Mere Christianity

[Erinwilcox]

Does anyone have any information regarding C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity?" Currently, I am reading/discussing it with some friends from church (a few of whom may not be converted). While we are only at chapter five, I have found that Lewis seems to hold that any denomination/religion that names the name of Christ is a Christian. I'm not sure if that is what he was trying to say, though. Does anyone know anything about his theology?

BTW my friend wants us to read the "Screwtape Letters" together next. It seems kind of creepy-two demons conversing back and forth?!? Any thoughs on this?

 

[Defcon]

Does anyone have any information regarding C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity?" Currently, I am reading/discussing it with some friends from church (a few of whom may not be converted). While we are only at chapter five, I have found that Lewis seems to hold that any denomination/religion that names the name of Christ is a Christian. I'm not sure if that is what he was trying to say, though. Does anyone know anything about his theology?

BTW my friend wants us to read the "Screwtape Letters" together next. It seems kind of creepy-two demons conversing back and forth?!? Any thoughs on this?

To my knowledge, C.S. Lewis is Arminian.

 

[Jamme]

CS Lewis described himself as being non-denominational but attended an Anglican church, and appears to have subscribed to orthodox doctrines.

He cites JRR Tolkein as an inspiration for his conversion.

 

[reformedfan]

i know many a Godly, reformed family that read Screwtape letters with no ill effects.

 

[Jamme]

i know many a Godly, reformed family that read Screwtape letters with no ill effects.

Me too
I was introduced to the book by a Scottish Presbyterian friend

 

[reformedfan]

For an armin, he isa pretty widely read by Reformed types, incl Mere Christinaity, i wonder why... (is it cuz he's up there w/ oswald chambers the armin in terms of literary classics? I dunno, anyone got any theories? Were old days Armins less polemic/ more palatable/ more willing to write so Reformed types aren't put off? i have not read anything by him, but i watched the lion, the witch & the war drum, as my then 6 yo called it, with no ill effects)

 

[Paleoconservatarian]

I really enjoyed The Screwtape Letters. It's not really about demons so much as it's about believers.

 

[edie19]

Does anyone have any information regarding C.S. Lewis' "Mere Christianity?" Currently, I am reading/discussing it with some friends from church (a few of whom may not be converted). While we are only at chapter five, I have found that Lewis seems to hold that any denomination/religion that names the name of Christ is a Christian. I'm not sure if that is what he was trying to say, though. Does anyone know anything about his theology?

BTW my friend wants us to read the "Screwtape Letters" together next. It seems kind of creepy-two demons conversing back and forth?!? Any thoughs on this?

I personally feel that "Mere Christianity" is one of the best Christian apologetics of the 20th century - Packer's "Knowing God" would be the other. I also like "The Screwtape Letters" - it's a good book of fiction, proves the fact that demons can't succeed where God is. A group of folks from my church read both books a couple of years ago (we also read Pilgrim's Progress, Calvin's Institutes and The Confessions of St. Augustine).
I would also recommend his "Surprised by Joy" and "The Problem of Pain."

I know he as an Anglican. I can't say Arminian vs Reformed - but I do know my very reformed pastor references him on a regular basis. As you can see from the other books our book study group read - we choose reformed authors.

2 of my favorite quotes are by Lewis:

I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic – on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg – or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.--C.S. Lewis (from Mere Christianity)

 

[StAnselm]

I haven't read Mere Christianity - which is kinda surprising, since I've read just about everything else he's written. I can strongly recommend both The Screwtape Letters and The Great Divorce.

Yes, we'd all disagree with his theology - on a whole host of points. But as the title sugegsts, Mere Christianity is about what one needs to believe to be a Christian - which is obviously less than everything the Bible teaches.

I keep on hearing about people being converted through the book - it has really been used by God.

And I know why he's read so much by reformed people - to be quite honest, we don't have anyone in our own camp who can match him. Especially in his fiction and imaginative writing.

 

[edie19]

And I know why he's read so much by reformed people - to be quite honest, we don't have anyone in our own camp who can match him. Especially in his fiction and imaginative writing.

I'll take Lewis' "Chronicles of Narnia" over Isaac Asimov, Ray Bradbury or the current favorite (Harry Potter) any day, any time. Can't wait to take my grandson to the latest rendition of "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" (a Disney production due in December).

 

[ClementofRome]

Lewis ultimately argues for the existence of God from a moral basis. It is a good treatment from that perspective, but alas, is weak against a presuppositional apologetic. Arminian, yes...

 

[Cajun Huguenot]

I have to jump on the "I love CS Lewis" bandwagon. Lewis has some theological anomalies, but he is certainly orthodox. The Great Divorce is one of my favourite short novels of all time and the Chronicles of Narnia are some of the best Children’s books ever written. I read the Screwtape Letters years ago and it is a very good (and different) book.


Lewis was not a Calvinist, but he is a worthy brother in Christ. What he wrote is worth reading. His writings are loved by most of the Calvinists I know.


In Christ,
Kenith

 

[akolouthein]

I really need to check out some of his work. It sounds great

 

[edie19]

I really need to check out some of his work. It sounds great

I truly think you'll enjoy his writings. He's one of the most represented authors in my personal library.

 

[akolouthein]

<needs more time for reading things other than college text books>

 

[edie19]

<needs more time for reading things other than college text books>

One of the benefits of having grown children and being done with school is that I get to spend time on reading (always one of my favorite pasttimes). (generally have a stack of active books next to my bed).

 

[akolouthein]

One of the benefits of having grown children and being done with school is that I get to spend time on reading (always one of my favorite pasttimes). (generally have a stack of active books next to my bed).

Grown children! Well you deserve every second of that book time you get now!Big to all moms and dads.

 

[edie19]

Grown children! Well you deserve every second of that book time you get now!Big to all moms and dads.

It isn't all it's cracked up to be - I miss my babies, I miss the closeness we had when they were small. It isn't that I don't love it now, it's just very different.

 

[reformedfan]

Lewis was not a Calvinist, but he is a worthy brother in Christ (though Jonas would deny salvation to him and me for saying that about him). What he wrote is worth reading. His writings are loved by most of the Calvinists I know.


In Christ,
Kenith

 

[akolouthein]

It isn't all it's cracked up to be - I miss my babies, I miss the closeness we had when they were small. It isn't that I don't love it now, it's just very different.

Awww I'm sure it takes some time to adapt after all those years