This paper explores the concept of identity in Book Three and Book Four of Mere Christianity as well as its parallels to the concept of identity in Apostle Paul's Letters. Therefore, parts of the second half of Lewis's work are compared to selected verses of the Pauline Letters. For the analysis of Mere Christianity, the theoretical concept of identity is described and applied to the cultural artefact. It has been found that Lewis presents a concept of identity that has clear parallels to the concept of identity in the Pauline Letters as both writings expound on the identity in Christ.
Table of Contents
1. Theoretical Framework
1.1 The Concept of Culture
1.2 The Concept of Identity
2. Analysis
3. Discussion
Objectives and Research Focus
This paper examines how the concept of identity is constructed in Book Three and Book Four of C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity" and investigates the theological parallels between Lewis's arguments and the teachings of the Apostle Paul regarding identity in Christ.
- Theoretical conceptualization of culture and identity within the field of Cultural Studies.
- Analysis of Christian identity formation as presented by C.S. Lewis.
- Comparative theological study of Pauline Epistles and "Mere Christianity".
- Exploration of the transition from natural self to identity in Christ.
- Examination of universal Christian identity beyond cultural and social barriers.
Excerpt from the Book
Analysis
The following chapter examines the concept of identity that is embedded in discourses of “Book Three” and “Book Four” of Mere Christianity and its parallels to the letters of the Apostle Paul.
Lewis holds the view that any meaning in life is found only in directing one’s pursuit for meaning to God, their Creator, from whom they will receive identity in the truest and most eternal sense. Lewis refers to this identity as the Christ-life that is put into a person who receives Jesus as their Saviour, accepting His death as the sufficient sacrifice for their sins (Lewis, 2012). To be a Christian, therefore, means to have accepted the teachings of the Apostles.
Lewis writes that trying hard to keep God´s law would lead up to the vital moment at which a person turns to God realizing that they are not capable of keeping the law, showing us a parallel to the teachings of the Apostle Paul as he writes that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:23-24 English Standard Version). Lewis says that this realization can be considered to be a change from being confident about one´s own efforts to the state in which one despairs of doing anything for oneself and leaves it to God, accepting that one can only be justified by faith and trust in Jesus Christ, who fulfilled the law (Matthew 5:17). Lewis further argues that, consequently, “Christ will make a man more like Himself and, in a sense, make good his deficiencies” (Lewis, 2012, p. 147). By that he refers to the “sonship” a Christian shares with Jesus Christ, also pointing to what Paul writes in his Letter to the Romans: “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers” (Romans 8:29).
Summary of Chapters
Theoretical Framework: This chapter defines core concepts of culture and identity to provide a theoretical basis for analyzing the theological work of C.S. Lewis.
Analysis: This section investigates how Lewis portrays the Christian identity in his work and identifies specific parallels to the letters written by the Apostle Paul.
Discussion: This chapter contextualizes the findings by relating them back to general theories of religious identity and the transformative process of becoming a "new man" in Christ.
Keywords
Identity, Difference, Mere Christianity, Apostle Paul's Letters, Christian Identity, Christ-life, Religion, Theology, Cultural Studies, Faith, Sonship, New Creation, Theology, Transformation, Religious Identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper explores the concept of identity in C.S. Lewis's "Mere Christianity" and compares it to the theological understanding of identity found in the letters of the Apostle Paul.
What are the central thematic areas?
The themes include the definition of identity in Cultural Studies, the theological concept of "identity in Christ," the nature of the "real self," and the impact of Christian faith on personal identity.
What is the main research question?
The research asks how identity is presented in "Book Three" and "Book Four" of "Mere Christianity" and what parallels exist between Lewis's work and the teachings of Apostle Paul.
Which scientific method is applied?
The author uses a qualitative, comparative analysis, applying theoretical concepts from Cultural Studies to specific theological texts to uncover conceptual parallels.
What is covered in the main body of the work?
The main body consists of a theoretical framework, an analysis of Lewis's arguments in "Mere Christianity" alongside Pauline verses, and a discussion regarding the stability and emergence of Christian identity.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
The key terms include identity, Mere Christianity, Apostle Paul's Letters, and the transition toward a Christ-centered existence.
How does Lewis define the "real self" in his work?
Lewis suggests that the more a person gives up their old, natural self to Christ, the more they begin to develop a real personality and become their true selves.
What does "becoming a little Christ" imply according to the text?
It implies a process of transformation where a believer is conformed to the image of Jesus, which the author links directly to Paul's letters, such as Galatians 2:20.
Does the paper view Christian identity as a fixed or fluid state?
The author notes a duality: while identity is often considered to be in flux, Lewis presents the identity in Christ as a sound, stable theological foundation that cannot experience crisis.
- Citation du texte
- Julia Jenner (Auteur), 2021, Portrayal of Identity in Mere Christianity and Its Parallels to the Concept of Identity in Apostle Paul's Letters, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/1163777
