Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Read for: Leisure/Quiet Time
Rating: 4

C.S. Lewis is the master of simple explanation. His way of presenting complex issues in a simple yet poignant and truthful manner is helpful in explainingto readers a religion that is very complicated. His language is thoughtful and precise, which I appreciated. Lewis sets out to explain Christianity--mere Christianity. None of the denominational differences or huge theological problems facing religion today. Rather, he tells readers what Christians believe and why they believe it.

"Ever since I became a Christian I have thought that the best, perhaps only, service I could do for my unbelieving neighbours was to explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times." (Preface, p. viii)

"I am not writing to expound something I could call 'my religion,' but to expound 'mere' Christianity, which is what it is and what it was long before I was born and whether I like it or not." (Preface, p. ix)

In my opinion, Lewis succeeds in his mission of explaining what he calls "mere Christianity." What makes his explanation so effective, I believe, is the fact that he writes from the perspective of someone who used to be an Atheist, but saw what Christianity had to offer and became a believer. Therefore he is able to explain why he came to hold his beliefs. Where Lewis falters in his mission of expounding on "mere Christianity" and strays into the land of convoluted theology is in Part 4, which addresses the doctrine of the Trinity. He of course explains the doctrine well, but it is a bit more than "mere," in my opinion. I would advise the reader who only wants the "mere" to simply stop reading after Part 3.