Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis, the British Academic, Christian Writer, and Literary

Mere Christianity Focus Guide

An overview

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis, the British academic, Christian writer, and literary critic, is a book that makes the reader think. It purports to be four books wrapped into one. The work is based on radio talks given by Lewis over the BBC radio between 1942 and 1944, a dangerous and deadly time for Britain – a time when, remarkably, the BBC wanted Britons to know what Christians believe. Can you imagine a similar desire by any secular broadcast media, today?

Moving forward sixty years to our post-9/11 World, U. S. citizens likely possess some of the same concerns of the Londoners during the Blitz. What is our enemy up to? Will we suffer more attacks of mass destruction? Will our country ever be normal again? Can we ever be safe? Why is this happening to us? Is God punishing our country?

As we think about these things, there is a clear sense of American determination and resolve, but our anxiety is obvious. Moreover, just like the Brits of two generations ago, our country is thinking more introspectively. Many of us are thinking about our relationships with others, especially loved ones. Are we really treating them the way we should? What if we part for work one morning, never to see each other again because of another attack? How will we (or they) remember our last moments together? What about our neighbors? Are our actions and speech toward them full of grace – or full of disaffection? In times like these, how in the world should we act?

Mere Christianity is a great book to help with some of these questions. It is especially suited for high school or adult Sunday School classes.

Book I, entitled by Lewis as “Right And Wrong As a Clue To the Meaning Of the Universe,” brings to mind Paul’s strong statement in Romans, “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God had made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities – His eternal power and divine nature – have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” (Rom 1: 18-20; NIV).

Interestingly, Lewis summed up the whole of Christianity as the “putting on of Christ.” But what does that mean? The one doctrine that is foundational and primary, indeed, the very essence of Christianity, can be simply stated. Sinners are justified solely by God’s grace, and this gift of grace (to be redundant) can be obtained only through faith in Christ’s substitutionary atonement. Now while this doctrine might be simply stated, we ought not to be surprised that it doesn’t make much sense. After all, there’s nothing particularly rational about it when we think in terms of human sacrifice. Nevertheless, its unmistakable enunciation is divinely declared throughout scripture from Genesis to Revelation. Perhaps this doctrine becomes more palpable if we think of it in terms of a rich friend coming to the aid of a bankrupt by paying the bankrupt’s debts in full. In any event, this doctrine in particular, and Christianity as a whole, is hard – and easy – at the same time.

But the doctrine of justification presupposes five other fundamental doctrines that cannot be denied. That is to say, any religion that does not believe, teach, and confess these doctrines may be a legitimate religion as far as the notion of legal status goes, but it is decidedly not Christian. These presupposed doctrines are as follows:

1. Sin (and its consequences);

1. The Person of Jesus the Christ (true man and true God);

1. The Work of the Incarnate Son of God (the Atonement);

1. The Resurrection;

1. The Word of God (faith in and belief that this Gospel is true).

The reader is invited to keep score, to see how Lewis lines up with these doctrines in Mere Christianity.

This brings us to the purpose of the Focus Guide. It is intended first to assist those who might be studying Mere Christianity in a group setting. The “focus” is set out in the form of questions serving as “launch points” for discussion. This is not to say, however, that a group leader couldn’t craft better “launch points” with different questions taking a different focus.

A second purpose for the guide is to assist the non-Christian or new believer who might be exploring the Christian faith by reading secondary sources (the Bible is still the very best one) in order to flesh out its basic doctrines. Mere Christianity is not a difficult book. For example, it’s a far easier (and enjoyable) read than, say, Thoreau’s Walden. But like the 19th century classic, it deserves to be read slowly, to be pondered and reflected upon.

If, after reading Mere Christianity, you have any questions about the Christian faith, go back to the website for more information. Ask Pastor McCoy. He’d love to hear from you. He’ll do his best to get back to you as soon as practicable with an answer you can use.

May our LORD bless you in your study.

Mere Christianity Focus Guide

BOOK I:

RIGHT AND WRONG AS A CLUE

TO THE MEANING OF THE UNIVERSE.

I. The Law of Human Nature. Lewis discusses how humans typically appeal to a standard that everyone seems to know about when disputes arise.

How does Lewis define quarreling?

Do people in a quarrel need to be in agreement about something? What? Why?

What did the Rule about Right and Wrong used to be called? Why was it called that?

According to Lewis, what did ancient Egypt, Babylon, India, China, Greece, and Rome have in common with our civilization?

What might a totally different morality mean to the West?

According to Lewis, when people assert they don’t believe in a

Real Right or Wrong, what can we expect them to do within a short time?

On those occasions people (we) do not keep the Moral Law, what kinds of excuses can we expect to hear from them (us)? What do their (our) excuses tend to prove?

For Lewis, what two facts comprise the foundation of all clear thinking about humankind and our universe?

II. Some Objections. Lewis discusses two general objections he received from his radio listeners about his teaching on the Moral Law (also known as the Law of Human Nature or the Law of Decent Behavior).

To Lewis, the Moral Law is not simply the result of a “herd” or human instinct, why?

Using a musical analogy, how does Lewis describe the workings of the Moral Law?

Are there any impulses or instincts we possess that the Moral Law brands good or bad?

Is there any instinct we possess which could or should be set up as an absolute guide? Why or why not?

If the Moral Law is not instinct, isn’t it simply social convention? According to Lewis, why or why not?

How does Lewis argue against the idea that the Moral Law is simply a matter of how we are brought up or educated?

If, for example, we say that Christian morality is superior to the morality of the Taliban, what are we doing?

(Thinking out loud): Do you think that declaring one morality as superior to another is something we have the authority or right to do? Where might this authority or right come from?

What does Lewis have to say about differences of morality and differences in our belief about facts?

1. The reality of the Law. Lewis asserts that the Moral Law is a real

thing, even if not in an ordinary sense.

According to Lewis, what are two odd things about the human race? Does Paul make a similar point in Romans 1: 18-32?

What does Lewis see as a key difference between the Law of Human Nature (Moral Law) and the Laws of Nature (i.e., stones falling when we throw them)? How does this dichotomy square with Romans 7: 7-20?

Is decent behavior simply some kind of behavior that is useful to us?

Is the Law of Human Nature real? How so?

IV. What Lies Behind the Law. Lewis briefly outlines the Materialist, Religious, and Life-Force (or Creative or Emergent Evolution) philosophical views on how the universe came into being, and, accordingly, what lies behind the Moral Law.

What is the Materialist view of creation?

What is the Religious view of creation?

Can we expect science to ever tell us which view is correct? Why or why not?

To Lewis, is the “Something Behind” investigation even a scientific question?

From Lewis’ point of view in the first half of the Twentieth Century, what was the one thing in the universe that we knew more about than anything else?

What argument does Lewis make in favor of the concept that there is something greater operating this universe that science will never be able to detect?

When Lewis opened the “packet” called Man, what did he discover about himself?

Why does Lewis call the Life-Force a sort of tame God?

V. We Have Cause to Be Uneasy. Lewis sets forth three arguments about why Christianity should make sense in view of the demands of the Moral Law.

The first argument set forth by Lewis is because humanity is on the wrong road. Do you think we are? What would you point to as evidence of your belief?

Can progress be made while on the wrong road?

If the creation of the universe amounts to our only evidence of God’s existence, should we expect to find Him to be a great artist or merciless?

Do we find out anything more about God from the Moral Law? How so? What does the Moral Law tell us about God’s softness, indulgence, or sympathetic nature?

Lewis’ second argument is that although we need God, we have made ourselves enemies of Him. What does Genesis 3 have to say about this problem?

If there is simply an impersonal force behind the creation of the universe and the Moral Law, is there any point in asking it to let us off when we foul up?

If simply an impersonal absolute goodness exists, how would it view what we do?

Lewis’ third argument is that when we finally come to the realization that there is a real Moral Law and a Power behind it, and then come to the further realization that we are at odds with both that law and Power, at that point Christianity starts to communicate. Will Christianity typically make any sense to the non-believer before that point?

What Good News can knowledgeable Christians give the person who has a sudden need of forgiveness?

Do you agree or disagree with this statement: The Christian religion is a religion of comfort?

What are your reasons for agreeing or disagreeing?

Mere Christianity Focus Guide

BOOK II:

WHAT CHRISTIANS BELIEVE

As you read through Book II, answer the following questions.

I.The Rival Conceptions of God. In this chapter, Lewis discusses how humanity is divided into its various beliefs – or disbelief – about God.

What information does Lewis give us at the beginning of the chapter about what Christians don’t need to believe?

How does Lewis divide humanity in its belief about God?

What division does Lewis name as the majority?

Do you think Lewis would be correct if he made the same division today?

Do you agree with Lewis that even the “queerest” religions contain some hint of truth? (If you answered in the affirmative, defend your answer.)

What must atheists believe about all religions?

How does Lewis further divide those who believe in God?

What does Pantheism espouse in relation to goodness and God?

What do Christianity, Judaism, and Mohammedanism (Islam) have in common?

What does Pantheism espouse about the universe and God?

To Pantheists, what is the tie between God and the universe?

How do Christians view God and the universe?

Why do you think Lewis calls Christianity a “fighting” religion?

What did Lewis come to realize about his pre-conversion argument that God did not exist because the “universe seemed so cruel and unjust”?

II.The Invasion. In this chapter, Lewis discusses how Christianity is not as simple as some would have us believe.

What does Lewis call the view that holds we have a good God in heaven and all is right?

For Lewis, what is wrong with such a view of Christianity?

According to Lewis, who props up a kind of Christianity suitable for six year olds, then attacks it?

What is characteristic about those who argue that if God existed, He would have made religion simple?

How does Lewis view reality?

How does Lewis describe the Christian view of the universe and the operation of good and evil?

What is the term Lewis gives us that explains the other view of good and evil?

What does this non-Christian view hold about the universe?

How does Lewis destroy the non-Christian notion that the Good Power and the Bad Power are the ultimate powers?

How does Lewis define wickedness?

How does Lewis come to the conclusion that the Bad Power is a part of the Good Power’s world?

According to Lewis, what enables evil to carry on?

How might this apply to the men who hijacked the airliners and crashed them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon?

What surprised Lewis when he first seriously read the New Testament?

How do Christianity and Dualism agree, in Lewis’ view?

How do they differ?

What are the “Christian soldiers” called to do?

III.The Shocking Alternative. In this chapter, Lewis discusses his view

of free will, how Satan came to be Satan, and why Jesus is not a great moral teacher.

According to Lewis, how do Christians currently view the evil power in this world?

What concept does Lewis have of free will?

In Lewis’ view, what makes evil possible? What else does it make possible?

What is Lewis’ theory of why God gave humans free will?

How does Lewis describe the happiness God has designed for His “higher creatures”?

In the Chief Articles of Faith (from the Latin version) of The Augsburg Confession, contained in The Book of Concord, it states in Article XVIII (Free Will), “Our churches teach that man’s will has some liberty for the attainment of civil righteousness and for the choice of things subject to reason. However, it does not have the power, without the Holy Spirit, to attain the righteousness of God – that is, spiritual righteousness – because natural man does not perceive the gifts of the Spirit of God (I Cor. 2:14); but this righteousness is wrought in the heart when the Holy Spirit is received through the Word.” Do you read Lewis as making the same distinction? Why or why not?

What did Satan put into the heads of our remote ancestors?

In Lewis’ view, what did God design humankind to run on?

What does Lewis see as the “key” to history?

What did God do to counter Satan?

What is the most shocking thing uttered by human lips, and who said it?

In Lewis’ view, what is the one thing we must not say about Jesus? Why?

IV. The Perfect Penitent. In this chapter, Lewis discusses his theory on the Atonement of Christ.

In reading the New Testament, what seems to be the chief mission of Christ in coming to earth in human form?

If the central Christian belief is that Christ’s death has somehow made us right with God, in Lewis’ view, is there a single or unifying theory on how this works?

What distinction, if any, does Lewis make between theory and belief when it comes to the death and resurrection of our Lord?

What does Lewis see as the “formula” of Christianity?

If the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior is a divine concept, can we really grasp it as human beings?

Is it rational to have an innocent person take the blame for the guilty?

What is the conundrum set up by Lewis over good people and bad people when it comes to repentance?

In the Chief Articles of Faith found in the Augsburg Confession contained within the Book of Concord, we find in Article XII (Repentance) among other things, “… Properly speaking, repentance consists of these two parts: one is contrition, that is, terror smiting the conscience with a knowledge of sin, and the other is faith, which is born of the Gospel, or of absolution, believes [sic] that sins are forgiven for Christ’s sake, comforts the conscience, and delivers it from terror. Then good works, which are the fruit of repentance, are bound to follow. …” Is this how Lewis sees repentance?

How do humans repent, in Lewis’ view, since we are unable to do it on our own?

To Lewis’ way of thinking, why did God need to become a man?

Do you think it was easy or hard for Jesus to suffer and die? What scriptural support can you find on this subject?

V. The Practical Conclusion. In this chapter, Lewis discusses the Christ-life.