Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

I discovered this masterpiece as a confused teenager, stumbling across it in a bookstore while searching for another book I can't even remember. I recall seeing a post about it somewhere, but while browsing I found this copy with the most deceptively mundane title imaginable, "Mere Christianity," as in simple Christianity. I couldn't have conceived of a more tediously boring subject matter, yet something mysteriously compelled me to purchase it despite my complete lack of interest.

For the first day I procrastinated reading it, consumed by that familiar reluctance to engage with anything that wasn't sufficiently dark or edgy for my teenage sensibilities. The second day, I forced myself to crack it open, and it became the most transformative decision of my entire existence.

As the title brilliantly suggests, C.S. Lewis presents every argument for Christianity with stunning simplicity. Even the most intellectually complex concepts become crystal clear under his explanation. It never felt condescending either, whether you're a philosophy PhD or a complete intellectual novice, you'll grasp Lewis's arguments with absolutely perfect clarity. As you progress through his methodical reasoning and encounter his counterarguments, you'll notice Lewis deploys extraordinarily clever analogies that illuminate every point flawlessly.

Lewis possessed an almost supernatural talent for analogies because they were extremely accurate. Analogies were merely one weapon in his vast arsenal for simplifying the most profound theological arguments. He guides you through Christian faith and rationalizes it with absolutely exceptional intellectual rigor.

It felt like Lewis had somehow articulated every profound thought I'd ever struggled to express, even as a hopelessly confused teenager drowning in existential questions. It's impossible to pinpoint one specific revelation, but Lewis's entire approach felt like he was personally answering every burning question that had tormented me. It's not that these questions couldn't be answered elsewhere or weren't Googleable, it's that every other explanation felt weak compared to Lewis's explanations.

You might not emerge as a committed Christian after reading just this single Lewis masterpiece, but it will fundamentally reshape your understanding. I know countless atheists and skeptics who either completely transformed their view of Christianity or literally rediscovered their abandoned faith after encountering this book.

Without spoiling the intellectual journey, this stands as one of Lewis's absolute greatest works, easily top three in his impressive catalog and unquestionably belongs in the top ten philosophy and theology books ever written.

Rating: 9.5/10

You can buy the book on Amazon here or from Barnes & Noble here.