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batbones 's review for:
Mere Christianity
by C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis convinced me that a rare breed of contemporary Christian thinker exists: those who believed that the common reader/believer was not a fool. That the ability to reason and think for oneself wasn't reserved for the 'educated', whatever that may mean, but present in every person who gave pause in their lives and devoted some time to looking. And that reason (or logic, or any of its more technical cognates; a rose by any name smells just as sweet) could be simple yet powerful.
Lewis' style is persuasive and commonsensical, conversational and brilliant. This text is presented in the form of expository reflections that he claims, are no more than the thoughts of an inexperienced believer, but he yields wonderful insight from his putting together of the experience of daily life and scriptural teaching. He takes a fundamental tenet of Christian belief - 'faith' or 'hope' or 'marriage' - and literally turns understanding inside out, while flooding the room of the mind with light. It is as if, prior to reading his reasoning on what some thing might mean, I had not, for all these years, fully understood the meaning of that thing and how it should be for me. That thing no longer is just a word gleaned from a verse, or a stock phrase thrown around in airy spiritual banter (that, whether one realises or not, mean nearly nothing to oneself). In gentle simplicity, his words illuminate the Word's lucidity and power.
It would be helpful if a study edition of this book exists, with scriptural references, but then again maybe not. I've approached Mere Christianity as a reflective piece suitable for deeper engagement, and consider finding its scriptural accompaniment as a step taken in this endeavour.
Lewis' style is persuasive and commonsensical, conversational and brilliant. This text is presented in the form of expository reflections that he claims, are no more than the thoughts of an inexperienced believer, but he yields wonderful insight from his putting together of the experience of daily life and scriptural teaching. He takes a fundamental tenet of Christian belief - 'faith' or 'hope' or 'marriage' - and literally turns understanding inside out, while flooding the room of the mind with light. It is as if, prior to reading his reasoning on what some thing might mean, I had not, for all these years, fully understood the meaning of that thing and how it should be for me. That thing no longer is just a word gleaned from a verse, or a stock phrase thrown around in airy spiritual banter (that, whether one realises or not, mean nearly nothing to oneself). In gentle simplicity, his words illuminate the Word's lucidity and power.
It would be helpful if a study edition of this book exists, with scriptural references, but then again maybe not. I've approached Mere Christianity as a reflective piece suitable for deeper engagement, and consider finding its scriptural accompaniment as a step taken in this endeavour.