Customer Reviews

Beyond Personality: The Christian Idea of God

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"Lewis argues convincingly for personalities in God and God as the ultimate personality. I found this very illuminating, also in light of having recently read the books by Deborah Whitehouse and Alan Anderson on Process New Thought, especially their view of the personhood of God and panentheism as it emerges from the work of Alfred North Whitehead.

Mere Christianity is a most memorable work that expresses ideas that are relevant to our times. It is a very refreshing expression of a personal Christian belief system that could serve as a strong antidote to the dictatorship of dogma or the staid boredom often associated with 20th century religion in the West. Deeply illuminating, I am sure Lewis' words make many people reconsider many ideas that they had taken for granted.

I am not sure how close Lewis came to the truth in every respect, but much in his vision is inspiring, noble and infused with a sense of logic and common sense. Lewis' writing has an uplifting effect on the spirit. I recommend Mere Christianity to all people of faith and those in search of meaning."

Lewis is coherent and persuasive as always. He uses powerful metaphor to illustrate his understanding of the Trinity and of Christ's relationship to Man, and Man's relationship to Fellow Man (this is a book from the '40s, no PC extension to women). His theological 'map' of how to become a Son of God is compelling. He shows, however, remarkable ignorance of other religions in claiming that this map is unique to Christianity. He even says at one point that Christianity is the only religion that shows a God in movement, even, let's dare to say it, dancing (!). No Shiva Nataraj's in Magdalen at that time apparently. In fact, one reason that his 'map' is compelling is ... that it is validated by the triple nature of God from the Vedas. Most limiting, however, is his 'take my word for it' approach to why you should go there (Christianity) in the first place. He states that the ambition just to be a 'good man', without the ambition to become 'a Son of God', is self defeating and leads to decay and death. No demonstration, no evidence, just stated. Oh well, I still want to be a good happy man rather than a Son of God.