Ed. note: I don’t feel adequate to even review a book by C.S. Lewis. For years I’ve considered the man a literary Everest. After reading this book, I still feel that way. But audacity has never slowed me much, so here goes:
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewsis garners a score of 5 (out of a possible 5) for importance of content, originality of thought, clarity, and skill of expression. The first half of the book was given as a series of radio talks during World War 2 in Britain. It’s a brilliant (and brilliantly simple) defense of theism in general and Christianity in particular; a cause plead as if to an unbelieving world.
Every section of the book has the peculiar quality of being at once relatable and theological; original and orthodox. You feel as if Lewis is sitting on a porch with you appealing to the ordinary, sensible chap you feel yourself to be. He’s strident in his appeals, but not so strident as to make you feel uncomfortable. Lewis is an analogy-artist.
Each chapter is short and digestible (like bathroom reading-type short) and sufficiently small in its scope.
I picked this book up because it’s considered by many to be a must-read. I must now number myself among those people. You’re free to borrow my copy, but not for too long. I’ll definitely be diving back in from time to time.