For this first Essay, I will analyze “The Case against School Prayer” written by Annie Laurie Gaylor. I will analyze this essay based on The Toulmin model, which rely heavily on fact, value, and policy, as well as the Aristotelian Rhetoric, which draws upon logos, ethos and pathos. In the Toulmin model the main focus will include claims of fact, which are supported by data throughout the essay, and also claims of policy, which stress a change in allowing prayer to continue in public schools. The Aristotelian Rhetoric Focus will primarily be based upon logos, and ethos, because Gaylor’s essay relies heavily on her credibility. The use of logos is seen in that she quotes…
1. Fr. Walter Cizek faced many trials throughout his many years in Soviet Russia. Among the most testing of these trials were his years spent at the prison in Lubianka, being interrogated as a “Vatican spy.” Kept in isolation and left to his thoughts for years on end, he often turned to God and bible passages for support. However, even after all his prayer; he still fell to an interrogator’s methods. Turning once more to more fervent prayer, he comes to a realization that he had been praying all the wrong things. He recalls Jesus in the garden of Olives before his crucifixion, how he let God’s will be done. From then on, he strived to live following that principle in all things he did.…
In C.S Lewis’s celebrated book Mere Christianity he writes the following: “I am trying here to prevent anyone from saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: 'I'm ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don't accept his claim to be God.' That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with a man who says he is a poached egg or else he would be the Devil of hell. You must make your choice.…
McMinn (1996) instructs that we need a healthy sense of self in order to overcome our obstacles (p. 47); further stating “those who pray often tend to experience more purpose in life, greater marital satisfaction, religious satisfaction, and a general sense of well-being” (p. 66). McMinn (1996) focus is on the use of healing. The goal is to produce a healthy sense of self to resolve issues of brokenness, sinful acts, and needful materialism.…
The short Essay, An Experiment in Criticism, by C.S. Lewis brings to light many new perspectives to how people read and experience literature. Throughout the essay Lewis works to give the message that; how good a book is doesn’t depend on the quality of writing but on the reader. He begins by defining two types of readers- the “literary” and the “non-literary”- which he uses through the rest of his essay to categorize different traits for treating literature.…
In “Mere Christianity”, C.S Lewis describes how hard it is to be a good Christian in his statement “now we cannot, in that sense, discover our failure to keep God’s law except by trying our very hardest (and then failing)” (265). In this statement, Lewis is arguing that struggling to be good and having faith in religion takes a tremendous amount of willpower. Faith in religion takes conscious effort because it can become difficult to hold onto faith over time. I can relate this to my own personal experience of struggling to maintain my faith and be a good person/Muslim. I consider myself to be a person with good “akhlaq” which is an Arabic term referring to an individual that practices virtue, morality, and manners.…
RIGHT AND WRONG AS A CLUE TO THE MEANING OF THE UNIVERSE C.S. Lewis has presented many intriguing ideas in regards to how right and wrong relate to the universe. The moral law is a genuine thing, whether we agree with it or not. Lewis presents there is an absolute good and an absolute bad within the laws of human nature.…
In his book “Mere Christianity,” C.S. Lewis proposes the idea that despite what society may say, there is an ultimate moral standard for mankind. Lewis refers to this Law as the Law of Human Nature, or the Law of Right and Wrong. Lewis proposes that, not only does this Law preside in the hearts of all men, but mankind is unique in his ability to disobey that Law. A man can either disobey this Law, such as stealing from someone, or obey it, treating people fairly. Every man has an awareness of right and wrong because of the Law of Human Nature.…
C.S. Lewis takes on the task of describing Christians and their belief. He tackles the subjects of God’s work in the world, God’s plan for humanity, and even how Christians view other religious views. With shocking simplicity, Lewis boils down the basic concepts of Christianity and why there are important to know, not only from a Christian point of view, but from a modern point of view. One of the first subjects Lewis addresses is what Christians actually believe, or more accurately, what they do not have to believe.…
Mere Christianity is a book written by C.S. Lewis, the book has four major sections that break down the author’s, take on what Christianity is and how it may best be practiced in life. The book does not pick sides between the different denominations within Christianity, the intent of the book is to express the common views inherent in all the various denominations of Christianity, that are often forgotten in the debates about where these different sects disagree; this paper will take you through the various points that Lewis made in his logical, well-crafted centrist argument and I will explain my thoughts about what he was trying to say.…
While reading The Abolition of Man by C.S. Lewis, I encountered a few questions concerning his view on Ethical Innovation and the dilemma conditioners face. It was a difficult book with many ideas that didn’t come completely clear to me at times.…
Like anything in life, faith starts out for most as a journey. Often growth in faith is so gradual it is hardly noticeable. There’s no thundering voice of God striking down the disbelievers, but rather small miracles like getting an A on a test with little preparation. It is only self reflection faith grows because of struggles in life. In A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, John Wheelwright’s faith and his belief in miracles juxtaposes Owen Meany’s innate beliefs. John Irving follows John Wheelwright’s growth in faith and miracles and highlights Owen’s steady support.…
II. Lewis further explains the Law of Human Nature and builds his case for the existence of God. (16-32)…
This text demonstrates the difficulties of holding on to faith in times of adversity. Discuss.…
The Rival Conceptions of God by C.S. Lewis When you are a Christian you do not need to believe that every other religion is wrong completely. Though if you are an atheist you have to believe that the main point in every religion is completely wrong. Though Christians are free to think that all religions have some aspects of being true. It's like a math problem, there can only be one right answer but there are many answers that are closer than others.…