Rivermont Presbyterian Church P. Ribeiro 1 Mere Christianity C.S. Lewis Book I Right and Wrong As A Clue To The Meaning Of The Universe Summary of Chapters 1 - The Law of Human nature 2 - Some Objection I Peter 3:15 But in your heart set Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience.

Rivermont Presbyterian Church P. Ribeiro 2 Topic:Mere Christianity (Text: The Bible and Mere Christianity) 1. Introductions:Name; Background; Have Read Mere Christianity; Know C.S. Lewis, etc. 2. Mere Christianity:-Rational Defense (Apologetics, Ethics and Theology) of the Christian Faith -Open Letter to a Secular Society (Christians and Non-Christians) -The Author: C.S. Lewis - (Written ) -Theme:Mere Christianity (The Bottom Line) 3. Outline:-Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe -What Christians Believe -Christian Behavior -Beyond Personality (Doctrine of the Trinity) 4. Motivation:-I Peter 3:15b; Romans 12:2 I appeal to evangelical Christians to use the whole range of their professional skills to speak prophetically about our times. We need deeper analyses of the pathology of scientific, technological social and political evils in our contemporary world, in light of the eternal realities revealed in God’s Word. A new missionary enterprise is involved: to go virtually into every professional area of life, just as in the past we have emphasized the geographical penetration of our world with the gospel. James Houston 5. Format:-Socratic discussion with sensitivity and humility

Rivermont Presbyterian Church P. Ribeiro 3 Book I: Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe Chapter I. The Law of Nature (Romans 2: 14-15) 1 - C. S. Lewis makes note of a tendency in humans of appealing to a standard of absolute truth in quarrels and arguments. He calls this standard the Law of Nature or the Moral Law. Do you agree with his observations? 2 - Law of Nature versus Law of Human Nature? Is there a difference? 3 - Is the Moral Law relative / different for each civilization? 4 - Looking back, have you ever used an appeal to absolute truth in your discussions with others? 5 - Lewis says that despite some disagreement (in the details) different civilizations always agree on certain basic principles. For example, selfishness has never been admired. Do you agree with that? What about the values of our present society? Is selfishness accepted today (by society, by individuals)? 6 - Lewis also says that no human appears to be able to keep the Moral Law at all times but if someone feels that they have, they are an exception and should not read the rest of the book. Is (was) there any exception? 7 - How can such argument help people to see truth and consistency?

Rivermont Presbyterian Church P. Ribeiro 4 How’d you like it if anyone did the same to you? That’s my seat, I was there first. Come on, you promised. We are appealing to some kind of standard Law or Rule of fair play or decent behavior or morality Law of Right and Wrong = Law of Nature (Moral Law) Law of Nature …. Laws of Nature Law of Nature = Law of Human Nature (Moral Law) The body cannot choose to obey the law of gravitation But a man can choose either to obey or disobey the law of Human Nature Is this Law of Human Nature Unsound? Different for each group of people? No - Because if there was no right and wrong, there would be no point in talking about what is fair and unfair. Inevitable Conclusion: We are forced to believe in a real Right and Wrong (Moral Law) And then we break that it

Rivermont Presbyterian Church P. Ribeiro 5 Book I: Right and Wrong as a Clue to the Meaning of the Universe Chapter II. Some Objections 1 - Lewis cites two objections to his theory of natural law which have come to him through letters from readers (Instinct and / or social convention). Any additional objections? 2 - The law is from instinct. Why does Lewis think that the moral law is not just a result of human instinct? 3 - You hear someone cry for help. One feels two desires: one which says go and help, the other which says keep out of danger. The thing which encourage you to do one thing and suppress the other cannot be an instinct. The thing that tells you which note on the piano needs to be played louder cannot itself be that note. Any comments? 4 - Are instincts good or bad in themselves? 5 - Is there any safe / good instinct? 6 - Social convention. Lewis dismisses the idea that moral law is a matter of how we are brought up or educated because...? 7 - Lewis says that the Law of Human Nature belongs to the same class as mathematics. Do you agree with that? Expand on it! The Moral Law is not any one instinct or any set of instincts: it is something which makes a kind of tune (the tune we call goodness or right conduct) by directing the instincts.