Book Review: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

C.S. (Clive Staples) Lewis (“Jack”), age 48 (1898-1963).

“True humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less.”

“Integrity is doing the right thing even when no one is watching.”

PSALM 133

Theme: Brethren in Unity

A Song of Ascents of David.

1 Behold how good and how pleasant it is, for brethren to dwell together in unity!

2 It is like the precious oil upon the head, that ran down upon the beard…that ran down Aaron’s beard; the fragrant oil that ran down upon the collar of His robe.

3 It is like the dew of Mount Hermon; like the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion, for there the LORD commanded the blessing: eternal life.

book Review: Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis -- & how it influenced our ministry

“Mere Christianity” is our favorite Book after the Bible

The teaching of C.S. Lewis has been a major and guiding influence on S.G. Preston Ministries ™ since its Founding in 1999, with its several supporting ministries.

This is why we have included this Book Review of C.S. Lewis’ book, “Mere Christianity” in the About Us section of our Website, and why we call ourselves:

A Global, Inter-Denominational Ministry of “Mere Christianity.”

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C.S. Lewis is the leading and most influential Theologian of the Twentieth Century

In Mere Christianity, Lewis makes the case for the oneness and unity of all truly believing Christians of whatever Protestant Denomination, or Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox.

This teaching has been reverberating through and growing since the book was first published in 1952, and causing changes in the entire body of Christ throughout the world.

We find this teaching in the Apostle Paul, but it was first recorded in the Gospel of John, in Christ’s Prayer in Chapter Seventeen (Posted Below).

“…we make our own the profession of the faith that we carry in our heart…

We have the universal faith in the Creed,

known to the faithful and committed to memory,

contained in a form of expression as concise as has been rendered admissible by the circum- stances;”

-St. Augustine (Writing in 393 A.D.)

FROM THE BOOK'S BACK COVER:

THE BELOVED CLASSIC ON WHAT ALL CHRISTIANS BELIEVE

One of the most popular introductions to Christian faith ever written, Mere Christianity brings together C.S. Lewis’ legendary broadcast talks during World War II. Here, Lewis provides an unequaled opportunity for believers and nonbelievers alike to hear a powerful, rational case for the Christian faith.

A collection of scintillating brilliance, Mere Christianity remains strikingly fresh for the modern reader and at the same time confirms C.S. Lewis’ reputation as one of the leading writers and thinkers of our age.

book Review - C.S. Lewis On His Book: "Mere Christianity"

“I was not writing to expound something I could call ‘my religion,” but to expound ‘mere’ Christianity, which is what it is and was what it was long before I was born, and whether I like it or not.”

“In this book I am not trying to convert anyone to my own position. Ever since I became a Christian I have thought the best, perhaps the only, service I could do for my unbelieving neighbors was to explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times.”

Our Lord Prayed that we all would be One:

“Neither pray I for these alone, but for those also who shall believe in Me through their word; (the preaching of the Apostles)

that they all may be one; as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You, that they may also be one in us: that the world may believe that You have sent Me.

And the glory which you gave Me I have given them; that they may be one, even as We are one: I in them, and You in Me, that they may be made perfect in one;

and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them, as You have loved Me.”

-John 17:20-23

BECAUSE WE ARE A "MERE CHRISTIANITY" MINISTRY, IN OUR WORSHIP SERVICE WE PRAY:

The Bread of Life

And Jesus said to them: “I am the Bread of Life: those that come to Me shall never hunger; and those that believe in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35)

Because there is One Bread, we who are many are One Body, for we all share that One Bread.

(1 Corinthians 10:17)

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Unity of the Spirit

So we, being many, are One Body in Christ, and everyone members one of another. (Romans 12:5)

Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is One Body, and One Spirit, even as we are called in One Hope of our calling;

One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism; One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all,

and in us all.

(Ephesians 4:3-6)

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(The Nicene Creed is the only Creed accepted in All Three Branches of Christianity: Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, and Protestant)

THE NICENE CREED

I Believe in One God; The Father Almighty, Maker of Heaven and Earth, and of all things visible and invisible.

And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; God from God, Light from Light, True God from True God; Begotten, not Made, being of One Substance with the Father; by Him all things were made.

Who, for us All, and for our Salvation, came down from Heaven, and was Incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary, and was made Man; and was Crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.

He Suffered and was Buried; and the third day He Rose Again, in accordance with the Scriptures; and Ascended into Heaven, and sits at the Right Hand of the Father.

And He shall Return, with Glory, to Judge the Living and the Dead; His Kingdom shall have No End.

And I Believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who Proceeds from the Father; who with the Father and the Son Together is Worshipped and Glorified; who Spoke by the Prophets.

And I Believe in One Holy Universal and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge One Baptism for the Remission of Sins; and I look for the Resurrection of the Dead, and the Life of the World to Come.

Amen.

“That which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all.”

-Monk Vincent of Lerins (450 A.D.)

“In essentials unity. In non-essentials liberty. In all things, love.”

-Rupertus Meldenius (Early 17th Century Lutheran)