Mere Christianity

Through the eyes of C.S. Lewis: Simple Christianity

In England, during the year of 1942 when all hope was threatened by the inhumanity of war, a man by the name of C.S. Lewis addressed the central issues of Christianity through a series of radio lectures. After more than half a century later, his broadcasts still prevail and maintain their poignancy. Each of his original lectures, Broadcast Talks (1942), Christian Behaviour (1943), and Beyond Personality (1944) were compiled as one to make up the book currently known as Mere Christianity. C.S. Lewis proves that "at the center of each there is something, or a Someone, who against all divergences of belief, all differences of temperament, all memories of mutual persecution, speaks with the same voice," rejecting the boundaries that divide Christianity's many denominations. Mere Christianity is simply a twentieth-century masterpiece that provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith.

Mere Christianity which is divided into four different books, illustrates four main ideas: Right and Wrong As a Clue To The Meaning of The Universe, What Christians Believe, Christian Behaviour, and Beyond Personality: or First Steps in the Doctrine of the Trinity.

In book one, the first idea that is discussed is the issue of what is considered right and wrong and it's meaning in the universe we live in. In our every day lives there are occasions that arise when we must decipher between what is right and wrong, but where did these rules or laws to follow come about from? In a situation where there are two people quarrelling on a specific matter, how can one know for sure which of the two is right or wrong...

... middle of paper ...

...nd helpful in my spiritual life but, at times it was hard to follow. The way the book was written seemed too much like a conversation I suppose since it was taken from lectures from a radio station. The many analogies that were carried through the book were very helpful like this one, which portrays a vivid analogy of how Christians see good: "…the Christian thinks any good he does comes from the Christ-life inside him. He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it" (p.63).

This was an immense aid in boosting my spiritual walk with God I was happy to read it although in all honestly I only read 95% of the book. I read the book but skimmed through some of the bigger books.