I am in the middle of trying to push myself through Mere Christianity by Lewis: Why do people like it?

Question

It was one of the most painful books I have ever read.

Answer 1

Hehe, I know, right? Lewis has this kind of saintly glow for some reason, I think because he was a kindly-looking old British guy, and he wrote some kids books that people liked. People always assume that authors who write books for kids must be good people. Never mind that Dr. Seuss didn't like kids, and Shel Silverstein was the poet laureate of the Playboy Mansion. Not that there's anything wrong with those things, but they go against the children's author stereotype. I think Lewis's mystique is based mostly on the Narnia books.

Answer 2

I do agree with you that, occasionally, C. S. Lewis' writing style is "painful." His style is wordy and sometimes too poetic. But remember, he's writing to a largely Gentile audience and our needs and expectations in the area of apologetics is vastly different than a Jew's. Not to denigrate Lewis, but I think you find his book irrelevent because it doesn't speak to you as a Jew.

If you truly want to understand (but not necessarily agree) why Messianic Jews believe the way they do, I highly recommend you read "Answering Jewish Objections to Jesus," Vols. 1 through 4, by Dr. Michael L. Brown (despite his name, he is a Messianic Jew). I believe he's the best Messianic Jewish apologist today. And he has no affiliation with Jews for Jesus that I'm aware of.

Here's a list of his books, which are available through most libraries:

http://www.realmessiah.com/resources.htm

Here's his web site:

http://www.icnministries.org/

If you have a high speed connection, you can listen to a debate between Dr. Brown and R. Tovia Singer titled "Who is Jesus?" -- it's more than an hour long, but highly recommended.

Answer 3

You don't really give any details as to why it's hard to get through.

The first part of the book deals with "loftier" topics, I grant you, but that's because Lewis begins by making the case for God. It's fundamental to the rest of the book where he starts talking about ethics and morality.

Hang in there and try to see the case he's making....then move on to the rest of the book which is more conversational and anecdotal...even some very amusing parts.

God bless you.

Answer 4

Some people like it because it speaks to the intellectual minds, as Lewis was revered as a scholar and wrote with very methodical, well-laid-out arguments, counterarguments, and rebuttals.

Also, Lewis was an atheist for almost 20 years, so this appeals to people who are atheists themselves, because he can write from their point of view, as this used to be his own point of view, and relate how he overcame his disbelief.

Additionally, Lewis did not convert to Christianity out of fear because of the war; he described himself as "the most dejected and reluctant convert in all England." His conversion finally came about because he ran out of arguments against it - he "gave in" and believed in God.

"Mere Christianity" can be hard to understand, though, and if you don't understand something or don't relate to it, you're going to find it boring.

Answer 5

people try to justify thier religion by any means possible, thats why they read things like Lee Strobel and CS Lewis, as a support to keep thier beliefs intact so they wont have to search for real spirituality, which is not in the relationship or religion of christianity.

fact: CS Lewis became a christian out of fear, he converted during WW1 because he feared he would die in WW1, it says so in the biography about him (maybe not worded like that, but thats bascially it)

Answer 6

Because he gives magnificent, intelligent, practical illustrations of the truths of Christianity.

Granted, C.S. Lewis is not a light read! I had to read some chapters several times before I fully understood what he was saying. But once you grasp his imagry it is very rewarding!

You should check out "The Great Divorce" by Lewis which is a fictional account of the vast divide between those in heaven and those in hell. It is fascinating!

Answer 7

It is not, in any way, difficult. Lewis, although he did not go far enough and become a Roman Catholic, was close to being right. His friend Tolkien respected his thinking.

Answer 8

My mother was reading it and she asked me a few questions about what he was talking about in certain places. After seeing how weak the arguments were I decided against reading it myself.

Now it just sits on my bookshelf.

Answer 9

I'm with ya. It was a ponderously SLOWWWW read. I liked the pilgrim's progress allot better.

Answer 10

Hey! Wheres the picture I sent you?