A Countdown & Our Aim
one week out book club reminder & preface reflections
Firstly,
this is a reminder that in ONE WEEK, on 8/2, the first discussion post for our little book club will go live! That first official post will be a reflection on “Book 1” of Mere Christianity, which contains five short chapters (a total of 25 pages).
What this means for you:
secure your copy of Mere Christianity (we still have some copies left at the shop)
have those 25 pages of “Book 1” read any time before Saturday (8/2)
be ready to engage in the discussion in the comments section of that post!
Some ways we think you can make the most of this book club:
find a partner(s) to read it with you and meet weekly in person, if possible
get a journal or a notebook to jot down thoughts, questions, and insights to share
enter into the reading and discussions prayerfully, asking for wisdom and help
don’t stress if you get behind or can’t engage as well as you’d like - participate as you have capacity, not as an obligation - it’s meant to be enjoyed, so however you have to participate to hit that mark, do that!
Whether you just do the reading each week by yourself, or consistently read and participate in the online dialogue, or don’t do either and it’s an excuse to get together with someone you want to connect with more often - we hope it proves to be of great benefit, however God uses it for you.
Secondly,
I read through the preface and foreword of Mere Christianity earlier this week and wanted to share some reflections here.
The contents of this book are a collection of radio talks Lewis did for the BBC during World War 2. This historical context is something we should keep in the back of our minds while reading. They asked him to explain the Christian faith and chose him precisely because he was an “amateur” - not a priest or professional theologian, but an ordinary layman in the Church of England.
Lewis happily obliged.
He felt the best service he could offer to those outside the faith looking in, was a simple explanation of the doctrines and beliefs common to all Christians for the entire life of the Church - the essential elements of the Christian faith shared across denominational divides.
Mere Christianity: the foundational beliefs that a person must hold to be a Christian.
He is clear in that his aim is not to convince you of one denomination against another or even to invite you into his own. He only means to describe what all who call themselves Christians must believe.
His writing is not intended for controversy and stirring division, like so much of today’s writing.
He is open about his silence on certain topics, explaining that this is not his lack of a stance on them or an implication of their importance. It is a matter of sticking to his aim and speaking on what he feels qualified to share.
This goes against our modern impulse, feeling the need to have a public opinion on any and every issue, parading a pseudo-expertise.
He ends the preface by describing Christianity as a hallway, and the various denominations as the many doors exiting the hallway.
We enter the hallway by faith in the gospel; and then wait in the hallway while we decide which door to enter.
As we examine the various doors, we must be seeking Truth, not what pleases us most for a myriad of unessential reasons.
This takes some longer than others.
But the goal is to choose a door after thoughtful reflection, enter the door, participate meaningfully in the room, and maintain prayerful charity to those who picked other doors.
And even while waiting in the hall, we are to begin obeying the rules that are common to the whole house of faith.
The aim is the pursuit of truth, faithfulness in the waiting, and meaningful participation where you are led.
As we begin reading this book together, may we embrace the aim he describes.
Humble, faith-filled pursuit of Truth.
Fellowship through the unity of our common faith - the “mere Christianity” passed down through the ages that each of us shares.
