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C. S. Lewis & Mere Christianity: The Crisis That Created a Classic
Mere Christianity is one of the best books of Christian apologetics ever written. Arguably, no book other than the Bible itself has had as much influence for the cause of the gospel over the past 60 years. The story of how that message came to be created, during the rigors of World War II in England, is fascinating in and of itself. But it also addresses a very important How do we present the gospel effectively to a culture that has Christian foundations but has become largely secularized and ignorant of biblical truth? C. S. Lewis & Mere Christianity develops the circumstances of Lewis’s life and the inner workings of the BBC. It also goes into greater detail about life in the middle of war against Nazi Germany, and Lewis’s series of broadcasts that extended into 1944.
201 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 1, 2013
29 people are currently reading
300 people want to read
About the author
Paul McCusker
186 books233 followersPaul McCusker is a writer of many different kinds of things. You may know him from Adventures In Odyssey and Focus On The Family Radio Theatre. Or the Father Gilbert Mysteries. Or the Augustine Institute audio dramas Brother Francis: The Barefoot Saint of Assisi and The Trials of Saint Patrick. Or plays like The First Church of Pete's Garage and Catacombs. Or C.S. Lewis projects like The Chronicles of Narnia audio dramas or The Annotated Screwtape Letters. Or the film Beyond The Mask. Or lots of other dramas, novels, scripts and lyrics. He simply can't make up his mind what he likes to write.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
October 10, 2014
I liked this one, filing it under biography. But it is actually a biography of a book, of Mere Christianity. McCusker tells the backdrop story of the Second World War, and the BBC broadcasts that eventually became Mere Christianity. Not scintillating, but good info here.
December 17, 2014
Not a deep study, but valuable to anyone who appreciates Lewis's work, fiction or non-fiction. This account of how Lewis came to write and broadcast the original talks that became Mere Christianity, exposes the reader to the desperate spiritual condition of pre-WWII Britain as well as the horrific conditions there under Hitler's incessant bombardment. Oh, for a 21st century Lewis who could speak as successfully to our own situation!
September 17, 2014
As early as the first sentence, I knew Paul McCusker had penned a book unlike any other about CS Lewis.
“Jack Lewis—or Clive Staples Lewis, as he was officially known—clutched
his rifle and marched across the French field of Mount Bernanchon.”
I was not disappointed with the remainder of the book. McCusker shares the story of the life of CS Lewis, as well as the backstory to many of his works. Best of all, the story is wrapped in the history of England during the Second World War.
McCusker’s account of Lewis’ life is an honest portrayal. We see the ups and downs of a man estranged from his father, caring for his brother, and living with other people he would care for late in their lives. Despite health problems and an extremely busy schedule, Lewis found time to write an extensive collection of fiction and non-fiction works.
If you have seen Shadowlands, rest assured that there is very little overlap in the events documented in Lewis’ life. This book is certainly not “Shadowlands Revisited.” As much as this is the story of Lewis’ life, the historical accounts are detailed enough for the reader to pull back from the life of Lewis and engage with the world stage at the time of the Second World War.
I find it interesting that “Mere Christianity” and other works by Lewis never would have penned had it not been for the circumstances of the war. Beginning as a series of radio shows broadcasted to lift the spirits of the English, “Mere Christianity” is the product of those broadcasts. Listening to the verbal dexterity of Hitler and his ability to twist language to suit his evil ends was the springboard for “The Screwtape Letters.”
I consider this book a great read for those who have enjoyed reading several of Lewis’ books and will appreciate adding an additional layer of texture to their reading by understanding why Lewis wrote some of his most popular works. Lewis can certainly be read without an understanding of the world at the time of his writing, however a glimpse of the circumstances that prompted his work sharpen some of the arrows of Lewis’ cultural critique.
I wonder what Lewis would think about “all the fuss” that has been written about him. One passage provided an interesting insight into Lewis’ attitude about his work:
“It is likely Jack had no idea of the legacy he’d created. That he’d become one of the foremost writers and Christian apologists of the twentieth century wasn’t something he would have thought about. He once commented about being a writer people might read— and forget— in no time at all.”
Perhaps Lewis’ lack of concern for his legacy made his writing and thoughts a bit sharper. Maybe he felt he could be more honest and vulnerable since his thoughts would not last long in history. Yet we are all fortunate to see God’s redeeming work in a man such as Lewis.
Thank you to the people at Tyndale House Publishing for a copy of this book for review
“Jack Lewis—or Clive Staples Lewis, as he was officially known—clutched
his rifle and marched across the French field of Mount Bernanchon.”
I was not disappointed with the remainder of the book. McCusker shares the story of the life of CS Lewis, as well as the backstory to many of his works. Best of all, the story is wrapped in the history of England during the Second World War.
McCusker’s account of Lewis’ life is an honest portrayal. We see the ups and downs of a man estranged from his father, caring for his brother, and living with other people he would care for late in their lives. Despite health problems and an extremely busy schedule, Lewis found time to write an extensive collection of fiction and non-fiction works.
If you have seen Shadowlands, rest assured that there is very little overlap in the events documented in Lewis’ life. This book is certainly not “Shadowlands Revisited.” As much as this is the story of Lewis’ life, the historical accounts are detailed enough for the reader to pull back from the life of Lewis and engage with the world stage at the time of the Second World War.
I find it interesting that “Mere Christianity” and other works by Lewis never would have penned had it not been for the circumstances of the war. Beginning as a series of radio shows broadcasted to lift the spirits of the English, “Mere Christianity” is the product of those broadcasts. Listening to the verbal dexterity of Hitler and his ability to twist language to suit his evil ends was the springboard for “The Screwtape Letters.”
I consider this book a great read for those who have enjoyed reading several of Lewis’ books and will appreciate adding an additional layer of texture to their reading by understanding why Lewis wrote some of his most popular works. Lewis can certainly be read without an understanding of the world at the time of his writing, however a glimpse of the circumstances that prompted his work sharpen some of the arrows of Lewis’ cultural critique.
I wonder what Lewis would think about “all the fuss” that has been written about him. One passage provided an interesting insight into Lewis’ attitude about his work:
“It is likely Jack had no idea of the legacy he’d created. That he’d become one of the foremost writers and Christian apologists of the twentieth century wasn’t something he would have thought about. He once commented about being a writer people might read— and forget— in no time at all.”
Perhaps Lewis’ lack of concern for his legacy made his writing and thoughts a bit sharper. Maybe he felt he could be more honest and vulnerable since his thoughts would not last long in history. Yet we are all fortunate to see God’s redeeming work in a man such as Lewis.
Thank you to the people at Tyndale House Publishing for a copy of this book for review
January 14, 2018
Strange balance of interesting and dull material.
March 6, 2022
Elaborate on Clive Staples Lewis aka Jack’s life and his transformation. The story starts from 1918 when he was .19, at the Great War in Mont Bernanchon to his death when sleeping as noticed by his older brother Warnie.
The book ‘Mere Christianity’ was published in 1952 combing 3 books - broadcast talks, christian behavior and beyond personality. His life at the Klins, Oxford , BBC and various people in his life with the politics at that life is elaborated.
The book ‘Mere Christianity’ was published in 1952 combing 3 books - broadcast talks, christian behavior and beyond personality. His life at the Klins, Oxford , BBC and various people in his life with the politics at that life is elaborated.
May 18, 2021
An easy read that talks not only about how Mere Christianity came about but also what life was like for the British at that time.
March 27, 2022
This book was ok, but kind of hard to follow
February 26, 2024
Did not finish
Didn't go very in depth. Hard to keep me interested
Didn't go very in depth. Hard to keep me interested
June 15, 2025
Great background on Lewis’ BBC broadcasts during the war - easy and fun read
November 18, 2016
C.S. Lewis and Mere Christianity by Paul McCusker
Author Paul McCusker gets into the crisis that spurned the conversion of C.S. Lews to the Christian faith but also the influences that led him there in his book, C.S. Lewis and Mere Christianity: The Crisis that Created a Classic. Drawing on the rich resources from Lewis’ youth, the turbulence of the war (WWII) and the influence of friends, McCusker draws out the picture of Lewis in a quite extraordinary way. The beauty of such a work is that you get Lewis in all his varied array speaking about his own life and McCusker drawing together the details.
Lewis grew up in rooms full of books and immersed himself in the affairs of the imagination in a very real and tangible way. Led to study under some of the notable atheists of his time, it was his imagination that drew him to study those whose work brimmed with religious optimism and hope. McCusker writes, “The First War nearly clinched Jack’s conviction that God, if he existed, wasn’t “good” in any way at all. But while recuperating from trench fever in a French hospital, Jack read a collection of essays by G.K. Chesterton. Though he disagreed with Chesterton’s theology, he was drawn in by the “goodness” of his writing. Both Chesterton and MacDonald (George) baptized Jack’s imagination.” Yet, we know from later on that it was his friend Owen Barfield who held out firm Christian convictions to Lewis and even held his own in argumentation. Further, his conversations with Oxford teachers J.R.R. Tolkien and Hugo Dyson led him further to discover that Christianity was the true myth.
What is quite remarkable about C.S. Lewis is his uncanny knack from writing about the real concerns of humanity and cutting across all stripes of Christian denominations. In his book, The Problem of Pain, Lewis was met with much criticism from reviewers. Tolkien strongly disapproved of the work, noting that it should not be laypeople tacking theological matters but professional clergy. And yet, as Paul notes, “…The Problem of Pain cut across most denominational lines. Jack was able to deal with his subject without alienating any particular branch of Christianity.” It was this book that led James Welch, frontman for the BBC to go get Lewis for his religion broadcasting.
This is a truly unique book in that it combines history, Lewis’ story, and the way his life helped shaped millions.
Thanks to Tyndale Publishers for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Author Paul McCusker gets into the crisis that spurned the conversion of C.S. Lews to the Christian faith but also the influences that led him there in his book, C.S. Lewis and Mere Christianity: The Crisis that Created a Classic. Drawing on the rich resources from Lewis’ youth, the turbulence of the war (WWII) and the influence of friends, McCusker draws out the picture of Lewis in a quite extraordinary way. The beauty of such a work is that you get Lewis in all his varied array speaking about his own life and McCusker drawing together the details.
Lewis grew up in rooms full of books and immersed himself in the affairs of the imagination in a very real and tangible way. Led to study under some of the notable atheists of his time, it was his imagination that drew him to study those whose work brimmed with religious optimism and hope. McCusker writes, “The First War nearly clinched Jack’s conviction that God, if he existed, wasn’t “good” in any way at all. But while recuperating from trench fever in a French hospital, Jack read a collection of essays by G.K. Chesterton. Though he disagreed with Chesterton’s theology, he was drawn in by the “goodness” of his writing. Both Chesterton and MacDonald (George) baptized Jack’s imagination.” Yet, we know from later on that it was his friend Owen Barfield who held out firm Christian convictions to Lewis and even held his own in argumentation. Further, his conversations with Oxford teachers J.R.R. Tolkien and Hugo Dyson led him further to discover that Christianity was the true myth.
What is quite remarkable about C.S. Lewis is his uncanny knack from writing about the real concerns of humanity and cutting across all stripes of Christian denominations. In his book, The Problem of Pain, Lewis was met with much criticism from reviewers. Tolkien strongly disapproved of the work, noting that it should not be laypeople tacking theological matters but professional clergy. And yet, as Paul notes, “…The Problem of Pain cut across most denominational lines. Jack was able to deal with his subject without alienating any particular branch of Christianity.” It was this book that led James Welch, frontman for the BBC to go get Lewis for his religion broadcasting.
This is a truly unique book in that it combines history, Lewis’ story, and the way his life helped shaped millions.
Thanks to Tyndale Publishers for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
July 22, 2014
**I received this book as part of Goodreads' FirstReads giveaway.**
C.S. Lewis has been one of my all-time favorite authors for a long time and I was thrilled to receive this book as part of the FirstReads giveaway! Lewis, affectionately known as Jack throughout the book, was a prolific author and intellectual, but is probably best known to the world for his books on Christianity and the Chronicles of Narnia series. This book delves into Lewis' life just prior to and during World War II, though it does briefly discuss his early and later life as well, and chronicles how Lewis came to write the classic "Mere Christianity".
The narrative was incredibly engaging. Sprinkled throughout the book are brief summaries/narratives about relevant people or events that shaped Lewis' life during the time period along with insights into Lewis' life and motives for his work. The book is broken down into several chapters and within each chapter are smaller sections that made the book easy to pick up and read at leisure. The book acts as a brief, concise history of the precursors and initial conflicts of World War II, though the bulk of the book details Lewis' life in Oxford, where he taught and lived, and London, where he broadcast a series of radio "talks" for the BBC that would eventually be published as "Mere Christianity". The narrative also details the Battle of Britain and its affect on the populace.
I greatly enjoyed this book and found it inspiring. It was truly enjoyable to learn more about one of my favorite authors, but to also be presented with vivid account of life in war-torn England during one of history's most harrowing times. The anecdotes throughout the book regarding Lewis' time with the Inklings and his domestic life provided a nice interlude from the more depressing descriptions of World War II-era England and Europe. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in C.S. Lewis and his works as well as anyone interested in the home-front life of Great Britain during World War II.
C.S. Lewis has been one of my all-time favorite authors for a long time and I was thrilled to receive this book as part of the FirstReads giveaway! Lewis, affectionately known as Jack throughout the book, was a prolific author and intellectual, but is probably best known to the world for his books on Christianity and the Chronicles of Narnia series. This book delves into Lewis' life just prior to and during World War II, though it does briefly discuss his early and later life as well, and chronicles how Lewis came to write the classic "Mere Christianity".
The narrative was incredibly engaging. Sprinkled throughout the book are brief summaries/narratives about relevant people or events that shaped Lewis' life during the time period along with insights into Lewis' life and motives for his work. The book is broken down into several chapters and within each chapter are smaller sections that made the book easy to pick up and read at leisure. The book acts as a brief, concise history of the precursors and initial conflicts of World War II, though the bulk of the book details Lewis' life in Oxford, where he taught and lived, and London, where he broadcast a series of radio "talks" for the BBC that would eventually be published as "Mere Christianity". The narrative also details the Battle of Britain and its affect on the populace.
I greatly enjoyed this book and found it inspiring. It was truly enjoyable to learn more about one of my favorite authors, but to also be presented with vivid account of life in war-torn England during one of history's most harrowing times. The anecdotes throughout the book regarding Lewis' time with the Inklings and his domestic life provided a nice interlude from the more depressing descriptions of World War II-era England and Europe. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in C.S. Lewis and his works as well as anyone interested in the home-front life of Great Britain during World War II.
March 22, 2016
This book is a biography about Clive Staples Lewis, the great theologian best known for his works Mere Christianity, The Chronicles of Narnia, and The Screwtape Letters. The nonfiction title, by Paul McCusker, examines how C. S. Lewis became an unlikely voice of hope during the Second World War. Many questioned their faith, and purpose, when Hitler's attacks of the Nazi regime battered Great Britain, including barrages of bombs dropped overhead. In an attempt to bolster the resolve of the British people, the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) partnered with Lewis for a radio program to help encourage and support the listeners to take faith, and hope, in G-d.
Written in a typical biographic format, McCusker is known both as an author and dramatist. He helped create scripts of all of Lewis' work for the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre program, as well as create an annotated edition of The Screwtape Letters. His work is high quality and has garnered praise and consistent high reviews. Those who have enjoyed McCusker's other works will no doubt relish the opportunity to dive into this work, and those who are biography addicts will find this title one that not only shares the history of this great man, but also inspires them to further explore Lewis' faith for themselves.
Disclosure: I have received a reviewer copy and/or payment in exchange for an honest review of the product mentioned in this post.
Written in a typical biographic format, McCusker is known both as an author and dramatist. He helped create scripts of all of Lewis' work for the Focus on the Family Radio Theatre program, as well as create an annotated edition of The Screwtape Letters. His work is high quality and has garnered praise and consistent high reviews. Those who have enjoyed McCusker's other works will no doubt relish the opportunity to dive into this work, and those who are biography addicts will find this title one that not only shares the history of this great man, but also inspires them to further explore Lewis' faith for themselves.
Disclosure: I have received a reviewer copy and/or payment in exchange for an honest review of the product mentioned in this post.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 16, 2014
I feel so blessed to have read this book as I really was oblivious to the happenings in this book. This book goes into details of C.S. Lewis and all the struggles he had, and the fact that he pursued through. I was introduced to the details of WWII in this book as well. I felt ignorant while reading because I didn’t know about any of this, so I am really glad I got a chance to read it.
It is a great book to learn about C.S. Lewis, and Mere Christianity and WWII.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in these events. This book took me a long time to read only because it was so interesting and I really wanted to take it all in.
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.
It is a great book to learn about C.S. Lewis, and Mere Christianity and WWII.
I would recommend this book to anyone interested in these events. This book took me a long time to read only because it was so interesting and I really wanted to take it all in.
I received this book from Tyndale in exchange for an honest review.
November 10, 2014
I absolutely loved the writing style of McClusker in this biography. I felt like every question I had about C.S. Lewis leading up to his famous writing and during his writing periods were answered in a beautiful flow throughout the book. The time periods and people during C.S. Lewis' time of writing were represented wonderfully with details of relationships and everyday effects from the war, before, during and after. I highly recommend this book to fans of C.S. Lewis' works and to those who might be interested in reading his works for the first time.
July 23, 2014
Fascinating story of a remarkably productive period and circumstances that led to the development of one of the most influential works of apologetics in recent history, Mere Christianity. Explaining the value of Christianity and great themes of Christianity to a largely non-Christian nation at a time of crisis led to this book that still changes lives today.
May 17, 2015
A good read about the writing of Mere Christianity. Paul McCusker digs up some very interesting stories about C.S. Lewis, the BBC, and World War II. McCusker writes Adventures in Odyssey radio programs and he can definitely write an interesting story. I will be having my children read this book when they study 20th Century history.
I recommend it.
I recommend it.
March 5, 2016
This book wasn't "bad"- but it definitely gets pretty dry/boring at parts.
October 15, 2016
Best part of the book for me was the backdrop of events leading up to and during WWII.
The rest, I couldn't get through. I quit at 3/4. Boring to me.
The rest, I couldn't get through. I quit at 3/4. Boring to me.
October 13, 2017
Not a very deep biography, this book basically covers the details of Lewis' commissions to talk about religion on the BBC during WW2. There's basic biographical information throughout the book, but nothing goes very deep. Lewis' motives and emotions about the results of his talks are briefly traced. However, if you're looking for a book that more profoundly explores what he may have thought throughout this time, you will find this one insufficient.
I enjoyed the stories; they were well-written and informative, but still just "light-reading."
I enjoyed the stories; they were well-written and informative, but still just "light-reading."
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews