C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity

A Biography

By: George M. Marsden

Narrated by: Robert Ian Mackenzie

Mere Christianity, C. S. Lewis' eloquent and winsome defense of the Christian faith, originated as a series of BBC radio talks broadcast during the dark days of World War Two. Here is the story of the extraordinary life and afterlife of this influential and much-beloved book.

George Marsden describes how Lewis gradually went from being an atheist to a committed Anglican - famously converting to Christianity in 1931 after conversing into the night with his friends, J. R. R. Tolkien and Hugh Dyson - and how Lewis delivered his wartime talks to a traumatized British nation in the midst of an all-out war for survival.

Marsden recounts how versions of those talks were collected together in 1952 under the title Mere Christianity, and how the book went on to become one of the most widely read presentations of essential Christianity ever published, particularly among American evangelicals. He examines its role in the conversion experiences of such figures as Charles Colson, who read the book while facing arrest for his role in the Watergate scandal. Marsden explores its relationship with Lewis' Narnia books and other writings and explains why Lewis' plainspoken case for Christianity continues to have its critics and ardent admirers to this day. With uncommon clarity and grace, Marsden provides invaluable new insights into this modern spiritual classic.

©2016 Princeton University Press (P)2016 Recorded Books

Scholarly by design

This is a scholarly book review. The author did a decent job of not including his own bias in the review.

The history and influence of Mere Christianity

I stumbled across the audiobook of CS Lewis’ Mere Christianity: A Biography when I was looking for another book by George Marsden. I have previously read two other books from The Lives of Great Religious Books series (Letters and Papers from Prison and the Book of Common Prayer) and so I eagerly picked it up (both as a fan of Marsden’s and the series.)

The series seems to have done a good job hiring good authors, and good writers matters in a series like this. This is not a series that requires heavy historical lifting: a short section of biography about the author, the story of the writing and overview of the content, a summary of the response and objections, and the spread of the book. All three that I have read have basically been the same format. But the format works.

I have a pretty good handle on Lewis’ own biography at this point. Marsden handles that well and throws in a few tidbits that I have not previously heard, but made sense in the context of the book. The basic story of the book, I was also familiar with because it is pretty important to Lewis’ own life story.

What was more interesting to me was the response and objections to Mere Christianity. The discussion of the Catholic objections to Mere Christianity made sense once Marsden pointed them out. But I would not have been able to express them myself without his help.

The importance of the United States readership to CS Lewis’ spread is always interesting. As I have heard in context of NT Wright and a few others, a British accent and a professorship at one of UK’s great schools really can really impress a lot of Americans. That is not to minimize the strength of Lewis’ work. I would not have read more than two dozen books by or about Lewis in recent years if I did not think he was important. But mere sales numbers do not confirm long term importance and impact.

Historical stories of cultural impact are interesting. So much seems to happen almost by chance. The right book at the right time matters. As helpful as Mere Christianity is, there are far better written apologetics books. But there is a voice there, and the context of Lewis’ others books. And Mere Christianity has had a lasting impact. I read it for the first time only a few years ago with a reading group, more than 60 years after it was published

Great book

This is a great book, but don’t judge it by the first chapter. That is to bring everyone to the full understanding of Lewis’s life. The best part is later when he takes you through Lewis’s books, giving you greater understanding and insight. It is a great read. Thanks to the author.

Surprisingly enchanting and informative

I learned so much about a man so used of God that I now desire to read everything I can that he ever wrote! Stunning and vivid, but sometimes slight over my head when talking about doctrinal and denominational issues.

A book about a book

STORY

Having recently finished reading works by C.S.Lewis himself, I was ready for this George M. Marsden book about the reception of Lewis' book MERE CHRISTIANITY and why it is still popular.

The author gives a brief biography of Lewis then launches headlong into the origin of MERE. Lewis' book started as a wartime radio show that was transcribed for publication, codified and modified throughout the years.

If I can summarize why Marsden believes MERE CHRISTIANITY is still popular, it is for these reasons:

1. The principles were part of a popular BBC radio show.

2. The principles are and were meant to be ecumenical, not in the sense of watering down doctrine, but in finding common ground across denominations.

3.The tone is conversational enough not to turn you off, and the material intriguing enough to send you on the hunt for more information.

4.Since MERE was not meant to be the final word on Christianity, but a persuasive primer to think about this or that, many people who strongly identify with a denomination buy several copies to give away.

5. Lewis writes as one who once doubted the existence of the Lord and can address concerns of similar people, which seems ever more relevant as fewer people have studied scripture between that time and today.

PERFORMANCE
The performer can be a bit monotone from time to time, and has difficulty distinguishing between the author's words and quotes from others, but that induces you to pay careful attention.

This is a biography not the book

the story and reader are amazing. but it doesn't say it's not the book in the cover.

History of the Book

This audiobook provides the history behind Mere Christianity only. Although it gives a fascinating description of Mere Christianity, as well as Lewis' other writings, it does not include the content of the book itself.

Excellent but not what I thought it was!

Thinking I was listening to the book/work Mere Christianity but it is rather a biography of CS Lewis. Still a wonderful read/listen but not the expected book.

unexpected and delightful

I had meant to download Mere Christianity, since I had not read it many years. I accidentally bought and downloaded this instead. I am really glad I made this happy mistake. I very much enjoyed it.

Lewis' rational approach to Christian truth.

Liked the background information explaining how Lewis came to create his various books and his broadcasts.