Lewis has shown that atheism is too simple to be true. A journal of mere christianity and william dembskis book mere creation. Lewiss mere christianity, book 2 chapter 1 summary. Unfortunately, he relies on numerous logical fallacies and very little research. In book 2, lewis abandons book 1s attempt at deducing christianity from first principles. Problem of pain, the screwtape letters, mere christianity, the four loves and the posthumous prayer. Lewiss analysis of hinduism has been criticized for being too simplisticlewis wasnt a scholar of hindu religion by any means. In 2006, mere christianity was placed third in christianity today s list of the most influential books amongst evangelicals since 1945. 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. 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. But whenever intelligent christians try to explain their positions, critics of christianity complain that this version of religion is too complicatedsince. Some criticism specifically addresses christian beliefs, teachings and interpretation of scripture.
A format known as the radio talk came into its own during world war. 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 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. I will touch on the arguments, chapter by chapter, in the synopsis, but for the moment, i will outline the argument as a whole. Notes preface the contents of the book were first given on air and published into several parts. Criticism of christianity has a long history stretching back to the initial formation of the religion during the roman empire. 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. Across more than six decades, lewis is talking to me and anyone else who will listen about his christian faith. It is a bit hard to understand, being written by a professor.
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. The stylistic achievement of mere christianity digital commons. It isnt so much long in size my copy is 191 pages as it is in attention to detail. At the end of the first chapter in mere christianity, lewis lays out the scope of his argument. Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the universe i. Lewis first delivered the chapters that make up mere christianity as live radio addresses for the bbc beginning in 1941.
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. 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. He acknowledges repeatedly that he is a layman, not a scholar, and it shows. Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1941 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during the second world war. In book 2, lewis explained the core beliefs of mere christianity. Mere christianity is a strange book to become a modern christian classic.
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. Critics have challenged christian beliefs and teachings as well as christian actions, from the crusades to modern terrorism. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read an experiment in criticism. In what ways does the writing reflect the fact that it was originally intended to be heard rather than read. 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 hints at a position known as universalism when he asserts. What qualities of lewiss speaking voice come through in the book. Some objections is the moral law social convention or instinct. Book 1 1 there has been a great deal of soft soap talked about god for the last hundred years. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way. Mere christianity is a superb if slightly dated book, and remains essential reading for anyone exploring the basics of christianity.
Unlike pantheism, which dismisses the problem of evil by claiming. He also wrote some delightful books for children and some science fiction, besides many works of literary criticism. The law of human nature what is the difference between quarrelling and fighting. The ideas for the book came from a series of radio talks he gave during world war ii. Christopher mitchell, each of which is approximately fiftyminutes long. Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the universe chapter 1. The purpose of this essay is not to ridicule christianity. 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. However if you take your time it will be well worth it. He was an advocate and defender of mere christianitythe kind taught in scripture and lived with fervor in the real world. And i will tell you another view that is also too simple. Because lewis was such a brilliant scholar, writer, poet, and literary critic, we cannot ignore these aspects of his life, nor have we in this present collection. It is meant to be used to study mere christianity at the rate of about 2 chapters per week.
Jan 21, 2006 book 3, chapter 3 social morality 1 christ did not preach a brand new morality. Lewiss forceful and accessible doctrine of christian belief. 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. Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1942 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during world war ii. The is some information on criticism of mere christianity, particularly of the trilemma on the c. Mere christianity flashcards and study sets quizlet. As i discussed in part one, lewis intended this book as an modern christian apology. Lewis 1952 book mere christianity with great sadness, respect and hope. In book 1 he works to build the foundations of his apology, or defense, of christianity as the answer to these profound, universal questions. Lewiss book the problem of pain 1940 and, without ever hearing lewiss voice, approached him about doing a radio series.
The shocking alternative lewis discusses free will, satan, and the nature of christ. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books the case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personality mere christianity. Choose from 418 different sets of mere christianity flashcards on quizlet. The intellectual arguments against christianity include the suppositions that it is a faith of violence, corruption, superstition, polytheism. Lewiss mere christianity, book 2 chapter 2 summary. Nov 24, 2007 a critique and synopsis of mere christianity, by c. Letters to malcolm, are only a few of his bestselling works. A critique and synopsis of mere christianity, by c. Lewiss works of nonfiction, with several million copies sold worldwide. The problem with critics of christianity, lewis says, is that the religion theyre criticizing is suitable for a child of six.
He was a very skilful writer, and he used arguments which are hard to refute without considerable additional learning. Book 3, chapter 3 social morality 1 christ did not preach a brand new morality. Considered a classic of christian apologetics, the transcripts of the broadcasts originally appeared in print as three separate pamphlets. The attempt to prove it logically fails, however, and since this is the object of the book, it also comes up short. The law of human nature what are the two basic concepts of chapter one. It is the view i call christianity andwater, 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. His conversion was based on his inability to deny what he considered to be rational arguments for christianity.
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. That his creation was good from the beginning but that it was perverted or corrupted by an invasion of. The formal response of christians to such criticisms is described as christian apologetics. Lewis was invited to give a series of radio lectures addressing the central issues of christianity. It contains a very good explanation of predestination that i found helpful when i was a new christian. Mere christianity book 2 chapter 1 summary course hero. The law of human nature both parties had in mind some king. Lewiss mere christianity, book 2 chapter 5 summary. Learn mere christianity with free interactive flashcards. Apr 12, 2012 mere christianity is the most popular of c. Mere christianity book 2 chapter 2 summary course hero. The perfect penitent lewis believes that the man he has been referring to was obviously not a lunatic or fiend, which leads to the conclusion that he wasis god.
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. It uses philosophical methods and historical and scientific evidence to argue for. That there is one god, who is a mind, and who is distinct from his creation, the universe and all life in it. Another overly simplistic worldview is the worldview that claims, god is good, and ignores the. Mere christianity discussion questions preface where does the title come from. Mere christianity project gutenberg selfpublishing. Will a practicing christian gain from cs lewis mere. Lewis book mere christianity is a good book for an unbeliever to read to establish a rational basis for belief in christianity. There is little mention of christianity in this first book. The case for christianity 1942, christian behaviour 1943, and beyond personality. Nov 09, 2012 1943 england, when all hope was threatened by the inhumanity of war, c. Entwistle 2010 introduces an idea that psychology and christianity are at odds with each another. 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. 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.
Jun 23, 2012 in book 2, lewis explained the core beliefs of mere christianity. Lewiss views on a wide range of theological, philosophical, and ethical matters. Lewis builds the foundation of his apologetic by making a rational argument. Lewis begins with human nature, the law, the ability to discern between right and wrong, and stepbystep, slowly but surely.
Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Dec 27, 2012 the book was called mere christianity, and there was nothing mere about it. Apr 21, 2015 mere christianity is a foundational book for any christian wanting to defend the faith. In brief, mere christianity is somewhat short on philosophical justification for christianity. Mere christianity book two summary essays antiessays. 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. I also recognize the great pain that any human being suffers going through life, some much more than others. Mere christianity book 2 chapter 5 summary course hero. An introduction to medieval and renaissance literature. 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. That his creation was good from the beginning but that it was perverted or corrupted by an invasion of evil. Throughout the history of christianity, many have offered criticisms of christianity, the church, and of christians themselves.
Nov 05, 20 an experiment in criticism ebook written by c. The work began as a series of radio addresses lewis delivered during wwii. But make sure to buy a properly produced book rather than this shameful product of the computer age. I recognize the reality of evil acts and systems in the world and of people who do evil. The case for christianity broadcast talks in the uk 1942, christian. Thereare six to seven questions for each of the lectures. Dec 24, 2011 lewiss book is certainly an interesting read and more than anything illustrates the fact that christianity is truly a faith. Discussing mere christianity when your group meets to discuss the book, firstview the appropriate lecture by dr. Mere christianity introduction mere christianity was originally four series of radio broadcasts on the bbc between 1941 and 1944.
Rationality is the tack lewis takes in mere christianity. The intellectual arguments against christianity include the suppositions that it is a faith of. Jul 11, 2016 in mere christianity, lewis sees life as a battle between the forces of good and bad. The book was called mere christianity, and there was nothing mere about it. If any topic could be relied upon to wreck a book about mere christianityif any topic makes utterly. This article considers several areas of criticism including some claims of. Mere christianity, the aforementioned apologetic for what lewis considered basic christianity, independent of denominations. Lewis had a lot to do with my conversion to christianity 5 decades ago, but now i obviously think he was mistaken. Why mere christianity should have bombed christianity. Another overly simplistic worldview is the worldview that claims, god is good, and ignores the existence of sin, hell, and the devil. Find a summary of this and each chapter of mere christianity. Mere christianity is a christian apologetic book by c.
The book has since become among the most popular evangelical works in existence. 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. James welch, director of religion for the bbc, had read c. The next division is between the types of god people believe in. Published in 1952, it argues for a set of basic christian beliefs which he considers all christians can agree upon. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in mere christianity, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Lewiss book is certainly an interesting read and more than anything illustrates the fact that christianity is truly a faith. Mere christianity is a long walk, through which lewis holds your hand the entire time. 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.