Mere Christianity Chapter 1 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

When was C.S. Lewis born?

November 29, 1898

When did C.S. Lewis die?

November 22, 1963

What does C.S. Lewis stand for?

Clive Staples

In what year did Lewis become a theist?

1929 Signup and view all the answers

In what year did Lewis become a Christian?

1931 Signup and view all the answers

What is the definition of joy according to Lewis?

A pang of intense bliss and longing, followed by a strong desire to experience it again or a deep yearning for something unattainable Signup and view all the answers

Who were the two friends that walked with Lewis and helped him understand that Jesus Christ was God?

J.R.R. Tolkien; Hugo Dyson Signup and view all the answers

What does the article mean by 'myth become fact'?

Jesus was 'the God that died' Signup and view all the answers

What were Lewis's nicknames?

Jack Signup and view all the answers

Where was Lewis born?

Belfast, Ireland Signup and view all the answers

Who was Lewis's tutor/mentor and what was his nickname?

William T. Kirkpatrick; 'old knock' or 'kirk' Signup and view all the answers

What key events dealt a severe blow to Lewis's faith as a young child?

Mother's death, estrangement from father, influence of a spiritually unorthodox boarding school matron Signup and view all the answers

Which two authors continued the spiritual awakening of Lewis?

George Macdonald & G.K. Chesterton Signup and view all the answers

What was Lewis' first work as a Christian?

The Pilgrim's Regress Signup and view all the answers

What did Lewis lose out on in his career by choosing to write Christian literature and philosophy?

He was passed over for professorship Signup and view all the answers

Who was Lewis's wife?

Helen Joy Davidman Gresham Signup and view all the answers

What college did Lewis attend?

Oxford University Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the group of friends Lewis was a part of and where did they meet?

Inklings; Eagle and Child Pub Signup and view all the answers

Who were Lewis's parents?

Albert and Flora Lewis Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of Lewis's brother and what was he called?

Warren; Warnie Signup and view all the answers

What was Lewis's childhood home called?

Little Lea Signup and view all the answers

What was Lewis's first boarding school? Describe it.

Wynyard School; The building itself was run down and dreary. The headmaster was a cruel sadistic tyrant Signup and view all the answers

What was Lewis's job as a don?

A teacher responsible for lecturing and tutoring students one-on-one Signup and view all the answers

Which book illustrated Lewis's conversion to Christianity?

A Pilgrim's Regress Signup and view all the answers

What is Surprised by Joy?

It is a partial autobiography published by C.S. Lewis that describes his conversion to Christianity. Signup and view all the answers

What book did Lewis write after Joy died?

A Grief Observed Signup and view all the answers

What book and author inspired Lewis spiritually, even though he didn't see it at the time?

Phantastes by George Macdonald Signup and view all the answers

Name the writers Lewis considered as heroes.

George Macdonald, G.K. Chesterton, Samuel Johnson, Edmund Spenser, John Milton Signup and view all the answers

Name the five friends listed that influenced Lewis's relationship with Christ.

Arthur Greeves, Nevill Coghill, J.R.R. Tolkien, Hugo Dyson, Owen Barfield Signup and view all the answers

What book and author did Lewis read that convinced him that Christian history actually made sense?

The Everlasting Man by G.K. Chesterton Signup and view all the answers

What group did Tolkien and Lewis attend, and what was the group about?

Coalbiters; read stories in Old Norse Signup and view all the answers

What group was originally a student reading group at Oxford in the early 1930s?

The Inklings Signup and view all the answers

What was strange about Jack and Joy's marriage between 1956 and 1957? What was the reason for this?

They had only a civil marriage. They lived in separate houses. They married so Joy and her sons would not have to go back to America when their visas ran out. Signup and view all the answers

How did Joy influence Jack's writing?

She pushed Lewis to take up non-fiction once more after his book Miracles. She also talked him out of writer's block. Signup and view all the answers

What is Boxen?

An imaginary animal land created by Lewis and his brother Signup and view all the answers

What is the Socratic society?

For public debating and conversation between believers and non-believers Signup and view all the answers

What is The Inklings?

Founded in 1930 to discuss writers, what they are writing, and literary discussions. Lewis, Barfield, Tolkien Signup and view all the answers

What are The Coalbiters?

Dedicated to reading Icelandic mythologies in their original language Signup and view all the answers

What is chronological snobbery?

The view that an idea is unfounded or wrong merely because it is antiquated Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

C.S. Lewis Overview

Born on November 29, 1898, in Belfast, Ireland; died on November 22, 1963.
Full name: Clive Staples Lewis, often referred to as "Jack" or "Jacksie".

Religious Journey

Became a theist in 1929 and a Christian in 1931 after a spiritual awakening influenced by friends, J.R.R. Tolkien and Hugo Dyson.
Conversion encapsulated in his work "A Pilgrim's Regress", which illustrates his journey to faith.
Spiritual influences included George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton, and others, leading to a deeper understanding of Christianity.

Key Works and Themes

"Surprised by Joy" serves as a partial autobiography exploring his conversion experiences and personal spiritual development.
"A Grief Observed" written after the death of his wife, Helen Joy Davidman Gresham, reflecting on grief and loss.
"The Everlasting Man" by G.K. Chesterton convinced Lewis of the cohesiveness of Christian history.

Personal Background and Education

Parents: Albert and Flora Lewis; brother: Warren (commonly known as Warnie).
Attended Oxford University, where he engaged in literary and philosophical discussions.
Childhood home was called Little Lea, and he attended the dreary Wynyard school, noted for its cruel headmaster.

Literary Groups and Contributions

Founded "The Inklings" in 1930, a literary group focused on discussing writing and literature, meeting at the Eagle and Child Pub.
Also participated in "The Coalbiters," a group dedicated to reading Old Norse stories.
Despite writing Christian literature, Lewis missed out on academic positions such as professorship.

Personal Life and Relationships

Married Helen Joy Davidman in a civil ceremony as a means to secure her stay in the UK; maintained separate residences for a period.
Joy had a significant impact on his writing, encouraging him to return to non-fiction and overcome writer's block.

Concepts and Philosophies

"Chronological snobbery" describes the idea that older concepts are dismissed purely based on age rather than merit.
Definition of "Joy": a deep yearning for an unattainable experience, characterized by bliss and longing.
Developed an imaginary world called Boxen with his brother, showcasing his creative storytelling.

Influential Friends

Key figures included Arthur Greeves, Nevill Coghill, Owen Barfield, as well as Tolkien and Dyson; all played vital roles in Lewis’s exploration of faith and literature.
Notable authors who influenced him were George MacDonald and Samuel Johnson, among others.

Educational Role and Influence

Worked as a "don," responsible for lecturing and providing individual tutoring to students, significantly impacting their education.

These study notes encapsulate the significant events and themes from the life and works of C.S. Lewis, providing a comprehensive overview of his contributions to literature and Christianity.

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Description

Test your knowledge on C.S. Lewis with these flashcards focused on Chapter 1 of 'Mere Christianity'. Learn about his life, beliefs, and important definitions that shaped his work. Ideal for students studying Lewis's theological insights.