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Summary: My new favorite book - Mere Christianity
Review: C.S. Lewis has a great talent of taking complicated subjects and making them so simple that you almost think yourself stupid. Lewis shows a clear picture of what christians really believe in this book, and with fitting analogies and profound applications, he shows how being a christian doesn't have to be a giant leap of faith into the dark, but can be a firm choice in believing that what the Bible says is factual. (Just like believing a witness in court is telling the truth) Lewis takes on subjects ranging from christian morals and why they are so important for christians to explaining the concept of the Trinity of God (yikes! Heavy subject!). Whether you're a Christian who would like to see the reinforcing explanation of the faith, or anyone else who would like an insight into "mere" christianity, this book is definately for you.
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Summary: What are you looking for?
Review: It seems to me that what Lewis does in this book-to large extent-is flesh out Christianity to the less faithful as THE believable, respectable (intellectually) and compelling truth- appealing to those who were not raised as Christians. He does not wish to get bogged down in divisions and denominations (reasons why are explained) nor does he use a lot of the "church speak" that will simply freak out most semi-religious but not convicted persons. Though he is speaking both to the intellectual skeptic and the ambivalent commoner, he cannot please those who simply seek to find flaws in his logic or those who have no faith in their hearts. That's too bad. Even if C.S. Lewis is one of the most brilliant scholars and Christian writers he cannot deliver revelations. Lewis gives reasons (fairly persuasive ones at that) for people to believe, but he doesn't underscore the crucial fact that belief in God requires a core of faith (however small). A few of his points are brilliant--but skeptics will tear them down because they do not possess that faith -and this makes religious conviction impossible. You can only get so far with logical arguments before you have to mention the miracles, and the plagues, and the holy trinity at which point all those who were "with you" thus far promptly sign off. Science is our faith it seems. Fact and logic. We are products of the Enlightenment. Yes, we as humans have a "sense" of morals as Lewis says, but so did many philosophers- so what does God have to do with this? Any "good" person (and according to Rousseau we are all naturally "good") can do well by their neighbor. We could all just be devoted Humanists at this point right? Not so. And actually if you read this book you will see why. Apparently some people managed to miss this important point in Mere Christianity. And perhaps Lewis was mistaken to try to reason so extensively about the existence of God which is so beyond our minds to comprehend. He sets off the book as if he literally can "reason" God's existence but then he asks for a leap that many are not prepared to make. If we cannot accept the things we cannot explain then we will be caught in a vicious cycle because faith requires that we go beyond this need for explaination. And one important point is: Faith is not always strong. If you have read Lewis extensively you will see that he suffers terribly after the death of his beloved wife-feeling more abandoned by God than ever before (A Grief Observed). Monks and priests struggle with their faith. The best figures from The Bible struggle with doubt. The point is to keep struggling with your beliefs and keep reading and praying. This book can only do so much but for those who are on the verge of calling this all 'inane opium for the masses', C.S. Lewis can supply you with just enough to keep you thinking and hopefully prevent this cynical world from convincing you that faith is for the foolish. And if you just want a deliciously entertaining read-try the Screwtape Letters.
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Summary: Mere Dogma!
Review: This is not a work for the those uninitiated into Christian dogma. Within about 50 pages, Lewis establishes the existence of the Christian God from the premise that the human being enters this world with a priori knowledge of right and wrong. Wow! The argument is weak, and proceeds through a sort of process of elimination of alternative explanations rather than through a demonstration of the necessity of the Christian God. People had told me that CS Lewis was an intelligent Christian apologist. However, it seem to me that this book is not meant to bring anyone into the Christian fold, but simply to keep them in. I suggest taking a look at Kreeft's book, "Christianity for Modern Pagans", a commentary on Pascal's Pensees. Or read Pascal's pensees directly.
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Summary: I was disappointed
Review: I had heard so many good things about this book, and have known of its sacred position amongst countless Christians (of which I am.) However, I was disappointed with this book. Sadly, C.S Lewis opens this book by attempting to prove God through logic. While I think Lewis makes some pretty good arguments (though you won't find much in these arguments that you've not heard before from other great thinkers), that does not mean they are bullet-proof arguments. Many will think of Lewis's arguments as greater than they really are, simply because he is able to adorn it with a very powerful and fanciful command of the English language and imagery (But that should not be unexpected, as he is a literary scholar from Oxford.) One thing that is always shocking to see is that a great deal of many Christians boast of how you can prove God through philosophy. But, many are not willing to accept you cannot. You cannot come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through 'Mere Philosophy.' You can only come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ by having a revelation of Christ in your heart because the gospel has been proclaimed. Despite this, Lewis attempts to prove God not through the power of the gospel, but through man's ability to reason. The gospel message itself seems like but a 'Mere Ornament' by which Lewis decorates his Christmas tree (philosophy). Lewis also goes about describing the Christian life and doctrines, and what it means to be a new creation and other such things. But, despite talking about Christian things, he tends to lean on logic and fanciful parables than on Scripture. Lewis puts some things remarkably well, and has some great insights to these things. But, it is burried in a bunch of things he need not have said. Also, Lewis in this book only claims to being able to defend and talk about the Christian position as is generally embraced by all of Christiandome. And usually, he does not deviate from this pattern in his book. However, when it comes to doctrines concerning free will and evolution, he seems to deviate from the purpose of the book. I believe in free will, and I do not believe in evolution, but, Lewis talks about these things as if they were commonly embraced by Christiandom at large. When in fact, many branches of Christianity do not believe in free will, nor do they believe in evolution. There are many other flaws with the book, of which I will not get into. If you have not read this book, do consider reading it, as it is one of the most popular books written in the last 100 years. However, you would probably be better off getting a copy from the library than giving amazon.com money for this. You could find a better book out there to put on your bookshelf.
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Summary: Very Good book
Review: A great book for any Christian or non-Christian. It contains some simple theology with some good analogys.
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Summary: One of his truly great books
Review: This is one of the best apologetics book out there. I have read this book multiple times, and find it to be one of the easiest reads for some pretty deep subjects. I think his explanation of faith is the best that I have ever read, even after all the reading I did for my B.A. in Biblical and Religious Studies. I recommend this book to any christian who wants to learn more about his/her walk.
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Summary: Extended Analogy fallacy
Review: This book is an excellent read. Lewis manages to speak intelligently on a subject which is mostly surrounded by bluster and dogma. His logic is ultimately incorrect, however, and he makes numerous uses of the Extended Analogy fallacy. Still, it was an enjoyable read and it got me thinking. Though I do not agree with Lewis's conclusions, I enjoyed the road he takes to get there.
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Summary: 250 pages of text, 1000 pages of thought
Review: Lewis's Mere Christianity is an insightful and thought provoking classic work of Christian literature. This collection of World War II radio speeches retains the impact it had fifty years ago in Britain. Lewis, a layman of the Church of England, conveys issues debated by the greatest scholars and minds for centuries in a way simple enough to be understood by a young student. The quantity and quality of illustrations alone make the book worthwhile. The genius imagination of C.S. Lewis beautifully reduces difficult thoughts down to simple illustrations. Lewis begins with topics relating to all people everywhere such as morality, the conscience, and the ideas of evolution and creationism. Primarily using anecdotal evidence, Lewis logically progresses the reader from the belief in the existence of a god to belief in the God of the Bible. Christian topics like forgiveness, hope, faith, and the Trinity are addressed at the end of the book. The book's goal is to present only the core and central Christian doctrines, what Lewis calls 'mere' Christianity. As a result, issues relating to denominational division in the Christian church are intentionally omitted. In my opinion, however, many of the topics ignored in order to reach this mutual 'mere Christianity' are far too important to be overlooked. I also believe Lewis should have used more quotations from the Bible to support his arguments. Lewis presents the Christian perspective in a book aimed at the skeptic, the atheist, and the fellow Christian. Mere Christianity caused me to re-evaluate the beliefs I hold and the way they are applied to my life.
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Summary: Merely Christian
Review: This is one of the best summaries of the essentials of Christianity I have read. Lewis avoids all the common pitfalls in the usual presentation of the gospel. Some people emphasize doctrine and theology to a tiring degree, others focus primarily on getting close to God and focusing on your relationship with Jesus, and another group of people incessantly preaches how we must live and what we must do as Christians. But all of these positions polarize the truth - mere Christianity expresses all of these aspects at once, without contradiction. True doctrine is only attained by communion with God, and this results in a holy, Christian life. Mere Christianity is so powerful because it harmonizes all of these aspects in such a glorious manner. You read his defense of the existence of God, move through his explanation of the basics of Christianity and Christian conduct, and then finish with his thoughts on the Trinity. You never get an impression of imbalance, or of partiality to some "pet doctrine" as Christian authors often have. All of it is written in his typical even-handed, charming, down-to-earth fashion. This would be my top recommendation for an enjoyable summary of Christian doctrine and practice.
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Summary: One of the best books written
Review: CS Lewis has knack for tackling hard complicated subjects with no easy answer and making them appear easy to follow. What really makes this book special is the way any reader of various reading background, whether highly educated or not, can read this book and come away with a new look and understanding on complex issues. Furthermore, you do not have to be a Christian to read this book. Lewis tackles issues that everybody, despite religious veiws, has to deal with. Subjects such as evil and pain suffering and why the exist are examined. Lewis shows that evil is not a dual entity with goodness. Just like darkness is not a dual entity with light, rather darkness is merely the absence of light. Light can be measured, darkness however cannot be. Darkness is only the absence of light. It is a little harder to visualize goodness and evil on these terms but Lewis does a great job of making the connection. This book is a fast read and is for people of various reading abilities.
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