Mere Christianity

B1: Lewis simply sees that humans seem to have a unified understanding of fair play or decent behavior, which is ultimately morality. He refers to it as “the Laws of Nature.” He notes that it seems humans share this understanding, yet they break these rules. He speaks of this as what we “ought” to do, like helping humans when helping may be dangerous. For example, a man is drowning, and you are afraid to help as you may drown as well, yet you feel the drive to do what you “ought” to do and help the man. He then says that by comparing different morals to determine which is better is admitting that there is some form of “real morality.” As this section progresses he begins to say this law of morality must be “real.” He continues to the conclusion that, “…with the idea that in the Moral Law somebody or something from beyond the material universe was actually getting at us.” Later he states: “It is after you have realized that there is a real Moral Law, and a Power behind the law, and that you have broken that law and put yourself wrong with that Power – it is after all this, and not a moment sooner, that Christianity begins to talk.” Lewis is making enormous assumptions in his conclusion which he must demonstrate to be true. Can he demonstrate that the Christian god exists, and has the power to create and control the universe, and has the power to place these moral laws upon we humans? Yes, we humans have shared moral values, but it has nothing to do with anything supernatural. First, we have empathy. We understand what it is to be human. We understand pleasure and pain. We understand that other humans feel the same as we do. We understand the potential benefits of giving pleasure and potential consequences of causing pain. This drives cooperation which benefits the individual and the group. In addition, we have enlightened self-interest. We understand that if we give pleasure to others they may reciprocate in the future. If we cause pain to others they may cause us pain in return. Morality is not a dictate, it is an opinion and therefore it is subjective. If a god provided morality it would be that god’s opinion of what is right or wrong. Morality is based on a goal. For we humans that goal is human wellbeing. We strive to maximize human wellbeing and reduce human suffering. Our shared morals have evolved over time. In the past slavery was considered morally acceptable (read Exodus 21 & Leviticus 25 – God was ok with slavery). As time went on more people came to the realization that slavery is bad for the slaves, bad for the slave owners, and bad for society. When most people came to this realization it became morally unacceptable for society and laws were passed to make slavery illegal. None of this requires any supernatural intervention. Lewis has the burden of proof to demonstrate his hypothesis that a god exists, created morality, and forced that morality on humans is, in fact, true.B2: Lewis begins with you do not have to believe that all other religions completely wrong. However, not surprisingly, he goes on to state that the basic premises of other religions which he calls pantheism are wrong and Christianity is right. He also states, “If you are an atheist you do have to believe that the main point in all the religions of the whole world is simply a huge mistake. He also states that he was an atheist based on his observation that the universe seemed so cruel and unjust; not due to lack of evidence which is why I went from being a Christian to be an agnostic atheist. Assuming something is cruel and unjust implies an intelligent agent, I don’t see the universe this way. I see it as a dangerous place for humans, but it has no intent to harm humans; it is just not the right environment for us. We evolved to survive in very specific conditions. Lewis also states that he was “trying to prove that god did not exist...” Again, I cannot be certain that a god does not exist; but I am not convinced a god does exist because I do not have enough evidence to believe. So far Lewis has not provided any evidence of the existence of the god in which he believes. In the next section he mentions that atheism is too simple. In a way it is simple. I can’t believe the claims Christians make that a god exists because none of them have provided enough evidence to convince me their claim is true. Then he states he does not like simple religion. He feels people who believe it is simple must be wrong because the universe is not simple. He speaks in detail of Dualism, which is 2 forces in the universe; one good and one bad. Then goes on to say that it is about an all good god and a fallen angel (Satan). This section is pointless. How does Lewis know any of this information, which he just assumes is true, is actually true? Again, he MUST demonstrate the truth of these claims. In the 3rd section Lewis makes an interesting point regarding how Satan could be a power of evil in the world contrary to God’s will. He then provides the “Free Will” excuse. God provided free will to all the beings he created, which makes evil possible because god wants beings to love him on their own. The issue with this argument is, if you believe that god is all-knowing then he was aware of absolutely everything that ever has and ever will happen prior to creating the universe. If he is all powerful he had the power to create a world where all beings would come to him by choice. Or better yet, why doesn’t this god just have a direct loving relationship with every intelligent being he created, instead of hiding and expecting those beings to come to him. At the very end of this section and into the 4th section Lewis presents his well-known trilemma argument which has been usedad nauseam by Christians. To summarize it states that Jesus could only be one of 3, a liar, a lunatic or the lord. Lewis has yet to demonstrate that the born of a virgin, miracle performing, parable spewing, rising from the dead character described in the bible existed in real life. Therefore, there is a 4th option: this character could simply be legend. Lewis goes on to state, “The central Christian belief is that Christ’s death has somehow put us right with God and given us a fresh start.” So, what Lewis is saying is that god sent himself to earth, to be sacrificed to himself, to act as a loophole to rules he created. This makes no sense. Lewis tried to work around the argument of why god wouldn’t just forgive everyone but fails. Substitutionary atonement is nor moral. No one should take the punishment of another. The purpose of punishment is to teach the offender an important lesson, and this is lost if an innocent person takes that punishment in place of the offender. In the 5th section Lewis states that he believes that Jesus is god because he believes on His (Jesus) authority. This is circular reason. Jesus is god because in the bible Jesus says he’s god. He then goes on say that authority is what we use to determine what is true. He states, “Ninety-nine per cent of the things you believe are believe on authority.” This is factually inaccurate. I believe things because I am convinced by the evidence. It does not matter who provides that evidence. The evidence must be demonstrable, verifiable, and objective. Then Lewis speaks of the importance of accepting Jesus, “God is holding back to give us a chance. It will not last forever. We must take it or leave it.” This is a threat to either join god’s side or suffer the consequence of hell. Again, how does Lewis know this information is true?B3: In section 1 Lewis discusses morality, I have covered most of this above. In this section Lewis and I come close to agreeing. Morality is a goal, and for humans the goal is human wellbeing. Lewis states, “Morality, then, seems to be concerned with three things. Firstly, with fair play and harmony between individuals. Secondly, with what might be called tidying up or harmonizing the things inside everyone. Thirdly, with the general purpose of human life as a whole: what man was made for.” The first 2 are about human wellbeing. The 3rd is about a god and eternal consequences. Lewis needs to demonstrate that human “souls” exist, are eternal and there is an afterlife. In section 2 Lewis speaks of 4 cardinal virtues: Prudence, Temperance, Justice and Fortitude. Prudence is being cautious which is a good thing. I am a cautious person. Temperance, per Lewis, means for all pleasures go to the right length and no further. I agree, any pleasure to excess can lead to problems. I follow this advice in my life. Justice, per Lewis, includes honesty, give and take, truthfulness, keeping promises, and all side of life. Again, I agree and live this way in my life. Fortitude, per Lewis, means facing danger well and sticking in even when there is pain. I live this way as well. In section 3 Lewis covers what a Christian society would look like. In section 4 Lewis speaks of antiquated psychology which he supported during his life. He does feel that homosexuality is wrong, and psychology may be able to “cure” this issue. I disagree with this assessment, but this opinion was common at that time. In section 5 Lewis speaks of sexual morality (chastity). To Lewis Chastity is the Christian rule, “Either marriage, with complete faithfulness to your partner, or else total abstinence.” I agree with being completely faithful to your partner. If you are not, it can cause great suffering for your partner, your family, your children, your friends, etc. However, consensual sexual interaction between consenting adults outside of marriage can be conducted without causing suffering to the parties involve. I don’t see this as immoral. In section 6 Lewis Christian marriage. He provides some good insight regarding the initial feeling of love and how it will fade with time. Couples should not separate because this feeling fades; but find happiness in each other and stay committed. I agree with this. Obviously, this is the preferred option for Christians and non-Christians alike. However, when there is suffering in the relationship there are times when divorce is necessary. Mental, emotional, and physical abuse can be one reason, infidelity is another. Protecting yourself and your children is imperative. Christians should NOT feel guilty, or feel they are sinning, if they divorce under these circumstances, regardless of what is taught by Christianity. Lewis feels the man should be the head of the household based on his religious belief. I find this ridiculous. Marriage is a partnership and all decisions should be made as a team. One person may be better equipped to make certain decision than the other based on knowledge and experience. That person should take the lead at that time. In section 7 Lewis speaks of forgiveness. I agree we should forgive others for actions which caused us to suffer. However, this is just a mean to let go of the anger we hold. Yet, that doesn’t mean we have to trust that person until that person demonstrates they are sorry, and they earn back trust. In section 8 Lewis speaks of pride. Lewis feels this is the “…the essential vice, the utmost evil…” The pride Lewis describes is feeling competitive, wanting to outdo others to prove to yourself that you are better. This kind of pride seems to stem from low self-esteem, which is not good for anyone. I agree that pride and low self-esteem are not good and people who suffer from them should seek help. In section 9 Lewis speaks of charity. Basically, Lewis defines charity as “Trying to treat everyone kindly…including people he could not even have imagined himself liking...” I agree. In section 10 Lewis speaks of hope which he calls “one of the theological virtues.” He states, “This means that a continual looking forward to the eternal world is not…a form of escapism or wishful thinking, but one of the things a Christian is meant to do.” I disagree. Christians cannot know that an afterlife exists, the best they can do is hope it does. Later in the chapter Lewis states, “If I find in myself a desire which no experience in the world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world.” This is just a silly claim. I may find I have a desire to be able to fly like superman, that doesn’t mean I was made for a comic book world, and that place exists. In section 11 Lewis speaks of faith which he states Christians have 2 definitions. The first is belief, accepting or regarding as true the doctrines of Christianity. The second is the art of holding on to things your reason has once accepted, despite your changing moods. Lewis admits to having doubts as his mood changes. He emphasizes deliberately holding Christianity’s main doctrines before your mind for some time every day is very important. That includes daily prayers and religious reading and churchgoing. This is a way to continually remind of what you believe. To me this seems backward. If what you believe is true, and you understand why it is true, there is no need to continually remind yourself of what you believe and why you believe it. In section 12 Lewis continues with faith. He starts by saying that there are a great many things that cannot be understood until after you have gone a certain distance along the Christian road. Lewis spends most of this chapter attempting to explain having faith and doing good actions; you must have faith, to have god in you, which causes you to do good actions. I found this to be a bit convoluted. Ultimately humans do good works without faith in a god. Lewis has, and cannot, demonstrate that this god is somehow inside of us other than as a concept in our minds.B4: In section 1 Lewis begins with stating that Theology as the science of god. This is an inaccurate statement. Theology is speculating about things for which there is no means to determine if they are true. Science is a method of determining facts about phenomena in our shared reality by using the scientific method. Lewis compares theology to a map of physical locations; but this is NOT an equivalent comparison. A map of physical locations can be demonstrated to be verifiably and objectively accurate. Theology can NOT be demonstrated to be accurate in any way. He goes on to make many claims about Jesus being not created but begotten by god, and therefore he is god. Lewis must demonstrate any of this is factually accurate, but he just assumes it is. In section 2 Lewis speaks of his 3-person god. Lewis at one-point states that god shows more of himself to some people than others because some people’s mind and character is in the wrong condition. This is a “No True Scotsman” fallacy. How can we determine who is in the right condition to hear more from god? The “right condition” is just an opinion of men and can vary from man to man. This also tells us that if god isn’t communicating to you, it is your fault. In section 3 Lewis speaks of time and how his god is outside of it, and therefore is not restricted by it. Lewis attempt to use this to dodge the issue that if a god is all knowing and all powerful, humans cannot have freewill. He states, “…suppose God is outside and above the time-line. In that case, what we call ‘tomorrow’ is visible to him in just the same way as what we call ‘today’. All the days are ‘now’ for him. He does not remember you doing thing yesterday; he simply sees you doing the, because though you have lost yesterday, he has not. He does not ‘foresee’ you doing things tomorrow, he simply sees you doing them: because, though tomorrow is not yet there for you, it is for him… In a sense, he does not know your action till you have done it…” This argument does not follow. If god does not know your action until you have done it then he is NOT all knowing. If god does not know future events prior to them happening prophecy becomes impossible. In section 4 Lewis attempts to explain how god begot Jesus (and the holy spirit) yet all 3 have always existed. He provides a simple analogy: Of picturing something in your mind, let’s say a puppy. He states that the act of imagining something in your mind was the cause and the mental picture is the result. I disagree with this analogy. The act of imagining and the mental picture happen simultaneously; they are the same. Lewis goes on to speak of the holy spirit who acts through people, yet he makes no attempt to demonstrate that this being exists. In section 5 Lewis speaks of the “Natural Life”, which is just horrible, and compares it to a person who has become a genuine Christian (a spiritual life), which is wonderful. It is too bad this isn’t demonstrably true. How can we tell the difference between someone who is a genuine Christian and someone who believes he is but really isn’t? In section 6 Lewis speaks of the fall of man, where Adam and Eve didn’t do as god instructed and this was all due to god giving them free will. Yes, if he all knowing he would already have known this was going to happen prior to creating the universe. None of this makes any sense, unless this is just a story written by humans. The rest of this section is about why god just didn’t “beget” us all as his sons. The answer is just Lewis speculating. In Section 7 Lewis speaks of praying as “pretending to be Christ” while praying. He claims the real son of god will be next to you and helping to change you, apparently this is how you become “born again.” Reflecting on who you are and your good and bad actions on a regular basis is a good way to make changes in your life; no supernatural elements required. In section 8 Lewis claims that trying to make changes, in yourself, will not work (which is demonstrably wrong). He then claims the Christian way is the only way and involves killing your natural self. People change all the time regardless of religious belief. In section 9 Lewis continues the topic of changing. (*Note: he off handedly comments that masturbation is a sin – this is just wrong. Masturbation is completely natural and hurts noon and is perfectly healthy.) He states that if you go to god to help with one sin he may work on fixing all your sins. Lewis claims that god will not stop until you are perfect. What is this standard of “perfect”? How can it possibly take place while you are alive as perfection is not attainable for any human, unless your definition is weak. This is all subjective; it is your opinion that some supernatural force helping you to change. In section 10 Lewis mentions a very good question, “If Christianity is true why are not all Christians obviously nicer than all non-Christians?” From my perspective it is because people are people regardless of religious belief. Some people are nicer than others for many reasons. Religion does not magically make people nicer or better than others. Not to mention, different Christians interpret the bible differently which can lead to them being not nice. For instance, the bible states homosexuality is deserving of death and all atheist are fools. This taints Christian’s attitudes towards these people and can lead to them treating these people poorly. In section 11 Lewis (*Note: more than once in this book, including this chapter, Lewis seems to imply that he is accepting of an old universe and evolution by natural selection – I am pleasantly surprised) uses evolution to say men, in a spiritual perspective, will go from being creatures of god to sons of god. This chapter is a bit silly as evolution has nothing to do with people’s opinion of the existence of a god. But I guess Christians evolve into “new men” and can be recognized as such. They have “the mind of Christ.” This section gets a bit strange as Lewis goes on speaking of these people being imbued with some kind of god magic. Yet, at no point does he attempt to demonstrate this is the case. They may have grown as people, have made changes in their lives, and treat others differently but the magical parts must be demonstrated to be true.

While we were still helpless [powerless to provide for our salvation], at the right time Christ died [as a substitute] for the ungodly. Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to willingly give his life even for an upright man, though perhaps for a good man [one who is noble and selfless and worthy] someone might even dare to die. But God clearly shows and proves His own love for us, by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified [declared free of the guilt of sin] by His blood, [how much more certain is it that] we will be saved from the wrath of God through Him. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, having been reconciled, that we will be saved [from the consequences of sin] by His life [that is, we will be saved because Christ lives today]. Not only that, but we also rejoice in God [rejoicing in His love and perfection] through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received and enjoy our reconciliation [with God] (Romans 5:6-11, AMP).And we know [with great confidence] that God [who is deeply concerned about us] causes all things to work together [as a plan] for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to His plan and purpose. For those whom He foreknew [and loved and chose beforehand], He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son [and ultimately share in His complete sanctification], so that He would be the firstborn [the most beloved and honored] among many believers. And those whom He predestined, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified [declared free of the guilt of sin]; and those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity].The Wisdom of GodFor the message of the cross is foolishness [absurd and illogical] to those who are perishing and spiritually dead [because they reject it], but to us who are being saved [by God’s grace] it is [the manifestation of] the power of God. For it is written and forever remains written,“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise [the philosophy of the philosophers],And the cleverness of the clever [who do not know Me] I will nullify.” Where is the wise man (philosopher)? Where is the scribe (scholar)? Where is the debater (logician, orator) of this age? Has God not exposed the foolishness of this world’s wisdom? For since the world through all its [earthly] wisdom failed to recognize God, God in His wisdom was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached [regarding salvation] to save those who believe [in Christ and welcome Him as Savior]. For Jews demand signs (attesting miracles), and Greeks pursue [worldly] wisdom and philosophy, but we preach Christ crucified, [a message which is] to Jews a stumbling block [that provokes their opposition], and to Gentiles foolishness [just utter nonsense], but to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks (Gentiles), Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. [This is] because the foolishness of God [is not foolishness at all and] is wiser than men [far beyond human comprehension], and the weakness of God is stronger than men [far beyond the limits of human effort].Just look at your own calling, believers; not many [of you were considered] wise according to human standards, not many powerful or influential, not many of high and noble birth. But God has selected [for His purpose] the foolish things of the world to shame the wise [revealing their ignorance], and God has selected [for His purpose] the weak things of the world to shame the things which are strong [revealing their frailty]. God has selected [for His purpose] the insignificant (base) things of the world, and the things that are despised and treated with contempt, [even] the things that are nothing, so that He might reduce to nothing the things that are, so that no one may [be able to] boast in the presence of God. But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God [revealing His plan of salvation], and righteousness [making us acceptable to God], and sanctification [making us holy and setting us apart for God], and redemption [providing our ransom from the penalty for sin], so then, as it is written [in Scripture], “He who boasts and glories, let him boast and glory in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 1: 18-31, AMP).What then shall we say to all these things? If God is for us, who can be [successful] against us? He who did not spare [even] His own Son, but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, graciously give us all things? Who will bring any charge against God’s elect (His chosen ones)? It is God who justifies us [declaring us blameless and putting us in a right relationship with Himself]. Who is the one who condemns us? Christ Jesus is the One who died [to pay our penalty], and more than that, who was raised [from the dead], and who is at the right hand of God interceding [with the Father] for us. Who shall ever separate us from the love of Christ? Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? Just as it is written and forever remains written,“For Your sake we are put to death all day long;We are regarded as sheep for the slaughter.”Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors and gain an overwhelming victory through Him who loved us [so much that He died for us]. For I am convinced [and continue to be convinced—beyond any doubt] that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present and threatening, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the [unlimited] love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 8:28-39, AMP).Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on Godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you] (Romans 12:1-2, AMP).Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!In this all-out match against sin, others have suffered far worse than you, to say nothing of what Jesus went through—all that bloodshed! So don’t feel sorry for yourselves. Or have you forgotten how good parents treat children, and that God regards you as his children?My dear child, don’t shrug off God’s discipline, but don’t be crushed by it either.It’s the child he loves that he disciplines; the child he embraces, he also corrects.God is educating you; that’s why you must never drop out. He’s treating you as dear children. This trouble you’re in isn’t punishment; it’s training, the normal experience of children. Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves. Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God’s training so we can truly LIVE? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them. But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God’s holy best. At the time, discipline isn’t much fun. It always feels like it’s going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it’s the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God.So don’t sit around on your hands! No more dragging your feet! Clear the path for long-distance runners so no one will trip and fall, so no one will step in a hole and sprain an ankle. Help each other out. And run for it! (Hebrews 12:1-13, The Message).Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and decisions and how unfathomable and untraceable are His ways! (Romans 11:33).“For God so [greatly] loved and dearly prized the world, that He [even] gave His [One and] only begotten Son, so that whoever believes and trusts in Him [as Savior] shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge and condemn the world [that is, to initiate the final judgment of the world], but that the world might be saved through Him. Whoever believes and has decided to trust in Him [as personal Savior and Lord] is not judged [for this one, there is no judgment, no rejection, no condemnation]; but the one who does not believe [and has decided to reject Him as personal Savior and Lord] is judged already [that one has been convicted and sentenced], because he has not believed and trusted in the name of the [One and] only begotten Son of God [the One who is truly unique, the only One of His kind, the One who alone can save him]. This is the [verdict] judgment [that is, the cause for indictment, the test by which people are judged, the basis for the sentence]: the Light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the Light, for their deeds were evil. For every wrongdoer hates the Light, and does not come to the Light [but shrinks from it] for fear that his [sinful, worthless] activities will be exposed and condemned. But whoever practices truth [and does what is right—morally, ethically, spiritually] comes to the Light, so that his works may be plainly shown to be what they are—accomplished in God [divinely prompted, done with God’s help, in dependence on Him]” (John 3: 16-21, AMP, NLT).Therefore, since we have this ministry, just as we received mercy [from God, granting us salvation, opportunities, and blessings], we do not get discouraged nor lose our motivation. But we have renounced the disgraceful things hidden because of shame; not walking in trickery or adulterating the word of God, but by stating the truth [openly and plainly], we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. But even if our gospel is [in some sense] hidden [behind a veil], it is hidden [only] to those who are perishing; among them the god of this world [Satan] has blinded the minds of the unbelieving to prevent them from seeing the illuminating light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves [merely] as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give us the Light of the knowledge of the glory and majesty of God [clearly revealed] in the face of Christ.But we have this precious treasure [the good news about salvation] in [unworthy] earthen vessels [of human frailty], so that the grandeur and surpassing greatness of the power will be [shown to be] from God [His sufficiency] and not from ourselves. We are pressured in every way [hedged in], but not crushed; perplexed [unsure of finding a way out], but not driven to despair; hunted down and persecuted, but not deserted [to stand alone]; struck down, but never destroyed; always carrying around in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be shown in our body. For we who live are constantly [experiencing the threat of] being handed over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the [resurrection] life of Jesus also may be evidenced in our mortal body [which is subject to death]. So physical death is [actively] at work in us, but [spiritual] life [is actively at work] in you. Yet we have the same spirit of faith as he had, who wrote in Scripture, “I believed, therefore I spoke.” We also believe, therefore we also speak, knowing that He who raised the Lord Jesus will also raise us with Jesus and will present us [along] with you in His presence. For all [these] things are for your sake, so that as [God’s remarkable, undeserved] grace reaches to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of [our great] God.Therefore we do not become discouraged [spiritless, disappointed, or afraid]. Though our outer self is [progressively] wasting away, yet our inner self is being [progressively] renewed day by day. For our momentary, light distress [this passing trouble] is producing for us an eternal weight of glory [a fullness] beyond all measure [surpassing all comparisons, a transcendent splendor and an endless blessedness]! So we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are unseen; for the things which are visible are temporal [just brief and fleeting], but the things which are invisible are everlasting and imperishable (2 Corinthians 4:1-18, AMP).After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb. They were clothed in white robes and held palm branches in their hands. And they were shouting with a great roar,“Salvation comes from our God who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!”And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living beings. And they fell before the throne with their faces to the ground and worshiped God. They sang,“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honorand power and strength belong to our God forever and ever! Amen” (Revelation 7:9-12, NLT).ADDITIONAL RECCOMENDATIONS:- Repentance: The first word of the Gospel by Richard Owen Roberts- Victory in Spiritual Warfare by Tony Evans- Prayers for Victory in Spiritual Warfare by Tony Evans- The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer- Knowledge of the holy by A.W. Tozer- Knowing God by J.I. Packer- The Kingdom Man/Woman by Tony Evans- Deliverance and Spiritual Warfare Manual by John Eckhardt- Battlefield of the mind by Joyce Meyer- Prayer by Timothy Keller- The Battle Plan for Prayer- Powerful Prayers in the war room by Daniel B. Lancaster- Prayers that rout demons by John Eckhardt- 21 prayers of Gratitude by Shelley Hitz- Encounters with Jesus by Timothy Keller- Kings cross by Timothy Keller- Experiencing the presence of God by A.W. Tozer- In His Presence by E.W. Kenyon- Jesus always by Sarah Young- Jesus is calling by Sarah Young- Celebration of Discipline by Richard J. Foster.- The freedom of self forgetfulness by Timothy Keller- My utmost for His Highest by Discovery House Publishers- The crucified life A.W. Tozer- The Insanity of Obedience by Nik Ripken- The Insanity of God by Nik Ripken- Trusting God by Jerry Bridges- The Treasure Principle also by Randy Alcorn- Safely home also by Randy Alcorn- Edge of Eternity also by Randy Alcorn- The Reason for God by Timothy Keller- On Guard by Dr. William Lane Craig- Reasonable Faith by Dr. William Lane Craig- I don't have enough faith to be an atheist- The case for Jesus: The Biblical and Historical Evidence for Christ by Bran Pitre- The case for Christ by Lee Strobel- Stealing from God by Frank Turek, Ravi Zacharias- Cold case Christianity by J. Warner Wallace- Tactics: A game plan for discussing your Christian ConvictionsGod Bless.

Every home should have one! Some of the pages may seem outdated from today's perspectives but the essential truths are eternal. This classic book will still stimulate the minds of Christians, agnostics, atheists and followers of other faiths and it is great to see it still in print.

This book was in excellent condition and the contents are also inspiring and informative. Loved every bit of it.

Stupendo, libro che mi ha aiutato nel migliorare il mio modo di pensare riguardo al mondo e anche capire di più di questo mondo che ci circonda. Accurato, chiaro definisce bene tutti i concetti che per me alcuni erano nuovi, Strepitoso lo consilierei se fose possibile e lo farei anche d'obbligo per tutti da leggere. 10 e lode

Llegó en perfecto estado

Domande , risposte, riflessioni profonde sulle domande fondamentali che riguardano il Cristianesimo, senza un'ombra di bigotteria o facili emozioni. Un percorso di riflessioni profonde che ti affascina e sviluppa il discorso della fede in modo molto "british".