bluekumul
Full Member
Christian humanist, democratic socialist, world citizen
Posts: 197
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Post by bluekumul on Mar 5, 2024 16:38:22 GMT
I'm currently reading this book by CS Lewis. Any opinions?
I've only finished two chapters but he really does make a good case that: *God exists *Jesus Christ was God *Jesus had to die to make us come to Him
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Post by homeschooldad on Mar 5, 2024 17:30:53 GMT
I'm currently reading this book by CS Lewis. Any opinions? I've only finished two chapters but he really does make a good case that: *God exists *Jesus Christ was God *Jesus had to die to make us come to Him I'm not terribly crazy about this book, as it seems to minimize (or outright deny) the Catholic Church, with the Pope as its head, as the only Church to which one must adhere, to save their souls (putting aside subjective error which could allow someone to be saved while being outside that visible unity). It also seems to assert that the only doctrines that are important, are the ones on which all Christian agree, and that is a sort-of Masonic mindset, "those things which we all have in common". I would go with a traditional Catholic resource such as Father Morrow's My Catholic Faith instead. It's a sad thing that Lewis never entered the Catholic Church, possibly due to a mental block that would prevent an Ulster Protestant from making that leap. (Full disclosure, I am descended from Ulster Protestants as well, though I didn't grow up raised with it in Northern Ireland, Deo gratias.)
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Post by iagosan on Mar 6, 2024 6:30:44 GMT
I'm currently reading this book by CS Lewis. Any opinions? I've only finished two chapters but he really does make a good case that: *God exists *Jesus Christ was God *Jesus had to die to make us come to Him I'm not terribly crazy about this book, as it seems to minimize (or outright deny) the Catholic Church, with the Pope as its head, as the only Church to which one must adhere, to save their souls (putting aside subjective error which could allow someone to be saved while being outside that visible unity). It also seems to assert that the only doctrines that are important, are the ones on which all Christian agree, and that is a sort-of Masonic mindset, "those things which we all have in common". I would go with a traditional Catholic resource such as Father Morrow's My Catholic Faith instead. It's a sad thing that Lewis never entered the Catholic Church, possibly due to a mental block that would prevent an Ulster Protestant from making that leap. (Full disclosure, I am descended from Ulster Protestants as well, though I didn't grow up raised with it in Northern Ireland, Deo gratias.) I have read Mere Christianity twice and my feelings are somewhat similar to yours, although I think he was sanguine with regards to the importance of the Papacy with regards to its position in the Church.
I too would look towards a Catholic author and if asked for one book to recommend, I would say “Apologetics and Catholic Doctrine” by Archbishop Michael Sheehan. This book was widely used in Catholic education throughout the English speaking world up to Vatican II but was then discarded (and the rest is history as they say…….)
Baronius Press has a slightly “updated” edition, but it is rather expensive and there are some doubts as to its full orthodoxy on a couple of points-which I will not mention here, but suggest that if so interested ,compare with a pre Vatican II copy.
Abebooks.com often have well priced copies available, but if you want one today to browse before buying a hard copy, you can download (or read online) a 1950`s edition for free at the internet archive link below:
archive.org/details/SheehanApologeticsAndCatholicDoctrine1950/page/n35/mode/1up
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Post by homeschooldad on Mar 6, 2024 6:37:36 GMT
I'm not terribly crazy about this book, as it seems to minimize (or outright deny) the Catholic Church, with the Pope as its head, as the only Church to which one must adhere, to save their souls (putting aside subjective error which could allow someone to be saved while being outside that visible unity). It also seems to assert that the only doctrines that are important, are the ones on which all Christian agree, and that is a sort-of Masonic mindset, "those things which we all have in common". I would go with a traditional Catholic resource such as Father Morrow's My Catholic Faith instead. It's a sad thing that Lewis never entered the Catholic Church, possibly due to a mental block that would prevent an Ulster Protestant from making that leap. (Full disclosure, I am descended from Ulster Protestants as well, though I didn't grow up raised with it in Northern Ireland, Deo gratias.) I have read Mere Christianity twice and my feelings are somewhat similar to yours, although I think he was sanguine with regards to the importance of the Papacy with regards to its position in the Church.
I too would look towards a Catholic author and if asked for one book to recommend, I would say “Apologetics and Catholic Doctrine” by Archbishop Michael Sheehan. This book was widely used in Catholic education throughout the English speaking world up to Vatican II but was then discarded (and the rest is history as they say…….)
Baronius Press has a slightly “updated” edition, but it is rather expensive and there are some doubts as to its full orthodoxy on a couple of points-which I will not mention here, but suggest that if so interested ,compare with a pre Vatican II copy.
Abebooks.com often have well priced copies available, but if you want one today to browse before buying a hard copy, you can download (or read online) a 1950`s edition for free at the internet archive link below:
archive.org/details/SheehanApologeticsAndCatholicDoctrine1950/page/n35/mode/1up
I am downloading this book as I write this.
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bluekumul
Full Member
Christian humanist, democratic socialist, world citizen
Posts: 197
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Post by bluekumul on Mar 6, 2024 7:19:54 GMT
I could also read Sheehan some day, but I'm reading Lewis precisely because he rejects denominational infighting and makes case for Christianity as such.
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