Mere christianity study guide 3 book i2 david grice 852011 2. Screwtape letters helped to keep me aware of where i really was and wasnt. It is meant to be used to study mere christianity at the rate of about 2 chapters per week. 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. 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. But perhaps we have already spent too long on this question.
A rebuttal to mere christianity sonicsuns at random. Jul 11, 2016 my sadness and respect for mere christianity intermingle in another way. Christians will gain new insights as to why they believe nonchristians will find a brilliant exposition. Simon jones as the older cs lewis, with james como, colin duriez, lewiss secretary. The work is a compilation of talks on christian philosophy that lewis gave to. Dialogues concerning natural religion david hume is a sustained argument against a supernatural worldview and argues strongly against miracles. Book cover front back scan edit notes preface book i. 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. Considered a classic of christian apologetics, the transcripts of the broadcasts originally appeared in print as three separate pamphlets. 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. Or, maybe better put, to prove rationally why he thinks christianity is better than any other faith. Lewis argues for the logical validity of christianity, defends the religion from its critics, and looks in detail at what the life of a christian is like in the first part of the book, lewis discusses the law of human nature. Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1941 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during the second world war.
Teach your students to analyze literature like litcharts does. Sometimes right and instinct conflict with each other. The top 3 apologetics books christian philosophers say you. Lewis originally wrote the book as a series of radio talks given from 19421944, at the height of world war. 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. He was a very skilful writer, and he used arguments which are hard to refute without considerable additional learning. But on the other hand, it is her will which has left the children free to be untidy. Lewis entire book with audio and pdf download mere christianity has become a corner stone of modern christian apologetics. Thus far in regards to the ebook we have now mere christianity opinions consumers have never but remaining their own report on the game, or you cannot see clearly however. The words mere christianity came from richard baxter, a 17 th century anglican minister, in his book the saints everlasting rest. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. 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. The purpose of this book is to persuade nonchristians to become christians, and to explain christian morality.
In 1943 great britain, when hope and the moral fabric. I decided to put them all together into one collection. Throughout history there have been great and articulate defenders of the faith, from augustine and aquinas to jonathan edwards, g. The wardrobe door, the strange thrill at aslans first mention, the distaste for eustace and his parents, and the calm magnanimity of mere christianity provided solace, hope, and a palpable sense of the beauty and plausibility of faith.
So begins mere christianity, the christian apologetic classic from c. Arguments from morality tend to be based on moral normativity or moral order. There is a moral law, which is not contrived by humans, and exists apart from any individual. I will touch on the arguments, chapter by chapter, in the synopsis, but for the moment, i will outline the argument as a. Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1942 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during the second world war. Morality, religion, and reason good, evil, and free will. Mere christianity is written in an older style and in british english, so it isnt always the most conversational book to read through. Nov 24, 2007 a critique and synopsis of mere christianity, by c. 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. The core of the first section centers on an argument from morality, the basis of which is the law of.
Arguments from moral normativity observe some aspect of morality and argue that god is the best or only explanation for this, concluding that god must exist. I will touch on the arguments, chapter by chapter, in the synopsis, but for the moment, i will outline the argument as a whole. How to help seekers and skeptics find faith pdf for free. Art lindsley provides a readable introduction to c. One response is that religious insight is not much good unless it manifests itself in our behavior. From time to time, while researching a given topic, we run across a free ebook online. Both christian and nonchristians benefit from reading this book. A critique and synopsis of mere christianity, by c. When studying human history, he claims, one is struck by how similar different societies moral codes are, at least at a fundamental. Introductory study guide for mere christianity created by. My argument against god was that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust. Recently i borrowed a copy 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. In the first part of the book, lewis discusses the law of human nature. You make a thing voluntary and then half the people do not do it. Welcome to the truthbomb apologetics free online ebook library. Whether or not one agrees with lewiss arguments, it is a pleasure to hear.
We have cause to be uneasy book ii what christians believe 1. In lewis, one finds a bridge to the tradition and escape from the fads of the moment. 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. In brief, mere christianity is somewhat short on philosophical justification for christianity. The argument from morality is an argument for the existence of god. The concept goes back even further, to the 16 th century, to richard hooker and his multivolume work of the laws of ecclesiastical polity, which was a masterful attempt at a. The case for christianity broadcast talks in the uk 1942, christian. If christianity is true why are not all christians obviously nicer than all nonchristians. This approach is so foreign to my own dance with faith. Honestly, i found it pretty ridiculous, and riddled with straightforward errors. When studying human history, he claims, one is struck by how similar different. 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.
Not believing in god is like being a teenager rebelling against his parents. Mcgrath, 9780801014161, download free ebooks, download free pdf epub ebook. In it lewis argued that one of the distinctive characteristics of a. If you know of a free ebook, that would go nicely in the collection, please share it with us. Accordingly, this book is a classic for all branches of christianity. The essentials of christianity are presented in an enlightening, easytograsp narrative. But he overcame them to become one of christianity s most ardent warriors of the faith. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in mere christianity, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Lewis had a lot to do with my conversion to christianity 5 decades ago, but now i obviously think he was mistaken. Heard first as radio addresses and then published as three separate booksthe case for christianity, christian behavior, and beyond personalitythis book. Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the universe 1. Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground upon which all of those of christian faith stand together.
The pdf and prc files are sent as single zips and naturally dont have the file. Lewis, the most important writer of the 20th century, explores the common ground. 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. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read mere christianity. Mere christianity download free epub, pdf public new. Lewiss reflections on objections to belief in jesus christ and the compelling reasons why lewis came to affirm the truth of christianity.
My friend al kresta a catholic radio talkshow host and author once noted that in c. What do nonchristians think about the book mere christianity. Instant downloads of all 1297 litchart pdfs including mere christianity. But he overcame them to become one of christianitys most ardent warriors of the faith. Lewis argues for the logical validity of christianity, defends the religion from its critics, and looks in detail at what the life of a christian is like. Lewis is using logic and insights into human nature to prove rationally that christianity is the best religion. Lewiss most wellknown apologetics, one must understand his audience. Lewis was a brilliant man, and its always a good habit to consider the arguments of smart people who disagree with you. Lewis forceful and accessible doctrine on christian belief. My brothers and sisters, please pray for me as i commit to god, again. Lewis on right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the. Detailed explanations, analysis, and citation info for every important quote on litcharts. His simple yet deeply profound classic, originally delivered as a series of radio broadcasts, is a book to be thoroughly digested by believers and generously shared with skeptics. Mere christianity is a revised and expanded version of three radio talks lewis gave, and was written, as lewis explains in the preface, to present the mere essence of christianity.
Lewis book mere christianity is a good book for an unbeliever to read to establish a rational basis for belief in christianity. Arguments from moral order are based on the asserted need for moral order to exist in the. Measured against the ages mere christianity turns out to be no insipid. It was mere christianity that really introduced me to basic christian theology. The fool had been told that lewis is an example of a great scholar and intellectual who was. The bible is literally saturated with warnings against this particular sin. 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. Of his own qualification to speak on christianity he said.
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. There have been objections to his argument over the years, as larry brought up in the comments on yesterdays post. Lewiss mere christianity, alister mcgraths mere apologetics seeks to equip readers to engage gracefully and intelligently with the challenges. Lewis originally wrote the book as a series of radio talks given from 19421944, at the height of world war ii. Lewiss mere christianity is a perfect example of one of the most effective aspects of critical thinking skills. Lewiss forceful and accesible doctrine of christian. The same thing arises in any regiment, or trade union, or school.
I would agree that it may need more nuance, but i dont think it is a worthless argument. 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. Lewis makes a case for the common voice, rejecting boundaries and divisions that fracture society and believes. Mere christianity by mark scarlata nook book ebook. 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.