Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of Mere Christianity
Book Review: A Tale of Two Reviews
Summary: 3 Stars
Judging from earlier reviews, you'll either love this one or you'll hate it. A quick scan of the ratings reveals that Christians love it while agnostics and atheists pan it. From 129 ratings out there, only four readers provided on-the-fence "3 star" reviews. By joining this lonely (objective?) crowd, I'm hoping to convince myself that writing review number 130 is not purely an exercise in conceit but can provide a different perspective on the work. First, let's recognize that this book is really a combination of three prior, separate essays comprising two distinct topics. These topics are an apologetic of the Christian faith and a high-level review of fundamental Christian beliefs held across denominations. Those who offer blanket criticism appear to miss this distinction and view the entire work as an apologetic. In my view, these distinct components differ sharply in intent and quality and therefore deserve separate reviews.
As to the common threads throughout the work, they are largely positive. Readers of other Lewis works will be familiar with his wonderful ability to write in clear, concise, conversational prose and these gifts are on display throughout the book. His capacity for using metaphors and analogies if rightfully renowned and is particularly helpful in explaining complex beliefs and doctrine.
Unfortunately, the pure apologetic section of the work falls far short of it's target of providing a rational justification for the faith. Lewis attempts to structure logical deductive and inductive reasoning arguments to support his conclusion that there is a single God and that Jesus was his only Son. Surprisingly for one of Lewis' obvious intellect, his logic if rife with serious flaws. Two quick examples are symptomatic. First, Lewis states that "Reality is something you could not have guessed. This is one of the reason's I believe in Christianity. It is a religion you could not have guessed." What he means is that the world is complex and therefore a religion that accurately explains the world must be complex. Thus, because Christianity is complex, it accurately explains the world. This logic leaves seekers of religion free to accept any "complicated" belief system (in fact, the more complicated the better). Second, Lewis argues that Jesus must be the Son of God because the Bible makes it clear that he was "neither a lunatic nor a fiend" and that he must be either a lunatic/fiend or the Son of God. In addition to several deductive logic holes, the argument faces an obvious circularity problem (i.e. one believes what the New Testament says because Jesus is the Son of God and one believes He is the Son of God because of the Bible's description of his life). These and other similar examples of poor logic lead me to give a "2 star" rating to this section of the work.
For all the issues with Lewis' apologetic efforts, his attempt to provide an easily understandable, concise summary of the major cross-denominational Christian beliefs is outstanding. One can take issue with the lack of depth and breadth of coverage, but only if one does not clearly understand Lewis' objectives. His discussion of the cardinal virtues, the sin of pride and the trinity are among the most clearly articulated explanations I have seen. While the passage of time has exposed several of his points (e.g. the Christian wife's obligation to "obey" her husband) as no longer falling within the common Christian belief set, on the whole he clearly succeeds in his goals. Thus, I give a "4 star" rating to this section of the work.
The 2 and 4 stars equate to an overall 3 star rating. C.S. Lewis fans should read the book for an interesting perspective on his personal beliefs. Those looking for a clear explanation of those common beliefs that Christians hold dear would get great value from the work. Those looking for a compelling, rational defense of the faith would be better served looking elsewhere.
Book Review: A Theological Masterpeice.
Summary: 5 Stars
The late C.S.Lewis in Mere Christianity displays all his talent for logic. He proves that you don't have to check your brain at the door to be a Christian. He gives a logical and detailed look into Christianity, its theology and its nature. A must read for Christians and non-christians alike.A philosophical triumph.
This is not the preachy bible stomping tellings of an evangelical preacher. He is instead a master of logical aurgument, which he expresses with an eloquent tongue and witty charm.
I can't recommend this book more if one enjoys a good philosophicl or theological read.
Book Review: A Timeless Defense of Timeless Truth
Summary: 5 Stars
Though over sixty years old (in their first incarnation as radio broadcasts), C. S. Lewis' insights into the validity of Christianity remain as current as today's internet blogs. "Mere Christianity" answers the intellectual questions of post-modern intellectuals and provides nourishment for the spiritual hunger of Gen X/Gen Y seekers.
Lewis writes in the style of his intellectual mentor, G. K. Chesterton. Both men entered adulthood as agnostics. Both men spent their careers defending the rational integrity of Christianity. Chesterton's "Orthodoxy" addressed the questions typical of the agnosticism of his era (1900). Lewis' "Mere Christianity" addresses the hardened agnosticism of his WW II generation.
Like Chesterton, Lewis not only discusses how Christianity is rationally consistent, but also how it meets the "real world/real hunger" test. That is, he demonstrates how Christianity is relationally fulfilling, meaningful, and consistent.
"Mere Christianity" also reads something like a Christian version of Plato's "Republic." In the "Republic," Plato attempted to define the shape of a society that would produce "happiness"--meaningful, purposeful existence for the individual and the society. Philosophically, Lewis offers the Christian version of the ideal individual, in the ideal society, following the ideal Supreme Being. Stepping back and seeing the big picture, you finish "Mere Christianity" and realize, "Christianity really does make sense. It works. It fits the world as it is and the world as we wish it to be."
Reviewer: Dr. Robert W. Kellemen is the author of "Soul Physicians: A Theology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," "Spiritual Friends: A Methodology of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction," and the forthcoming "Sacred Companions: A History of Soul Care and Spiritual Direction."
Book Review: A Touching Explanation of God
Summary: 5 Stars
C.S. Lewis has created a masterpiece in "Mere Christianity." What I have heard about this book is quite true. Lewis does make a convincing case about the existence of God. In doing this, he borrows greatly from other Christian thinkers who have understood the natural law (i.e., what men hold in common as good) as a proof that some outside force has created these laws, or common assumption about good, which we all hold.In short, man is the best evidence for the existence of God. Lewis then makes a case for Christianity as the fulfillment of the God which he has already made effort to demonstrate exists.
Having said what Lewis has done, I should now state what he does not do in this book. He does not argue for dumbed down theology. He does not disdain organized religion. He presents the basics with every expectation that the reader will build upon it.
Lewis writes, "I hope no reader will suppose that 'mere' Chrisianity is put forward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions - as if a man could adopt it in preference to Congregationalism or Greek Orthodoxy or anything else. It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in."
Lewis teaches that religion is God's statement about certain "quite unalterable facts about His own nature."
In reading Lewis, I cannot tell you that if you are an unbeliever Lewis will convince you. As a Catholic converted from protestantism, I have always accepted the existence of God, and more particular, the Judeo-Christian God.
But I can say, that Lewis writes with such ease and uses such good common sense that his ideas may plant a seed for thought into your mind if you are presently an unbeliever. Lewis may not "bring you into the hall" of mere Christianity, but he does provide some well thought-out ideas that are worthy of any man or woman to ponder in deciding whether Christianity is true.
For this reason, I heartily recommend "Mere Christianity" to all of you.
Book Review: A Very Good Workout Book of Logic
Summary: 1 Stars
This is a great work out book if you are in to logic. Take this for example:
"...Athiesm turns out to be too simple. If the whole universe has no meaning, we should never have found out that it has no meaning..."
It made me think for a while. At first, it made sense. As did the typical comparison Lewis made immediately afterward about if there was no light, "dark" would be meaningless.
But then, I actually thought about it, and realized: if there was a or many gods, then the thought of a world without god/s would be meaningless, yet, it has meaning.
In the same light, a world devoid of meaning could still contain the illusion of meaning, just as a world without divinity could still contain the illusion of one.
So when one finds out that meaningfullnes is just an illusion, meaningless still retains a defintion since the experience of meaningfullness, even though it was never real, has been... experienced.
To reiterate Lewis' argument, if the world was truely meaningless, then no one would realize the fact since meaning has never reached us. And that is true until you have taken the imaginative faculties of humanity. Meaning is purely perceptual, opinionated, biased. Sky diving can be extremely meaningful, but not to someone who hates it or does not care for the experience of falling. So taking the human mind out of the universe, it is entirely devoid of meaning.
There are many other examples in the book I'm sure, I just flipped to a random page here and found an interesting sophism logic at work and thought I'd share it.