• Mere Christianity

  • By: C. S. Lewis
  • Narrated by: Geoffrey Howard
  • Length: 5 hrs and 52 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (12,292 ratings)

Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks, and podcasts.
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
Audible Plus auto-renews for $7.95/mo after 30 days. Upgrade or cancel anytime.
Mere Christianity  By  cover art

Mere Christianity

By: C. S. Lewis
Narrated by: Geoffrey Howard
Try for $0.00

$7.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $13.22

Buy for $13.22

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's summary

Mere Christianity is C.S. Lewis' forceful and accessible doctrine of Christian belief. First heard as informal radio broadcasts and then published as three separate books, The Case for Christianity, Christian Behavior, and Beyond Personality, Mere Christianity brings together what Lewis sees as the fundamental truths of the religion. Rejecting the boundaries that divide Christianity's many denominations, C.S. Lewis finds a common ground on which all those who have Christian faith can stand together, proving that "at the center of each there is something, or a Someone, who against all divergences of belief, all differences of temperament, all memories of mutual persecution, speaks with the same voice".
©1942 C. S. Lewis Pte. Ltd. (P)2000 Blackstone Audiobooks

Critic reviews

"Geoffrey Howard's performance is superb; he is clear and unhurried, giving just the right emphasis and/or inflection....Whether or not one agrees with Lewis's arguments, it is a pleasure to hear such a skillful reading of an eloquent work." (Library Journal)

What listeners say about Mere Christianity

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    10,523
  • 4 Stars
    1,212
  • 3 Stars
    340
  • 2 Stars
    115
  • 1 Stars
    102
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    7,915
  • 4 Stars
    1,171
  • 3 Stars
    344
  • 2 Stars
    70
  • 1 Stars
    51
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    8,365
  • 4 Stars
    766
  • 3 Stars
    239
  • 2 Stars
    67
  • 1 Stars
    77

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A Classic That Gets Better & Better With Time!

This is probably my favorite book of all time. Lewis' straightforward logic on basic questions such as "How do we know there is a God?" and "What is God Like?" are still fresh and insightful more than half a century after they were written. Some of this book's great strengths are the lack of religious jargon and simplistic explanations as well as the freedom of sectarian denominational bias.

I have read this book multiple times (in addition to listening to this audiobook) and always glean something new from it. It is no coincidence that in Ken Hughes' survey of great 20th Century Christian Leaders, when he asked "Other than the Bible, what book has influenced you the most" - the #1 choice was "Mere Christianity". Yes, that's correct - it was selected above such classics as Calvin's "Institutes of the Christian Religion", Tozer's "The Pursuit of God" and "My Utmost for His Highest" by Oswald Chambers. It is also the book that convinced Charles Colson of the reality of God and changed his life during the Watergate years.

If you are new to reading philosophy or theology that is deeper than the constant pop-theology of the month books, you may want to take it slow and ponder (even re-listen to) the chapters - the slow rumination will help with the depth of thought that abounds in this book. Many do not know that Lewis is one of the best selling authors of all time - this book is a great example of why this is true!

Whether you are an athiest, a Christian, or of any other religious persuasion, this book is full of great concepts to consider. If you've done much reading, you'll notice numerous passages that often appear as quotes in other books. One of the few Christian books that deserves the title "Classic"!

As with most (or all) Blackstone Audiobooks - the narration is SUPERB!

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

171 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A MUST HEAR!!!!!

Next to the Bible itself, this book has had the most impact on my life. It is a treasure, and not to be missed.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

73 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

The Best Book I Ever Read

I first read this book over 30 years ago. I recall telling people at the time it was the most profound book I had ever read and would likely influence me the rest of my life. Since then I have re-read it (in print or audio) about every five years and still rank it as the best single book I have ever read. The narrator for this edition is better than any I have listened to before.

A word of warning to readers unfamiliar with the works of C.S. Lewis: this book may stir you deeply, both in thought and spirit. It may, if absorbed with reflection and meditation, help to enrich your life and understanding in ways you hardly thought possible. I hope it does. If so, you, like me, will owe a great debt of gratitude to C.S. Lewis.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

51 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Book for Christian Growth

I began listening expecting a book that provides a defense for Christianity, which is what I had been told. While it does do that, I was shocked to discover the amount of information about what it means to grow as a Christian. The writing style is very logical, and you can hear the influence of ancient Greek philosophers in his analytical style. While thick and a little dry, the treasure is worth the dig. Also, the narrator does a fine job and is a good fit for the book.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

46 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

I couldn't have said it better myself.

C.S. Lewis in this book explains how he became a Christian and his views on how Christians should live and interact with the rest of the world.
His turn from being an atheist to becoming a Christian is fascinating to me, for he involved all his knowledge and logic to debate with himself that God doesn't even exist, only to come to the conclusion that not only is there a God, but that Jesus Christ is his Son and Saviour of the world.
His simple comparisons to everyday functions and duties each of us perform for our families or our jobs make his explanations of how to live the Christian life very plain.
I recommend this book to both Christians and non-Christians. As Lewis put it, you cannot simply look at Christ as a great teacher or philosopher; He doesn't allow it. Once you understand Jesus Christ you only have two choices: to dismiss Him as a raving insane lunatic, or to bow down and worship Him as the Saviour of the world.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Great Listen!

This reading of a classic is not to be missed for those who seek a deeper understanding of many issues Christians struggle with on a daily basis.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

27 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Where has this book been all my life?

I've never heard a book that has had such an impact on my life. Easy to understand, yet very powerful message.
I'm very happy to have stumbled upon this audiobook.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

24 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

A brilliant work that everyone should read.

I have read the book and listened to it numerous times this year. Mr. Lewis is a wonderful writer, I like to imagine he's tutoring me personally as I listen.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Profound

This is a profound writing that covers difficult concepts ranging to the moral law, laws of nature, and other belief systems. It analytically approaches the concepts, breaking them down into fragments. As the book progresses it dives into Christianity covering a variety of topics such as faith, begetting, and the great sin (pride). The amazing thing about this C.S. Lewis work is that I begin to see the analytical fragments. As I read, these pieces fit. In the end, I see that all the pieces fell in place perfectly as if they are within me. This is a book that is true to the human spirit. It is refreshing to read a book that approaches God in this way. This is another amazing work by CS Lewis.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

19 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

To the scientists

I am not a christian, but I do find myself wondering about religion. The main reason I have not yet been a religious man is that I am a scientist and an incredible sceptic. This book is christianity explained for the scientific and sceptically mind.

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

15 people found this helpful