-by Kimberly Dawn Rempel
In his book, Mere Christianity, CS Lewis endeavored to point out the core truths of the Christian faith that it may assist readers in their consideration of God as truth and that the common ground here presented would also cultivate peace between believers whose peripheral doctrines differ on some points.
How Lewis Addressed the Search for Meaning
In a time swirling with competing philosophies of truth, many searching for meaning outside of religion, Lewis addressed such often debated topics as “the Meaning of the Universe”, answered common objections to Christian doctrine, and also explored “Rival Concepts of God”, each time aiding the reader in understanding how Christianity excels, even compared to the new philosophies of the time. As he did this, Lewis accomplished two critical things: first, he addressed core beliefs of the global church, not denomination-specific beliefs and not the institution of church, both of which are societal sore spots in his day. Thus he enabled these truths to transcend arguments between the groups and invited even readers who were resistant to the church to consider his message. Secondly, Lewis demonstrated Christianity to be a well anchored, time-tested truth, whether measured through reason or experience, and the reader was, from this anchored place, thrown a life-raft in the middle of a choppy sea of diverging views.
How Lewis Addressed the Search for Meaning
In a time swirling with competing philosophies of truth, many searching for meaning outside of religion, Lewis addressed such often debated topics as “the Meaning of the Universe”, answered common objections to Christian doctrine, and also explored “Rival Concepts of God”, each time aiding the reader in understanding how Christianity excels, even compared to the new philosophies of the time. As he did this, Lewis accomplished two critical things: first, he addressed core beliefs of the global church, not denomination-specific beliefs and not the institution of church, both of which are societal sore spots in his day. Thus he enabled these truths to transcend arguments between the groups and invited even readers who were resistant to the church to consider his message. Secondly, Lewis demonstrated Christianity to be a well anchored, time-tested truth, whether measured through reason or experience, and the reader was, from this anchored place, thrown a life-raft in the middle of a choppy sea of diverging views.
