Chesterton, Lewis, and Tolkien on the Human Condition

Mere Humanity: G.K. Chesterton, C. S. Lewis, and J. R. R. Tolkien on the Human Condition, by Donald T. Williams. Nashville: Broadman & Holman. 2006. 212 pages. $14.99

This is the author's version of a work that was submitted/accepted for publication in the following source:

Shaffett, J. E. Christian Librarian 50:82 no. 3 2007

Donald T. Williams is the director of the School of Arts & Sciences at Toccoa Falls College in Georgia. He wrote Mere Humanity to answer two basic questions- What is man? What is the purpose of this life on earth? I thought of the book of Ecclesiastes while reading it. He examines the doctrine of humanity as set forth in the writings of Chesterton, Lewis, and Tolkien.

In addition, it is a response to naturalistic materialism or reductionism. It seeks to show that humans cannot be adequately described in purely materialistic terms. The book also illustrates the danger of departing from a belief in a sovereign and personal creator and his moral law.

Mere Humanity includes selections of Williams’ original poetry and an appendix that discusses the relationship between Christianity and literature. Williams shows the positive contributions that literature can make to the Christian life. Literature can enlarge “our world of experience”, open our eyes to biblical truth, provide positive role models, and cure us of “chronological snobbery”.

If you are already a fan of Chesterton, Lewis, or Tolkien, you will enjoy reading this book. The book is written well, and the author demonstrates a good grasp of the writings of Chesterton, Lewis, and Tolkien. It will encourage the reader to read these authors for themselves.