It consists of four books which originated as broadcast talks for the bbc during world war ii. In book ii, lewis tells us that christians do not have to believe that all religions are absolutely wrong. Book 1 1 there has been a great deal of soft soap talked about god for the last hundred years. Some have even claimed lewis is the most important writer of the 20th century. Lewiss forceful and accessible doctrine of christian belief. Lewis signature classics mere christianity discussion notes. The invasion lewis explains that god created the world good, but evil perverted it. Lewis 1952 book mere christianity with great sadness, respect and hope. Lewiss mere christianity, book 2 chapter 2 summary. This article provides information about the original broadcast talks and their publication history up to mere christianity bbc radio talks. That his creation was good from the beginning but that it was perverted or corrupted by an invasion of.
Mere christianity discussion questions preface where does the title come from. It is the view i call christianityandwater, the view which simply says there is a good god in heaven and everything is all rightleaving out all the difficult and terrible doctrines about sin and hell and the devil, and the redemption. This is a soft version that ignores the problem of evil and the necessity of redemption. The case for christianity, christian behaviour, and beyond personality. Lewis book mere christianity bible study guide cs lewis study series steven urban. Lewis includes this isnt constantly a blameless perspective. Lewis begins with a presentation of the rival concepts regarding god, and he observes that a majority of people believe in some kind of god or gods. There is a difference between instinct and the moral law. There is little mention of christianity in this first book.
The very notion of good and bad promotes the stance that god exists. Lewiss mere christianity, book 1 chapter 2 summary. Fill out this form to sign up and get christian book summaries. 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.
You can look at my more detailed notes, but this is an overview of the content of book ii of mere christianity. We will explore its context and background, highlight the central themes of the book, and discover why it has become a. The book talks about christianity, explaining the religion and dispelling any controversies. Lewis you can find this audio book is separated into individual chapters on my i am abled channel also. Mere christianity summary below i will provide one sentence summaries of each chapter i read from the book mere christianity. And i will tell you another view that is also too simple. We will explore its context and background, highlight the central themes of the book, and discover why it. Lewis this study guide consists of approximately 49 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of mere christianity.
Mere christianity book 2 chapter 1 summary course hero. This book is part of princeton university press lives of great religious books series. Cs lewis first broadcast this book in a series of radio broadcasts. The next division is between the types of god people believe in. That his creation was good from the beginning but that it.
Mere christianity by c s lewis complete audio book read by. Another overly simplistic worldview is the worldview that claims, god is good, and ignores the existence of sin, hell, and the devil. Mere christianity is one of the most popular christian books in history. Mere christianity is a good book to give someone who lives primarily in his intellect and needs logic to try to grasp christianity as lewis is such a reflective but also great. The first big division within humanity is between the majority, who believe in some kind of god or gods, and the minority who do not. Evil is a perversion of the good, therefore it is not independent, and it doesnt share an equal footing with god. It has not got two kinds of notes on it, the right notes and the wrong ones. Oddly enough, you cannot even conclude, from my silence on disputed points, either that i think. Lewis has shown that atheism is too simple to be true. Most groups will choose to cover the entire book in. Mere christianity is a revised and enlarged edition of the three books produced from c. Humans are haunted by this curious idea of how they ought to behave. Mere christianity book 4, chapter 2 summary freebooksummary. Mere christianity book 1 chapter 2 summary course hero.
However, as he notes in this book, he found himself asking various questions that led him. Lewis book mere christianity cs lewis study series by steven urban jun 3, 2014 4. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and. In book i, lewis explores the notion of right and wrong, which he argues is, at its core, an inherently human characteristic that is not, as some would argue, merely a social construct. Lewis first delivered the chapters that make up mere christianity as live radio addresses for the bbc beginning in 1941.
It is the view i call christianity andwater, the view which simply says there is a good god in heaven and everything is all rightleaving out all the difficult and terrible doctrines about sin and hell and the devil, and the. He examines both the praise that it has received as well as the. The rival conceptions of god the first big division within humanity is between the majority, who believe in some kind of god or gods, and the minority who do not. No one has time to read them all, but its important to go over them at least briefly. Mere christianity provides an articulate expression of the intelligent case for christianity, but retains the conversational style from the original radio talks on which it is based. A few have tried to summarize hegels book, and often their summaries were longer than the original, and just as. In 2006, christianity today ranked lewiss book third in its list of the most influential books since 1945. S lewis third talk of the third radio series called what christians believe. Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1941 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during the second world war. Audio book mere christianity book 2 chapter 1 the rival conceptions of god c. Mere christianity is a theological book written by c. Mere christianity book 2 chapter 2 summary course hero.
Find summaries for every chapter, including a mere christianity chapter summary chart to help you understand the book. Lewis argues for the existence of god, and then proceeds to outline what he believes are the fundamental tenants of christianity. What, in your opinion, is lewis offering us in mere christianity. Amongst other things, lewis covers the reality of moral law, human sinfulness, the nature and work of christ, christian ethics, and the doctrine of the. Considered a classic of christian apologetics, the transcripts of the broadcasts originally appeared in print as three separate pamphlets. Lewis believes that the man he has been referring to. The material was published in three separate parts as the case for christianity 1943, christian. Find summaries for every chapter, including a mere christianity chapter summary. After estabishing christ as god, lewis takes the idea to the next level by describing how christians become a. Lewis, essential writer of the 20 th century, explores the widespread flooring upon which all of those of christian faith stand collectively. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis.
Christopher mitchell, each of which is approximately fiftyminutes long. If any topic could be relied upon to wreck a book about mere christianity if any topic makes utterly unprofitable reading for those who do not yet believe that the virgins son is godsurely this is it. It is not the same as the laws of physics or chemistry. Discussing mere christianity when your group meets to discuss the book, firstview the appropriate lecture by dr. The intrusion another view that lewis sees as oversimplified is the thing that he calls christianity andwater, which battles that there is a decent god in paradise and that everything is okay, while forgetting about any exchange of transgression, heck, the fallen angel, and recovery. Jun 23, 2012 in book 2, lewis explained the core beliefs of mere christianity. Mere christianity book 4, chapter 1011 analysis the average student has to read dozens of books per year. Aug 08, 2017 mere christianity book ii summary august 8, 2017 pilgrim leave a comment you can look at my more detailed notes, but this is an overview of the content of book ii of mere christianity. Mere christianity summary and study guide supersummary. The law of human nature what are the two basic concepts of chapter one. Bringing collectively lewis legendary broadcast talks all through world warfare two from his three earlier books the case for christianity, christian conduct. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion on mere christianity by c.
Nov 09, 2012 1943 england, when all hope was threatened by the inhumanity of war, c. What christians believe the rival conceptions of god summary. Some objections is the moral law social convention or instinct. The first of these viewsthe one that thinks god beyond good and evilis called pantheism. Lewis radio broadcasts in england during world war ii. Jan 08, 2009 mere christianity a synopsis this is the first christian book i read after really deciding to follow jesus. Dec 21, 2016 mere christianity is a revised and enlarged edition of the three books produced from c. The notes have been summarized so that a group or discussion leader can lead one chapter per meeting, or the chapters can be grouped together to cover multiple chapters per meeting. What qualities of lewiss speaking voice come through in the book. Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the universe chapter 1. We are thankful of their contributions and encourage you to make your own.
Chapter 1 the rival conceptions of god book 2 c s lewis mere. Lewiss mere christianity originated as a series of radio talks delivered in the 1940s in great britain. You can look at my more detailed notes, but this is an overview of the content of book ii of mere christianity chapter 1 rival conceptions of god quotations truth in other religions. Overview of mere christianity counselcare connection. Book 2 christianity is the only logical explanation for the world we live in.
In what ways does the writing reflect the fact that it was originally intended to be heard rather than read. Not to say i dont think the bible isnt a thumping good read its just that it was a pleasant surprise that it was an opinion based book on one mans views. I remember walking through hastings and how shocked i was to see that c. Mere christianity outline cs lewis society of california. This book mere christianity published in 1953 was based on the transcript of the bbc radio broadcast that lewis gave at oxford during world war ii 19411944. Across more than six decades, lewis is talking to me and anyone else who will listen about his christian faith. These are the only two views with respect to the question.
This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion on mere christianity. Find a summary of this and each chapter of mere christianity. This study guide consists of approximately 49 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of mere christianity. It was a hit because at that point, lewis had already published a number of fiction and nonfiction books including out of the silent planet 1938, the problem of pain 1940 and the. The book is the written form of a series of radio broadcasts that lewis gave in england in the 1940s. Lewis focuses on the core issues of orthodox christianity without getting into some of the controversial and divisive issues that exist between traditions. Lewis was invited to give a series of radio lectures addressing the central issues of christianity. Litcharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in mere christianity, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work. Mere christianity was published in 1952 and is an expansion of some of c. Lewiss mere christianity discovery institute july 1, 1998 religion and civic life. If any topic could be relied upon to wreck a book about mere christianityif any topic makes utterly unprofitable reading for those who do not yet believe that the virgins son is godsurely this is it.
Lewis goes on to condemn what he calls christianityandwater. Here are my notes for chapter 2 book 1 of mere christianity. Mere christianity book two summary essays antiessays. In book 2, lewis explained the core beliefs of mere christianity. This was a life changing book for me when i read it in the early 70s and it started me on my path to appreciating all of lewis works. Mere christianity book i chapter 2 some objections. Mere christianity book ii summary restless pilgrim. That there is one god, who is a mind, and who is distinct from his creation, the universe and all life in it.
Mere christianity is one of the worlds most widely read books on the subject of christianity. Isnt what you call the moral law simply our herd instinct. Mere christianity leaders notes these pages are a summary of c. Lewiss preface explains what mere christianity is and what it attempts to do. The booklet serves as an answer guide to mere christianity bible study. Whether they admit it or not, all men recognize it, and even appeal to it. Mere christianity book 2, chapter 2 summary freebooksummary. These notes were contributed by members of the gradesaver community. Book 2 of mere christianity focuses on what christians believe. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Atheism is too simple another view that is too simple, christianity andwater says there is a good god in heaven and everything is alright leaves out all of the difficult and terrible doctrines about sin and hell and the devil, and the redemption. Marsden explains the historical and biographical details that led to the production of mere christianity, as well as its reception and subsequent influence. If you are christian you do not have to believe that all the other religions are simply wrong all through.
1175 326 1268 1445 846 351 70 819 333 752 1330 953 75 724 45 322 747 233 1150 1534 945 780 236 734 331 877 317 426 1041 1000 953 613 1255 1461 1294 565 721 404 1469