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Christian Behaviour
(from the original dust jacket leaf)
In Christian Behaviour the noted author of The Screwtape Letters discusses the value of true morality and challenges men to try to live satisfactorily without it. The book is based on a series of broadcast talks given recently in England over the B.B.C., considerably revised and enlarged. It is a companion volume to The Case for Christianity, recently published, which was also based on broadcast talks.
Seventy-seven thousand copies of this book have already been printed in England where it has been enthusiastically reviewed. "This book is packed with intelligence," says the News-Chronicle, for example, and the English press has been uniformly favorable.
Readers of The Screwtape Letters will welcome this new book by the same author.
In Christian Behaviour the noted author of The Screwtape Letters discusses the value of true morality and challenges men to try to live satisfactorily without it. The book is based on a series of broadcast talks given recently in England over the B.B.C., considerably revised and enlarged. It is a companion volume to The Case for Christianity, recently published, which was also based on broadcast talks.
Seventy-seven thousand copies of this book have already been printed in England where it has been enthusiastically reviewed. "This book is packed with intelligence," says the News-Chronicle, for example, and the English press has been uniformly favorable.
Readers of The Screwtape Letters will welcome this new book by the same author.
70 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1944
10 people are currently reading
417 people want to read
About the author
C.S. Lewis
1,021 books47.8k followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Clive Staples Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954. He was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.
Lewis was married to poet Joy Davidman.
W.H. Lewis was his elder brother]
Clive Staples Lewis was one of the intellectual giants of the twentieth century and arguably one of the most influential writers of his day. He was a Fellow and Tutor in English Literature at Oxford University until 1954. He was unanimously elected to the Chair of Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Cambridge University, a position he held until his retirement. He wrote more than thirty books, allowing him to reach a vast audience, and his works continue to attract thousands of new readers every year. His most distinguished and popular accomplishments include Mere Christianity, Out of the Silent Planet, The Great Divorce, The Screwtape Letters, and the universally acknowledged classics The Chronicles of Narnia. To date, the Narnia books have sold over 100 million copies and been transformed into three major motion pictures.
Lewis was married to poet Joy Davidman.
W.H. Lewis was his elder brother]
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
February 22, 2020
Mind bending but simplistic. So much practical truth to chew on! I'll review in more detail when I review Mere Christianity.
I'd rate this book a PG.
I'd rate this book a PG.
December 25, 2021
In Christian Behaviour, Lewis offers an insight into Christian morality. Lewis’ brilliant storytelling remain one of the great strengths in Christian Behaviour. The book is largely a reflection of its time and culture, but 3 chapters in particular (chapters 1 - The Three Parts of Morality, 6b - Hope, and 7 - Faith) have well and truly stood the test of time and remain of crucial benefit to Christians today!
November 20, 2022
I think I've read this before, in some collection of essays, but there is a lot of food for thought.
In general, Lewis invites us to take a look at the person in the mirror, to start small and local with learning to understand and practice Christian virtues rather than racing immediately to the Big Theological Questions. For example, when looking to understand forgiveness, he points out (in 1943) that there's no need to start with the Gestapo. "One might start with forgiving one's husband or wife, or parents or children, or the nearest [non-commissioned officer], for something they've said or done in the last week. That will probably keep us busy for the moment." (39)
He also repeatedly invites us to distinguish between emotions (which are inherently changeable) and conscious choices and reason.
Much of what he says has aged well, and even has additional relevance these days as a certain strain of professed Christians have come to prominence in the Republican party in the US. For example:
"A great many people seem to think that if you are a Christian yourself you should try to make divorce difficult for every one. I don't think that at all. At least I know I'd be very angry if the Mohammedans tried to prevent the rest of us from drinking wine." (35)
And this resonates in an age of social media memes which stir outrage in one side (seeming to confirm all their worst suspicions of the other side), but often prove to be highly distorted or even outright fabrications: "Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one's first feeling, 'Thank God, even they aren't quite such devils as that,' or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies as bad as possible?" (40-41)
One thing that has not aged as well is his explanation of why men (rather than women) should be head of the household in a Christian marriage - "He has the last word in order to protect other people from the intense family patriotism of the wife" (37). His arguments and examples on this particular point, and his appeals to purported common understanding, do not hold up.
In general, Lewis invites us to take a look at the person in the mirror, to start small and local with learning to understand and practice Christian virtues rather than racing immediately to the Big Theological Questions. For example, when looking to understand forgiveness, he points out (in 1943) that there's no need to start with the Gestapo. "One might start with forgiving one's husband or wife, or parents or children, or the nearest [non-commissioned officer], for something they've said or done in the last week. That will probably keep us busy for the moment." (39)
He also repeatedly invites us to distinguish between emotions (which are inherently changeable) and conscious choices and reason.
Much of what he says has aged well, and even has additional relevance these days as a certain strain of professed Christians have come to prominence in the Republican party in the US. For example:
"A great many people seem to think that if you are a Christian yourself you should try to make divorce difficult for every one. I don't think that at all. At least I know I'd be very angry if the Mohammedans tried to prevent the rest of us from drinking wine." (35)
And this resonates in an age of social media memes which stir outrage in one side (seeming to confirm all their worst suspicions of the other side), but often prove to be highly distorted or even outright fabrications: "Suppose one reads a story of filthy atrocities in the paper. Then suppose that something turns up suggesting that the story might not be quite true, or not quite so bad as it was made out. Is one's first feeling, 'Thank God, even they aren't quite such devils as that,' or is it a feeling of disappointment, and even a determination to cling to the first story for the sheer pleasure of thinking your enemies as bad as possible?" (40-41)
One thing that has not aged as well is his explanation of why men (rather than women) should be head of the household in a Christian marriage - "He has the last word in order to protect other people from the intense family patriotism of the wife" (37). His arguments and examples on this particular point, and his appeals to purported common understanding, do not hold up.
November 5, 2024
Everyone needs to read this!!! Full of so much wisdom.
June 25, 2025
What a good short work on why we live the way we live. Love the way he breaks down the ethics of Christian living.
November 14, 2024
I cannot condemn Lewis for his way of thinking, first and foremost, because he lived many decades ago in times where being traditional was the answer to everything and the virtue of the highest person. By this, I mean I have agreed to forget that he mentions the "man with man" idea being a moral vice. The book was published in the 1940s. I'm afraid I can't be at war with the dead or speak ill of an author I've admired for so long and still do, despite all my disagreements with his old-fashioned mindset. He gives me something to reflect about, and I cannot deny the good it does to my well-being.
However, I will point out some issues I had with the book otherwise.
1. I think the chapter of "Sexual Morality" is flawed and biased. It's based on the discrimination of other faiths and religions. One thing he's written that really irritated me is the following: "All the greatest love poetry in the world has been produced by Christians." I grew up in a multicultural, multireligious environment, and let me tell you, Arabic and Persian poetry about love, specifically authored by Muslims, is one of the best genres of poetry ever written. Surely, Lewis was a professor and knew that overgeneralization is a logical fallacy. So, why implement it?
2. Does he really hint that cheating is perfectly okay as long as you pick yourself up each time and start again as much as you can?
3. I'm wary of comparing human sexuality or human behavior to eating. One must at least compare two ends that are analogous to one another.
4. It is okay for a Christian judge to sentence a man to death. Really? What about John 8: 7? "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." I've always believed that capital punishment is hypocrisy at its best, whether the judge is religious or not.
5. Kill, if necessary, but don't hate and enjoy hating. HUH?
6. Punish, if necessary, but don't enjoy it. For real?
7. I don't like the use of the verb "to be cured" with sin. Helping somebody be cured of sin, as if sin is a disease. Sin, immoral acts, breaking the law, whatever you want to call it... is not a disease. It's a lifestyle chosen by a specific human being. Addiction can be a disease, but who said that addiction is sin?
As for the logic behind the head of the house and the woman's place in a marriage, I'm going to stand by what I said and not comment on it. I would like to believe, after having read "A Grief Observed", that upon his marriage to Joy, his perspective changed. I'm almost certain it did. After all, Joy was considered a single parent.
However, I will point out some issues I had with the book otherwise.
1. I think the chapter of "Sexual Morality" is flawed and biased. It's based on the discrimination of other faiths and religions. One thing he's written that really irritated me is the following: "All the greatest love poetry in the world has been produced by Christians." I grew up in a multicultural, multireligious environment, and let me tell you, Arabic and Persian poetry about love, specifically authored by Muslims, is one of the best genres of poetry ever written. Surely, Lewis was a professor and knew that overgeneralization is a logical fallacy. So, why implement it?
2. Does he really hint that cheating is perfectly okay as long as you pick yourself up each time and start again as much as you can?
3. I'm wary of comparing human sexuality or human behavior to eating. One must at least compare two ends that are analogous to one another.
4. It is okay for a Christian judge to sentence a man to death. Really? What about John 8: 7? "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." I've always believed that capital punishment is hypocrisy at its best, whether the judge is religious or not.
5. Kill, if necessary, but don't hate and enjoy hating. HUH?
6. Punish, if necessary, but don't enjoy it. For real?
7. I don't like the use of the verb "to be cured" with sin. Helping somebody be cured of sin, as if sin is a disease. Sin, immoral acts, breaking the law, whatever you want to call it... is not a disease. It's a lifestyle chosen by a specific human being. Addiction can be a disease, but who said that addiction is sin?
As for the logic behind the head of the house and the woman's place in a marriage, I'm going to stand by what I said and not comment on it. I would like to believe, after having read "A Grief Observed", that upon his marriage to Joy, his perspective changed. I'm almost certain it did. After all, Joy was considered a single parent.
June 24, 2023
I found a first edition printing of C.S. Lewis’ second series of radio addresses during World War II, in a used bookstore in a tourist town near me. Delivered in 1943, published in 1945, Lewis reviews Christian ethics by looking at each cardinal virtue in turn.
The chapters are each exactly 6 small pages long, as he had 10 minutes to deliver each. This makes for easy reading.
Lewis first surveys morality, generally. It involves fair play between people, harmony within oneself, and the purpose of life. He then reviews the classical virtues of prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice. Then two fascinating addresses on psychoanalysis and its relationship to ethics, and sexual morality. An insightful chapter on marriage, likening the relationship to a violin and bow, making up one instrument. And finally Christian virtues: forgiveness, humility, charity, hope, and faith.
Lewis is so bracing. Simple, clear, and direct. I was struck by how out of sync his emphases are with my own conservative circles today. In a world of platforming and building your brand, even by the people we agree with, Lewis was the unassuming opposite. He spoke of the fledgling New Testament Christian Church as possibly leftist and socialist. Perhaps he was wrong, or perhaps he wasn’t constrained by political orthodoxies like we are today. His chapter on Hope calls us to look to the next world, in order to do the most good in this one. My anti-Gnostic friends would cringe, but Lewis is right. While we can and should enjoy the blessings of this world, we should even more be hoping for a better world.
Ironically, Lewis wrote in his day that we need to read old books, to balance our modern view. Now, we need to read Lewis’ old book, to balance our contemporary views on Christian living, whether you are a long time Christian, or considering the faith afresh.
The chapters are each exactly 6 small pages long, as he had 10 minutes to deliver each. This makes for easy reading.
Lewis first surveys morality, generally. It involves fair play between people, harmony within oneself, and the purpose of life. He then reviews the classical virtues of prudence, fortitude, temperance, and justice. Then two fascinating addresses on psychoanalysis and its relationship to ethics, and sexual morality. An insightful chapter on marriage, likening the relationship to a violin and bow, making up one instrument. And finally Christian virtues: forgiveness, humility, charity, hope, and faith.
Lewis is so bracing. Simple, clear, and direct. I was struck by how out of sync his emphases are with my own conservative circles today. In a world of platforming and building your brand, even by the people we agree with, Lewis was the unassuming opposite. He spoke of the fledgling New Testament Christian Church as possibly leftist and socialist. Perhaps he was wrong, or perhaps he wasn’t constrained by political orthodoxies like we are today. His chapter on Hope calls us to look to the next world, in order to do the most good in this one. My anti-Gnostic friends would cringe, but Lewis is right. While we can and should enjoy the blessings of this world, we should even more be hoping for a better world.
Ironically, Lewis wrote in his day that we need to read old books, to balance our modern view. Now, we need to read Lewis’ old book, to balance our contemporary views on Christian living, whether you are a long time Christian, or considering the faith afresh.
June 8, 2018
The title of “Christian Behavior” makes this book sound like a compilation of rules and checklists. In fact, it is the opposite. Lewis argues that recognizing our own bankruptcy and dependency on Christ is when we begin to become the sort of creatures (not checklists) God intended us to be. In true Lewis fashion, the author argues that we must do things which we don’t feel like doing to follow Christ; thus, this isn’t a book of feel-good mantras or permission to do nothing. Christianity is a paradox of discipline and rest which seems counterintuitive; something I have often tried to explain to others and myself. Once again, Lewis does a phenomenal job of putting into words a concept which often escapes my capability of doing so. This is a great, quick (70 pages) read which has left me assured of the Gospel and motivated me towards obedience.
September 7, 2021
C.S. Lewis has an unparalleled way with words and expression. Even when you don't agree with him he has the ability to be both clear and beautiful (and often funny) in the way he gets his point across. This book is the written version of a series of talks he gave on the radio during the war, talks which also formed parts of his more well-known work, Mere Christianity. I had read some of these talks before and some I hadn't. Some hold up extremely well, others less so, though Lewis would probably suggest that these may be truths the culture has moved on from. He is at his best when taking cosmic-level statements and illustrating them with mundane, everyday level examples, in ways that you can see are deeply true and applicable.
October 17, 2025
ATY 2025 Week 45: A book by an author whose publishing career spans at least ten years
Oh my goodness, Christian Behaviour by C.S. Lewis is a five-star treasure I’ll read again and again! Lewis’s insights into Christian character—how to live with virtue, humility, and purpose—hit me right in the heart. His clear, witty prose makes deep truths feel like a cozy chat by the fire at Willow Blue Cottage. From charity to forgiveness, every page challenges me to prioritize faith in daily life. Perfect for anyone seeking wisdom that sticks. Lewis’s brilliance shines, and I’m already itching to revisit it! #ATY2025 #CSLewis #ChristianBehaviour #FaithReads
Oh my goodness, Christian Behaviour by C.S. Lewis is a five-star treasure I’ll read again and again! Lewis’s insights into Christian character—how to live with virtue, humility, and purpose—hit me right in the heart. His clear, witty prose makes deep truths feel like a cozy chat by the fire at Willow Blue Cottage. From charity to forgiveness, every page challenges me to prioritize faith in daily life. Perfect for anyone seeking wisdom that sticks. Lewis’s brilliance shines, and I’m already itching to revisit it! #ATY2025 #CSLewis #ChristianBehaviour #FaithReads
July 31, 2017
My third CS Lewis book in as many months. Lucky for me another short volume as the philosophical, moral and ethical based content makes for ponderous reading and review. I give this three stars. Published in 1943, the social norms and examples of the time make it dated. But mostly because it was over ambitious in attempting to cover too much territory. As a result, it was not as profound and as complete of a treatment as the one subject of love in Four Loves and the narrow scope treated in Beyond Personality. Nevertheless, still many profound and pithy comments worth quoting even today.
February 9, 2018
Having come back to these essays for the second time has been an amazing experience. In a very short book, Lewis is able to summarize the Christian life and to explore both the difficulties and the rewards it brings.
April 3, 2018
With precise and clear articulation of ideas, Lewis, presents a much needed treatise in this conflicting age or relative truth and relative morality. He stirs the Christian witness from weakness into courageous living of the Christian calling.
July 1, 2019
Immensely practical and concise. Reading this after finishing Aristotle’s Ethics was very helpful; part of Lewis’s success is communicating Aristotelian virtue ethics to a contemporary audience.
January 25, 2020
mere Christianity lite 😂
February 15, 2023
This short book is included in Mere Christianity, so need to read this if you already read that. Still, I benefit from this refresher.
October 8, 2023
The piece on sexuality in comparison to starvation is a strong example and image.
December 30, 2023
A masterpiece!
Will definitely read this again.
Will definitely read this again.
November 1, 2025
(Same talks also found in Mere Christianity)
Lewis is such a breath of fresh air. Highly recommended.
Lewis is such a breath of fresh air. Highly recommended.
September 17, 2016
+
~ Het interessante onderwerp: over karakterontwikkeling en moraal.
~ Eerste non-fictie boek dat ik van C.S. Lewis lees buiten Narnia
~ Het zien van parallellen tussen Narnia en zijn visie op moraal/ethiek en de wereld
~ Het einde leek ook een beetje op het einde van het laatste boek van Narnia (en was ook mooi!)
~ Sommige stukken zijn verrassend actueel.
~ Er stonden mooie quotes en doordenkertjes in.
~ Vond het hoofdstuk over 'Pride' ook best wel een eye-opener.
~ Hij gebruikt goede voorbeelden om zijn visie uit te leggen.
~ Hij schrijft nuchter, heel down-to-earth.
-:
~ Het origineel komt uit 1954 geloof ik. Sommige stukken zijn gedateerd.
~Het zijn losse essays, die bij elkaar zijn gevoegd. Er had iets meer aandacht besteed kunnen worden aan de structuur en samenhang.
~ Hij is niet altijd even duidelijk over zijn bronnen. Hij filosofeert ook veel zelf bij elkaar. Kritisch blijven lezen dus.
~ En als laatste: de titel is wel een beetje suf :).
Eindoordeel: Interessant en hij had een fijne schrijfstijl. Ik ga meer non-fictie van hem lezen. 4 sterren.
~ Het interessante onderwerp: over karakterontwikkeling en moraal.
~ Eerste non-fictie boek dat ik van C.S. Lewis lees buiten Narnia
~ Het zien van parallellen tussen Narnia en zijn visie op moraal/ethiek en de wereld
~ Het einde leek ook een beetje op het einde van het laatste boek van Narnia (en was ook mooi!)
~ Sommige stukken zijn verrassend actueel.
~ Er stonden mooie quotes en doordenkertjes in.
~ Vond het hoofdstuk over 'Pride' ook best wel een eye-opener.
~ Hij gebruikt goede voorbeelden om zijn visie uit te leggen.
~ Hij schrijft nuchter, heel down-to-earth.
-:
~ Het origineel komt uit 1954 geloof ik. Sommige stukken zijn gedateerd.
~Het zijn losse essays, die bij elkaar zijn gevoegd. Er had iets meer aandacht besteed kunnen worden aan de structuur en samenhang.
~ Hij is niet altijd even duidelijk over zijn bronnen. Hij filosofeert ook veel zelf bij elkaar. Kritisch blijven lezen dus.
~ En als laatste: de titel is wel een beetje suf :).
Eindoordeel: Interessant en hij had een fijne schrijfstijl. Ik ga meer non-fictie van hem lezen. 4 sterren.
February 1, 2015
My second-favorite of the works from the essay collection that makes up Mere Christianity.
"One of the marks of a certain type of bad man is that he cannot give up a thing himself without wanting every one else to give it up."
In the process of writing something distinctly apologetic, Lewis is decidedly unapologetic in his explanations of the key Christian doctrines and directives regarding social morality. He acknowledges the strident lack of popularity certain teachings have amid the culture of his time without bending to such fickle pressures, and he is quick to denounce the petty points of discord found among so many of the Christian denominations. In short, the man was far more interested in what God thought of him than he was in acquiring the approval of men.
"...We grow up surrounded by propaganda in favor of unchastity. There are people who want to keep our sex instinct inflamed in order to make money out of us. Because, of course, a man with an obsession is a man who has very little sales-resistance."
I actually found it brave of him to address the concept of Christian marriage in one of his essays, as he is up-front with the fact that--at the time that he wrote it--he'd yet to experience marriage for himself. (He would of course marry late in life to a cancer-inflicted woman to whom he was deeply devoted--having precious few years to put his convictions into practice.)
"And, of course, the promise, made when I am in love and because I am in love, to be true to the beloved as long as I live, commits me to being true even if I cease to be in love. A promise must be about things I can do, about actions: no one can promise to go on feeling a certain way. He might as well promise never to have a headache or always to feel hungry."
February 9, 2014
I thought this little book was actually quite good, very informative, and excellent advice. His take on what it means to be a Christian is quite different from the usual behaviour we see modeled by those who most loudly profess to be paragons of virtue. I don't profess to be a Christian myself, but I would consider this book to be one of many valuable references for how to best to live the life of a bodhisattva.
April 14, 2015
Lewis's reflections on morality are timeless, but his reflections on theology are very poor and should be read with caution and discernment. He himself admitted that he was not a theologian, and so readers of Lewis should read with their eyes opened to that fact.
February 26, 2013
I bought an original second printing of this book from 1944. Classic C.S. Lewis thoughts on Christian living. A small book of 70 pages that I believe was originally given in weekly addresses.
January 6, 2015
"...love, in the Christian sense, does not mean an emotion. It is a state not of the feelings but of the will...
January 27, 2017
Brilliant as always.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews