Mere Christianity: 7 Helpful Quotes for Modern-Day Readers

by Lois Flowers

I read Mere Christianity for the first time when I was in my late 40s. I don’t know why it took me so long. I love C.S. Lewis. The Chronicles of Narnia are among my favorite books in the whole wide literary world.

I was late to the party, for sure. But once I read Mere Christianity, the non-fiction title Lewis is perhaps best known for, I felt like someone who had just discovered pizza and wanted everyone else to know about it.

The book is pure apologetics (as opposed to the spiritual memoir or self-help books that are so popular today). The author’s voice is clear and distinctive—very British, down-to-earth, unpretentious.

The material was first presented as a series of radio broadcasts during World War II. “Asked by the BBC to explain to his fellow Britons what Christians believe, C.S. Lewis proceeded with the task as if this were the simplest thing in the world, and also the most important,” Kathleen Norris writes in the foreword.

Lewis uses a bit of the military language the British public would have been familiar with at the time. But he also sprinkles in references to eggs (boiled and otherwise), electricity, cabbages, machinery and other everyday items as he covers topics ranging from time, moral law and the Trinity to marriage, pride and hope.

For example, when writing about the necessity of Christian growth, Lewis says this: “It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird: it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly while remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.”

He certainly had a way with words, didn’t he?

Lewis presents his explanation of Christianity in a logical, step-by-step way that resonated with my mind while also stirring my soul. When I read it again a few years later, I was struck by how relevant—even prophetic—it is 70 years after it was published.

The second time, a friend and I worked our way through the book using a study guide from the C.S. Lewis Institute. It was challenging, to say the least, but I was actually sorry when we got to the last page.

We all have different reading tastes, so not everyone will love—or even care to read—Mere Christianity. That said, if you’re a logical thinker—or simply someone hungering for a different perspective as you navigate our increasingly feelings-based culture—you might want to give it a try.

Whether or not you rush off to reserve Mere Christianity at your local library, take a minute to ponder a few of my favorite quotes from the book. Starting with …

• A surprising reason to believe in Christianity:

“Reality, in fact, is usually something you could not have guessed,” Lewis writes. “That is one of the reasons I believe Christianity. It is a religion you could not have guessed. If it offered us just the kind of universe we had always expected, I should feel we were making it up. But, in fact, it is not the sort of thing anyone would have made up.

• How to find comfort:

“In religion, as in war and everything else, comfort is the one thing you cannot get by looking for it. If you look for truth, you may find comfort in the end: if you look for comfort you will not get either comfort or truth—only soft soap and wishful thinking to begin with and, in the end, despair.”

• One way Christians make unbelievers doubt Christianity:

“When we Christians behave badly, or fail to behave well, we are making Christianity unbelievable to the outside world,” Lewis says. “The war-time posters told us that Careless Talk costs Lives. It is equally true that Careless Lives cost Talk. Our careless lives set the outer world talking; and we give them grounds for talking in a way that throws doubt on the truth of Christianity itself.”

• How to love others:

“The rule for all of us is perfectly simple. Do not waste time bothering whether you ‘love’ your neighbor; act as though you did. As soon as we do this we find one of the great secrets. When you are behaving as if you loved someone, you will presently come to love him.

• What a humble person is like:

“Do not imagine that if you meet a really humble man he will be what most people call ‘humble’ nowadays,” Lewis explains. “He will not be a sort of smarmy person, who is always telling you that, of course, he is nobody. Probably all you will think about him is that he seemed a cheerful, intelligent chap who took a real interest in what you said to him. If you do dislike him it will be because you feel a little envious of anyone who seems to enjoy life so easily. He will not be thinking about humility: he will not be thinking about himself at all.”

• On not putting other believers on pedestals:

“We must be thankful to all the people who have helped us, we must honour them and love them. But never, never pin your whole faith on any human being: not if he is the best and wisest in the whole world. There are lots of things you can do with sand: but do not try building a house on it.”

• On Christ’s return, and why we need to choose whose side we’re on now:

“God will invade. But I wonder whether people who ask God to intervene openly and directly in our world quite realise what it will be like when He does,” Lewis writes. “When that happens, it is the end of the world. When the author walks on to the stage the play is over. God is going to invade, all right: but what is the good of saying you are on His side then, when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else—something it never entered your head to conceive—comes crashing in; something so beautiful to some of us and so terrible to others that none of us will have any choice left?

“For this time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistible love or irresistible horror into every creature,” Lewis continues. “That will not be the time for choosing: it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realised it or not. Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last for ever. We must take it or leave it.”

• • •

Which of these excerpts resonated most with you? Or, if you’ve read Mere Christianity, feel free to share some of your own favorite quotes from the book.

Lois

When I read Mere Christianity for the first time in my late 40s, I felt like someone who had just discovered pizza and wanted everyone else to know about it. #C.S. Lewis #MereChristianity Click To Tweet If you’re a logical thinker—or simply someone hungering for a different perspective as you navigate our increasingly feelings-based culture—you might want to give Mere Christianity a try. #C.S. Lewis #MereChristianity Click To Tweet Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last for ever. We must take it or leave it. ~ #C.S.Lewis in #MereChristianity Click To Tweet

P.S. I’m linking up this week with #tellhisstory, InstaEncouragements, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee and Grace & Truth.

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24 comments

Bethany McIlrath October 23, 2022 - 7:30 am

This reminds me I need to reread Mere Christianity! Thanks for the lovely reflections and roundup of quotes! “Our lives cost talk” is especially powerful to me, and the quote about humility.

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Lois Flowers October 24, 2022 - 7:43 am

Those two really struck a chord with me too, Bethany. By the way, did you visit any C.S. Lewis-related spots when you were in England? 🙂

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Lauren Renee Sparks October 21, 2022 - 6:46 pm

I loved studying this book several years ago with my life group. I might be one of the only ones who did! Thanks for highlighting these nuggets!

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Lois Flowers October 22, 2022 - 8:54 am

Haha … I know what you mean about being one of the only ones, Lauren. In my mind, Mere Christianity is amazing and should be universally loved, but we all have different reading tastes, don’t we?

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Paula Short October 21, 2022 - 4:23 pm

Lois, great perspectives. I’ve never read Mere Christianity. I’m going to have to.
Visiting today from Let’s Have Coffee #7

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Lois Flowers October 21, 2022 - 4:29 pm

If you read it, I’d love to know what you think. 😊

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Tammy L Kennington October 20, 2022 - 1:13 pm

Hi Lois,
You encouraged me to borrow Mere Christianity from the library. I know it’s tucked in a box somewhere under the stairs but it would take some time to rummage through everything.

I wish I had the ability to remember quotes. C.S. Lewis spoke so eloquently and with such wisdom.

Thanks for sharing the link to the study!

Blessings,
Tammy

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Lois Flowers October 21, 2022 - 4:28 pm

Haha … I know what you mean about finding the book under the stairs! Should be easy to find this one at the library. 😊 And I agree about Lewis’s eloquence and wisdom.

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Trudy October 19, 2022 - 11:27 am

I have never read this book, but I do love the Chronicles of Narnia and some of Lewis’ quotes. He really makes one ponder and reflect, doesn’t he? Thank you for sharing these wise truths. I especially love the analogy of an egg. So true. Love and blessings to you, Lois!

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Lois Flowers October 19, 2022 - 6:53 pm

Yes, Trudy … there is definitely much to ponder in Lewis’s writing. I love Narnia too, and it’s fun to hear that same “voice” in Mere Christianity from time to time. Love and hugs to you, my friend.

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Joanne Viola October 19, 2022 - 6:57 am

Lois, the egg quote made me laugh this morning but it is oh, so true! This year I have been re-reading old books. Time to give this one a re-read! Wonderful post!

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Lois Flowers October 19, 2022 - 6:49 pm

Thanks, Joanne! I know what you mean about the egg quote. There are so many times reading Mere Christianity that I think, “That’s exactly it … how in the world did he think to put it like that? 🙂

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Tea With Jennifer October 19, 2022 - 12:04 am

Love this post Lois! This book was on our Reading list before entering Bible College.

The last quote resonates with me.
Blessings, Jennifer

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Lois Flowers October 19, 2022 - 6:47 pm

I love that last quote too, Jennifer. It’s a bit longer but so good I had to keep it all!

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Barbara Harper October 18, 2022 - 2:22 pm

I may have been about the same age when I read MC for the first time. I’ve read it 2-3 times since, and need to probably every few years. I’m amazed that Lewis could write scholarly articles in words I don’t even recognize, but he could also write very clearly and plainly to us everyday adults. I do love his way with words!

Thanks for mentioning the study guide! It had a download button, so I can keep it on hand for my next time through MC.

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Lois Flowers October 19, 2022 - 6:46 pm

That amazes me about Lewis’s writing too, Barbara. (My dad was the same way–he was a brilliant engineer who also taught Sunday School to kindergarteners.) You’ll have to let me know what you think of the study guide … it was definitely challenging, but it forced me and my friend to really dig deep into the book, which was good.

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heather October 18, 2022 - 8:29 am

Lois, You’ve inspired me to pick up Mere Christianity again. I started once but stopped to read other things. But I absolutely love Lewis. Not even just as a writer but as a person. When lockdown happened, I began reading biographies on him, and I’ve read 7 so far, with several more to go. I am addicted to him and his faith journey. What an inspiration!

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Lois Flowers October 18, 2022 - 10:01 am

Wow, Heather … you are a Lewis expert by now! Did you happen to see “The Most Reluctant Convert” about him that came out last year? It was really good too.

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heather October 23, 2022 - 12:33 pm

No, I didn’t. I will have to look it up. Thanks!

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Lois Flowers October 24, 2022 - 7:42 am

You’re welcome! 🙂

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Lesley October 18, 2022 - 6:45 am

I’ve never read Mere Christianity, but these quotes have definitely whetted my appetite! I liked the surprising reason to believe Christianity and his thoughts on finding comfort, and the quote about careless lives costing talk was very well expressed too!

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Lois Flowers October 18, 2022 - 9:59 am

I’m glad they whetted your appetite, Lesley. I love how the quotes are all so culturally relevant today … goes to show how truth transcends the years.

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My Life in Our Father's World October 18, 2022 - 6:26 am

❤️ CS Lewis

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Lois Flowers October 18, 2022 - 6:42 am

Me too, Barb!

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