C.S. Lewis on relations between the Churches

Abstract

There are three separate themes in Lewis’ thought, interestingly all present in the Preface to Mere Christianity, which touch upon the relations between the churches, or denominations, of his day and ours. The first is his didactic commitment to a mere Christianity, a presentation of Christianity in which the differences between denominations are not discussed or emphasized, in order to attract unbelievers. The second is his occasional enunciation of Anglican doctrines, and strong self-identification as a layman of the Church of England. The third is made up of comments on the question itself; that is, explicit discussion of the existence of multiple Christian confessions, and what to make of them. This chapter is a commentary on Lewis’ words in the Preface, and a brief elaboration of each of these three themes