianity and the world around them and make them ask their own questions.
Review.
Few people through out the centuries have been able to explain what Christianity is with out making it to complicated and using language that no one can really relate too. CS Lewis is one exception. In everything he writes, whether it’s children’s books or essays, is that he keeps things simple and easy to understand for people who don’t believe much like he once did.
The point of Mere Christianity is not to get into all the differences between the denominations, but to establish what all Christians believe. Namely that Jesus is the son of God and who Jesus is. It is also in this book that Lewis first uses the “Lord, Liar or Lunatic” reasoning to prove Jesus’ deity, an argument which as used by George McDonald in Everlasting Man, and more currently by Josh McDowell.
Lewis presents these essays not as an expert theologian, but as an Atheist who came to Christ. Lewis is a layperson in terms of theology, and he makes no apologies for it. He doesn’t lay on heavy terms or jargon used by Christians, but uses simple and easy to understand words. We do not see the four spiritual laws, or the bridge illustration that we see in tracts. We see raw, “mere” Christianity.
The writing style is very simple and conversational. The essays in mere Christianity were originally radio addresses for the BBC and the conversational style helps them flow along easier. To often theological addresses come off as heavy and dry reading. Mere Christianity feels more like a trusted friend sitting down to talk to you in an English pub about something and less of a preacher at a pulpit trying to hammer you with a sermon on Sunday Morning.
A flaw that some people may find in it is that mere Christianity much like all of Lewis’s works, is largely non-denominational. He is not nor was not writing strictly or an Anglican audience. He was not even writing for a Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist or a Presbyterian audience. Despite his place in Evangelical circles he wasn’t even writing for them. He was trying to write for all people at all times and places, specifically those like him at one point who were not Christians.
In this attempt to make it not only understandable, and non denominational, he also pursues it logically. Christians are often seen as following the faith blindly, but Lewis shows how important it is to honestly think about what you believe, not just to make it relevant but to make it your own. This shows the importance of not only loving God with all your heart , strength and soul, but with your mind. It is this last part that we often forget in the 21st century and need to remember.
Mere Christianity also breaks down all the barriers that exist between Christians and boils it all down to what Christianity is all about. If ever we needed a book like this, now would be the time. Thankfully, Lewis had already been used to supply it for us.
For once, you will not be bored reading about some of the Christian doctrines in Mere Christianity. Chances are you will actually want to read the next chapter. This book is sure to change not only your life but your outlook, and hopefully the way you relate Christianity to others.
Five out of Five Shields
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