The purpose of morality, in short, is to teach human beings when to obey their instincts. Mere christianity is possibly lewis most frequently read work, and was originally given as a. Cs lewis takes the concept of christianity and breaks it down into easily digestible yet profound chunks. The essentials of christianity are presented in an enlightening, easytograsp narrative. In the book mere christianity, published in 1952, but adapted from a series of talks lewis gave. Lewis, quote from mere christianity god is no fonder of intellectual slackers than he is of any other slacker. How is the idea of loving ones self the key to lewiss explana. We all know what it feels like to be prompted by instinct by mother love, or sexual. Analysis of mere christianity by cs lewis religion essay the second point of morality is within the human himself and how he or she sets them self out. Lewis argues that if morality were a human invention, based on instinct, then morality would agree with human instinct or at least one specific human instinct one hundred percent of the time.
A study in medieval tradition 1936, was highly praised and established his reputation as a leading figure in british literary studies. A very calming read through chapter 1 of mere christianity. Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the universe. Lewiss forceful and accessible doctrine of christian belief. There is one vice of which no man in the world is free. He believes that jesus, if not god, was either a lunatic or a devil.
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. Lewis and the catholic church, that in spite of the limitations that mere christianity had placed upon him, lewis groped progressively towards more christianity, accepting as integral to the christian faith, doctrines and. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in mere christianity, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Buy mere christianity by c s lewis in paperback format at koorong. He also wrote some delightful books for children and some science fiction, besides many works of literary criticism. The two people might say things like, you promised, i was there first, etc.
Lewiss legendary broadcast talks of the war years, talks in which he set out simply to explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all christians at all times. If you tell everyone reading this blog that lewis explanation, indeed the very concept of the dt, is illogical, you might expect a little bit of pushback from some of us like me who dont agree with you. Notes preface the contents of the hook were first given on air and published into several parts. I didnt realize it at the time but this book is so revered for its words that it is often used in church and bible study groups. We all know what it feels like to be prompted by instinctby mother love, or sexual instinct, or the instinct for food.
One of the most popular introductions to christian faith ever written, mere christianity has sold millions of copies worldwide. Often, one person accuses another of not meeting a certain standard of behavior, and the other person denies this or makes excuses. 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. Lewis argues for the existence of god, and then proceeds to outline what he believes are the fundamental tenants of christianity. In books one and two of mere christianity, lewis purpose is to explicate that all human beings have a sense of right and wrong, indicated as the law of human nature, use this law to support the theory of a god, who gives humans this law and governs them by it, show the difficulty all humans face because they fail to obey this law perfectly, and that christianity is the only logical. In books 2, 3, and 4 lewis will build upon the foundation established in book 1 with his discussion of christian doctrine and practice. Both christian and nonchristians benefit from reading this book. Ive ever read i love the style of the writing and how c s lewis starts the book on a easy to.
The third and last part of the morality concept is that of the human himself and the creator being god in this case and the relationship they both share as. The topic is, after all, cs lewis description of the trinity in mere christianity. I now come to that part of christian morals where they differ most sharply from all other morals. War ii, lewis reflects on the definition and difficulty of loving ones neighbor. Bringing together lewis legendary broadcast talks during world war two from his three previous books the case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personality, mere christianity provides an unequaled.
The book is compiled of the legendary radio talks which he gave during the war years. One reason why many people find creative evolution so attractive is that it gives one much of the emotional comfort of. Mere christianity by c s lewis complete audio book read by. We have endeavored to provide at least one question per chapter for books 1 and 2. Letters to malcolm, are only a few of his bestselling works. Lewis claims that he has now established a foundation for his argument. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. Lewis s preface explains what mere christianity is and what it attempts to do. Lewis, 9780007461219, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
I didnt always agree with everything they said, but it was certainly thought. For me, not an easy book to read, but i tend to skim read. We love everything from foods to cars, from movies to retailers, from people to god himself. In this department of life, as in every other, thrills come at the beginning and do not last. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way. The best parts of mere christianity are the first four chapters where he gives the moral argument for god. Lewis begins by asking us to imagine two people arguing about some trivial matter. Lewis quotes for just about everything, and considering his expansive work, thats not exactly surprising. But stots book is more of an explanation whereas lewis book is more of a defense. Nowhere in this book does a quote similar to the one attributed to lewis on social media appear. One of the most popular introductions to christian faith ever written, mere. There is little mention of christianity in this first book.
Humans quarrel by making excuses about why they deviated from some standard of decent behavior that the quarreling parties hold in common. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and. First, lewis addresses our relationship to god as needlove. Every one has heard people quarreling, lewis begins.
God is love, and that love works through menespecially through the whole community of christians. Later books on literature include a preface to paradise lost 1942, the personal heresy. From there, i devoured the screwtape letters and, much later, out of the silent planet, always highlighting my favorite quotes and passages. Lewis chapter 8 the great sin from mere christianity by c. Recently, upon sharing that i had lost my faith in god, and even the belief in god, several people suggested that i read mere christianity by cs lewis. How is the idea of loving ones self the key to lewiss explana tion of forgiveness, s 5. We may not consciously distinguish one use of love from another, in part because our speech is becoming more and more informal and reduced every year, but its important to be intentional about the differences.
The original booklet contained a shorter passage which was rewritten and extended in the book, mere christianity, but it also contained some other ideas which are beneficial to consider as. Lewis believes that we can learn something valuable by the kinds of phrases people use when they quarrel. Still, few books in the 20th century have cast such a long shadow as mere christianity. Lewis society at the university of oxford meets at pusey house during term time to discuss papers on the life and works of lewis. At the end of the first chapter in mere christianity, lewis lays out the scope of his argument. In this chapter, he will strengthen this foundation by discussing moral law in more detail. Problem of pain, the screwtape letters, mere christianity, the four loves and the posthumous prayer. Org study questions and mere christianity study guide. Mere christianity by cs lewis book 1 essadel rosario mere christianity by cs. Christians will gain new insights as to why they believe nonchristians will find a brilliant exposition. Mere christianity by cs lewis book 1 freebooksummary. It has helped me understand christianity in a way that i hadnt before.
Wrights simply christian to tim kellers the reason for god. Lewis study program mere christianity study guide 1 mere. Analysis of mere christianity by cs lewis religion essay. A very calming read through chapter 1 of mere christianity by c. As far as explaining christianity, though, i think john stots book, basic christianity, is better than lewis mere christianity. Considered a classic of christian apologetics, the transcripts of the broadcasts originally appeared in print as three separate pamphlets. I have multiple books on my shelf that give a nod to lewis when making a case for christianity in the 21st century. The case for christianity broadcast talks in the uk 1942, christian.
He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on. You can find this audio book is separated into individual chapters on my i. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books the case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personality mere christianity brings together what lewis saw as the fundamental truths of the religion. For many groups, book one may be very challenging or possibly uninteresting.
The first chapter books i ever read were my older brothers worn copies of the chronicles of narnia by c. Lewis s legendary broadcast talks of the war years, talks in which he set out simply to explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all christians at all times. Before there was lewis radio talk on four different kinds of love, produced by the bbc in 1958 the only audio that we have still remaining of lewis himself, and the subsequent publishing of the four loves in 1960, we have a reference in his letters about his thoughts on love, based in the scriptures. Heres a synopsis of lewis s thoughts, published in 1960 and based on a radio series he did with the bbc a few years previous. No, no, lewis wrote in mere christianity, you cant get away with that foolishness. Lewis writes, ever since i became a christian, i have thought that perhaps the best, perhaps the only service i could do for my unbelieving neighbours. The case for christianity 1943 christian behavior 1943 beyond personality 1945 gook i. Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1941 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during the second world war. Books 3 and 4 furnished more material for discussion because they.
Mere christianity book 1 chapter 1 summary course hero. Often, one person accuses another of not meeting a certain standard of behavior, and the other person denies this or makes. Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning ot the ljniw2rse l. Lewis s forceful and accessible doctrine of christian belief.
But this spirit of love is, from all eternity, a love going on between the father and the son. Lewis societies exist around the world, including one which was founded in oxford in 1982. Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of christian faith stand together. Although i do not find his rhetorical argument for the existence of god sound, i found his arguments about free will intriguing and definitely his critique of the modern christian. I also listened to the mere christianity podcast where a group of evangelical christians discuss the book in quite some detail.
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