What Mere Christianity and its arguments owe to our previous authors, Saint Augustine in Confessions and Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics
‘Mere Christianity’ has been explained differently by various authors depending on their experience and what they have gained in terms of knowledge. Most atheist philosophers have reservations when it comes to Christianity because of the validity of the texts. They consider the bible and most Christian texts not to be practical in their approach. This is because of the teachings that are considered difficult and contradictory in nature. Most of the philosophical views are also based on the experiences they have heard with spiritual leaders, most of whom do not practice what they teach. Philosophers being people who have gathered a lot of knowledge and compared the teachings, they have an option of choosing what they believe is valid. They are skilled in reasoning out what they have and what they feel and impart the same to others with the aim of challenging their teachings ‘yet we sinned by writing, reading, and thinking over our lessons less than was required of us (Augustine, 52)’.
The nature of God and the reality of Christianity and biblical teachings has been one of the main issues debated over by philosophers. After a critical study of the bible and looking at historical events of Christianity, philosophers compare this mostly to scientific discoveries most of which are considered to contradict biblical teachings. In their effort to find something they can explain and relate it with facts, they realize that biblical teachings are to be believed rather than proved. The fact that science involves researches, which are aimed at proving what already, exists, not philosophers use this as a basis through which they disapprove some biblical teachings as mere myths. They also find them irrelevant especially when it is considered the very people who embrace and follow them lack a clear understanding of what they are following. They cannot give a comprehensive explanation of why they follow a certain religious practice.
After years or relying on religious teachings and finding no fulfillment, people have been in continuous search for beliefs that will satisfy their soul. They want to have something they can not only believe but also prove that it once existed. Christianity has hence been observed as a mere religion simply because it is carried from one generation to the other. The followers follow and practice its teachings blindly basing on faith. They were taught to believe things as they are written in the bible without necessarily having to confront their origin. The essence of Christianity is faith, and it s fact written in the bible that without faith, it is impossible to please God. This means that faith as an essential part of Christianity. Faith is one of the teachings that philosophers find ironic especially when a person is required to do or live a life that is contrary to human nature. After a critical study of the human brain in connection with the environment, people realize that there are certain aspects that they cannot just avoid in their life.
Christian teachings are considered to contain basics that are to govern every aspect of human morality in relation to the environment. When biblical teachings are followed ardently, then Christian living is to be more practical than it is. The issue that philosophers have with their spiritual mentors is the fact that their lifestyle prove how impossible it is to observe some of he teachings yet lay emphasis that they need to be followed and observed. When looked at keenly, it is realized that most Christians observe the teachings based on fear rather than faith ‘human beings all over the earth have this curious idea that they ought to behave in a certain way’ (Lewis, 8). They come with stern measures demanding the followers to observe certain lifestyles or else they will not enjoy their life after death. The fact that their lifestyle may only benefit them after they have died rather than when they are alive makes them not practical.
Most people who are new to Christian religion and especially children view God as a dictator who does not want people to enjoy life. People are refrained from anything that makes them happy and comfortable. They are required to live under bondage of some laws, which are contrary to human nature ‘as a body, he is subject to gravitation and cannot disobey it’ (Lewis, 5). Life of Christians, if it has to be observed to the latter end implies that they deny themselves to attain the holiness that will qualify them to be true believers. This means that they will not be free to be engaged in what makes them happy lest they loose their Christ identity. Philosophical teachings emphasize on the need of doing what will satisfy an individual and make them happy. This happiness comes with freedom where a person is not limited by anything except himself or herself ‘happiness then appears to be a kind of perfect self-sufficiency for oneself’ (Aristotle, 246). Living miserable lives at the expense of another person’s happiness, which they may never care or appreciate, is what philosophers observe to be ridiculous.
However, in the process of excessive study, people realize that there are still mysteries that cannot be explained. There is no limit to searching knowledge and every time an attempt is done and made, a person realizes that there is still much more to be discovered. The conclusion, which many scientist and philosophers will not admit is that there is a supernatural force behind some mysteries. Even though the bible is an ancient book, we come to realize that what is being taught and advocated for has always passed the test of time ‘but you are the selfsame and all things of tomorrow and all beyondand you have already made them into today’ (Augustine, 48). The teachings are practical and applicable to everyday life and mainly discourage people from being lazy and encourage them to live lives minding others. If most of the philosophical teachings have to be observed, we realize that the world will be full of confusion as people adopt disorderly life ‘there is not one of them that will mot make us into devils if we set it up as an absolute guide’ (Lewis, 11). If each person has to live the how like without the need of minding others, then it would be difficult to survive in this world.
In the end, we realize that life is about sacrifice, which is advocated for by Christianity ‘for meetim them takes on a new urgency given he risks to which our happiness is exposed’ (Aristotle, 253). As a person lives their life, they need to realize that there are people around them who also need to enjoy. In spite of criticisms raised against Christian doctrine of morality, we realize that it is necessary in helping people develop a life of discipline ‘this last is the safe in which children should walk’ (Augustine, 58). This is more especially to those who are less exposed and immature. They learn to make their decisions basing on what they have learned and hence minimizing on negative consequences. The essence of Christian living is in understanding the consequences behind a particular action and making the right choices ‘I could put to good use the learning that they wanted ne to acquire’ (Augustine, 53). This therefore differentiates between a Christian infant and the mature. As a person grows in the Christian faith, they realize that some of the things they despised and considered a dictatorial kind of life were after all for their own benefit. It clears their conscience from regret and makes them face life with courage ‘since courage involves an action in which an individual places his life at risk in behalf of his city or nation’ (Aristotle, 256).
Works cited
Augustine, Saint Augustine of Hippo. The Confessions of St. Augustine: Modern English
Version. London: Revell, 2008.
Aristotle, The Nicomachean Ethics. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2009.
Lewis, C. S. Mere Christianity. New York: Collins Publishers, 2009.
