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Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis is a must own for all Christians, whether new to the faith, or far a long in the walk. The book is very characteristic of Lewis' writing style, with much explanation given to all subjects, and easy to understand analogies always present. Mere Christianity delves into exactly what our faith stands for; including a Christian perspective and an Atheist perspective. With a foundation laid from the beginnings of an argument for religion to the description of proper Christian behaviour, Mere Christianity is exactly as it's title implies; a talk about what Christianity is all about.
The book begins by creating an argument for a more detailed meaning of the universe, pinpointing the use of right and wrong as key to the discussion. Everything in society (no matter the century) revolves around right and wrong. While what is labelled right or wrong is not always set in stone, we each have our opinions; no one can say that they don't hold some things as right or wrong. And while we have this idea of what is right and wrong, most times we do not act or behave in the right way. This idea is further developed by examining what lies behind this Moral Law of Human Nature. C.S. Lewis, again showing his genius mind, goes on to show that the only way we can prove that something does indeed exist outside of this universe that has a purpose is through the universe that has been made and the Moral Law that has been put in our minds. However we have angered this God that has proved Himself to love goodness through this law by the way that we have disobeyed and continually have followed wrong ways. Christianity expands and helps to explain this Moral Law in a more holistic perspective.
C.S. Lewis then changes tact and moves into a description of what Christians believe, starting off with how the religion is different then other ones. Surprisingly, he states that when it comes to other religions, Christians can even accept certain areas! Realistically, everyone believes in a God, but each has different ideas about who this God is, or what He does. That is the key difference.
Christians have a certain belief set about God, that includes what is right and wrong, and they even have their own ideas about how evil entered the world. In fact, the key moment of evil was when the self was put first. That was the original sin of Satan, and the original sin of Adam and Eve, and continues to be the major sin in society today.
The story continues until it comes to a climax with Jesus, the son of God who stepped in to save the people from their sin. However, action is still required from us, the undeniably difficult task of repentance. This repentance isn't an one time occurrence, but rather occurs very frequently, as the Christian struggles to get better and better with Christ helping them along.
After this brief discussion of the faith, Lewis begins to break down what the Christian behaviour should look like. First, a discussion on morality or ethics is held, with three key conclusions made regarding human morality; harmony between individuals, harmony inside of the individual and purpose of human life as a whole. The argument is that there has to have been a higher power who put this need for harmony within individuals, the need for morality and ethics.
Lewis continues to list out what a Christian's ethics are, by using virtues. Prudence, Temperance, Justice and Fortitude compromise what is titled as the Cardinal Virtues. Lewis also points out the Christian's need for social morality. Using all these virtues, Lewis paints the picture of a perfect Christian society; surprisingly it is similar to what society says they strive to be like today! Sexual morality is also a topic that Lewis discusses, a topic that he decides comes down to the fact if we really want to avoid it or not. If we want to stay away from it, we will stay away from it. But if it is a half-hearted attempt, then the results will reflect the effort.
Aspects of the Christian life are also touched upon, such as the seriousness of marriage. Forgiveness is also highlighted as a key characteristic of a Christian. Pride is highlighted as the most serious downfall a Christian can find themselves with. Charity is labelled as a step to overcome pride. Hope and Faith round up the positive characteristics that Christians should strive to obtain.
After this discussion, Lewis lists out some more difficult doctrines of the faith about God, such as the Three-Personal God, the matter of time, and what makes Jesus different. This difference is what Christians strive to achieve, the characteristic that sets them apart from the world, and truly makes them children of God.
Quotes
"Progress means not just changing, but changing for the better."
"God is the only comfort, He is also the supreme terror: the thing we most need and the thing we most want to hide from. He is our only possible ally, and we have made ourselves His enemies."
"Goodness is either the great safety or the great danger - according to the way you react to it."
"If you are a Christian you do not have to believe that all the other religions are simply wrong all through...there is only one right answer to a sum, and all the other answers are wrong; but some of the wrong answers are much nearer being right than others."
"If a thing is free to be good it is also free to be bad. And free will is what has made evil possible. Free will, though it makes evil possible, is also the only thing that makes possible any love or goodness or joy worth having."
"We do know that no man can be saved except through Christ; we do not know that only those who know Him can be saved through Him."
"You cannot make men good by law; and without good men you cannot have a good society."
"Human beings judge one another by their external actions. God judges them by their moral choices."
"And that, by the way, is perhaps the most important difference between Christianity and all other religions: that in Christianity God is not a static thing - not even a person - but a dynamic, pulsating activity, a life, almost a kind of drama."
"God is easy to please, but hard to satisfy."
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