A Mere Christian

by Ron Smith MD

Overview

Christians are not buckets to be filled, but fires to be kindled. What they believe and do is more important than what happens to them.

My purpose in writing A Mere Christian is of course to share what I�ve gleaned from Lewis, Chamblin, and others. The closer we get to the ever-certain return of Christ for his Church, the more God makes his followers to understand what has previously been mystery. Our view of that return is closer than was Jack�s and more of God�s mystery is revealed.

We need to know what we believe and why we believe it. Above all we need to understand just how great is our God!

I am extremely indebted to C. S. Lewis and Mere Christianity. His incomparable work originated as a series of three broadcast radio talks in Great Britain during World War II. I owe many thanks also to Knox Chamblin, Ph.D., professor at Reformed Theological Seminary. His iTunes U course on C. S. Lewis taught me a great deal.

Walter Hooper, Lewis' personal secretary near the end of his life, called him the most thoroughly converted man he ever knew.

�I am a very ordinary layman of the Church of England, not especially �high,� nor especially �low,� nor especially anything else.� �C. S. Lewis

His humility stirs me. These men have kindled their fire in me.

Ron Smith, MD

Reviews

I think it is an excellent read to convey Christianity. �By including some apologetic content about God,�the theory of evolution, and mankind�s inner moral conscience, you provided a groundwork for removing�stumbling blocks for many in this generation. Your use of Scripture was effective. I wish you all the�success.� -Rick Reynolds, D.Min

Product Details

BN ID:	2940149430987
Publisher:	Ron Smith, MD
Publication date:	04/09/2014
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
File size:	564 KB

About the Author

Early in 2012 at the age of twenty-four, my youngest daughter Laura Michelle passed away. She was severely disabled from birth, and her ongoing physical problems became increasingly intense right up to her sudden passing.

Stacy and I had been married almost thirty-five years then, and were both solid Christians since early childhood. Like a red hot forge, Laura�s illness burned away thoughts and ideas which were wrong-headed and even destructive. Everything we believed was reweighed and remeasured. The accumulated dross of daily living was discarded as we became stronger and deeper in our faith.

For several years even prior to her passing, I had been listening to Mere Christianity every day on my half-hour commute to and from work. Later I found Knox Chamblin�s wonderful iTunes U course on C. S. Lewis and began listening to it as well.

Late in 2012 our small congregation at Senoia United Methodist Church began a turbulent change in pastors. Some of us faired poorly through it and it made me see the need for our small body of believers to understand what Lewis and Chamblin had been teaching me. Early in 2013, I started teaching Mere Christianity in our adult Sunday School class. I think it was then that I realized why I had been schooled by these wonderful men whose words of truth echo beyond their passing.

By no means do I claim to be anything at all other than that I�m a true believer in Jesus Christ. What has come out of all those hours of study and teaching I have now put down for all to benefit. That is my only goal.

Ron Smith, MD

Editorial Reviews

I think it is an excellent read to convey Christianity. By including some apologetic content about God, the theory of evolution, and mankind�s inner moral conscience, you provided a groundwork for removing stumbling blocks for many in this generation. Your use of Scripture was effective. I wish you all the success.� -Rick Reynolds, D.Min

Personal Review - Rick Reynolds, D.Min