Mere Christianity
by C. S. Lewis
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Book Reviews of Mere Christianity
Book Review: MERE CHRISTIANITY IS IN NO WAY MERELY A BOOK
Summary: 5 Stars
It's hard to believe that I've had this book sitting on my bookshelf for nearly six years. Had I known what I was missing I would have picked it up sooner. But as we Christians know, it's all in Gods' perfect timing. I may very well have not been ready for it six years ago.
This may be a small book in terms pages but it is packed full of wisdom. I often had to reread a sentence and even paragraph before I was able to grasp what the author was trying to convey but it was well worth it.
MERE CHRISTIANITY is for all believers no matter where they are at their walk with Christ, as well as for seekers. All who read this amazing book will walk away a better person for it. At least I would hope they would. A great tool for all Christians.
As a lover of music, I loved what C.S. Lewis said in chapter ten, titled HOPE:
"All scriptural imagery (harps, crowns, gold, etc.) is, of course, a merely symbolical attempt to express the inexpressible. Musical instruments are mentioned because for many people (not all) music is the thing known in the present life which most strongly suggest ecstasy and infinity."
Music is a huge part of my soul, who I am. To read of it in scripture and know Gods' intentions in regards to it goes way beyond words.
Book Review: One of Lewis' Most Famous Works
Summary: 5 Stars
'Mere Christianity' is one of Lewis most famous apologetic works. Written off his radio program with the same title and lectures given therefore, the book in essence is about the 'mere' or essential Christian doctrines in what Christians in all places and at all times agree on. There is much common ground between Protestant Evangelicals, Catholics, and even Eastern Orthodox believers here; yet, not exstensively so.
Many readers find his moral arguments one of the most compelling arguments for the existence of God. While written over a half century ago, many Churches to this day still use his book in Bible studies and Sunday School education.
His famous Trilema argument is still widely used (Jesus is either Lord, liar, or lunatic)and his discussion on the body of Christ and the diveristy it holds is a great balance between a 'totalitarian' religion or an 'individualistic' Christianity. His discussion on 'begotten, not made' and the 'Trinity' is insightful and written for the laymen.
While this is not my favoriate Lewis book, it still warrants five stars because of its ability to still reach the average person, well placed arguments, and influence it has had on the Christian community.
Book Review: Simplicity applied sublimely.....
Summary: 5 Stars
Bowen Simmons has deposited here possibly the best review of Mere Christianity I've read. But as my task is to review the book, not one of it's many reviewers, I'll state only that Mere Christianity works for those capable of appreciating simplicity. Those sternly demanding difficult philosophical pretzels may huffily dismiss Lewis as a simpleton. If they also require a "contemporary" defense of ancient tenets they might easily assign the appellation to themselves.
Faith, regardless of chronology, is faith. Natural theology, in which reason alone is employed to understand God, was vigorously challenged as late (or as early) as the 13th century (see William of Ockham). I think C.S. Lewis well aware of this. But, he is evidently also aware that the promotion of faith to the ambivalent is only a partial strategy. Thus, Lewis provides a sublime distillation open to anyone willing to open the tiniest aperture unto themselves.
Though he ostensibly has, his goal is not to convert atheists (for they have a faith of their own). He merely presents Christianity for those who wish a clear, concise understanding. Yet, as in everything, we find only what we wish to find. Some will find here 5 stars.
Book Review: A logical path to the "illogical"
Summary: 5 Stars
C.S. Lewis, hailed for his many great works, did not fall short with "Mere Christianity." In fact, the book is considered one of the most prominent and well made defenses of the Christian Faith of the 20th century.
In this book Lewis reveals a basis for Christianity that is undeniably rational and reasonable. His arguments are very easy and quick to follow, and laced with analogies that only strengthen his points. He is able take the reader on a road that very rationally reveals the truths of Christianity by starting out with a skeptic's view then using logic to go beyond that view. He then builds on this with clear facts and observations in a smooth manner that is intellectual and well-structured.
Unlike similar works, he focuses his attention on the evidence of Christianity and uses that to lead up to the practice of the faith. He smoothly gets from point a to b, rather than diving right in and using a fire and brimstone approach. It is the perfect approach for giving a non-believer a reasonable basis for Christianity.
Lewis was able to give a very comprehensive and deep defense of Christianity in this book, and at the same time make it an easy to follow and fast read.
Book Review: Lewis proves Absolute Truth
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is astounding.
I believe at least the first third of this book should be taught on every high school and college campus.
In this first part of the book, Lewis calmly and cheerfully leads the reader methodically and logically
to the idea that, contrary to the popular opinion, there IS absolute truth, and that we all intuitively adhere to it. He shows us that it comes from outside ourselves, and that it must come from a Creator.
He eventually goes on to prove that this Creator is Jesus Christ.
Anyone who wants to deny that there is a God, must in good conscience, filter their beliefs through this book.
I promise you, their beliefs cannot make it the whole way through, if they are insisting on an honest search.
I believe every believing parent and teacher needs to get this in the hands of every young person that
they can, before secular education gets ahold of them, and tries to tell them that all truth is
relative.
The Bible is the cornerstone of my life, and Mere Christianity is one of the very few books that are
on the highest level of necessity after it.