Editing Mere Christianity (section)

== Legacy ==
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| quote  = "A half century after C. S. Lewis was saying and writing these things, this book is still the one you reach for when a college student asks you to defend your faith, when a neighbour wonders what Christianity is all about, or when a new believer needs guidance. That is its enduring influence."
| source = —William J. Petersen and Randy Petersen{{sfn|Petersen|Petersen|2000|p=98}}
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''Mere Christianity'' has been referred to as a classic of Lewis's career,{{sfnm|1a1=Duriez|1y=2013|1p=149|2a1=McGrath|2y=2013|2p=213|3a1=Phillips|3y=2002|3p=xi}}<ref>{{Cite journal |title=The Natural Ought |date=Spring 1995 |journal=Behavior and Philosophy |volume=23 |issue=1 |pages=1–12 |last=Sullivan |first=Philip R. |jstor=23006495 |issn=1053-8348 |eissn=1943-3328 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/23006495 }}</ref> as well as of religious literature,{{sfnm|1a1=Marsden|1y=2016|1p=1|2a1=McGrath|2y=2013|2p=2}} particularly in the category of Christian apologetics.{{sfnm|1a1=Brown|1y=2013|1p=85|2a1=Heck|2y=2007|2p=51|3a1=McGrath|3y=2013|3p=298}} Commentators have also seen it as a guide to the basics of the Christian faith{{sfn|Simpson|2013|p=181}} and to his theology.{{sfnm|1a1=Heck|1y=2007|1p=52|2a1=Lindsley|2y=2005|2p=24}} The book, along with his arguments for the existence of God, have frequently received academic evaluation,<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Mere Christianity and the Moral Argument for the Existence of God |last=Shrock |first=Christopher A. |journal=Sehnsucht: The C. S. Lewis Journal |date=2017 |volume=11 |pages=99–120 |jstor=48579655 |issn=1940-5537 |eissn=2694-4324 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/48579655 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/48616106 |title='''Mere Christianity'': Theosis in a British Way' |date=April 2014 |last=Meconi |first=David |jstor=48616106 |volume=4 |issue=1 |journal=Journal of Inklings Studies |pages=3–18 |doi=10.3366/ink.2014.4.1.2 |issn=2045-8797 |eissn=2045-8800 }}</ref> either complimenting or critical.<ref name="VII">{{Cite journal |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/45296964 |title=C.S. Lewis's 'Mere Christianity' (the Book and the Ideal) at the Start of the Twenty-first Century |date=2002 |volume=19 |pages=31–44 |journal=[[VII: Journal of the Marion E. Wade Center]] |jstor=45296964 |issn=0271-3012 |eissn=2767-3685 |last=Noll |first=Mark A. |author-link=Mark Noll }}</ref> Analysing Lewis's books, the Australian archeologist [[Warwick Ball]] believed ''Mere Christianity'' is perhaps his most influential and widely read apologetic work;{{sfn|Ball|2022|pp=186, 201}} the American philosopher [[C. Stephen Evans]] called his [[moral argument]] the "most widely-convincing apologetic argument of the twentieth century";{{sfn|Evans|2010|p=387}} McGrath considered it "perhaps as outstanding an example of a lucid and intelligent presentation of the rational and moral case for Christian belief as we are ever likely to see".{{sfn|McGrath|2013|p=8}}

''Mere Christianity'' has retained popularity years after its publication,{{sfnm|1a1=Heck|1y=2007|1pp=51–52|2a1=Martindale|2y=2007|2p=148|3a1=McGrath|3y=2013|3p=2}}<ref name="McGrath">{{Cite news |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2013/july-august/my-top-5-books-by-c-s-lewis.html |title=My Top 5 Books by C. S. Lewis |last=McGrath |first=Alister |date=11 July 2013 |work=Christianity Today |access-date=20 August 2022 |ref={{Sfnref||}} }}</ref> and has been compared to other well-known Christian works, including [[Augustine]]'s ''[[The City of God]]'' and [[G. K. Chesterton]]'s ''[[The Everlasting Man]]'' (1925).{{sfnm|1a1=Ball|1y=2022|1p=205|2a1=Marsden|2y=2016|2p=145}} The BBC journalist Justin Phillips observed that it "continues to transform the lives of those who read it. There is no reason why it won't continue to be potent for decades to come."{{sfn|Phillips|2002|p=297}} According to the authors [[Roger Lancelyn Green]] and [[Walter Hooper]], its success led to the acknowledgment of Lewis as "one of the most 'original' exponents of the Christian faith" of the 20th century.{{sfn|Green|Hooper|1974|p=211}} The book, Hooper continued, shows Lewis's ability of providing a comprehensible guidance of the Christian beliefs/theology to everyone,{{sfn|Heck|2007|p=51}} and "has become synonymous with Lewis".{{sfn|Hooper|1996|p=xii}} The academic [[Bruce L. Edwards]] noted that it contributes to shaping Lewis's reputation as "a witty, articulate proponent of Christianity".{{sfn|Edwards|2007|p=7}} The author Marvin D. Hinten wrote: "When people are asked which C. S. Lewis book has most influenced them spiritually, the most common answer is ''Mere Christianity''."{{sfn|Hinten|2007|p=91}}

According to Peters, the book is more popular among Christians of various denominations,{{sfn|Peters|1997|p=154}} including Catholic, Latter-day Saint, Orthodox, and Protestant,{{sfn|Marsden|2016|pp=2, 132}} but less among non-Christians.{{sfn|Peters|1997|p=154}} It is often used as an evangelistic tool,{{sfn|Marsden|2016|p=119}} predominantly in Christian-majority countries, including the United States, where its influence is most felt.{{sfn|Martindale|2007|pp=125, 136}} Furthermore, its influence is strengthened by the publication of its translations;{{sfn|Martindale|2007|p=149}} according to Marsden, it has been translated to about thirty-six languages.{{sfn|Marsden|2016|pp=134–135}} In the next decades, ''Mere Christianity'' is continued to be reprinted and sold by Christian{{sfn|Wilson|1990|p=215}} and online booksellers.{{sfn|Martindale|2007|pp=148–149}} For instance, soon after the [[dissolution of the Soviet Union]], it was translated into the several native languages of its [[Post-Soviet states|breakaway states]], which was done by Orthodox Christians to rebuild their influence.{{sfn|Marsden|2016|pp=134–135}} As of 2010, the book had been in [[BookScan]] Religion Bestseller's list for 513 weeks, consecutively.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/17/surprised-by-c-s-lewis-why-his-popularity-endures/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101221033213/http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/17/surprised-by-c-s-lewis-why-his-popularity-endures/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=21 December 2010 |title=Surprised by C.S. Lewis: Why his popularity endures |last=Blake |first=John |date=17 December 2010 |website=[[CNN]] |access-date=20 August 2022 }}</ref> There is also a considerable readership in China, with 60,000 copies had been sold there as of 2014.{{sfn|Marsden|2016|pp=134–135}}

The book has also been cited by a number of public figures as their influence to their conversion, or re-conversion, to Christianity as well as other Christian denominations.{{sfnm|1a1=Edwards|1y=2007|1pp=6–7|2a1=Heck|2y=2007|2p=52}} The American geneticist [[Francis Collins]] related his story of conversion from atheism in his book, ''[[The Language of God]]'' (2006),<ref>{{Cite magazine |url=https://content.time.com/time/subscriber/article/0,33009,1211593-1,00.html |title=Reconciling God and Science |last=van Biema |first=David |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=20 August 2022 |date=10 July 2006 |volume=168 |issue=3 |pages=46–48 }}</ref> and described ''Mere Christianity'' as having influenced him to embrace Christianity.<ref name="Cootsona">{{Cite news |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2018/march/5-books-that-bring-science-and-christianity-together.html |title=5 Books That Bring Science and Christianity Together |last=Cootsona |first=Greg |access-date=20 August 2022 |work=Christianity Today |date=20 February 2018 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://ijfm.com/Archives/PDFs_IJFM/20_4_PDFs/109_Collins.pdf |title=Can an Evangelical Believe in Evolution?: The Testimony of Today's Most Prominent Evangelical Scientist |date=Winter 2003 |journal=International Journal of Frontier Missions |last=Collins |first=Francis |author-link=Francis Collins |pages=109–112 |volume=20 |issue=4 |issn=0743-2429 }}</ref> The American attorney [[Charles Colson]]'s conversion happened after him reading a copy of the book given by his friend, Thomas L. Phillips (the chairman of the board of the [[Raytheon Company]]).<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2015/05/a-thicker-kind-of-mere |title=A Thicker Kind of Mere |date=18 May 2015 |work=[[First Things]] |access-date=20 August 2022 |last=George |first=Timothy |author-link=Timothy George }}</ref> His story became popular, enhanced by the release of his autobiography in 1976, which was consequently declared the "Year of the Evangelicals" by the ''[[Newsweek]]'' magazine.{{sfnm|1a1=Derrick|1y=2018|1p=147|2a1=Marsden|2y=2016|2pp=117–119|3a1=Miethe|3y=1999|3p=12}} Catholic converts include the British philanthropist [[Leonard Cheshire]], the German economist [[E. F. Schumacher]], the American author [[Sheldon Vanauken]], the American columnist [[Ross Douthat]], the American theologian [[Peter Kreeft]], and the American philosopher [[Francis J. Beckwith]].{{sfn|Marsden|2016|pp=126–129}}

''Mere Christianity'' has been featured in several lists.{{sfnm|1a1=Heck|1y=2007|1p=52|2a1=McGrath|2y=2013|2pp=2, 526}} It was included in the 2000 book, ''100 Christian Books That Changed the Century'', by William J. Petersen and Randy Petersen.{{sfn|Petersen|Petersen|2000|pp=96–98}} In 2000 and 2006, the evangelical magazine ''[[Christianity Today]]''{{'s}} editorial board included ''Mere Christianity'' in its "Books of the Century" and "The Top 50 Books That Have Shaped Evangelicals", respectively.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2000/april24/5.92.html |title=Books of the Century |date=24 April 2000 |work=[[Christianity Today]] |access-date=17 August 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2006/october/23.51.html |title=The Top 50 Books That Have Shaped Evangelicals |work=Christianity Today |access-date=17 August 2022 |date=23 October 2006 }}</ref> In a 2013 article to ''Christianity Today'', McGrath ranked it the first among the five books by Lewis he liked the most.<ref name="McGrath" /> In the same year's "The Best Christian Book of All Time Tournament", run by [[InterVarsity Christian Fellowship]], ''Mere Christianity'' was voted as the all-time, best Christian book, only after Augustine's autobiography ''[[Confessions (Augustine)|Confessions]]''.{{sfn|Marsden|2016|p=124}} In 2018, ''Christianity Today''{{'s}} Greg Cootsona, a writer of the [[relationship between religion and science]], featured it in his "5 Books That Bring Science and Christianity Together" listing.<ref name="Cootsona" />

''Mere Christianity'' has influenced other Christian publications,{{sfn|Marsden|2016|p=122}} with the scholar Gary L. Tandy noting that it remains the standard for assessing them, mainly the apologetic ones.<ref name="stylistic">{{Cite journal |title=The Stylistic Achievement of Mere Christianity |last=Tandy |first=Gary L. |volume=5/6 |date=2011–2012 |pages=127–152 |issn=1940-5537 |eissn=2694-4324 |jstor=48580493 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/48580493 |journal=Sehnsucht: The C. S. Lewis Journal}}</ref> Subsequent publications with allusion to the book in their titles include [[N. T. Wright]]'s ''Simply Christian'' (2006) and McGrath's ''Mere Apologetics'' (2012).<ref name="stylistic" />{{sfn|McGrath|2013|p=123}} The American pastor [[Tim Keller (pastor)|Tim Keller]] referred to his apologetic ''[[The Reason for God]]'' (2012) as "''Mere Christianity'' for dummies".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2008/02/an-interview-with-timothy-kell |title=An Interview with Timothy Keller |work=First Things |last=Sacramone |first=Anthony |access-date=20 August 2022 |date=25 February 2008 }}</ref> The bimonthly ecumenical Christian magazine ''[[Touchstone (magazine)|Touchstone]]'', which started publication in 1986, is subtitled ''A Journal of Mere Christianity''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.touchstonemag.com/archives/article.php?id=22-05-003-e |title=Mere Economics: The Dollars & Sense of Publishing |date=June 2009 |work=[[Touchstone (magazine)|Touchstone]] |access-date=20 August 2022 |last=Kushiner |first=James M. }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=rwEhk56xNqMC&dat=20030426&printsec=frontpage&hl=en |title=Tricky Issues With Right, Left |date=26 April 2003 |work=[[Lakeland Ledger]] |last=McMullen |first=Cary |access-date=17 August 2022 |page=D1 }}</ref> [[Paul McCusker]]'s ''C. S. Lewis & Mere Christianity'', which provides insights to the work in its historical context, was published in 2014; it was praised for being well-researched but was criticised for its factual errors.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Book Reviews |date=7 August 2015 |journal=Christianity & Literature |doi=10.1177/0148333115586947 |last=Vaus |first=Will |volume=64 |issue=4 |pages=502–504 |url=https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/0148333115586947 }}</ref> Another "biography" of the book, ''C. S. Lewis's Mere Christianity'', written by Marsden, was released in 2016,<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26379639 |title=Book Reviews |date=December 2017 |journal=[[Anglican and Episcopal History]] |volume=86 |issue=4 |pages=473–474 |jstor=26379639 |issn=0896-8039 |last=Wright |first=Jarrell D. }}</ref> and received a positive reception from critics,<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Nonfiction |date=1 August 2016 |url=https://www.libraryjournal.com/review/cs-lewiss-mere-christianity-a-biography |volume=141 |issue=13 |page=52 |journal=[[Library Journal]] |issn=0363-0277 |last=Fein |first=Michael T. }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/george-m-marsden/cs-lewiss-imere-christianityi/ |title=C. S. Lewis's ''Mere Christianity'': A Biography |work=[[Kirkus Reviews]] |date=5 January 2016 |access-date=20 August 2022 }}</ref> with some criticism to its conclusion.<ref>{{Cite journal |url=https://unisapressjournals.co.za/index.php/SHE/article/view/5564/4395 |title=CS Lewis's 'Mere Christianity,' by G. M. Marsden |date=2020 |journal=Studia Historiae Ecclesiasticae |volume=46 |issue=2 |pages=1–2 |doi=10.25159/2412-4265/5564 |last=Duncan |first=Graham A. |issn=2412-4265 |eissn=1017-0499 |doi-access=free }}</ref>