Mere Christian by C. S. Lewis

Petch · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:05 am Post subject: Mere Christian by C. S. Lewis

Reviewed by Dr. Robert W. Kellemen (Taneytown, MD), May 02, 2005

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, author of "Soul Physicians" and "Spiritual Friends."
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Petch · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:07 am Post subject:

Is the book will be provided or do I have to go buy my own? I don't mind acquire by my own...since it is going to be my study next.

And please tell me more about the class...such as what way are we going to study? How long to complete? etc..

Petch · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:20 am Post subject:

I found this discussion question on the net. Maybe we can use one topic for every week? Smile

Discussion Questions about the book, "Mere Christian"

1. At the end of the first chapter in Mere Christianity, Lewis lays out the scope of his argument: "First, that human beings, all over the earth, have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way, and cannot really get rid of it. Secondly, that they do not in fact behave in that way. They know the Law of Nature; they break it. These two facts are the foundation of all clear thinking about ourselves and the universe we live in" (p. 21). All cultures, he says, have a moral code and those codes are remarkably similar. Is he correct in inferring from this observation the existence of a Universal "Law of Human Nature," an innate sense of right and wrong? How do you think Lewis would respond to contemporary proponents of moral relativism?

2. Lewis first delivered the chapters that make up Mere Christianity as live radio addresses for the BBC beginning in 1941. In what ways does the writing reflect the fact that it was originally intended to be heard rather than read? What qualities of Lewis's speaking voice come through in the book? How do these qualities affect your receptivity to Lewis's ideas? What pains has Lewis evidently taken to make himself clear to an audience who had to absorb his ideas on first hearing?

3. Lewis argues that repentance "means unlearning all the self-conceit and self-will that we have been training ourselves into for thousands of years. It means killing part of yourself, undergoing a kind of death" (p. 60). In what ways have we trained ourselves to be conceited and willful? In what ways has Western culture contributed to this willfulness? Why does Lewis insist that part of the self must die in order to truly repent? How is this interior death related to Christ's death on the cross?

4. In explaining the way Christians see good, Lewis offers a vivid analogy: "…the Christian thinks any good he does comes from the Christ-life within him. He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us; just as the roof of a greenhouse does not attract the sun because it is bright, but becomes bright because the sun shines on it" (p. 64). Such analogies appear throughout Mere Christianity. Why are they so effective in making complex ideas accessible? In what ways does this particular analogy reinforce and clarify the statement that precedes it?

5. Lewis ends the chapter "Sexual Morality" with a remarkable assertion: "…a cold self-righteous prig who goes regularly to church may be far nearer to hell than a prostitute" (p. 95). Why does Lewis consider spiritual sins to be worse than sins of the flesh? What is Lewis's view of the proper role of sexuality, pleasure, and chastity for Christians?

6. Why does Lewis see Pride as the greatest sin, "the utmost evil," in comparison with which "unchastity, anger, greed, drunkenness, and all that are mere fleabites"? (p. 110). How does he define Pride and its opposite, Humility? What effect does Pride have on one's relation to other people, to oneself, and to God? What is the relationship between Pride and the other vices? Lewis cites other Christian teachers who share his perspective but does not name them. Who might he be thinking of?

7. In an introduction to a broadcast given on 11 January 1942, which was later deleted from the published text, Lewis explains why he was chosen to give the talks: "…first of all because I'm a layman and not a parson, and consequently it was thought I might understand the ordinary person's point of view a bit better. Secondly, I think they asked me because it was known that I'd been an atheist for many years and only became a Christian quite fairly recently. They thought that would mean I'd be able to see the difficulties-able to remember what Christianity looks like from the outside." Do you think Lewis has succeeded in representing the ordinary person's view of Christianity? In what ways might his atheism and later conversion have affected his relationship to Christian beliefs? Do his convictions gain weight because he struggled to arrive at them?

8. Lewis wants his theology to have practical uses. In discussing Charity, he says: "Do not waste time bothering whether you 'love' your neighbor; act as if you did…. When you are behaving as if you loved someone you will presently come to love him" (p. 116). The reverse, he says, is also true. "The Germans, perhaps, at first ill-treated the Jews because they hated them; afterwards they hated them much more because they had ill-treated them" (p. 117). Why would behavior influence feeling in this way? Why would pretending to feel something lead to actually feeling it? Do you think this principle applies both to individuals and, as Lewis implies, to larger political groups and nations? Have you ever witnessed or experienced this phenomenon yourself?

9. In the chapter on Hope, Lewis makes fun on those who reject the Christian idea of Heaven because they don't want to spend eternity playing harps. "The answer to such people," he says, "is that if they cannot understand books written for grown-ups, they should not talk about them" (p. 121). What is Lewis's conception of Heaven? What is his view on the right relation between this world and the next? Why does he feel we should we "aim at Heaven" rather than at earth? (p. 119).

10. Why does Lewis so vehemently reject the view that treats Jesus as a historical rather than a divine figure? Why does he find the notion of some who regard Jesus merely as a great moral teacher to be absurd? Why does he assert that "If Christianity only means one more bit of good advice, then Christianity is of no importance"? (p. 157).

11. In "Counting the Cost," Lewis says that God "will make the feeblest and filthiest of us into a god or a goddess, a dazzling, radiant, immortal creature, pulsating all through with such energy and joy and wisdom and love as we cannot now imagine, a bright stainless mirror which reflects back to God perfectly…His own boundless power and delight and goodness" (p. 176). What is required to become such a creature? Why do you think Lewis has chosen to describe this apotheosis with these images?

12. How appealing is Lewis's conception of Christianity as he presents it here? Has it clarified any theological confusions you may have had, or changed your own beliefs about how to live as a Christian? Do you think Lewis's ideas about virtue and morality can be valuable for non-Christians?

SweetJade · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:31 am Post subject:

Fabulous job Peth! I should tell KJ to see your research! seemed like you are way than ready to study this book eh? You'll be thrilled when you discover Lewis' intelligence!

If you can buy a book at the book store near your place is great, so you will have time to start reading it! and if you have any questions, just email KJ at kwj@imagespinner.com

Very impressive!

_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~

SweetJade · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 8:36 am Post subject:

Peth,

Have you skimmed through those 12 questions you posted? I think it's important for you to understand those questions and find out the answers! and yes, it's a good idea to discuss these questions in class.

Remember, every question always has answer. find out in the book of life!

Just a thought.

_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~

Petch · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 10:07 am Post subject:

Book of Life by C.S. Lewis?

wishful thinking . . .
Note.-In order to keep this section short enough when it was given on the air, I mentioned only the Materialist view and the Religious view. But to be complete I ought to mention the Inbetween view called Life-Force philosophy, or Creative Evolution, or Emergent Evolution. The wittiest expositions of it come in the works of Bernard Shaw, but the most profound ones in those of Bergson. People who hold this view say that the small variations by which life on this planet “evolved” from the lowest forms to Man were not due to chance but to the striving” or “purposiveness” of a Life-Force. When people say this we must ask them whether by Life-Force they mean something with a mind or not. If they do, then “a mind bringing life into existence and leading it to perfection” is really a God, and their view is thus identical with the Religious. If they do not, then what is the sense in saying that something without a mind “strives” or has “purposes”? This seems to me fatal to their view. One reason why many people find Creative Evolution so attractive is that it gives one much of the emotional comfort of believing in God and none of the less pleasant consequences. When you are feeling fit and the sun is shining and you do not want to believe that the whole universe is a mere mechanical dance of atoms, it is nice to be able to think of this great mysterious Force rolling on through the centuries and carrying you on its crest. If, on the other hand, you want to do something rather shabby, the Life-Force, being only a blind force, with no morals and no mind, will never interfere with you like that troublesome God we learned about when we were children. The Life-Force is a sort of tame God. You can switch it on when you want, but it will not bother you. All the thrills of religion and none of the cost. Is the Life-Force the greatest achievement of wishful thinking the world has yet seen?

an excerpt from Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Petch · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 10:37 am Post subject:

After read some review of this book, it is very interesting. I am not sure my English will be par with the level he wrote the book or not. I will give it a try.

For Lewis the only proof of Christianity is in its practice—all he is trying to do in Mere Christianity is remove blocks to becoming a Christian.

SweetJade · Posted: Tue May 01, 2007 9:44 pm Post subject:

Petch

Don't buy a book yet... KJ just ordered them last night.

unless you could find it in Thai?
_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~

Petch · Posted: Wed May 02, 2007 9:21 am Post subject:

I doubt that they have one in Thai. Maybe I should ask someone over there.

Petch · Posted: Wed May 09, 2007 9:02 am Post subject:

KJ homework is read up to page 16.

To KJ (P'Jade, Please let him know too):

Since Mere Christianity divided into 4 books, I don't mind reading each book for each week. For example, this week then we read Book 1 Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the universe. (chapter 1-5).

And for next week we read book 2 what christians believe.

For book 3 and book 4 we can spend more time into it since there are more chapters.

Appoximately, we will read a chapter a day. If we finish the book early, we always can come back and discuss later if we need more time.

What do you think?

Furthter more, we can post questions & answer here as well. I was not sure how are we going to study, but if all you want is just to share what we understand..then I can share them here as well.
______________________________________
There is a difference between holding on to a principle and having a vision. A principle does not come from moral inspiration, but a vision does.

Petch · Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 9:28 am Post subject:

The book has very deep thought. I finished first 5 chapter already. Let's talk about it in class this week.
_______________________________
Identify your shortcoming and then look for opportunities to work into your life that missing quality.

SweetJade · Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 12:54 pm Post subject:

here is a list of your classmates: P' Tom, Koh, and Sunny. Enjoy the class as KJ has long to see all of you.

NOTE: Sunny hasn't had a book yet, KJ will hand to him this sunday... Petch can you help scan the first assignment and email to him? otherwise, I will try to do it this afternoon. Very Happy

_________________
SweetJade
...Knowledge makes arrogant, but love edified.
If anyone supposes that he knows anything, he has not yet known as he ought to know;
but if anyone loves God, he is known by Him. 1 Cor.8:1b-3 ~NASV~

Daniel · Silver Member Joined: 31 Mar 2007 Posts: 86

I watched Chonicle of Nania already. Good Fantasy movie by C S Lewis