Nothing mere about this work

C.S. Lewis is a great writer; so great that, while reading his “Mere Christianity,” one almost gets the idea that this man could convince you about anything, perhaps even that pigs fly when they get enough motivation. But, at a certain point in reading, it becomes evident that this book isn’t compelling just because of Lewis’s literary and argumentative skill; it’s compelling because the ideas are monumental and the scope is universal. It just so happens that the ideas professed in the book require a mind like Lewis’s to fully develop them– and in an entertaining way, I might add.

The book, which was originally a radio broadcast during the early 1940s, initially gets into the nature of man and the species’ tendency to maintain a standard of morality (Natural Law). He then describes the dichotomy of belief (including secular and religious), which has existed since prehistory. Finally he delves into the specific religion of Christianity and makes a great, uncompromising argument for his belief. He spends most of the last section showing how a non-Christian can test the waters of the faith and eventually become immersed.

His points are well thought out and his language is expert and it is a pleasure to read his work, including the dated British phrases like, “…he will be complaining ‘It’s not fair’ before you can say Jack Robinson.” Who’s Jack Robinson? Some may be turned away from the theological nature of the book, or the fact that it was written so long ago, but they will be glad to find out that this work is a very practical, timeless piece that can offer anyone something of value. Two memorable concepts that stick out to me are Lewis’s development of our Natural Law, in which the author shows how we all acknowledge there is a just standard out there, which we always hold others to yet consistently fail to hold ourselves to. Another memorable concept was how prayer literally transforms our minds and beings by our putting on Christ’s clothes.

While “Mere Christianity” can offer something to everyone, I strongly recommend it to open-minded secularists who think religions to be on the level of silly superstitions (Lewis himself was counted as one before his conversion), and Christians who don’t really know why they are who they profess to be. What they will find is a thorough, intelligent, witty, and prfound review of the most popular religion of all humanity.

– JSB Morse