Ray Kreienkamp
7/4/05
Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis Summary


Book 1: Right And Wrong As A Clue To The Meaning Of The Universe
  1. The Law of Human Nature

    2. In this section, Lewis spoke of the Law of Human Nature. Just as Fr. John Kavanaugh, SJ wrote about this idea in his article �Natural Law Applies Regardless Of Religion, Race or Gender,� Lewis brings up the same concept. This law says that there are certain things that are right and should always be observed by humans. For example, trustworthiness is something that should always be observed by humans. Thus, if someone lies, he breaks the Law of Human Nature. The interesting thing about this law is that it is the only law man can break. Man cannot break the laws of gravity, but he can break the Law of Human Nature. Lewis backs up the Human Law by showing how the moralities of different cultures have had many similarities in the past. For example, both the Jews and the Romans, even though they were so different, both condemned cowardice.
  2. Some Objections

    3. In this section, Lewis shows how some people's moral ideas and beliefs are better than someone else's morality. He then goes to show that when you are evaluating whether someone's morality is better than someone else's, you are comparing it to a system or set of beliefs. Lewis then points that this group of ideas that are being used to evaluate it are the Laws of Decent Behaviour.
  3. The Reality of the Law

    4. Since the well-being of an individual rests with his or her decisions along with the decisions of others, Lewis says that there must be a Law of Human Nature which says what is right and what is wrong. This Law should lead to happiness for society and the individual if it is followed.
  4. What Lies Behind the Law

    5. There are two ways to approach the question why the world was created. The first is materialism. This states that the world was formed by coincidence, and that the only things that exist are the physical matter. The other approach is religion which says that a life-guiding force with a mind has formed us, and "'a mind bringing life into existence and leading it to perfection' is really a God." (p. 26)
  5. We Have Cause to Be Uneasy

    6. There are only two ways we can come to know about that life-guiding force that made us. The first way is through the things He has created. Although we see the beauty he instilled in life, this way of looking at God can be dangerous because we can see Him as merciless and an enemy to man if we see the dangers here on Earth. The second way, the better way, to know him is by looking at the Natural Human Law He has given to us.
Book 2: What Christians Believe
  1. The Rival Conceptions of God

    2. Here, Lewis argues against some of the rival conceptions of God. First, he argues against the idea of Pantheism. Pantheism says that the universe and all of Creation is God, and that if the universe did not exist, He would not exist. Thus, this idea says that God is everything in the world. Lewis shows that this view of God is wrong by showing that if one was to follow this belief, he would come to understand that God is the pain and suffering in the world. Consequently, Lewis shows that you must believe that God is separate from the world, and some of the things that are present in the world are contrary to His will. The other idea that Lewis attacks is the idea that the universe has no meaning. He says that if that were true, we as humans would never have been able to find out that it has no meaning.
  2. The Invasion

    3. The Christian view on evil is that evil is where good has gone wrong. This can be recognized when one sees that all the things that allow someone to be bad are good in themselves. Some examples include resolution, cleverness, good looks, and existence itself.
  3. The Shocking Alternative

    4. God created free will because He realized that it was the only way that could make love, goodness, and joy meaningful. He realized, however, that if He created free will, He would create the possibility of evil. Consequently, He gave the human race a few gifts to try and divert their actions from this evil. First, He gave humans a conscience so they knew whether what they are doing is right or wrong. Second, Lewis said God sent humans �good dreams� which told humans stories of how they would be saved by God if they loved Him and tried to do the right thing. Finally, God had one people, the Jews, follow him for centuries and tried to pound it into their heads that there was only one God and that He did care about right conduct. The last thing Lewis does in this chapter is argue that Jesus was either the Son of God or a lunatic. He says that it is hypocritical to say that Jesus wasn't the Son of God, but He was a good man.
  4. The Perfect Penitent

    5. This chapter shows that we were saved by Christ's resurrection, Christ had to die for us because he was God, and God was the only person who could die perfectly for us. He argues that it was not easier for Christ to die for us since He was God, but He was called to do it because he was God. Lewis said that someone drowning does not ask someone else who is drowning for help; the one who is drowning needs someone standing on the bank of the river to help him. In the same way, humans needed God to help us and save us.
  5. The Practical Conclusion

    6. In this chapter, Lewis concludes with a few ideas. First, he says that the three ways that we can spread Christ in us is through Baptism, belief, and the Eucharist. Second, he says Christians try to be good because they believe that God will make them good if He loves them, not they will be loved by Him if they are good. Finally, he concludes by saying that we must choose now whether we want to be a heavenly character or a hellish character. He says, "(At the last judgment) That will not be the time for choosing: it will be the time when we discover which side we have chosen, whether we realized it before or not. Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last forever. We must take it or leave it." (p. 65)
Book 3: Christian Behaviour
  1. The Three Parts of Morality

    2. Morality is concerned with three things. First, it is concerned with �harmony and fair play between individuals.� Second, it is concerned with �the harmonizing and tidying up of things inside an individual.� Finally, it is concerned with �the general purpose of life as a whole: what man was made for: what course the whole fleet should be on: what tune the conductor of the band wants it to play.� Lewis demonstrates this idea of morality using the metaphor of a fleet of ships. First, for the fleet to be successful, the ships must work together and not battle each other. Second, each ship must have inner stability. The engine of each ship has to work if they want to get anywhere. You cannot go with a fleet of ships and have some of the engines of the ships not working. Finally, there must be someone to direct the fleet. You must know what direction you need to go. It serves not purpose to have a great fleet, but go in the wrong direction. Thus, you must have something serve as your compass.
  2. The 'Cardinal Virtues'

    3. The word "Cardinal" comes from a Latin word which means "the hinge of a door." Consequently, the Cardinal Virtues of prudence, temperance, justice, and fortitude are very important to our lives. Prudence is "practical common sense, taking the trouble to think out what you are doing and what is likely to come of it." (p. 77) Temperance is going the right distance in things and using moderation, doing nothing in excess. Justice is fairness. Fortitude is courage or "guts" either when something hurts or you face it in danger.
  3. Social Morality

    4. If we want a Christian society, we need good Christian workers. We need good Christian economist, politicians, doctors, businessmen, lawyers, etc... A Christian society is not just going to happen if we just want it. We need strong Christians to go out there and work for it.
  4. Morality and Psychoanalysis

    5. Lewis brings up a few topics in this chapter. First, Lewis talks about why humans should not judge. He says humans should not judge because �We see only the results which a man�s choices make out of his raw material, (and) God does not judge him on raw material at all, but on what he has done with it.� Consequently, he says that Christians or any humans should not judge. Also, in this chapter, Lewis says that every decision we make is very important. He claims this because he says that every decision we make turns our central person either towards becoming a heavenly creature or a hellish creature. Thus, each decision has the utmost importance in determining who we are and whether we are one with God or against God.
  5. Sexual Morality

    6. In this chapter, Lewis argues that chastity is one of the hardest virtues for Christians to practice in modern society. He backs up this belief with a few reasons. First, he says that the advertisements in modern society try to tell us that are sexual impulses are natural and we should not resist them. Second, many people do not even attempt chastity because they think it is impossible since they have heard myths about it from society or their friends. Finally, many people believe in the myth that repulsed sexual desires are dangerous. Consequently, many do not even attempt to practice chastity or they fail in their attempt to practice chastity because of society's pressure. He concludes by saying that sexual wrongdoing should be avoided at all costs, but it is not as grave as some of the other sins since it is inspired by our animal instincts, not our diabolic instincts. Despite this, however, we should always aim to be chaste individuals.
  6. Christian Marriage

    7. Lewis argues against some of the modern day beliefs of marriage in this chapter. He first makes it clear that divorce is unacceptable to Christians. He said it is like "cutting up a living body." (p. 105) Second, he said that the love within marriage is not just a feeling, but "a deep unity, maintained by will and deliberately strengthened by habit." (p. 109) Finally, he attacks feminists who say that men should not be the head of the marriage but that women should be. He points out that a man should be the head of the marriage because the man is primarily the outlet for the family to the world, and the mother is the inner comforter to the family.
  7. Forgiveness

    8. We should forgive everyone for what they have done to us. However, Lewis starts by saying that we if, for instance, a Jew wants to forgive the Gestapo, he must start out with forgiving small faults against him if he wants to be able to forgive the big faults against him. In the same way, we must forgive the little things first if we want to forgive the big things. Also, in this chapter, Lewis makes it clear that we do not have to like the man if we forgive him. All we have to do is wish him good luck. We do not have to act fond of him even if we are not.
  8. The Great Sin

    9. Lewis talks about pride as the utmost evil or the worst vice. He claims that this is the worst thing that can come to the spiritual area of a person because it can lead to many other evils. He calls pride the "spiritual cancer." (p. 125)
  9. Charity

    10. At this point, Lewis begins writing of the three theological virtues, faith, hope, and charity. He explains that charity merely means love, not just giving to the poor. He says that the word has come to mean giving to the poor because this is one of the most obvious ways that we can show our love for one another. Also, in this chapter, he says, "Do not waste time worrying whether you love your neighbor; act as if you did." (p. 131) He says that if you act nicely toward someone, you will come to like them more. On the contrast, if you act mean toward someone, you will be able to hate him or her more. He gave the example of the Jews and Nazis. He said that by being mean to the Jews, it became easier and easier for the Nazis to hate the Jews.
  10. Hope

    11. Hope means "eternally looking forward to the eternal world." (p. 134) Lewis points out that this is not a form of wishful thinking or escapism. He says, "Aim at Heaven and you will get Earth 'thrown in': aim at Earth and you will get neither." (p. 134) For the atheists, Lewis says that if nothing fulfills my longings in this life, aren't I destined for someplace where my desires can be fulfilled.
  11. Faith

    12. Lewis inserts two chapters on Faith so that he could take steps in explaining it. In this first chapter, he says there are two things you must discover to understand Faith. First, he said that one must realize that every moment, every ability one has has been given to him or her by God. Second, he says that there is no way to earn "a passing mark on God's exam." (p. 143) By this, he means that we are always indebted to God since he has given us everything we have, and thus we can never be in His debt.
  12. Faith

    13. What God cares about in faithful people is that they make a moral effort to act as creatures He intended us to be. A serious moral effort is the only thing that can lead us to Faith in God. He then points out both Faith and good actions are two essential parts in growing closer to Christ. He said that you cannot separate the two as some Churches have tried to do in the past.


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