This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion on mere christianity. We will explore its context and background, highlight the central themes of the book, and discover why it has become a. 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 was invited to give a series of radio lectures addressing the central issues of christianity. Book 2 of mere christianity focuses on what christians believe. Mere christianity was published in 1952 and is an expansion of some of c.
In what ways does the writing reflect the fact that it was originally intended to be heard rather than read. It consists of four books which originated as broadcast talks for the bbc during world war ii. 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. These are the only two views with respect to the question. Marsden explains the historical and biographical details that led to the production of mere christianity, as well as its reception and subsequent influence. What qualities of lewiss speaking voice come through in the book. The booklet serves as an answer guide to mere christianity bible study. 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. Lewiss mere christianity originated as a series of radio talks delivered in the 1940s in great britain.
These notes were contributed by members of the gradesaver community. In book ii, lewis tells us that christians do not have to believe that all religions are absolutely wrong. Mere christianity outline cs lewis society of california. Dec 21, 2016 mere christianity is a revised and enlarged edition of the three books produced from c. Whether they admit it or not, all men recognize it, and even appeal to it. Mere christianity summary and study guide supersummary. Mere christianity book 4, chapter 1011 analysis the average student has to read dozens of books per year.
Chapter 1 the rival conceptions of god book 2 c s lewis mere. 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. Discussing mere christianity when your group meets to discuss the book, firstview the appropriate lecture by dr. Lewiss preface explains what mere christianity is and what it attempts to do. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Lewis, adapted from a series of bbc radio talks made between 1941 and 1944, while lewis was at oxford during the second world war. In 2006, christianity today ranked lewiss book third in its list of the most influential books since 1945. Oddly enough, you cannot even conclude, from my silence on disputed points, either that i think.
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. Mere christianity discussion questions preface where does the title come from. We are thankful of their contributions and encourage you to make your own. 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. After estabishing christ as god, lewis takes the idea to the next level by describing how christians become a. Mere christianity book 2, chapter 2 summary freebooksummary. Jun 23, 2012 in book 2, lewis explained the core beliefs of mere christianity. Mere christianity study guide 2 book i1 david grice 852011 book i.
Here are my notes for chapter 2 book 1 of mere christianity. Lewiss mere christianity, book 1 chapter 2 summary. The first of these viewsthe one that thinks god beyond good and evilis called pantheism. It has not got two kinds of notes on it, the right notes and the wrong ones. The law of human nature what are the two basic concepts of chapter one. Mere christianity book ii summary restless pilgrim. Lewis believes that the man he has been referring to. Lewis 1952 book mere christianity with great sadness, respect and hope. Nov 09, 2012 1943 england, when all hope was threatened by the inhumanity of war, c. Lewis goes on to condemn what he calls christianityandwater. There is a difference between instinct and the moral law. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and analysis. The case for christianity, christian behaviour, and beyond personality. 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.
What christians believe the rival conceptions of god summary. Mere christianity book two summary essays antiessays. Some have even claimed lewis is the most important writer of the 20th century. A few have tried to summarize hegels book, and often their summaries were longer than the original, and just as. This article provides information about the original broadcast talks and their publication history up to mere christianity bbc radio talks. Mere christianity book 2 chapter 2 summary course hero. We will explore its context and background, highlight the central themes of the book, and discover why it. Mere christianity book 1 chapter 2 summary course hero. Find a summary of this and each chapter of mere christianity. Christopher mitchell, each of which is approximately fiftyminutes long. Find summaries for every chapter, including a mere christianity chapter summary. Considered a classic of christian apologetics, the transcripts of the broadcasts originally appeared in print as three separate pamphlets. 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.
Isnt what you call the moral law simply our herd instinct. Mere christianity leaders notes these pages are a summary of c. Lewis you can find this audio book is separated into individual chapters on my i am abled channel also. Jan 08, 2009 mere christianity a synopsis this is the first christian book i read after really deciding to follow jesus. Audio book mere christianity book 2 chapter 1 the rival conceptions of god c. Humans are haunted by this curious idea of how they ought to behave. Evil is a perversion of the good, therefore it is not independent, and it doesnt share an equal footing with god. 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. 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.
Lewis argues for the existence of god, and then proceeds to outline what he believes are the fundamental tenants of 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. Overview of mere christianity counselcare connection. The book is the written form of a series of radio broadcasts that lewis gave in england in the 1940s. Lewis has shown that atheism is too simple to be true. Lewiss mere christianity, book 2 chapter 2 summary. 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. 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. Find summaries for every chapter, including a mere christianity chapter summary chart to help you understand the book.
Mere christianity is one of the worlds most widely read books on the subject of christianity. Some objections is the moral law social convention or instinct. The next division is between the types of god people believe in. The invasion lewis explains that god created the world good, but evil perverted it. Most groups will choose to cover the entire book in.
That there is one god, who is a mind, and who is distinct from his creation, the universe and all life in it. I remember walking through hastings and how shocked i was to see that c. In book 2, lewis explained the core beliefs 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. There is little mention of christianity in this first book. This detailed literature summary also contains topics for discussion on mere christianity by c.
He examines both the praise that it has received as well as the. It is not the same as the laws of physics or chemistry. 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. Book 2 christianity is the only logical explanation for the world we live in. Mere christianity book i chapter 2 some objections. Lewis focuses on the core issues of orthodox christianity without getting into some of the controversial and divisive issues that exist between traditions. Lewis signature classics mere christianity discussion notes. 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. Lewis book mere christianity cs lewis study series by steven urban jun 3, 2014 4. Christianity is not simple, and the details include 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.
However, as he notes in this book, he found himself asking various questions that led him. 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. Lewis book mere christianity bible study guide cs lewis study series steven urban. Lewis includes this isnt constantly a blameless perspective. Lewis, essential writer of the 20 th century, explores the widespread flooring upon which all of those of christian faith stand collectively.
Mere christianity book 4, chapter 2 summary freebooksummary. What, in your opinion, is lewis offering us in mere christianity. S lewis third talk of the third radio series called what christians believe. Lewis radio broadcasts in england during world war ii. Across more than six decades, lewis is talking to me and anyone else who will listen about his christian faith.
Lewis, best known for his chronicles of narnia series, had been raised as a christian but grew disillusioned with the faith and turned to atheism at age 15. 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. Lewiss forceful and accessible doctrine of christian belief. 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.
Mere christianity by c s lewis complete audio book read by. Check out our revolutionary sidebyside summary and. That his creation was good from the beginning but that it was perverted or corrupted by an invasion of. And i will tell you another view that is also too simple. Right and wrong as a clue to the meaning of the universe chapter 1. The material was published in three separate parts as the case for christianity 1943, christian. Mere christianity is a theological book written by c. The book talks about christianity, explaining the religion and dispelling any controversies. Mere christianity book 2 chapter 1 summary course hero. This book is part of princeton university press lives of great religious books series.
You can look at my more detailed notes, but this is an overview of the content of book ii of mere christianity. This is a soft version that ignores the problem of evil and the necessity of redemption. Bringing collectively lewis legendary broadcast talks all through world warfare two from his three earlier books the case for christianity, christian conduct. 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. Lewiss mere christianity discovery institute july 1, 1998 religion and civic life. 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. 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. Book 1 1 there has been a great deal of soft soap talked about god for the last hundred years. If you are christian you do not have to believe that all the other religions are simply wrong all through. The very notion of good and bad promotes the stance that god exists. 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. No one has time to read them all, but its important to go over them at least briefly. Mere christianity is one of the most popular christian books in history.
Another overly simplistic worldview is the worldview that claims, god is good, and ignores the existence of sin, hell, and the devil. Cs lewis first broadcast this book in a series of radio broadcasts. That his creation was good from the beginning but that it. Lewis first delivered the chapters that make up mere christianity as live radio addresses for the bbc beginning in 1941.
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