Mere Christianity Bible Study – Preface

First given on the radio

Publish in 3 separate books:

            The Case for Christianity (1943)

            Christian Behavior (1943)

            Beyond Personality (1945)

Lewis does not deal with denominations

  1. “The questions which divide Christians from one another often involve points of high theology or even of ecclesiastical history which ought never be treated except by real experts.”
  2. Denomination talk will not bring an outside into Christianity
  3. Denomination talk should only be brought up in the presence of those who believe in Christ
  4. Lewis does have opinions, but the purpose of Mere Christianity is to discuss the core of Christianity which all denominations base their beliefs upon (a common voice)

 

He deals only with the temptations which he knows about and struggles with

A definition of a Christian – one who accepts the common doctrines of Christianity

            Example – the word gentleman

  1. at first it meant nobility, with a coat of arms à provided information (not a compliment of insult
  2. later, the importance shifted to behavior description à now a compliment, doesn’t give information = worthless term

 

Lewis doesn’t want the term Christian to end up like “gentleman” – “We cannot see into men’s hearts à if we allow “Christian” to become a description of behavior, then it is arrogant and wicked b/c we are judging them based on their behavior à we must use Christian as a term as one who believes Christian doctrines

 

Original meaning of “Christian”

-         given at Antioch (Acts 11:26)

-         meant “the disciples” who accepted the teachings of the apostles

 

The definition is not of theological value, but so we can all understand what is being said

 

The House Analogy (finding the right denomination)

-         there is a hall with doors which open into several rooms

-         the purpose is to bring people out of the hall and try rooms

-         keep praying for light to enter into the right room = true room, not the one with the prettiest paint and panneling

-         obey rules common to the whole house

-         never ask “Do I like this kind of service?”

-         ask “Are these doctrines true?” Is holiness here? Does my conscience move me toward this?  Is my reluctance to knock at the door due to my pride, or my mere taste, or my personal dislike of this particular door-keeper?”

-         Be nice to others that have chosen different doors and that are still in the hall

-         Pray for all to find the true door à a rule common to the whole house