On C.S. Lewis

As Lewis unpacks the ideas behind what Christians believe, this chapter, "The Invasion," looks at why atheism is too simple and why an "inoculation" idea of Christianity is inadequate, and points towards the good news that the rightful king has landed, albeit in enemy-occupied territory.

Following the great success of the first series of five broadcast talks, "Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe," the BBC asked Lewis to continue with a new series entitled "What Christians Believe." Lewis opens this series with his thoughts on "The Rival Conceptions of God," looking at ways that the religious impulse has animated mankind from ancient times.

In this chapter, Lewis explores the implications about what we have been able to deduce about the nature of Reality and the Law of Human Nature in the first four chapters. In this episode, we will also reflect on Book I as a whole, and why its arguments and the power of Story are critically important for Christian witness in this cultural moment where Gospel humility seems to be in short supply.

"Ever since men were able to think, they have been wondering what this universe really is and how it came to be there. In this chapter, Lewis discusses the materialist view, the religious view, and the role of science, concluding that there "... is a Something which is directing the universe, and which appears in me as a law urging me to do right and making me feel responsible and uncomfortable when I do wrong."

"Men ought to be unselfish, ought to be fair. Not that men are unselfish, nor that they like being unselfish, but that they ought to be. The Moral Law, or Law of Human Nature, is not simply a fact about human behaviour in the same way as the Law of Gravitation is...a fact about how heavy objects behave." Lewis shows us in this chapter how the Law of Human Nature is a fact , a reality, about humanity that must be considered."

Following Lewis's opening foray about the Law of Human Nature in his initial talk, he received many letters raising questions and some objections. He then addressed these points in his fifth talk. In the book, he changed the order and addressed the objections head on, using a remarkable series of analogies.

Lewis starts his book with a wonderful title for Book 1--"Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe." Rather than beginning with evidence about Jesus or comparative analysis of different religions, he starts with perhaps the most ancient and consistent question of the human heart--why are we here and what is the purpose and meaning of life?

It was not until 1952 that the book we now know as Mere Christianity was published, including Lewis's broadcast talks with some important edits and additions. The apt analogy, one of the great joys of this book, makes a strong start in the Preface with Lewis's brilliant discussion of the meaning of words and the hall and doors image for the Christian faith. Join us as we explore this fascinating work.

“It’s not because I’m anybody in particular that I’ve been asked to tell you what Christians believe. In fact it’s just the opposite.” Lewis's opening words here reflect his conviction that connecting with his audience right away was key to earning the right to be heard. Much like Jesus’s “Come and see” approach early in John’s Gospel, Lewis deliberately establishes a tone and approach and connection which is quite disarming. Join us as we explore why this opening matters so deeply.

Join us as we explore the pivotal role of the Rev. James "Jimmy" Welch of the BBC in birthing the broadcast talks that led to the book we know today as "Mere Christianity." Welch's example is an inspirational one for us today and shows the difference one person can make.