9 reviews for Mere Christianity (C.S. Lewis Signature Classics)

1. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Marcus – May 22, 2017

   
   While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to willingly give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a good man [one who is noble and selfless and worthy] someone might even dare to die. But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]. Not only that, but we also rejoice in God [rejoicing in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received and enjoy our reconciliation [with God] (Romans 5:6-11, AMP).And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified [declared free of the guilt of sin]; and those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity].The Wisdom of GodFor the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God. For it is written and forever remains written,“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise [the philosophy of the philosophers],And the cleverness of the clever [who do not know Me] I will nullify.” Where is the wise man (philosopher)? Where is the scribe (scholar)? Where is the debater (logician, orator) of this age? Has God not exposed the foolishness of this world’s wisdom? For since the world through all its [earthly] wisdom failed to recognize God, God in His wisdom was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached [regarding salvation] to save those who believe [in Christ and welcome Him as Savior]. For Jews demand signs (attesting miracles), and Greeks pursue [worldly] wisdom and philosophy, but we preach Christ crucified, [a message which is] to Jews a stumbling block [that provokes their opposition], and to Gentiles foolishness [just utter nonsense], but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. [This is] because the foolishness of God [is not foolishness at all and] is wiser than men [far beyond human comprehension], and the weakness of God is stronger than men [far beyond the limits of human effort].Just look at your own calling, believers; not many [of you were considered] wise according to human standards, not many powerful or influential, not many of high and noble birth. But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty]. God has selected [for His purpose] the insignificant (base) things of the world, and the things that are despised and treated with contempt, [even] the things that are nothing, so that He might reduce to nothing the things that are, so that no one may [be able to] boast in the presence of God. But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin], so then, as it is written [in Scripture], “He who boasts and glories, let him boast and glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1: 18-31, AMP).What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us? He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who justifies us [declaring us blameless and putting us in a right relationship with Himself]. Who is the one who condemns us? Christ Jesus is the One who died [to pay our penalty], and more than that, who was raised [from the dead], and who is at the right hand of God interceding [with the Father] for us. Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Just as it is written and forever remains written,“For Your sake we are put to death all day long;We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.”Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:28-39, AMP).Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on Godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you] (Romans 12:1-2, AMP).Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either.It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects.God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly LIVE? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! (Hebrews 12:1-13, The Message).Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways! (Romans 11:33).“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him]. This is the [verdict] judgment [that is, the cause for indictment, the test by which people are judged, the basis for the sentence]: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned. But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him]” (John 3: 16-21, AMP, NLT).Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation. But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is [in some sense] hidden [behind a veil], it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing; among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory and majesty of God [clearly revealed] in the face of Christ.But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body. For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death]. So physical death is [actively] at work in us, but [spiritual] life [is actively at work] in you. Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, “I believed, therefore I spoke.” We also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and will present us [along] with you in His presence. For all [these] things are for your sake, so that as [God’s remarkable, undeserved] grace reaches to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of [our great] God.Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable (2 Corinthians 4:1-18, AMP).After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar,“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang,“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honorand power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Revelation 7:9-12, NLT).ADDITIONAL RECCOMENDATIONS:- Repentance: The first word of the Gospel by Richard Owen Roberts- Victory in Spiritual Warfare by Tony Evans- Prayers for Victory in Spiritual Warfare by Tony Evans- The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer- Knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer- Knowing God by J.I. Packer- The Kingdom Man/Woman by Tony Evans- Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare Manual by John Eckhardt- Battlefield of the mind by Joyce Meyer- Prayer by Timothy Keller- The Battle Plan for Prayer- Powerful Prayers in the war room by Daniel B. Lancaster- Prayers that rout demons by John Eckhardt- 21 prayers of Gratitude by Shelley Hitz- Encounters with Jesus by Timothy Keller- Kings cross by Timothy Keller- Experiencing the presence of God by A.W. Tozer- In His Presence by E.W. Kenyon- Jesus always by Sarah Young- Jesus is calling by Sarah Young- Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster.- The freedom of self forgetfulness by Timothy Keller- My utmost for His Highest by Discovery House Publishers- The crucified life A.W. Tozer- The Insanity of Obedience by Nik Ripken- The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken- Trusting God by Jerry Bridges- The Treasure Principle also by Randy Alcorn- Safely home also by Randy Alcorn- Edge of Eternity also by Randy Alcorn- The Reason for God by Timothy Keller- On Guard by Dr. William Lane Craig- Reasonable Faith by Dr. William Lane Craig- I don’t have enough faith to be an atheist- The case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Christ by Bran Pitre- The case for Christ by Lee Strobel- Stealing from God by Frank Turek, Ravi Zacharias- Cold case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace- Tactics: A game plan for discussing your Christian ConvictionsGod Bless.

2. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Melanie – October 12, 2023

   
   I love this book! C.S. Lewis just has such a profound way of explaining complex ideas in a way that makes sense.I learn really well with analogies. And he uses so many in this book. It really opened my eyes to so many new perspectives and ideas that I hadn’t really understood or considered before and it has honestly deepened my faith in Jesus Christ so much.I would highly recommend this book especially in this era of confusion about who God is and what it means to be a Christian.

3. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Kallie – October 15, 2023

   
   I love this book. I am a new Christian. After reading the new testament several times and the old testament a few time I felt I was grounded in what I believe. I began reading other books to hear others opions. I know my faith can not be corrupted by false teaching and theology. In my opinion there nothing wrong with CS Lewis theology. This should be a required read for all new Christian’s. The only complaint is the quality of material used to make the book. It feels cheap and I don’t think it will last.

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Kindle Customer – September 14, 2023

   
   I recently finished reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis and it was my first book to read in over 20 years. Yes, there were numerous sections that I needed to read 2 or 3 times to fully grasp the message that C.S. Lewis was intending to deliver. There were also several occasions that I had to “google” a particular word to understand its meaning in the context it was being used. However, this book has unexpectedly and profoundly changed my life. In short, it revealed that my prior understanding of what it truly means to “be a Christian” was in its infancy and throughout 40 years of this life I had barely taken a few short steps beyond the starting line of what has become a journey that no words could ever fully describe. A deep relationship, a new purpose, a new me, and a clear destination.I now want to share the book with everyone, starting with my family.

5. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Tom Slattery – August 14, 2023

   Powerful argument for Christianity
   What an amazing book. Logical in his approach CS Lewis lays out in an orderly manner the essence of real Christianity not religiosity which we have come to associate with it. As an intellectual and former atheist, he argues powerfully each and every reason why Christianity is true both from a philosophical and from a biblical point of view. He first shows by reasonable argument why God must exist, considers the options of him provided to us globally and explains what moved him from unbelief to a strong belief in Christ. He then turns to Christianity and examines what is, again, with the same logical reasoning with some amazing insights and suprising conclusions. I highly recommend this book after reading it later in life wishing I had read it much earlier.

6. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Cristina – October 10, 2023

   Good
   I find it on YouTube and I love it

7. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Gemma – August 24, 2023

   Great Book
   I really love this book. C.S. Lewis writes so well.This is only 4/5 stars because of a few misspelt words, (but I don’t know if that’s just original mistakes from Lewis himself or not), and because I find the pages to be thick and tough compared to other books.

8. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Mr R P Eaton – August 29, 2023

   Brilliant !
   This is in my opinion the second most important book for a Christian, especially a new one.It explains the sometimes difficult concepts and thoughts of Christianity in an accessible and easy to understand way.This is only the second most important because of course the Bible is the MOST important one.

9. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   evergreen – October 17, 2020

   A philosophical work in a class of its own.
   A philosophical work in a class of its own. C S Lewis was for much of his life an atheist but was eventually converted to Christianity when his friend Tolkien persuaded him that Christianity is a myth that just happens to be true. Once he had embraced Christianity Lewis became an expert and wrote many books on the subject, of which I believe this is one of the best.On the whole this isn’t a preachy book. Around the middle of the book he does go into what Christians believe to be sin, but he does not glibly quote scriptures the way some Christian writers do. He is not out to prove that he is right or to convert people. Several times he points out that he is a layman, not a preacher and that he is only giving his opinion, based on his own thoughts on the subject.Lewis begins by considering an apparently innate sense humans have of what is right or wrong, good or evil, which he calls “natural law“. This natural law seems to span all cultures throughout history. It is like the laws of physics, to which we are all subject, however whereas we are unable to break the laws of physics, we can choose break the natural law, by committing murder or stealing. Lewis draws certain conclusions from our knowledge of the law and our ability to break it, which the reader is able to accept or reject.He then succinctly describes the distinction between the atheist, the theist and the pantheist, and how for those who believe in God theology is important. Theology in his view enriches faith and helps to guide us through, like a map helping you to reach your destination.Up until page 195 I found this book excellent, and I even read the preface, and agreed wholeheartedly with almost everything he said. However thereafter he and I part company somewhat. Firstly because Lewis continued to believe in the theory of evolution, which I do not. He acknowledges that many intelligent people do not believe in it and is not disrespectful to those of us who don’t (as many are today), but his chapter based evolution is not one I can go along with.Likewise, I can’t quite go along with his belief (shared by many Christians undoubtedly) that we must surrender our whole being to God in order to be redeemed – that Jesus wants to literally take us over, mind, body and soul, in order to save us. It just does not make sense to me that God would give us our lives and our freedom if he then wishes to take both from us. However there is plenty of scripture to support that point of view and although it seems to me to make the way back to God impossible for most of us, sadly it could be true.Oh and one final thing that I didn’t like about the book – something that many male writers are unfortunately guilty of – the constant use of “man” . It is very irritating if you just happen to be a woman! And there is really no excuse for it. But as I say Lewis is not alone in this – most scientific, historical and religious books refer to our species as “man” – and Lewis also says about becoming “sons of God” as if there is really no place for women in the kingdom of God – which I very much hope isn’t true.