PHILOSOPHICAL WRITINGS
MERE CHRISTIANITY
BOOK THREE: CHRISTIAN BEHAVIOR
Before reading the chapter and answering the following questions, please number your paragraphs 1-9 (paragraph 9 is separated into 4 different sections, not paragraphs).
Paragraph 3:
According to Lewis there are 7 major virtues. They are split up into 2 categories. What are the names of those 2 categories?
What is the difference between the 2 sets of virtues? (The first category would partially make up what Lewis earlier called The Law of Human Nature.)
How is the word "cardinal" used in the label "cardinal virtues"?
What are the 4 cardinal virtues according to Lewis?
Paragraph 4:
How does Lewis define the virtue "prudence"?
According to Lewis many Christians misunderstand this virtue. What error do many of them make with regards to prudence?
Lewis gives 2 responses to this misunderstanding. What are those 2 responses?
In order to illustrate how prudence works, Lewis uses the example of giving to the poor (charity)? How would prudence operate in this area?
How much of our common sense does God want us to use?
Instead of adopting the following motto--"Be good, sweet maid and let who can be clever," what motto does Lewis want us to adopt?
What kind of slackers is God fond of?
Although Lewis says that Christianity demands that we use our brains, he goes on to say that a person does not need a special education in order to be a Christian. Why?
What is the premier proof that an uneducated man can actually make a tremendous impact for Jesus?
Paragraph 5:
According to Lewis the virtue "temperance" has lost its original meaning. In the minds of most people what does temperance mean?
When originally coined, did temperance refer strictly to drinking alcohol?
Instead of referring to "abstinence," what does temperance refer to?
This discussion unnerves a lot of conservative Christians. Whatever else is true in this discussion, we must admit that 2 of the greatest Christians of all time (conservative Christians) smoked or smoked and drank. They were Charles Spurgeon, a Baptist, and C. S. Lewis. When asked if his smoking cigars did not hurt his testimony, Spurgeon replied, "Only if I smoke excessively." When asked what he meant by smoking excessively, Spurgeon replied, "Smoking 2 cigars at the same time!" (Whether he's right or wrong, I think that is hysterical!) When another lady told Spurgeon that she thought it was despicable that he stuck his cigar between his 2 fingers, he replied: "Where do you want me to stick it?"
What religion is the teatotal religion?
When should a Christian abstain from drinking?
Instead of condemning people who drink, what attitude should the Christian have towards people who drink and can handle alcohol?
What is the mark of a certain type of bad man?
Lewis mentions an instance of a Christian taking the wrong turn. What has this Christian done which has led him to make a wrong turn?
Paragraph 6:
Because people have restricted temperance only to drinking, what mischief have they caused?
What are some other areas a person can be INtemperate in beside drinking?
According to Lewis what is the difference between intemperate with alcohol and being intemperate with cards, or golf, or dominoes, etc.? Does this difference matter to God?
Paragraph 7:
Instead of referring to what goes on in the law courts, what does the term "justice" refer to?
What all does fairness include?
What 2 kinds of courage does fortitude include?
When you practice one of the 4 virtues for very long, which virtue must come into play before very long?
Paragraph 8:
Lewis claims that there is a difference between a just or temperate action and a just or temperate man. How does tennis illustrate this principle?
What will a man who perseveres in doing just actions get in the end?
When speaking about virtues, are we speaking about particular actions or a quality?
Here Lewis is harmonizing with the insights of both Aristotle and Confucius who claimed that character determined actions. What is needed is good character. This also harmonizes with Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, where He claims that only the good tree can produce good fruit. What is needed is not good actions but good trees, that is, good character.
Paragraph 9:
If we stress action over quality (character), we will encourage 3 wrong ideas. What is the FIRST wrong idea we will encourage?
What is the problem of doing the right thing for the wrong reason?
What is the SECOND wrong idea we will encourage whenever we stress actions instead of character?
What is the THIRD wrong idea we will be encouraging?
According to Lewis what helps determine what kind of people we are going to become in our future life?
Will God refuse you entrance if you don't quite focus enough on character in this present life?
If people do not have at least the beginnings of those qualities inside them, what external conditions will make heaven "Heaven" for them?
Illustration of the dwarves in The Last Battle.
Book Three
Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2: The Cardinal Virtues