Mere Christianity CD

Rating:
Summary: A Very Good Workout Book of Logic
Review: 'Mere Christianity' is one of Lewis most famous apologetic works. Written off his radio program with the same title and lectures given therefore, the book in essence is about the 'mere' or essential Christian doctrines in what Christians in all places and at all times agree on. There is much common ground between Protestant Evangelicals, Catholics, and even Eastern Orthodox believers here; yet, not exstensively so.

Many readers find his moral arguments one of the most compelling arguments for the existence of God. While written over a half century ago, many Churches to this day still use his book in Bible studies and Sunday School education.

His famous Trilema argument is still widely used (Jesus is either Lord, liar, or lunatic)and his discussion on the body of Christ and the diveristy it holds is a great balance between a 'totalitarian' religion or an 'individualistic' Christianity. His discussion on 'begotten, not made' and the 'Trinity' is insightful and written for the laymen.

While this is not my favoriate Lewis book, it still warrants five stars because of its ability to still reach the average person, well placed arguments, and influence it has had on the Christian community.

Rating:
Summary: A Great Simplistic View of A Complex Subject
Review: After reading several books on a similar topic that did nothing but confuse me, I was glad that I came upon C.S. Lewis's work. All of the other books about the existence of God are way off in their own world, and discourage anyone who feels lost in their ideas about God. This book really explained the reasons that God must exist, and then moved on to easily describe the major beliefs of Christians, without leaving anyone out in the cold on what the key issues actually are. This book is perfect for the agnostic, the atheist, and even the Christian that wants to know the logical and simple reasons that C.S. Lewis came to be a Christian. Over and over, his words made me see even the simplest concepts of religion in a completely new light. I was greatly impressed and have already read this book multiple times.

Rating:
Summary: Response to orpington
Review: As another reviewer pointed out, Christians seem to rate this book highly while atheists and agnostics tend to give it low ratings. Assuming that orpington is not an atheist or agnostic (from his objections that Lewis does not tow the Scripture line as he would demand of such a work), I guess fundamentalists (at least this one in particular) are not impressed with this work from Lewis either. THE BIBLE may say that once a person is saved they are never lost, but Lewis points out that giving our lives to God is a decision, and who among us hasn't seen someone make that decision and then change it?
As for the idea that people could come to Christ from other traditions, I can attest to this myself. I was raised in the Methodist denomination and then pursued the Bahai faith and Buddhism seeking to determine if I really believed in Christianity or followed it merely from conditioning in childhood. Lewis has helped bring me back into the Christian fold, with a much clearer idea of what I believe and why. As Mike Scott of The Waterboys wrote in one of his songs, it's "been a long way to the Light." Who is to judge how we get there, so long as we answer God's call?

Rating:
Summary: A Layman's explanation of Christianity
Review: C.S. Lewis' Mere Christianity is a great work about faith. Many intellectuals may scoff in contempt about some of the logic that Lewis uses, but in some ways that is the entire point of this book. He gives a concise and easily understandable description of what faith means. Keep in mind that this book is comprised of essays, many of which were born out of a radio program during World War 2.

While Mere Christianity is a great read it should not be taken as the gospel truth. C.S. Lewis was a brilliant individual, but some of his beliefs about women in a religious perspective are outdated. He would be the first to tell you that he was nothing more than a layman when it comes to explaining the Kingdom of God. Qualms aside, this is a really great book and it is easy to read. Those that like Mere Christianity should read Lewis' The Screwtape Letters.


Rating:
Summary: not very good..
Review: i could only read half an hour of this critically aclaimed outline. its too wordy/complicated for even the very seasoned christian.

Rating:
Summary: Primitive concepts outdated by todays understanding
Review: I have no doubt that C.S. Lewis was a fine man and he certainly set out to achieve a noble goal here. Making the spiritual more understandable through the application of logic has an undeniable appeal. Unfortunately, his assumptions about some of the basic concepts of human nature look positively naive by modern standards. He comes off sounding like, as one of my psych professors was fond of saying, a "park-bench philosopher". Behavioral science just had not developed to the point it has today, so he had no way of knowing that his basic assumptions about some things he viewed as givens were, in fact, not given at all. In the end, trying to make the subject of religion something that one can put to the test of "logic" is an exercise in futility. That's why it's called faith.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent Tool for Intellectual Evangelism!
Review: I read this book twenty years ago, and after reading it once again it still speaks volumes about why new life in Jesus Christ is so vital. It is ideal for the intellectual non-Christian who is struggling with the claims of Christ, mentally wrestling with the truth of His message and the need of salvation and new birth. It is also helpful for the new believer to understand better his faith and his relationship with his Lord.

Lewis here is profound, yet practical. His words are holy, yet extremely human. This book is actually a compilation of three separate titles by Lewis, the first of which was copyrighted in 1943. Over the decades that have followed, his words have proven timelessly inspiring.

For the non-Christian with intellectual questions, and for the Christian who dares to think about his faith, this classic work is a must-read.

Rating:
Summary: ABSOLUTELY REFRESHING!
Review: If you want a book that dips deep into christianity, analyzing its truths from a very objective, interesting and entertaining perspective, and at the time instructing you, by immaginative examples, on Christian faith, go for this book.

C.S. Lewis, was teacher of literature in Oxford and Cambridge. He was atheist and before his conversion he constantly tried to prove Christianity was wrong. On his way of doing so, he found himself to be wrong. This book presents some of the logical and rational proofs that led him, (and me) to consider Christianity seriously.

I recommend this book for begginers, skeptics, and those whose mind gets in the way to struggle with their faith. If you're a Christian already, don't mind, this is quite entertaining apologetic thinking.


Rating:
Summary: Intriguing and will challenge the non-believer and Christian
Review: In Mere Christianity, C.S. Lewis examines faith and Christianity without biasing any particular denomination. This book is divided into four sections. In the first two sections, Lewis writes as an apologetic. He takes a philisophical approach to describe that humans have a moral standard and this standard originates from God. Lewis also defends Jesus Christ's claim to be God and how we are redeemed through His death on the cross. I found this section to be very well written and intriguing.

In the third section, Lewis examines Christian behavior. He discusses various topics including the four Cardinal virtues, the three theological virtues, sexual morality and the Christian marriage, and my favorite chapter - "The Great Sin" (pride). I would be surprised to find a reader that would be disappointed in this section. It is very intriguing and is an excellent reference looking at sin and appropriate behaviors for Christians.

The last section discusses the trinity and Lewis's view of the life as a Christian. This is probably the most challenging section of the book. Lewis even warns readers that they may want to skip a chapter or two if they don't think it will help them. Nonetheless, I found this section to be interesting and it really gives the reader a glimpse into the mind of one of the great apologetics of the twentieth century.

I recommend this book to both the non-believer and the strong Christian. It is an excellent reference and is guaranteed to challenge you.

Rating:
Summary: Deeply moving and thought-provoking
Review: In the foreword it is explained that this book is not one of philosophical musings but a work of oral literature addressed to a people at war. It was originally broadcast by the BBC from 1942 to 1944, hence the gripping metaphors like the image of the earth as enemy-occupied territory. Mere Christianity is a book of plain but moving language.

In Book One: Right and Wrong As a Clue To The Meaning Of The Universe, Lewis looks at the law of human nature (inherent knowledge of right and wrong), certain objections, the reality of the law and that which lies behind the law. Here he discusses the materialist, the life-force and the religious views of life.

Book Two is a discussion on what Christians believe, in terms of the aforementioned occupied territory, a coming invasion, the penitent, and the practical conclusion. This section also deals with pantheism, dualism, free will, the divinity of Christ and God's intentions with the world.

Book Three investigates Christian behaviour, in terms of the cardinal virtues, social and personal morality, morality and psychology, marriage, forgiveness, the great sin (narcissistic pride; in this regard, please also read People Of The Lie by M Scott Peck), and what charity, hope and faith really mean.

Book 4 is a captivating explanation of the doctrine of the trinity. I found this part very interesting and sometimes deeply moving. Lewis speculates on the nature of time, the nature of man and the nature of God, as the Father the source, the Son an emanation of the source and the Holy Spirit as the spirit of love between Father and Son. Lewis explains what he thinks is the process whereby the individual receives a higher nature. This change in consciousness (infusion of the Holy Spirit) leads to a transcendence of the mortal nature by transforming the individual into a child of the divine.

He argues convincingly for personalities in God and God as the ultimate personality. I found this very illuminating, also in light of having recently read the books by Deborah Whitehouse and Alan Anderson on Process New Thought, especially their view of the personhood of God and panentheism as it emerges from the work of Alfred North Whitehead.

Mere Christianity is a most memorable work that expresses ideas that are relevant to our times. It is a very refreshing expression of a personal Christian belief system that could serve as a strong antidote to the dictatorship of dogma or the staid boredom often associated with 20th century religion in the West. Deeply illuminating, Lewis' words I am sure make many people reconsider important ideas that they had taken for granted.

I am not sure how close Lewis came to the truth in every respect, but much in his vision is inspiring, noble and infused with a sense of logic and common sense. Lewis' writing has an uplifting effect on the spirit. I recommend Mere Christianity to all people of faith and those in search of meaning. One might not ultimately agree with everything, but the thoughts expressed here certainly make you think.