When Mere Is More

by James M. Kushiner

More Christianity may have been cancelled for 2020, but Mere Christianity continues—on paper in this journal and in the lives of Christians throughout the world who embrace the cost of discipleship, even in an age of decadence.

We use the subtitle "A Journal of Mere Christianity" to signal our ongoing commitment to "ecumenical orthodoxy" (which used to be our subtitle but caused some to wonder if it was an Eastern Orthodox journal)—that is, our commitment to a historic, biblical orthodoxy shared by Christians of various historical traditions. It is decidedly not a fellowship based on the lowest common denominator—rather, the highest possible common denominator, which is substantial. For starters, all genuine Christians believe the tenets of the historic creeds. We accept the witness of the early Church to the canon of divine Scripture, the deity of Christ, and the Nicene doctrine of the Holy Trinity.

The proof of this fellowship is the denominational breadth of our editorial board, writers, and readership, which include Christians who are members of Anglican, Baptist, Eastern Orthodox, Evangelical, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Roman Catholic, and many other churches.

Our fellowship is rooted in a deep tradition. As C. S. Lewis wrote: "Measured against the ages, 'mere Christianity' turns out to be no insipid interdenominational transparency, but something positive, self-consistent, and inexhaustible." In the words of Vincent of Lérins (d. 445), mere Christians adhere to that "which has been believed everywhere, always, and by all." That's a lot more than any lowest common denominator. Lewis was not a modern ecumenist.

If you know of other mere Christians who you think would appreciate Touchstone, please send us a list of their names and addresses, and we will send them a complimentary issue. I believe there are many more such Christians out there, just waiting to be discovered and to discover in turn A Journal of Mere Christianity. Send as many names as you wish to editor@touchstonemag.com. We'll do the rest.

James M. Kushiner is the Director of Publications for The Fellowship of St. James and the former Executive Editor of Touchstone.

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