Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the universe 1. We have cause to be uneasy book ii what christians believe 1. Lewiss famous book mere christianity, which was an ecumenical effort to find things that all christians shared in common, and the nonnegotiables of christianity, a central, crucial doctrine of two of the three major divisions of christianity was omitted. Introductory study guide for mere christianity created by. If what you want is an argument against christianity and i well remember how eagerly i looked for such arguments when i began to be afraid it was true you can easily find some stupid and unsatisfactory christian and say, so theres your boasted new man. A rebuttal to mere christianity sonicsuns at random. My friend al kresta a catholic radio talkshow host and author once noted that in c. The mere in the title of this superb work reflects lewis central aim namely, he seeks to explore the heart of christianity and what christianity means rather than explore differences between denominations or differences over doctrines. Common arguments against christianity are taken apart to show the faults in their foundations. Mere christianity project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks.
Sep 28, 2017 mere christianity is written in an older style and in british english, so it isnt always the most conversational book to read through. Considered a classic of christian apologetics, the transcripts of the broadcasts originally appeared in print as three separate pamphlets. The purpose of this book is to persuade nonchristians to become christians, and to explain christian morality. Its not interested in offering fresh takes on spiritual truths or modern interpretations of scripture, nor is it a book about feelings or personal spiritual growth. The fool had been told that lewis is an example of a great scholar and intellectual who was at one time an atheist andor agnostic who later. Lewis book mere christianity is a good book for an unbeliever to read to establish a rational basis for belief in christianity. The bible is literally saturated with warnings against this particular sin, possibly. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books the case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personality mere christianity brings together what lewis saw as the fundamental truths of the religion. Lewis originally wrote the book as a series of radio talks given from 19421944, at the height of world war ii. But he overcame them to become one of christianitys most ardent warriors of the faith.
The title for this blog was originally proposed as is christianity hard or easy. No one comes to the father except through me john 14. Nov 24, 2007 a critique and synopsis of mere christianity, by c. In explaining the purpose of the book, lewis says that he is only writing to defend mere christianity the core of the religion, the beliefs common to all denominations and that. A companion to lewiss classic work, the journal can be used for independent study with teenagers or adults, or as a group study in families, homeschools, coops, classrooms, sunday school, and small groups. I recognize the reality of evil acts and systems in the world and of people who do evil. Maisey he calls it mere christianity because he doent want to discuss the fine points of one christian sect vs. Lewis was a brilliant man, and its always a good habit to consider the arguments of smart people who disagree with you. It is meant to be used to study mere christianity at the rate of about 2 chapters per week. But perhaps we have already spent too long on this question. What is the moral argument for the existence of god in mere.
Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of christian faith stand together. Three biblical arguments for the authority of the church. Lewis originally wrote the book as a series of radio talks given from 19421944, at the height of world war. Moving from the deism implied by arguments for the existence of god to fullblown christianity is like trying to fly a plane to the moon. Christians will gain new insights as to why they believe nonchristians will find a brilliant exposition. We recommend using the odd numbered chapters at the ends of books 2, 3, and 4 as time to wrap up and talk about all the things c. Rather, he said i am the way, and the truth, and the life. It seems that, in the abolition, lewis thought morals were largely or perhaps even solely derived from a worldview via reason. The case for christianity 1942, christian behaviour 1943, and beyond personality. Heard first as radio addresses and then published as three separate booksthe case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personalitythis book. Thus, for different reasons, mere christianity was not easy then or now.
When we come to know the work of novelist and scholar c. Lewis spends most of his defense of the christian faith on an argument from morality, a. It may not be a persuasive book for the agnostic or the atheist, but it is a superb book for the new convert or almostconvert. Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1942 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during world war ii. It was mere christianity that really introduced me to basic christian theology. Lewis mere christianity is a series of radio interviews that lewis gave on christianity that were published as. Lewis forceful and accessible doctrine on christian belief.
Lewis foundation intern 200001 introduction mere christianity is possibly lewis most frequently read work, and was originally given as a series of broadcast talks during the second world war. Recently i borrowed a copy of mere christianity by c. Its main purpose is to take common arguments against christianity and give an explanation as to why that view is incorrect and the then present the correct one. Thats an interesting idea, and an old and ancient idea, but it happens to be incompatible with certain discoveries made in the sciences. A critique and synopsis of mere christianity, by c.
But with new challenges comes the need for a fresh apologetic that specifically addresses the arguments levied against faith in our time of scientific atheism and skepticism. Critics have challenged christian beliefs and teachings as well as christian actions, from the crusades to modern terrorism. Teach your students to analyze literature like litcharts does. The first book on christian apologetics written by a leading atheist figure that teaches christians the best and worst arguments for defending their faith against attack the christian faith has been vigorously defended with a variety of philosophical, historical, and theological arguments, but many of the arguments that worked in an earlier age no longer resonate in todays educated west. Lewis, mere christianity lewis is saying that jesus had to be who he said he was or else he was a liar or he was crazyout of his mind. The mere christianity critical analysis journal is a powerful tool to strengthen critical thinking while cultivating a biblical worldview.
Lewis articulates the vital importance of christs claims of exclusivity also in his famous lord, liar, or lunatic reasoning in mere christianity. The intellectual arguments against christianity include the suppositions that it is a faith of violence, corruption, superstition, polytheism, bigotry, and sectarianism. In the early years of christianity, the neoplatonic philosopher porphyry emerged as one of the major critics with his book against the christians. Arguments against christianity an excerpt from the online hypertext human knowledge. Both christian and nonchristians benefit from reading this book. One response is that religious insight is not much good unless it manifests itself in our behavior. Mere christianity mere christianity showing 114 of 14.
Be the first to ask a question about the case for christianity. The bible is literally saturated with warnings against this particular sin, possibly more than any other works of the. The case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personality mere christianity. Lewiss mere christianity, alister mcgraths mere apologetics seeks to equip readers to engage gracefully and intelligently with the challenges. Lewiss forceful and accessible doctrine of christian belief.
Lewis and the trilemma argument in mere christianity. Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1941 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during the second world war. Accordingly, this book is a classic for all branches of christianity. Lewis, we usually do it through a textual medium specifically in childhood, through that thrilling written artifact known as the lion, the witch, and the wardrobe.
Screwtape letters helped to keep me aware of where i really was and wasnt. Mere christianity is written in an older style and in british english, so it isnt always the most conversational book to read through. I also recognize the great pain that any human being suffers going through life, some much more than others. I have been asked to tell you what christians believe, and i am going to begin by telling you one thing that christians do not need to believe. In brief, mere christianity is somewhat short on philosophical justification for christianity. Mere christianity critical analysis journal homeschool.
Lewiss mere christianity is a perfect example of one of the most effective aspects of critical thinking skills. Often this leads us into the rest of his sevenvolume chronicles of narnia series find a free audio version here, and those most deeply intrigued by the worldview that. Arguments of celsus, porphyry, and the emperor julian. This book will offer tools for the successful defense of the christian faith against aggressive atheism. He was a very skilful writer, and he used arguments which are hard to refute without considerable additional learning. Esolens arguments are profoundly prophetic about what happens to the cultural that accepts the reality that a man can marry a man in the same sense that a man can marry a woman. Often this leads us into the rest of his sevenvolume chronicles of narnia series find a free audio version here, and those most deeply intrigued by the worldview that shaped that highfantasy world may find themselves eventually reading even lewis christian apologetics, of which 1952s wellknown mere christianity came as only the first.
A refutation of moral relativism peter kreeft presents not just a strong case against moral relativism, but a refutation of the philosophy that no society has ever survived. There have been objections to his argument over the years, as larry brought up in the comments on yesterdays post. My argument against god was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. The case for christianity broadcast talks in the uk 1942, christian. Art lindsley provides a readable introduction to c. Lewis advances the moral argument for the existense of god in the first part of his seminal book of christian apologetics, mere christianity, but not before defending the reality of the moral. Rejecting the boundaries that divide christianity s many denominations, mere christianity provides an unequalled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to absorb a powerful, rational case for the christian faith. Lewis makes a case for the common voice, rejecting boundaries and divisions that fracture society and believes. You wont find this book to be biblethumping, but you may not appreciate his tone at times.
Jun 29, 2011 daniel has been an editor with churchleaders for several years. Finally, the series ends with the hideous strength, a book that features a battle against demons who want to lay waste to earth. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on litcharts. Mere christianity ebooks read ebooks online free ebooks. In mere christianity, lewis sees life as a battle between the forces of good and bad. I will touch on the arguments, chapter by chapter, in the synopsis, but for the moment, i will outline the argument as a whole. Logic is a tool of the logos, and should be used by his followers. Lewis claims that he has now established a foundation for his argument.
Bringing together lewis legendary broadcast talks during world war two from his three previous books the case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personality, mere christianity provides an unequaled. More than just a polemic argument against samesex marriage, mr. A refutation of alvin plantingas allegedly impregnable free will defense against all logical arguments from evil against the existence of god. A summary of my case against christianity 2008 john w. Digital rights management drm the publisher has supplied this book in encrypted form, which means that you need to install free software in order to unlock and read it. A man does not call a line crooked unless he has some idea of a straight line. Lewis was an apologist, or someone who defends christianity using logical arguments, and argues against atheism by pointing out what he calls the law of human nature, which is a universal. Instant downloads of all 1297 litchart pdfs including mere christianity. Apr 18, 2014 lewis had a lot to do with my conversion to christianity 5 decades ago, but now i obviously think he was mistaken. Lewiss forceful and accesible doctrine of christian. Lewiss reflections on objections to belief in jesus christ and the compelling reasons why lewis came to affirm the truth of christianity. The intellectual arguments against christianity include the suppositions that it is a faith of violence, corruption, superstition, polytheism. Lewis had a lot to do with my conversion to christianity 5 decades ago, but now i obviously think he was mistaken.
I havent read mere christianity, but in the abolition of man, lewis wrote extensively about morality. Book cover front back scan edit notes preface book i. What was i comparing this universe with when i called it unjust. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in mere christianity, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate booksthe case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personalitymere christianity brings together what lewis sees as the fundamental truths of his religion. In this chapter, he will strengthen this foundation by discussing moral law in more detail. Criticism of christianity has a long history stretching back to the initial formation of the religion during the roman empire. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read the curse of god. The essentials of christianity are presented in an enlightening, easytograsp narrative. Daniel and his wife, along with an incredible team, helped plant anchor city church in san diegoa third culture, multigenerational church who seeks to join the redemptive mission of god for our city and for the world. Of his own qualification to speak on christianity he said.
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