PHILOSOPHICAL WRITINGS
MERE CHRISTIANITY
CHAPTER 6: Christian Marriage (Part 1)
Number your paragraphs 1-17.
Paragraph 1:
Does the second reason disqualify him from addressing the subject? Why or why not?
Sometimes we feel that only married people can advise us about marriage. Remember though that the 2 greatest experts on marriage were single men: Jesus and Paul.
Paragraph 2:
God's math works like this: 1 + 1 = 1. Now we see why divorce is so devastating. If 1 + 1 = 2 in marriage, then the 2 could separate and still be one; however, when God joins us with our spouse, He joins us with super glue to make us one. Have you ever superglued something to a wall and then ever try to pull that thing off the wall? It either breaks the object or rips the wall. The same thing occurs to us spiritually whenever we get a divorce.
When Jesus stated this, was He stating a sentiment or a fact?
What 2 examples does Lewis give of 2 things become one?
On what level are the 2 married people to be combined?
What is monstrous about sex outside of marriage?
What must you NOT do with regards to sexual pleasure?
Paragraph 3:
Although Christians differ regarding divorce, what is one thing they DO agree on regarding divorce?
How does Lewis compare surgery with divorce?
What modern view do all Christians disagree with?
Paragraph 4:
In this paragraph Lewis compares the modern view of divorce with the virtue of justice. Justice involves the keeping of what?
What promise has been made by those who were married in the church?
Does the keeping of that promise have anything to do with sexual morality?
Rather it's in the same position as what?
Some claim that the sexual impulse is just like any other of our impulses. How should promises affect the sexual impulse then?
Rather Lewis claims that the sexual impulse is more highly inflamed than other impulses. How careful then should we be then when making promises regarding the sexual impulse?
Paragraph 5:
What is Lewis' response if the man was deceiving God? Himself? The bride, bride-groom, or in-laws?
"They wanted the ______________ that is attached to marriage without intending to ____________ the __________: that is, they were _________________, they ___________." (Harsh words which need to be reiterated over and over again.)
How does Lewis respond to people who know they are cheats and are contented to be cheats?
If they are honest though, what will their promise do to them?
What heading does this kind of behavior come under?
According to Lewis if people do not mean to keep their vows, what should they do? (This will raise some eye-brows.)
If they do this, what will they be guilty of?
But one fault is not mended by doing what?
Paragraph 6:
If love is the whole thing, what does promise add to the marriage?
If the promise adds nothing, what should be our attitude towards the promise?
Lovers really in love know what?
Is the Christian law forcing upon marriage something unnatural when it says we are to promise to be faithful permanently to that other person? Why or why not?
What is the Christian law of marriage forcing upon the passion of love?
Paragraph 7:
What must the promise be about?
What is one thing a person cannot promise to do? What are 2 examples of this kind of impossible promise?
Why should 2 people stay together even when they are not in love?
Book Three
Chapter 6
What 2 reasons does Lewis give to explain his reluctance in discussing marriage?
Which teaching of Christ is the Christian view of marriage based upon?
According to Christianity marriage should last how long?
Before reading further, ask yourself the question: "Why did you marry your spouse?" If you say, "Because I loved her/him," then ask yourself the next question: "Why should you stay together even when things get rough?"
How does Lewis respond to the person who claims that the promise made in a church wedding ceremony was nothing more than a mere formality?
What happens to the contractual part of marriage if we marry only because we are in love?
When I cease to love my spouse, what does the Christian law of marriage commit me to do?