C.S. Lewis’s "Mere Christianity" and its defense of the Christian faith

-

 Here’s the explanation about C.S. Lewis’s "Mere Christianity" and its defense of the Christian faith:

1. The Moral Law as Evidence of God’s Existence

Lewis points out that humans universally recognize right and wrong, good and evil—what he calls the Moral Law.

  • This law exists beyond cultures and time periods, holding a force greater than mere instinct.

  • The existence of this Moral Law suggests that it is not merely a social construct but rather given by a transcendent being—God.

  • Therefore, the presence of an absolute standard of right and wrong is strong evidence for the existence of God.

2. Christology – Who Is Jesus? (The Liar, Lunatic, or Lord Argument)

Lewis presents his famous "Trilemma" regarding Jesus’ identity:

  • Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, which means there are only three possible explanations:

    1. Liar – He deliberately deceived people.

    2. Lunatic – He was delusional, believing himself to be divine.

    3. Lord – He was truly the Son of God.

  • If Jesus was neither a liar nor a lunatic, then the only logical conclusion is that he was indeed divine.

  • This argument rejects the idea that Jesus was merely a great moral teacher while denying his divinity.

3. Christianity Is Both Simple and Profound

Lewis emphasizes that Christianity, while simple in essence, is never superficial.

  • It is not just a set of moral principles but a comprehensive truth that explains the relationship between God and humanity.

  • Being a Christian is not about becoming a better person through effort but about being transformed by Christ.

  • Thus, Christianity is not just about moral improvement but about a fundamental change in a person’s nature.

4. Free Will and the Problem of Evil

Lewis addresses the classic question: Why does God allow evil?

  • God granted humans free will, which makes love and moral choices possible.

  • However, free will also means that people can choose wrongly, leading to the existence of evil.

  • Ultimately, evil is an unavoidable consequence of a world with free will, but God can use even evil to accomplish good.

5. Christian Life and Transformation

  • Christianity is not just about moral improvement but about becoming a new creation.

  • A Christian does not become righteous through personal effort but by being transformed into the likeness of Christ.

  • Faith is not just about feelings or ethical teachings—it radically changes a person’s life.

Conclusion: The Rationality and Transcendence of Christianity

"Mere Christianity" is more than just an explanation of Christian doctrine—it is a rational defense of Christianity’s truth and its impact on real life.

  • Lewis argues not through emotional appeals but through logical reasoning and real-life experience.

  • He insists that Christianity is not just a religion but the ultimate truth that explains human existence and the nature of the universe.

This book serves as a powerful apologetic work for those seeking to understand Christianity and its logical foundation.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Pascal's Statement and the Defense of Christian Faith

-
Pascal's Statement and the Defense of Christian Faith Pascal’s famous statement, "The heart has its reasons which reason does not know" (Le cœur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point.), is often quoted in the context of defending the Christian faith. This phrase suggests that while faith cannot be fully grasped by reason alone, the human heart and intuition can recognize the truth of faith. Here are a few compelling examples to illustrate this idea. 1. The Experience of Love – Something That Cannot Be Fully Explained Logically Imagine someone deeply in love. Can this love be perfectly explained through logic and science? Neuroscience might attribute it to hormonal reactions. Psychology might explain it as the result of upbringing and past experiences. However, telling your loved one, "I love you because my brain releases oxytocin and dopamine," would sound cold and impersonal. True love can be analyzed rationally, but it cannot be fully e...
Read more

Mentions of Jesus in Non-Biblical Literature

-
Mentions of Jesus in Non-Biblical Literature March 21, 2025 The existence of Jesus Christ has been mentioned in ancient literature outside of the Bible. Below are seven ancient sources that refer to Jesus, along with specific details of their mentions: Tacitus’ Annals Reference: Roman historian Tacitus mentions Jesus while discussing Nero’s persecution of Christians in AD 64. He refers to Jesus as "Christ" and records that he was executed under the governance of Pontius Pilate. Content: "Christ, the man from whom their name is derived, was executed by Pontius Pilate. As a result, Christianity spread despite their crimes, and Nero tortured and executed them." Josephus’ Antiquities of the Jews Reference: Jewish historian Josephus mentions Jesus twice. In one passage, he describes Jesus as a "wise man," a "worker of miracles," and "the king of the Jews." In another, he refers to Jesus while discussing his brother, James. ...
Read more

The Resurrection of Jesus in the Old Testament and Its Redemptive-Historical Significance

-
1. The Prophecy of Jesus’ Resurrection in the Old Testament The Old Testament does not explicitly state, “Jesus will rise from the dead,” but it foreshadows His resurrection through various prophecies and typologies. (1) The Sign of Jonah (Jonah 1:17, Matthew 12:39-40) Jesus referred to Jonah’s experience as a sign of His death and resurrection. Jonah 1:17 – “Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.” Matthew 12:40 – “For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish, so will the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” ➡ Jonah’s deliverance from the fish symbolizes Jesus’ resurrection. (2) The Psalms of David (Psalm 16:10, Acts 2:25-31) Psalm 16:10 – “For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption.” In Acts 2:27-31, Peter interprets this Psalm as a prophecy of Jesus’ resurrection. ...
Read more