Mere Christianity

Outline

Mere Christianity (1952) presents C.S. Lewis’s explanation and defence of the central beliefs shared by many Christian traditions. Developed from radio talks delivered during the Second World War, the book discusses morality, faith, human nature, forgiveness, and spiritual transformation. Lewis uses everyday examples and logical arguments to make complex religious ideas accessible to general readers.

• Lewis sets out the central beliefs that many Christian traditions share, rather than defending any single denomination.
• The book grew out of radio talks given during the Second World War.
• Lewis builds his case with logical arguments and everyday examples instead of specialist theological language.
• Morality, human nature, faith, forgiveness and spiritual transformation are the main themes he works through.
• He treats religious belief as something that can be examined with reason, by asking timeless questions about meaning and purpose.

C.S. Lewis was a British writer, literary scholar, and Christian thinker who taught at Oxford and Cambridge. He wrote works of literary criticism, religious reflection, fiction, and children’s literature. His best-known books include The Chronicles of Narnia, The Screwtape Letters, and Mere Christianity.