Remarkable insights.

This piece, despite being published way back in 1963, has an uncanny sense of timeliness. It's as if the words were penned just today.

The ideas presented within it seem to transcend the boundaries of time and remain relevant in our modern era.

One can't help but be struck by how forward-thinking the author was.

The concepts discussed have a universality that allows them to resonate with readers decades later.

It makes one wonder if the issues and themes explored are truly timeless, or if we as a society have made little progress in certain areas.

Either way, the fact that this work still feels so current is a testament to its enduring value and the power of great writing.

It serves as a reminder that sometimes, the best ideas are those that stand the test of time.

Harry Blamires' "The Christian Mind" stands as one of the most significant Christian writings to have emerged in the mid-twentieth century. With remarkable eloquence, Blamires mourns the state of Christian thinking within the Church regarding matters of culture, politics, art, economics, and more. He then proceeds to outline several ways in which believers can regain "the Christian mind" before secularism thoroughly brainwashes them.

Blamires commences by highlighting that Christians still possess a relatively good sense of morality, worship, and practice, such as prayers. Nevertheless, his concern lies in the fact that Christians have withdrawn from the public square, failing to provide any Christian witness to the pressing issues of the day. He ponders where the Christian response is to economic inequality, the environment, and mankind's submission to technology. In certain aspects, for example, in his analysis of technology's influence on daily life, I believe he may be overly critical. However, considering how many of us check our cellphones every five minutes and Facebook every ten minutes, his point holds merit.

The book's highlight is the penultimate chapter. In it, Blamires delves into Christianity's "sacramental cast" and the impact this has on the Christian mind. Drawing on the works of writers like Charles Williams, Blamires discusses how Christians perceive love and fulfillment in contrast to the empty void and vision presented by secularism.

This book was first published in the mid-1960s, and while much of it remains relevant today, contemporary readers may have already encountered much of its content. For example, Blamires dedicates a chapter to the Christian concept of truth, which is a rather standard exploration of objective versus subjective truth and the role of divine revelation in attaining truth. Blamires notes in the introduction that some readers, especially newer ones, may consider the book outdated, but he dismisses this criticism. Still, I think Blamires' points are often a product of the culture and time period in which he was writing. For instance, the threat of nuclear warfare is not as prominent in the minds of 21st-century individuals as it was during the Cold War. Additionally, Blamires writes from an Anglican perspective, which limits his relevance in some situations. The Church of England's relationship with the British government differs significantly from that of various churches with their relationships with North American governments. There is also excessive and unnecessary repetition.

For some reason, I feel that Blamires belongs in the same category as Francis Schaeffer. Schaeffer inspired Christians to think critically about "worldview" and important issues, but he has since been surpassed by newer thinkers. Many seminary professors today credit Schaeffer for igniting their intellectual imaginations, yet they admit that some of his ideas have not endured. I believe a comparison between the founder of L'Abri and Blamires is reasonable because, despite the book's enormous influence in its day, I don't hear many people discussing Blamires today. While some of the material is slightly outdated (e.g., anxiety about nuclear bombs) and much of it has been repeated elsewhere, this is still an excellent book to read. If possible, I would have given it a 3.5 out of 5.

Amazingly, there is an articulate book that delves into the state of Christian thinking. It explores not only how we currently think as Christians but also how we should think. What's truly remarkable is that even though this book was written more than forty years ago, it remains highly relevant to our present times. I was particularly impressed by the way Blamires masterfully intertwined thinking with feeling, and cognitions with the spiritual. All too often, those who expound on the significance of Christian intelligence tend to overlook the equal importance of Christian emotion and spiritual longing. However, Blamires artfully weaves these two elements together in an intelligent, thoughtful, logical, and deeply spiritual and theological manner. I was really quite surprised by this. I earnestly encourage all Christians to read this book. It has the potential to offer profound insights and a fresh perspective on our faith and how we approach it in our daily lives.

Careful, Christian - this book will challenge your thinking in ways you may never have considered.

Blamires develops a compelling argument for how distinctively unChristian thoughts have polluted Christian minds in the 20th and 21st Centuries.

He delves deep into the various aspects of modern society and culture that have influenced and perhaps even distorted the pure Christian ideology.

From the prevalence of materialism to the acceptance of certain moral relativisms, Blamires shows how these unChristian ideas have insidiously crept into the minds of believers.

This book serves as a wake-up call, urging Christians to be more discerning and to resist the encroachment of these ungodly thoughts.

It challenges them to reexamine their beliefs and values in light of the truth of the gospel and to stand firm in their faith.

By doing so, they can avoid being swayed by the false ideologies of the world and remain true to the teachings of Christ.

Overall, this book is a must-read for any Christian who desires to grow in their faith and to have a more profound understanding of the challenges facing the Church today.

Audiobook Review

This author was truly remarkable in getting so many aspects right. It's quite astonishing how we often simply follow the crowd and never bother to question the status quo.

The narrator of the audiobook also did an outstanding job. Their performance added an extra layer of depth and engagement to the story. The way they brought the characters to life and captured the essence of each scene was truly impressive.

Overall, this audiobook is a great listen. It not only offers thought-provoking content but also a highly enjoyable auditory experience. Whether you're a fan of the author's work or simply looking for a good audiobook to pass the time, this one is definitely worth checking out.

Highly recommended!

This article offers some interesting insights and is extremely well-written, making it a truly enjoyable read.

However, it does seem somewhat "dated" in its contrast between "natural" and "supernatural", which is typical of the author's materialistic period and writing. We, on the other hand, consider all creation, that is, all of nature, as "supernatural", conceived, created, and sustained by the God of the universe. There is no discrepancy or compartamentalisation.

Blamires' definition of "truth" in chapter 3 (I don't have the book with me at the moment) was particularly useful.

Similarly, the last chapter on "Christian romanticism" was stimulating and a much-needed discussion today.

Less helpful, though, was his presentation of "authority", as he was bound to the institution of the Anglican church. Reformed thinking would be more in the direction of the authority of the Bible as the word of God. He is very critical of the persons in his church hierarchy but less critical of the hierarchy itself.

Overall, this is a very useful and helpful book that remains very contemporary.

I wholeheartedly agree with Brenton.

There is indeed a wealth of good content within these pages. However, it is presented in a rather cantankerous and overly verbose manner. The author seems to generalize from his own personal experiences and observations, which can limit the applicability of the ideas. Moreover, the writing style feels a bit stuck in the 60s, lacking the modern flair and clarity that many readers might prefer.

While it might be challenging to advance a truly substantive disagreement with Blamires' argument, unfortunately, finding his book disagreeable is all too easy. The combination of the off-putting writing style and the somewhat dated approach makes it a less than enjoyable read for many. It's a shame, really, because there are some interesting concepts buried beneath the surface that could have been presented in a more engaging and accessible way.

One of the 10 most influential books in my lifetime of reading is "To Kill a Mockingbird" by Harper Lee.

This classic novel takes readers on a journey through the eyes of a young girl, Scout Finch, growing up in a small Southern town during the 1930s.

The story explores themes of racism, prejudice, and social injustice, as Scout's father, Atticus Finch, defends a black man accused of a crime he did not commit.

Lee's writing is both beautiful and powerful, painting a vivid picture of the characters and their lives.

"To Kill a Mockingbird" has had a profound impact on me, teaching me the importance of empathy, understanding, and standing up for what is right.

It is a book that I will continue to revisit and recommend to others for years to come.

The difference between the way Christians and non-Christians view the world has never been made more clear than the explanations in this books.

It is truly very insightful. The author has delved deep into the various aspects of these two worldviews and presented a comprehensive analysis.

In some areas, it even seems prophetic. The book anticipates certain trends and developments that are relevant to both religious and non-religious people.

It makes the reader think about their own beliefs and how they impact their perception of the world.

Whether one is a Christian or not, this book offers valuable perspectives that can help to broaden one's understanding and enhance one's ability to engage in meaningful conversations with others.

It is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the differences and similarities between different worldviews.

Listened to it via Audible+.

This is a truly perspicacious work. The author presents a profound exploration by defining the "Christian mind" as a unique Christian perspective on specific matters, which in contemporary terms would likely be referred to as a worldview.

In the initial part, he meticulously details the process by which this Christian mind has been lost. He also makes a crucial differentiation between thinking secularly about religious matters and thinking Christianly. This distinction is essential as it helps to clarify the different approaches and their implications.

In the second part, he further elaborates on the particular distinctives of the Christian mind. For instance, its awareness of evil and its conception of truth are explored in-depth. These aspects are fundamental to understanding the Christian mind and how it operates in different situations.

Overall, this work is excellent. It offers valuable insights and perspectives that can enhance one's understanding of the Christian mind. I definitely ought to reread this to clarify and solidify certain ideas. This will enable me to gain a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the subject matter.

I found it extremely helpful.

He was completely unknown to me until quite recently, but I wholeheartedly recommend him.

As a campus pastor, a significant portion of what he discusses is directly related to the kinds of issues that are still prevalent today in a post-modern and, in many respects, post-Christian society.

His words gave me a great deal to contemplate, and I am certain that I will make use of it in the future.

This encounter has truly been a valuable one, and I look forward to seeing how his insights will continue to impact my work and understanding as a campus pastor in this complex and ever-evolving social context.