Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the universe chapter 1. Lewis argues for the existence of god, and then proceeds to outline what he believes are the fundamental tenants of christianity. Cs lewis first broadcast this book in a series of radio broadcasts. Mere christianity book ii summary restless pilgrim. Morality at the human finite level is anchored in morality at the. 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 summary below i will provide one sentence summaries of each chapter i read from the book mere christianity. Whether they admit it or not, all men recognize it, and even appeal to it. Argument for the existence of a law of nature 1217 words 5 pages. It is important to keep in mind that mere christianity did not originate as a book but as a series of 15minute broadcasts on the bbc. Lewiss mere christianity, book 1 chapter 2 summary. The next division is between the types of god people believe in. He argues that this is the source of the moral compass common to. The material was published in three separate parts as the case for christianity 1943, christian behaviour 1943, and beyond personality 1945. Find a summary of this and each chapter of mere christianity. Notes and complete outline of the book, by andrew dosa, 2008. But make sure to buy a properly produced book rather than this shameful product of the computer age. Lewis was invited to give a series of radio lectures addressing the central issues of christianity.
Mere christianity study guide 2 book i1 david grice 852011 book i. There is little mention of christianity in this first book. Craig argues that if we have good reason to affirm that. 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. It is not the same as the laws of physics or chemistry. If you are christian you do not have to believe that all the other religions are simply wrong all through. Lewis doesnt directly infer a divine being from moral awareness. Lewis 1952 book mere christianity with great sadness, respect and hope. Theism becomes acceptable and compelling rationally, by comparison with other worldviews. When lewis began giving these live broadcasts in august 1941, the british people had been enduring a relentless assault by the german air force for almost a year. Lewis focuses on the core issues of orthodox christianity without getting into some of the controversial and.
Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the universe. Across more than six decades, lewis is talking to me and anyone else who will listen about his christian faith. It is meant to be used to study mere christianity at the rate of about 2 chapters per week. Mere christianity book 1 chapter 2 summary course hero. The case for christianity, christian behaviour, and beyond personality. William lane craig also argues for what he calls mere christianity but his version is slightly different. This is tureks version of mere christianity, a term first coined by the great c. 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. Also i understand even better what it means to be a christian. The work is a compilation of talks on christian philosophy that lewis gave to. What, in your opinion, is lewis offering us 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.
Considered a classic of christian apologetics, the transcripts of the broadcasts originally appeared in print as three separate pamphlets. Some objections is the moral law social convention or instinct. Learn mere christianity with free interactive flashcards. That his creation was good from the beginning but that it was perverted or corrupted by an invasion of. Lewiss forceful and accessible doctrine of christian belief. The book talks about christianity, explaining the religion and dispelling any controversies.
However, my study guide retains the four books and chapter titles that lewis used. 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 builds the foundation of his apologetic by making a rational argument. Mere christianity is a revised and enlarged edition of the three books produced from c. In book 2, lewis explained the core beliefs of mere christianity. The law of human nature what are the two basic concepts of chapter one. Mere christianity discussion questions preface where does the title come from. 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. In that way it may possibly be of some help in silencing the view. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. Mere christianity is a theological book written by c. Overview of mere christianity counselcare connection. Im even more a cs lewis fan now with greater admiration.
It uses philosophical methods and historical and scientific evidence to argue for. With mere christianity, lewis is not looking to promote religion, or faith, but rather gently point out the many ways in which civilisation, emotion and human decency and its counterpart are so fascinatingly intertwined, so no one should avoid this book fearing it to be a chestthumping propaganda piece for the authors own religious views. Oreilly an irish priest, philosopher, theologian, and physicist, oreilly 19161978 regularly lead discussions of mere christianity with groups of lay people. Book 1 1 there has been a great deal of soft soap talked about god for the last hundred years. 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 radio broadcasts in england during world war ii. Free online bible classes mere christianity part 1. 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.
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. The case for christianity broadcast talks in the uk 1942, christian. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. Mere christianity book 1 chapter 1 summary course hero. 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.
Mere christianity outline cs lewis society of california. Choose from 418 different sets of mere christianity flashcards on quizlet. When studying human history, he claims, one is struck by how similar different societies moral codes are, at least at a fundamental. As such, i wanted to share with you my reading of mere christianity by c. Lewiss most wellknown apologetics, one must understand his audience. Mere christianity is a book that explains christianity to those who might be skeptical, offering a philosophical approach to understanding basic christian doctrines. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on. My copy of mere christianity is covered in red ink and riddled with dog ears. Free online bible classes mere christianity part 2. 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.
Book 1 we as humans are created by some being who also dictates, through our conscience, how we ought to behave. In book 2 of lewis mere christianity, he writes about. Lewis mere christianity, lewis bases the majority of his argument for christianity on the existence of a law of nature, or moral law. Mere christianity notes and complet e outline of the book. Lewis has shown that atheism is too simple to be true. 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. Mere christianity flashcards and study sets quizlet.