this the link of the book
Overview: Read Book IV (“Beyond Personality: Or First Steps in the Doctrine of the
Trinity”) of Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis. Write 2-3 pages of reflections on the text. That
is, engage with Lewis’s thought critically, identifying what if helpful, what is confusing, or
what is wrong, and why for each point.
Do not write a summary of the book. This is not a book report. “Reflection” means critical
engagement with the text, thinking along with the text to pose new questions, offer
answers for them, or critique what the author has left unclear or gets wrong. See below for
a list of potential prompts to consider as you read and write.
The assignment is, by design, open-ended. There are many good ways to write such a
reflection paper. In some way, a successful paper will identify what you have learned from
the book that you find valuable. This paper should reflect your thoughts rather than your
feelings: think with the author and see where that thinking leads you. While the paper
demonstrates your thoughts, those thoughts should be in conversation with the author.
Successful papers will demonstrate:
You have read the (whole) book.
You have reflected critically on the book, or a significant portion of it.
You have written with proper English and style.
Papers are unsuccessful when they show:
You have not read the book.
You merely summarize the book without critical reflection.
You have written with improper English and poor style.
Format:
• On the first page, list your name, class number, instructor’s name, and date; singlespaced, right-justified.
• Indent paragraphs. Double-space the body of the text.
• 12-point font.
• Put page numbers on the bottom of the page, centered.
• 2-3 pages in length.
Prompts
Consider these questions as you read. You may write on one or two of these; do not try to
answer them all in your paper. (Or, you may write on something different that you find
interesting in the book.) These are intended to help you begin to engage critically with the
book.
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That is, as you think about each question, ask yourself if you agree with the point or not. If
you agree, is the point helpful? In what way? If you disagree, why? Is there a better way to
think about the point? If so, write out the better option.
• How is theology like a map?
• What value does theology have?
• What is the difference between Bios and Zoe?
• Lewis says that Christianity deals with “facts.” Do you agree?
• Lewis sees humanity as a kind of single organism. Why is this significant?
• What significance is there in the first words of the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father”?
• Is Christianity hard or easy?
• How far can we get in Christianity by our own efforts?
• What is the difference between nice people and new men?
• Lewis claims that there are no real personalities outside of God. What is his point?
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