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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.
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Summary: Mere Christianity
Review: This palpable book was origionally a talk that C.S. Lewis gave over WW2 radio, so the reader will note that it has been simplified(like a talk) so that a less educated man could read and understand it. I've found Mere Christianity to be a giant help in my christian studies, for C.S. Lewis is a great theologian and a great writer as well. Mere Christianity is a collection of 3 books, the first half is pure philosophy, then secondly is pure theology. Alot of the philosophy goes along the lines of Immanual Kant's arguments for God, "the moral law". Lewis addressed and challenged the great scientist Sigmond Freud more then once in this book. But if you want to learn more about Freud and Lewis' conflicting concepts, I'd sugjest that you'd read a religous philosophy book called "The Question Of God". It is a debate! Theism VS. Atheism! ...Interestingly enough
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Summary: great book
Review: Cs lewis was a very intelligent man. He has alot of insight into why society is the way it is. I suggest everyone read this book.
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Summary: Merely wonderful...
Review: C.S. Lewis was a rare individual. One of the few non-clerics to be recognised as a theologian by the Anglican church, he put forth the case for Christianity in general in ways that many Christians beyond the Anglican world can accept, and a clear description for non-Christians of what Christian faith and practice should be. Indeed, Lewis says in his introduction that this text (or indeed, hardly any other he produced) will help in deciding between Christian denominations. While he describes himself as a 'very ordinary layman' in the Church of England, he looks to the broader picture of Christianity, particularly for those who have little or no background. The discussion of division points rarely wins a convert, Lewis observed, and so he leaves the issues of ecclesiology and high theology differences to 'experts'. Lewis is of course selling himself short in this regard, but it helps to reinforce his point. The book looks at beliefs, both from a 'natural' standpoint as well as a scripture/tradition/reason standpoint. Lewis looks both at belief and unbelief - for example, he states that Christians do not have to see other religions of the world as thoroughly wrong; on the other hand, to be an atheist requires (in Lewis' estimation) that one view religions, all religions, as founded on a mistake. Lewis probably surprised his listeners by starting a statement, 'When I was an atheist...' Lewis is a late-comer to Christianity (most Anglicans in England were cradle-Anglicans). Thus Lewis can speak with the authority of one having deliberately chosen and found Christianity, rather than one who by accident of birth never knew any other (although the case can be made that Lewis was certainly raised in a culture dominated by Christendom). Lewis also looks at practice - here we are not talking about liturgical niceties or even general church-y practices, but rather the broad strokes of Christian practice - issues of morality, forgiveness, charity, hope and faith. Faith actually has two chapters - one in the more common use of system of belief, but the other in a more subtle, spiritual way. Lewis states in the second chapter that should readers get lost, they should just skip the chapter - while many parts of Christianity will be accessible and intelligible to non-Christians, some things cannot be understood from the outside. This is the 'leave it to God' sense of faith, that is in many ways more of a gift or grace from God than a skill to be developed. Finally, Lewis looks at personality, not just in the sense of our individual personality, but our status as persons and of God's own personality. Lewis' conclusion that there is no true personality apart from God's is somewhat disquieting; Lewis contrasts Christianity with itself in saying that it is both easy and hard at the same time. Lewis looks for the 'new man' to be a creature in complete submission and abandonment to God. This is a turn both easy and difficult. 'Mere Christianity' was originally a series of radio talks, published as three separate books - 'The Case for Christianity', 'Christian Behaviour', and 'Beyond Personality'. This book brings together all three texts. Lewis' style is witty and engaging, the kind of writing that indeed lives to be read aloud. Lewis debates whether or not it was a good idea to leave the oral-language aspects in the written text (given that the tools for emphasis in written language are different); I think the correct choice was made.
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Summary: Christianity...No, seriously.
Review: I feel somewhat foolish giving C.S. Lewis a book review. Formerly a rigid atheist, Lewis tested the tenets of Christianity with his intellect. This was no small test. Lewis, an Oxford alumni and professor, put his faith in the one who claimed to be the Messiah to a people needing salvation. If you are searching for absolute truth, or if you seek something more than what you see from your so-called "Christian" neighbors, read this book. If you are an agnostic, read this book. Atheist? Read the book. Do you go to church every Sunday? Read it! Frequent the bars? It's okay. Read the book at the bar. I guarantee that C.S. Lewis will paint an attractive picture of what Christianity is all about. You will not feel threatened. You will not be judged. I will, however, guarantee a mental work-out. Further, you will see Christianity for what it truly is. No, seriously.
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Summary: It just makes sense
Review: It took me a few tries to get past the first couple of chapters in this book--see, I already believe in Christ and the first few chapters seem to address concerns for non-Christians. I almost gave up on it, but I'm really glad I didn't. Once I got into it, it really made sense and came to occupy a place close to my heart. C.S. Lewis' perspective really brought together much of what I believed, but was unable to but into thought or phrase (this is probably why he's a writer, and not me). It filled in a lot of gaps in my faith, and now it's one of my all-time favorite books of any genre ever. It's not just a good read, it can save your life--it did mine. I can't recommend it highly enough for you if you're a Christian, as well as a gift for people on the fence.
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Summary: Insightful and Brilliant
Review: (...) Personal Opinion:
This book is quite a heavy reading. You have to concentrate and think as you read in order to fully understand his arguments. But you will get a lot out of it once you understand them. C.S. Lewis writes from a layman's perspective, so you will not be tripped by any technical theological jargons. In the morality section of the book, you will find the espoused values going against modern society's mindset. I'm surprised that many of his arguments for morality is still highly relevant today, even though it's written decades ago. This is a good book to read if you want to understand Christianity in its purest form. Recommended!
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Summary: SOME EXCELLENT INSIGHTS, DIDN'T AGREE WITH ALL OF IT
Review: C.S. Lewis book Mere Christianity, offered some excellent insights into the Christian life, especially in the second half of the book, which I found more interesting than the first. However, I was surprised that he considered Roman Catholicism a "Denomination" of the Christian faith. I consider it to be another religion which misinterprets a fundamental teaching of true Christianity: Faith in Christ will produce works. Salvation is not earned by being a "good" person and going to mass. Salvation is a gift and a Christian will produce good works BECAUSE of his faith and the Holy Spirit that dwells within. Salvation cannot be earned.
That being said, the book did offer some good insights into the christian faith. One thing I thought was interesting is a section in the last chapter where he describes striving to become a more sanctified christian as "Great fun." I never thought of it this way, but yes, it is great fun. Especially feeling myself growing closer to the Lord the more I pray, meditate, and ask God for wisdom. All in all, I would recommend any christian to read this book. God Bless!
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Summary: You'll want to read this over and over (I do)
Review: This book was the "straw that broke the camel's back" and helped me become a Christian. I've read or listened to it many times, and it has brought me much closer to God. Lewis is an incredible genius with the ability to use terms that average people can understand. In my opinion, this is his masterwork. The main thing that I could say about this book is that as I read it I would think "you know, I never thought of that in that way." and it made me wonder what other things I've not thought of (i.e. have been wrong about or just not known about).
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Summary: An Incendiary Combination of Reason and Faith
Review: "Christ never meant that we were to remain children in *intelligence*: on the contrary. He told us to be not only 'as harmless as doves', but also 'as wise as serpents'...He wants everyone to use what sense they have." This is the description of a rational person's Christianity--this is why I respect C.S. Lewis so highly. Even if he and I may not have *total* agreement (even the agreement we do have is to a shocking degree!), it is clear this is someone who has applied his intellect to the matter of Christianity, carefully constructing his arguments step by step, defining all meanings and explaining their significance. He constantly warns against arrogance (as he also does in The Screwtape Letters) even as he proposes his theories--a caveat that I strongly believe must be taken with the utmost seriousness. I should warn the potential reader that I may make certain statements that will invite vehement disagreement, particularly in the most conservative quarters. However, I believe they are indicative of the nature of this book--if indeed one takes *extreme* offense to what I write, Mere Christianity is probably *not* the ideal book for that person. Lewis, from my readings, is no fundamentalist; otherwise, I could not imagine him daring to set the following into writing: "Is it not frightfully unfair that this new life [given through Christ] should be confined to people who have heard of Christ and been able to believe in Him? But the truth is God has not told us what His arrangements about the other people are. We do know that no man can be saved except through Christ; we do not know that only those who know him can be saved through Him." To my mind, and perhaps to others of what I call a moderate persuasion, this statement de-fangs one of the most serious potential arguments against Christianity. For to have a world in which certain people were condemned simply by happenstance of where they were born or when in time would require a capricious God--and such is *not* the God one encounters in the Bible. I respect the opinions of others, of course. However, I do warn very seriously that if statements of this nature are going to give you problems, you ought to look elsewhere in Christian writings. This is heavy reading--at least, in the sense of the care taken by Lewis in the construction of his arguments. While not a work of philosophy or theology, it does demand the reader's close attention. It is not at all devoid of wit--but do not expect there to be anything sensationalized about it in the way that most "popular" Christian literature on the market today is. To be blunt--expect more. And Lewis will deliver. This is nothing like the sort of thing one finds in the Left Behind series or other works of LaHaye (for which I have a very serious dislike on grounds that I personally believe it has the potential to foster damagingly exclusionary attitudes in its audience...but that is another day's rant, and I'll leave it for now). In fact, I would go so far as to suggest that the taste for Lewis' work and the taste for LaHaye's, or works of that nature, would be almost mutually exclusive. This is why I must again warn the reader to make an educated decision as to which type of literature he or she will benefit most from. To those, especially, on the more liberal end of the spectrum, I should let you know to be prepared for a few antiquated ideas such as certain statements of his about marriage and sexuality--however, Lewis himself in the same chapters does make certain allowances for the change of social mores. Bear this also in mind when he uses terminology for groups of people that, while acceptable in the 1940s, are no longer acceptable. In my opinion this is not sufficient grounds upon which to discount the entire book. The other reviews may have helped to give you an idea of the book's contents and style--it is my hope that this one will help you to decide if it is *appropriate* for you or not. This is why I call Mere Christianity *incendiary*. I am deadly serious in the use of this word. It will without doubt provoke either extremely passionate agreement or a vehement condemnation. As other reviewers have noted, there is almost no middle ground. With content like this, it is no wonder. And it is a reflection of a very major divide in the Christian community as a whole. I award the five stars because from my experience, if it IS appropriate for you, it will very likely be a most rewarding reading experience. If you know it will not be appropriate for you, however, I will honestly advise you to pass this over in favor of something else.
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