Rating: 
Summary: A Guidebook to Christianity
Review: As a Christian, and C.S. Lewis Fan, I rate Mere Christianity as book with a detailed description, and beliefs that Christianity holds. Lewis, went from Chapter to Chapter talking about the issues of Christianity, and sums everything up well. For a person looking for an in depth, and fully intellectual resource, Mere Christianity is the book for you. I thought this books helped me in my faith, and it also made me see things more clearly. Lewis, as ALWAYS made a masterpice of Theological Literature.
Rating: 
Summary: great book...ignore the miniscule differences
Review: lewis had a definite gift for tackling a subject, almost scientifically, step by step. i was considering Budhism as a possible alignment to Christianity when i read this book. thank God, He used it as a goad in my life. that was two years ago. i just finished reading it again, and i retain my opinion. read it with an open mind, though, and overlook the insignificant dogma that contradicts with statments in the Bible that you interpret differently. there aren't more than a handful, but they deal with some issues like purgatory and alchohol use. i really enjoy this book and think that it's a significant addition to any philosopher or apologist's library.
Rating: 
Summary: Second-rate even among Lewis's oeuvre
Review: C. S. Lewis has been compared to such robust Christian and literary personalities as Chesterton and Samuel Johnson, and like them it's impossible to sum him up in a single sentence. Well -- Lewis was a fascinating man. I doubt he would have had his virtues if he had not had his contradictions. But all personal opinions about the man aside, this book is not Lewis at his best. Conceded, he had an extraordinary gift for metaphor, wrote with disarming clarity and lucidity, and, as far as I can tell, really strove to live a life of spiritual regeneration. These elements are present in this book, but cannot redeem its gross failing to make Christian orthodoxy appear logical. [You can interpret that remark however you like.] As Hardy (I believe it was) said of Cardinal Newman's _Apologia_, the argument is admirable and would compel assent if only one could accept the initial premises. I give it three stars because it is better than a lot of stuff that gets published, it's become sort of a classic and deserves a point for that, and, finally, it does have its "moments"; but I can't give it any more because of the frankly elementary lapses in reasoning, and because its reputation (IMHO) far exceeds its worth. Here's a tear-out guide to your likely reaction depending on your faith or lack of it:1) Theologically conservative Christian, esp. evangelical Protestant: You'll love this book, if you haven't already read it. 2) Other Christian: You'll find much of value and might even be swayed toward Lewis's orthodoxy. 3) Lapsed Christian and/or "seeker": This could signal your reawakening, like the _Hortensius_ to St. Augustine -- depending on your previous reading and experience. But you're not likely to be *wholly* won over. 3) Hardened atheist: You'll be confirmed in all your worst opinions about the intelligence of Christians. 4) Agnostic: Your results will vary.
Rating:
Summary: I can see clearly now....
Review: This book has changed my life in such a positive way. I really questioned my own Christian faith before reading this. Finally, it all makes sense!
Rating:
Summary: The most solid apologetic overview that I've ever read.
Review: Having read Mere Christianity several times and then having read the BAD reviews on it I found the "one star crowd" to be a particularly bitter bunch, ignoring the weightier concepts and ignoring the whole scope of the book. Mr Lewis's life and work was a singular effort in defense of the faith (after his conversion) and anyone who sees a 200 odd page compilation of many of these insights as superficial is correct in only the most superficial way. It would take a book that was a decade in the making and more than an armful to exhaustively compile all the arguments and counter-arguments for and against the christian faith and Lewis gives a lively and accurate synopsis of the whole of apologetics. This is very readable stuff in a progressive manner that basically takes you from the starting point of believing that we exist, through the existance of moral law, a moral law-giver, a self revealing moral lawgiver, and finally arriving at a wise immortal man on a cross. The final sections of the book basically saw what we can think and know about reality basd on this situation and how we should then live. A wonderful book that a christian's heart will take as spiritual steak and potatoes and unbelivers will reel at as they begin to see the reasonableness of the God.
Rating:
Summary: The Last Great Christian Logician
Review: I was really quite surprised to see the number of people taking potshots at Lewis's logic- true, it is not enterly comprehensive, but it is consistent and for the most part valid. The possible difficulty may have been the style- unlike many theological tomes it was written so as to be comprehensible to the mildly educated layman rather than reserving its rewards for the esoteric scholars alone. Lewis could, and did, write for academic audiences, but the style of his work for the common man- elegant, occasionally almost flashy rhetoric, dry, acid, occasionally breezy wit- is not a fault of the work as a whole. It is a book easy to love, easy to resent. But it is the sort of book that will not go away or quiet down.
Rating:
Summary: One of the most important books on Christianity this century
Review: Whether christian or not a must read book from one of the foremost christian writers of the modern era. Lewis presents christianity in cogent terms that accurately reflect the historical christian faith. Never intending to write a mere logical discourse, Lewis does utilize rational structures to frame the discussion. Christians will find their faith and commitment challenged. Lewis gives non-christians a chance to understand just what it is they are rejecting. I find myself rereading this book and finding something new each time.
Rating:
Summary: Christianity in a Nutshell
Review: Lewis starts off sharing strong evidence that there is a God. However, I was amazed at how Prof. Lewis included only what is essential for being a Christian. He catered to all the Christian Denominations - an immense task. I also enjoyed his many alegories which explain the virtues of a Chritian, and how one should act. Forgive, Love, Give, Faith, etc. If you're interested in what Christianity is, I'd highly recomend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Murky Reasoning
Review: Although technically well written, Lewis' argument stumbles from one questionable assumption to the next. The result is a sad parody of logical thought. For a Christian this book is a gift, it reinforces faith that already exists. For those on the edge of faith, Lewis might be the push they are searching for. Other than that, it is unlikely to have any lasting effect on the reader.
Rating:
Summary: A real, human defense of the truth.
Review: To those who look to this book to find an intellectual "proof" of christianity, as many tout it, you will be disappointed. The truth revealed in this book goes far deeper than any intellectual argument. Lewis prowls deep within the soul and everything that humankind knows is true from within. An excellent analysis of the continuity of morality and feelings among people in general. This book is useful to skeptics who are at least willing to open up and admit their own feelings and experiences--then this book will help you to experience God.
|
