What CS Lewis Really Said (Introduction)

The Preface to the FIRST DRAFT of “Modeling God” began like this:

From the outset, I’d like to say that Mere Christianity directly influences this book. Even though CS Lewis wrote that book over 60 years ago, today it still is well ahead of most Christians. Its longevity is proof that CS Lewis spoke truth.
I have read Mere Christianity over 40 times. At first, it appears to be a simple book. However, its depth is readily apparent to everyone who spends any time thinking about it. As I began to apply Mere Christianity, I was amazed how many questions it answers and how unfamiliar the majority of Christians are with it in a practical fashion.
Eventually I became sad that we haven’t progressed beyond Mere Christianity. Knowledge increases every day. In fact, in the more than 40 years since CS Lewis’ death, it would seem that we should have an even deeper understanding of Christianity in a practical sense. The sad truth is we don’t.
I originally wrote this book for the Christian who has read Mere Christianity and wants to grow to a deeper more practical understanding of Christianity. Ten years ago I began to combine CS Lewis’ principles with the knowledge we had available. After three years I had a model that I could put to the test.


I am still amazed at people who say they read CS Lewis and even “agree” with him…yet look flabbergasted when I quote certain key passages from his book. I believe this is because Mere Christianity was written by presenting principles directly. CS Lewis realized that very few people were mature enough to handle this...so he spent the rest of his time writing about principles indirectly, through literature.

Today, I believe we are so used to getting principles indirectly, that most people not only can't handle Modeling God, they get in the flesh and FEEL the book can't be from God BECAUSE it presents principles directly. One of the reasons people reject Modeling God is they believe we can't know the principles directly!!!!

Over the next couple of weeks, we will look at what CS Lewis REALLY said...

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