What You'll Learn:
C.S. Lewis was one of the most beloved Christian authors of the twentieth century. In this best-selling classic, Lewis's aim was to articulate and defend the fundamental beliefs that are common to all Christians. He begins with arguments for God's existence, then turns to the basics of Christian doctrine. To ensure he was speaking on behalf of Christians across denominational lines, Lewis sent the original script to four clergymen (Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic) inviting their critique. The result is the presentation of a common, or “mere” Christianity.
Key Insights:
- There is a moral dimension to reality that points in God’s direction.
- Christianity becomes relevant the moment we realize that our bad behavior puts us at odds with our good creator.
- Without some standard of good, there’d be no such thing as bad.
- If Jesus wasn’t God incarnate, then he was either a fraud or a madman.
- Only a bad man needs to repent, but only a good man can actually do it.
- The sins of the flesh are the least of all sins.
- Pride is the greatest sin of all because it keeps us looking down on others when we should be looking up.
- God intends that we should love and forgive others the way we love and forgive ourselves.
- You will begin to love God and others by simply acting as if you already do.
- Despite what you may think, Christianity isn’t about rules and guilt—it actually leads us away from all that.
- God doesn’t want us to become perfect before he will help us; he wants to help us become perfect.
- The people who have the biggest impact in this world are focused on heaven, not earth.