Mere Christianity Book One

November 2012

Through the Lens with C.S. Lewis

“One thing I can promise you. In spite of all the unfortunate differences between Christians, what they agree on is still something pretty big and pretty solid: big enough to blow any of us sky-high if it happens to be true. And if it’s true, it’s quite ridiculous to put off doing anything about it simply because Christians don’t fully agree among themselves. That’s as if a man bleeding to death refused medical assistance because he’d heard that some doctors differed about the treatment of cancer. For if Christianity is true at all, it’s as serious as that.”

C.S. Lewis Introduction to broadcast 11 January 1942

Journal Prompt

Christianity and…31 October 1517

Christianity and…October 31 1517

Sola Scriptura

Christianity and…October 31 1517

Sola Scriptura

Sola Fide

Christianity and…October 31 1517

Sola Scriptura

Sola FideSola Gratia

Christianity and…October 31 1517

Sola ScripturaSola FideSola GratiaSolus Christus

Christianity and…October 31 1517

Sola ScripturaSola FideSola GratiaSolus ChristusSoli Deo Gloria

Christianity and…October 31 1517

Sola ScripturaSola FideSola GratiaSolus ChristusSoli Deo Gloria

Nothing

Why do we argue?

What is the most

important thing?

RUPERTUS MELDENIUS, 1627 GREGOR FRANK, 1628

"Summa est.: Servemus IN necessariis unitatem, IN non-necessariis libertatem, IN

utrisque charitatem."

The Highest Common Factor

“So far as I can judge from the reviews and from the numerous letters written to me, the book, however faulty is other respects, did at least succeed in presenting an agreed, or common, or central, or ‘mere’ Christianity. In that way it may possibly be of some help in silencing the view that, if we omit the disputed points, we shall have left only a vague and bloodless H.C.F.” (6-7)

Factor:A Whole Number that

divides exactly into another Whole Number.

i.e. 4 x 5 = 20

4 and 5 are both factors of 20

Common factors are numbers held in common:

1 x 8 = 2 x 4 = 81 x 12 = 2 x 6 = 3 x 4

= 12

Factor:A Whole Number that

divides exactly into another Whole Number.

i.e. 4 x 5 = 20

4 and 5 are both factors of 20

Common factors are numbers held in common:

1 x 8 = 2 x 4 = 81 x 12 = 2 x 6 = 3 x 4

= 12

Factor:A Whole Number

that divides exactly into another Whole Number.

i.e. 4 x 5 = 20

4 and 5 are both factors of 20

Common factors are numbers held in common:

1 x 8 = 2 x 4 = 81 x 12 = 2 x 6 = 3 x 4 = 12

HIGHEST COMMON FACTOR

The largest/highest of the common factors, in this case:

Factor:A Whole Number

that divides exactly into another Whole Number.

i.e. 4 x 5 = 20

4 and 5 are both factors of 20

Common factors are numbers held in common:

1 x 8 = 2 x 4 = 81 x 12 = 2 x 6 = 3 x 4 = 12

HIGHEST COMMON FACTORThe largest/highest of the

common factors, in this case:

4

…at the centre of each there is a something, or a Someone, who against all divergencies of belief, all differences of temperament, all memories of mutual persecution, speaks with the same voice. (7)

Highest Common Factor= Mere Christianity

Orient the Audience to the IssuePropose a Specific ThesisDefine Key TermsOffer Reason, Evidence, Explanations, et al to Support the Thesis

Acknowledge (and Refute) the Opposing View

End the Argument

Six Essentials of Argument

And that was just the PREFACE!

www.cslewis.org©C.S.Lewis Foundation, 2001

The Following Questions are Brought to You By

Book One (All five sections)

Do you agree with Lewis that we can all appeal to an objective sense of what is right and wrong (a God-given conception of the Moral Law?)

How is the Law of Human Nature/Moral Law distinguished from other laws?

In our postmodern society, many argue that morality is relative to culture and upbringing. How might you answer them with Lewis’ arguments in mind?

What does Lewis say about the limitations of Science? Why doesn’t science pose a real challenge to belief in God?

According to Lewis, Christianity only begins to make sense when we have realized a few hard facts about the kind of universe we live in. What, in his view, are the illusions that people have to give up before Christianity can begin to speak to them? Can you think of any other illusions people might have to dismantle before coming to God?

Read Book Two of Mere ChristianityWrite a response to “The Practical

Conclusion”Create an image of “The Perfect Penitent”Prepare a presentation that includes your

response, your art, and why you chose the image you did.

Homework