Laying the Foundation
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Tag Archives: Mere Christianity
Judging a Hospital for Sinners
I’ve recently taken a stance on the way a BYU student reprimanded a peer for breaking the dress standards of the BYU honor code, and I commented on a follow-up story published by BYU’s paper, the Daily Universe…
There are two arguments in these Facebook comments, both of which I take issue with. The first deals with concealing internal issues, and the second with withholding all judgment. While I welcome people who disagree with me, I take issues with those who discourage open dialogue and healthy disagreement. That, in my humble opinion, is reprehensible. Continue reading
Posted in Apologetics, Preaching
Tagged BYU, C. S. Lewis, Christianity, Dallin H. Oaks, Facebook, Jesus Christ, Judge Not, Judging, Judgment, Mere Christianity, Modesty, Mormonism, N. Eldon Tanner, Prophets
2 Comments
Mormon Observations on “Mere Christianity” – Preface 4
At the very end of his preface, Lewis gives an analogy, a parable if you will. He says,
“I hope no reader will suppose that ‘mere’ Christianity is here put forward as an alternative to the creeds of the existing communions – as if a man could adopt it in preference to Congregationalism or Greek Orthodoxy or anything else. It is more like a hall out of which doors open into several rooms. If I can bring anyone into that hall I shall have done what I attempted. But it is in the rooms, not in the hall, that there are fires and chairs and meals. The hall is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors, not a place to live in. For that purpose the worst of the rooms (whichever that may be) is, I think, preferable.” Continue reading
Mormon Observations on “Mere Christianity” – Preface 3
Lewis addresses the objection that he should not be allowed to define who is and who is not Christian. He says,
“People ask: ‘Who are you, to lay down who is, and who is not a Christian?’: or ‘May not many a man who cannot believe these doctrines be far more truly a Christian, far closer to the spirit of Christ, than some who do?’ Now this objection is in one sense very right, very charitable, very spiritual, very sensitive. It has every available quality except that of being useful. We simply cannot, without disaster, use language as these objectors want us to use it. I will try to make this clear by the history of another, and very much less important, word.” Continue reading
Mormon Observations on “Mere Christianity” – Preface 2
Lewis explains that he wants to talk about what has been “common to nearly all Christians at all times.”
It is very difficult to decide what is common to all Christians. If we do happen to accomplish such a thing, not only is it a very short list, but it is a very empty list, including perhaps only a belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We not only exclude people and groups unnecessarily, but we strip religion of all that makes it what it is. Allow me to explain by using some comments by William James as to how all religion is uniform from his lectures The Varieties of Religious Experience. Continue reading
Posted in Apologetics
Tagged C. S. Lewis, Christianity, Mere Christianity, Mormonism, Post Series, William James
1 Comment
Mormon Observations on “Mere Christianity” – Preface 1
In the Preface, Lewis clearly defines his purpose. He says:
“The reader should be warned that I offer no help to anyone who is hesitating between two Christian ‘denominations’… Ever since I became a Christian I have thought that the best, perhaps the only, service I could do for my unbelieving neighbours was to explain and defend the belief that has been common to nearly all Christians at all times.” Continue reading
Posted in Apologetics
Tagged Buddhism, C. S. Lewis, Christianity, Denominations, Islam, Judaism, Mere Christianity, Mormonism, Philosophy, Post Series, Prophets, Revelation, Sects, William James
2 Comments
Mormon Observations on “Mere Christianity”
C.S. Lewis is considered a talented writer and Christian apologist. The HarperOne publishers write, “Clive Staples Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably the most influential Christian writer of his day… He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year.” He is also perhaps the the non-Mormon that is quoted most often by General Authorities and Church leaders of the LDS Church. His writings are valued by many Christians, regardless of their denomination. Continue reading
Posted in Apologetics
Tagged C. S. Lewis, Christianity, Mere Christianity, Mormonism, Post Series
4 Comments
Mormonism and Robert Jeffress Part 3
While I do think that it is important for non-Mormons to recognize that Jesus Christ is the focus and foundation of our faith, I am not usually found among Latter-day Saints who so often cry, “Hey, we’re Christian, too!” This may seem like a strange position to take considering what we’ve just covered in Part 2, but hopefully it will make sense in a moment. Continue reading
Posted in Apologetics
Tagged Anti-Mormonism, Apostles' Creed, Athanasian Creed, Bible, Book of Mormon, C. S. Lewis, Christianity, Doctrine and Covenants, Jesus Christ, Joseph Fielding McConkie, Mere Christianity, Mormonism, Nicene Creed, Post Series, Prophets, Robert Jeffress, Salvation, Trinity
4 Comments
Mormonism and Robert Jeffress Part 2
In “Mere Christianity,” C.S. Lewis introduces the importance of defining what it means to be Christian. He begins this discussion by giving a brief history of the word “gentlemen”. Once upon a time, “gentleman” meant someone who had a coat of arms and some landed property. Now, though, the term is used more as a compliment. As a result, it has become quite useless if anyone tries to use it in its original sense. As Lewis says, “it has been spoiled for that purpose.” Continue reading
