This essay by C.S. Lewis was a persuasive essay and quite possible an informational essay too. I did not feel like he was trying to convince the reader of anything or sway their religious beliefs, but in the last paragraph he says, “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.’” Based on my reading, I believe that his central message is that there are many different views in religion and one shouldn’t jump to foolish conclusions. There are some that come close to the most correct than others, but most religions have gaps and holes. Based on this essay I believe that C.S. Lewis thought that different religions of the world hastily judge each other and they do not have an accurate understanding of Jesus Christ. Lewis appeals to the readers logic by explaining things in gradually more complicated terms. He starts with the basics and works up from there.
I had to read this essay three times before I felt like I had a semi-understanding of what was written here. And even now, I am not quite sure hoe to interpret was what said. Maybe I am having a stupid moment, which happens a lot when I read deep things. I think I am going to have to go back through and re-read it again because I am not sure of Lewis’ opinion. I know he has good intentions and I know he is a proponent of Christianity, but I am still very confused with how he wrote about it.
I find it interesting that you didn't find this essay persuasive. While I was reading I continuously saw Lewis attempting to establish the credibility of his believes and as to why Christianity was right and atheism and all other religions, while they still may have bits of truth, are not correct. Although I think I may see where it would be hard to pick up because this article was purely based on the appeal to logos, which if taken at face value can seem like a research paper, yet if you look more closely the persuasive undercurrent becomes clearly seen.
ReplyDeleteI didn't really like this story because I thought it was super confusing. However once I did understand what was going on, and her writing style the one thing I thought it was was persuasive. The author went back and forth a lot and was constantly switching topics and arguments. I did agree on most of her points that she brought up in the paper. I thought that a lot of her points she argued were well though out and thought provoking. She was very knowledgeable which made me trust her sources, which eventually led to persuasion. I found myself constantly agreeing with her facts and evidence. I think that this was a very well put together paper and was helpful in learning how to write and structure a persuasive narrative.
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