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4.23 AVERAGE
4.23 AVERAGE
Listened to this because it is my dad's favorite. My take: it makes some really compelling arguments for people who already believe in and support the things it's talking about. For me, it was, at best, mildly interesting as a source of insight into how some people think with regard to their faith.
Every so often, you read a book that makes you redefine what you rate 5 stars.
challenging
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
this is a serious disclaimer letting you know that, if you followed or friended me on goodreads for fiction novel reviews or fantasy books and my opinion on them, this is a different kind of review for me. i am a Christian, and this is a book about Christianity, so my thoughts are going a very different way, and you're free to stop reading it right now if you'd like.
i want to start this review by saying i have rated every book i've read here for a while, but i'm not going to rate this one; and the reason why is this: unlike fiction novels or any kind of source material that's somewhat related to the physical world, this speaks of beyond. this speaks of Faith, in which i've always believed in, and, although i've disagreed during several sections in this book, i am well aware i have no right or jurisdiction to judge, evaluate or rate, for that matter, the range of someone else's beliefs. i would feel uncomfortable, if not unbelievably unfair, if i were to rate this. therefore, i just want to say a thing or two about the impressions i got while reading it.
i like to think it is also very important for us Christians never to think we have nothing else to learn. we don't know everything; in fact, some of us are confident we don't know anything at all. because of that, we can go into a book like this, and disagree on some parts, but still agree on some that we've never thought about before. i think it's important to feed on words about God, and to look at Him through someone else's point of view once in a while, even if only because we want to hear more and more about Him everyday. because of that, i quite enjoyed this read, and i feel like i've learned a thing or two that i wouldn't have wanted to go without if given the choice.
from what i see, this is also a good read for atheists or people from other religions; not necessarily because they are interested in converting, but because it actually brings out a thorough analysis of Christianity as a whole. as i've said before, i had several moments in which i thought to myself, "this isn't it at all, not for me", but it didn't stop my will to go on for a second. if you'd like to see through a Christian's point of view, even if for no ulterior motive, i would definitely recommend giving it a shot. that is, of course, considering not only the context in which it was written, but the range to which someone's beliefs may go, and the possibility of disagreeing and yet listening attentively to what they have to say.
that being said, i was really touched by many quotes, but i picked this one to close this review.
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
i want to start this review by saying i have rated every book i've read here for a while, but i'm not going to rate this one; and the reason why is this: unlike fiction novels or any kind of source material that's somewhat related to the physical world, this speaks of beyond. this speaks of Faith, in which i've always believed in, and, although i've disagreed during several sections in this book, i am well aware i have no right or jurisdiction to judge, evaluate or rate, for that matter, the range of someone else's beliefs. i would feel uncomfortable, if not unbelievably unfair, if i were to rate this. therefore, i just want to say a thing or two about the impressions i got while reading it.
i like to think it is also very important for us Christians never to think we have nothing else to learn. we don't know everything; in fact, some of us are confident we don't know anything at all. because of that, we can go into a book like this, and disagree on some parts, but still agree on some that we've never thought about before. i think it's important to feed on words about God, and to look at Him through someone else's point of view once in a while, even if only because we want to hear more and more about Him everyday. because of that, i quite enjoyed this read, and i feel like i've learned a thing or two that i wouldn't have wanted to go without if given the choice.
from what i see, this is also a good read for atheists or people from other religions; not necessarily because they are interested in converting, but because it actually brings out a thorough analysis of Christianity as a whole. as i've said before, i had several moments in which i thought to myself, "this isn't it at all, not for me", but it didn't stop my will to go on for a second. if you'd like to see through a Christian's point of view, even if for no ulterior motive, i would definitely recommend giving it a shot. that is, of course, considering not only the context in which it was written, but the range to which someone's beliefs may go, and the possibility of disagreeing and yet listening attentively to what they have to say.
that being said, i was really touched by many quotes, but i picked this one to close this review.
"If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world."
Mere Christianity is not just a defense of the Christian faith — it’s a reintroduction to reality itself. Lewis doesn’t just argue that Christianity is true; he shows why it’s the only explanation that makes everything else make sense from morality to pride to love to human nature.
i loved how he dismantled the idea that Christianity is just ‘good advice’. he argues that if that’s all it is, it’s actually pretty useless — the world already has enough advice. it’s not helpful to look at it through that lens.
Christianity will only have value if it is the truth. and because of the evidence within and outside of this book, i have to say that it is.
now i also appreciated his breakdown of the Trinity — the idea that “God is love” only makes sense if God exists as more than one person.
Lewis also humbles you hard. his chapters on pride were particularly uncomfortable. he writes about how pride is inherently competitive, how we hate it in others because we see it in ourselves, and how it completely blocks us from knowing God.
lastly, the bit that stuck with me most: it’s not about whether a non-Christian is nicer than a Christian (as if niceness is all that God asked of us) — it’s about whether truly believing in Christ and following Him changes people for the better. and it absolutely does.
i absolutely love that i finally got to read this. if i could, i would get a physical copy of the book for myself so i could refer to it often. this is an absolute must-read for anyone intending to deepen their understanding of the faith!
i loved how he dismantled the idea that Christianity is just ‘good advice’. he argues that if that’s all it is, it’s actually pretty useless — the world already has enough advice. it’s not helpful to look at it through that lens.
Christianity will only have value if it is the truth. and because of the evidence within and outside of this book, i have to say that it is.
now i also appreciated his breakdown of the Trinity — the idea that “God is love” only makes sense if God exists as more than one person.
Lewis also humbles you hard. his chapters on pride were particularly uncomfortable. he writes about how pride is inherently competitive, how we hate it in others because we see it in ourselves, and how it completely blocks us from knowing God.
lastly, the bit that stuck with me most: it’s not about whether a non-Christian is nicer than a Christian (as if niceness is all that God asked of us) — it’s about whether truly believing in Christ and following Him changes people for the better. and it absolutely does.
i absolutely love that i finally got to read this. if i could, i would get a physical copy of the book for myself so i could refer to it often. this is an absolute must-read for anyone intending to deepen their understanding of the faith!
challenging
informative
reflective
medium-paced
A solid book about Christianity that still holds some merit years later. This book helped me to dive deeper and to think about God in a new way. At times, the analogies are dated and don’t always make sense, which often left me frustrated. But at the baseline, he challenged the reader to think more deeply about religion and the self. For that, I’d give it an average rating.
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
How do you give a book by C. S. Lewis less than 5 stars ? This book began as radio broadcast during WW II to explain the presence and meaning of God and Jesus in difficult times during the second world war. we are reading it for our book club and some have expressed reluctance to read it given that “we have moved beyond his world view” or “his theology is dated.”. I fail to see this except in a couple of areas (human sexuality) where he can be excused as a product of his time. Lewis begins this book by arguing for the existence of God through the idea of a universal moral law shared across cultures, suggesting this law must come from a higher, divine source. He then introduces the central Christian concept of Jesus Christ as the Son of God and the only path to true virtue and salvation. The book further explores the basics of Christian behavior, morality, and the nature of God, culminating in the doctrine of the Trinity.
Lewis presents Christianity not as a minimal or easy belief system but as a call to transformation of giving up oneself to become fully united with Christ. He breaks down the concepts in easily understood chapters. He grounds Christian faith in reason and shared human experience while highlighting the ethical and spiritual challenges of being a Christian. He breaks things down in easily read chapters but they contain complex and intricate concepts. An excellent and thought provoking read.
Lewis presents Christianity not as a minimal or easy belief system but as a call to transformation of giving up oneself to become fully united with Christ. He breaks down the concepts in easily understood chapters. He grounds Christian faith in reason and shared human experience while highlighting the ethical and spiritual challenges of being a Christian. He breaks things down in easily read chapters but they contain complex and intricate concepts. An excellent and thought provoking read.
hopeful
informative
challenging
hopeful
informative