I think that if we want to reach out to those in the Democratic party who may look down their noses somewhat at the Christian religion -- or for those scratching their heads trying to understand, CS Lewis is a great writer to start with for reaching a deeper understanding of the meaning and philosophy of Christianity.
I'd reccommend "Mere Christianity" as an excellent first book to read. One of the problems I've found in my life is that religious instruction itself (I was raised Catholic) is not very good at relating what the religion at its basis really stands for.
His breakdown of morality into the four cardinal virtues -- prudence, temperance, justice, fortitude --and the three theological virtues -- faith, hope, charity -- are invaluable for getting a grasp of morality as an intellectual skill to be developed rather than a truth which never changes.
Read it yourself and offer it up to your Democrat friends -- believers and non-believers.
Full Version: CS Lewis
QUOTE(craichead @ Nov 8 2004, 03:39 PM)
CS Lewis is a great writer to start with for reaching a deeper understanding of the meaning and philosophy of Christianity.
Yes, Lewis is one of the greatest thinkers to ever walk on Earth -- he's definitely a genious and religious one at that. Mere Christianity is a great book and should be read more than once.
Go to your local library and check it out today -- checking out a Christian book from the library might get you on John Ashcroft's good list. And I'm sure we can all benefit from that.
:D
C. S. Lewis is excellent. In addition to his writings on Christianity, he also wrote the Tales of Narnia (a children's fantasy series which is based on Jesus Christ's life and teachings) and a science fiction series (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra, and That Hideous Strength). It has been many years since I read these books but their appeal is universal. I also remember liking The Screwtape Letters. All of Lewis's books really make you think.
It has been years since I read Lewis but he is one of those provocative writers that will stimulate your thought process into a state of "becoming" which is what life is about, not that we just have biological developmental stages, but that we also should have ongoing developmental processes that advance our beingness into all that we can aspire to become.
lenal
QUOTE(craichead @ Nov 8 2004, 03:39 PM)
I think that if we want to reach out to those in the Democratic party who may look down their noses somewhat at the Christian religion -- or for those scratching their heads trying to understand, CS Lewis is a great writer to start with for reaching a deeper understanding of the meaning and philosophy of Christianity.
I'd reccommend "Mere Christianity" as an excellent first book to read. One of the problems I've found in my life is that religious instruction itself (I was raised Catholic) is not very good at relating what the religion at its basis really stands for.
His breakdown of morality into the four cardinal virtues -- prudence, temperance, justice, fortitude --and the three theological virtues -- faith, hope, charity -- are invaluable for getting a grasp of morality as an intellectual skill to be developed rather than a truth which never changes.
Read it yourself and offer it up to your Democrat friends -- believers and non-believers.
I'd reccommend "Mere Christianity" as an excellent first book to read. One of the problems I've found in my life is that religious instruction itself (I was raised Catholic) is not very good at relating what the religion at its basis really stands for.
His breakdown of morality into the four cardinal virtues -- prudence, temperance, justice, fortitude --and the three theological virtues -- faith, hope, charity -- are invaluable for getting a grasp of morality as an intellectual skill to be developed rather than a truth which never changes.
Read it yourself and offer it up to your Democrat friends -- believers and non-believers.
Give it to the NeoCons to read too!
C.S. Lewis' friend, Owen Barfield offers a significant metaphysical viewpoint. I recommend "Saving the Appearances: A study in Idolatry" to those who want to see a modern answer for fundamental epistemological questions raised in the 19th and 20th century that most Christians ignore.
Amazon: Owen Barfield's Saving the Appearances
Amazon: Owen Barfield's Saving the Appearances
i love cslewis!!!
C.S. Lewis was the most important writer who helped me to come to faith, and who enabled me to realize that I didn't have to trade in my progressive principles nor my intellect to be a Christian.
Great as always to see that MarionMansfield is alive and posting on CommonSense, and reading C.S...
Barry Schaeffer
Great as always to see that MarionMansfield is alive and posting on CommonSense, and reading C.S...
Barry Schaeffer
If you haven't read his book called "The Weight of Glory", you haven't lived. Some have said that it should be called another Epistle. I was so inspired and filled after reading it, I'd have to agree.
He talks at length about how even the least intelligent Christian will be transformed by God at the end of time into a creature so transcendent in power and wisdom that none of us could compare with him. Very humbling and very good for keeping one's perspective.
Barry Schaeffer
He talks at length about how even the least intelligent Christian will be transformed by God at the end of time into a creature so transcendent in power and wisdom that none of us could compare with him. Very humbling and very good for keeping one's perspective.
Barry Schaeffer
I don't think it is "Christian" to drop bombs on women and children; I don't think it is "Christian" to take tax money from the working poor and give it to the rich; I don't think it is "Christian" to steal elections.
The people who profess to have "good Christian values" are causing misery and suffering here in America and around the world.
The people who profess to have "good Christian values" are causing misery and suffering here in America and around the world.
Jeff,
I don't know how anyone could have voiced our frustration any better than you did.
To be honest, I am a committed Christian, but I've told God that the idea of seeing George W. Bush in Heaven would make me physically sick. I've got a weird idea that he's actually possessed by a demon.
Lots of folks who've studied him say that he's much more unstable and violent in his moods than he used to be.
Barry
I don't know how anyone could have voiced our frustration any better than you did.
To be honest, I am a committed Christian, but I've told God that the idea of seeing George W. Bush in Heaven would make me physically sick. I've got a weird idea that he's actually possessed by a demon.
Lots of folks who've studied him say that he's much more unstable and violent in his moods than he used to be.
Barry
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