In the second part of Dan Barker and Dr Carolyn Weber's discussion about CS Lewis' relevance, Dan points out some of the holes he perceives in Lewis' beliefs. On the opposite side of the debate, Carolyn shares how she became a Christian, highlighting elements of her story that echo Lewis' own and looking at how Lewis' writing greatly influenced her decision. To hear more of Carolyn's story:...

On November 22nd 1963, Clive Staples Lewis – Jack to his friends – died in Oxford, England. However, 61 years after his death, is CS Lewis still relevant? We hear from former pastor-turned atheist, Dan Barker, who suggests that many of Lewis’ arguments are fundamentally flawed. Literature professor, Dr Carolyn Weber, highlights where she disagrees with Dan and shares some of her story about coming to faith at Oxford University, in part through CS Lewis.   For Dr Carolyn Weber:...

Ruth Jackson spoke to singer-songwriter Sarah Hawkyard who describes Mere Christianity as a "game changer", which "hooked" her onto Christianity. Lews played an integral role in Sarah coming to faith, challenging, inspiring and providing her with profound knowledge. She also shared the importance of creativity, singing a few lines from one of her songs that is directly influenced by CS Lewis. For Sarah: https://www.sarahhawkyard.com/ + Subscribe to The CS Lewis...

Dr Curtis White's PhD focuses on the relationship, work and theology of CS Lewis and TS Eliot. Here, he highlights some of his thoughts on this topic as well as sharing how Lewis was integral to his own faith journey. White also talks about the upcoming CS Lewis Symposium in Belfast, which John Brown University is providing financial support for. To find out more and book tickets for the CS Lewis Symposium in Belfast on 4th November:...

How did Lewis approach ecstatic experiences, particularly in light of his Ulster Protestant background? Dr David Clare of Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick continues his talk given at the C.S. Lewis Group at Ulster's spring mini symposium. He also answers questions from the live audience. The event was entitled 'C.S. Lewis and the Land of His Birth: Re-rooting Lewis in Ulster & the Island of Ireland'. The title of Dr Clare's talk was ‘“Lit Up Inside”: C.S. Lewis’s Joy &...

How did Lewis approach moments of religious ecstasy? Dr David Clare of Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick explores this idea in a talk given at the C.S. Lewis Group at Ulster's spring mini symposium. The event was entitled 'C.S. Lewis and the Land of His Birth: Re-rooting Lewis in Ulster & the Island of Ireland'. The title of Dr Clare's talk was ‘“Lit Up Inside”: C.S. Lewis’s Joy & Ulster Protestant Ecstasy’. Here, he looks at some of Lewis' moments of spiritual ecstasy...

When scaffolder Scott Tuohy heard a quotation from CS Lewis while attending an Alpha course, he was so profoundly moved by it, he got the quote tattooed on his bicep the next day. His life has never been the same since. Here, he shares his story with Ruth Jackson. To find out more about Alpha: https://alpha.org.uk/try-alpha + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For online learning...

Would Lewis have any advice for anyone struggling to make sense of their emotions? How do we respond to a culture or a generation who often prioritise emotional truth over rational truth? How do we avoid sentimentality? Are there any ways that Lewis has been particularly powerful spiritual mentor for you personally? How can Lewis’ lived out faith be helpful for us? Professor Alister McGrath continues to explore our emotions and sentimentality in comparison to rational truth. + Let us know...

​Why are we often hesitant to talk about our feelings? What did Lewis mean by “joy” and how did he search for it? Can our feelings help us to find God or to grow in our faith? How did Lewis view aesthetics? What should we do when our feelings seem opposed to our faith? How important was religious experience for Lewis? Professor Alister McGrath continues to explore how we can use Lewis as a resource for the Christian life. + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For...

How does having a better understanding of a "big picture" give us hope, particularly in the midst of mental health struggles? How can we hold different aspects of our life together? Which travelling companions would Lewis recommend? What would Lewis make of public figures such as Tom Holland, Jordan Peterson and Douglas Murray, who speak about the coherence and positive impact of Christianity? Professor Alister McGrath explores Lewis as a spiritual mentor. + Subscribe to The CS Lewis...

What did Lewis mean by "big pictures" and how did he use them in his work? How can he help those struggling to find their purpose in life? Why are people so concerned about a lack of coherence and can Lewis be of assistance? Can creeds help us? Professor Alister McGrath explores how Lewis can be a pathfinder and a resource for the Christian life. + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For online...

How can our individual stories find new meaning and significance from Christianity's "grand story"? In what ways did Lewis tell the Christian story? And what can we learn from this? How do we share our own story? Professor Alister McGrath explores how we can use Lewis as a resource for our Christian life and looks at some of Lewis' favourite stories, including The Pilgrim’s Regress. To find out more about virtual attendance / streaming for The Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference on 5th-8th...

Which stories impacted Lewis as a young child? Why is story so important? How does imagination help convey truth? What did Lewis mean by "myth" and how did that impact his thinking? Where did JRR Tolkien help with this? How do we allow the Christian story to shape our own? Professor Alister McGrath explores how we can use Lewis as a resource for our Christian life. To find out more about virtual attendance / streaming for The Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference on 5th-8th September:...

Professor Alister McGrath continues to explore how we can use CS Lewis as a resource for our Christian life. How did Lewis' conversion change his life? What habits did he put in place to establish a rhythm of life for his faith? In what ways does Lewis speak to Christian academics? What inspiration can writers draw from Lewis? Does he offer any advice for young people living out their Christian faith today? + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows,...

How did CS Lewis live out his Christian faith? What practical tools or approaches can he offer to inform our spiritual practices? How can Lewis help us work out our vocation? Does he have any advice for those experiencing doubt? Professor Alister McGrath explores how we can use Lewis as a resource for our Christian life. + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For online learning...

How did CS Lewis translate Christianity for ordinary people? What would he say to our post-Christian culture? Can Lewis help with evangelism? In what ways did people apply his ideas to the COVID-19 pandemic? Pastor, author and theologian Dr James Emery White explores how we can draw on Lewis in our modern context. He references many of his works including 'Modern Man and his Categories of Thought' and 'On Living in an Atomic Age', as well as sharing stories from people who knew Lewis...

Did Lewis want to rewrite some of his earlier work on suffering in light of his own experience of pain and loss? Did Lewis doubt the existence of God or question his character during these times? What words of encouragement would Lewis give to those in the throes of suffering? Dr Philip Tallon, Associate Professor of Theology and Dean of The School of Christian Thought at Houston Christian University, explores A Grief Observed and The Problem of Pain. He also shares how to help younger...

How does Lewis perceive the Fall? Is he able to reconcile it with an evolutionary model? Where does the cross feature in The Problem of Pain? What did Lewis think of hell? In what ways does Lewis help us to recognise beauty and aesthetics in our discussions around theodicy? We continue our conversation with Dr Philip Tallon, Associate Professor of Theology and Dean of The School of Christian Thought at Houston Christian University. For Rev Dr Michael Lloyd on why evil exists:...

Can pain ever be good for us? What about children with cancer? How do we account for animal suffering? Will our pets be in heaven? Does our theology of heaven impact our thoughts around suffering? Dr Philip Tallon, Associate Professor of Theology and Dean of The School of Christian Thought at Houston Christian University, shares his thoughts about Lewis' The Problem of Pain. + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our...

Dr Philip Tallon, Associate Professor of Theology and Dean of The School of Christian Thought at Houston Christian University, unpacks one of Lewis' earliest work of apologetics The Problem of Pain. What are the critiques of this book and can any of these challenges be overcome? + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For online learning https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training + For our Premier...

Can Lewis still speak to us today? Following the death of his father as a child, Afrikaner pastor Johan Erasmus struggled to find a place where he could ask sceptical questions about faith, God and the Universe. During this time he discovered CS Lewis, but also Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris and Christopher Hitchens. You can hear more of his story in Coming To Faith Through Dawkins. To hear more of Johan's story, check out Unapologetic: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/shows/unapologetic +...

Hollywood director Matthew Brown, who directed and co-wrote Freud's Last Session, shares his thoughts on two of the greatest minds of the 20th Century. The film, which features Sir Anthony Hopkins, Matthew Goode and Liv Lisa Fries, raises questions about the existence of God, the prevalence of human suffering and the perceived conflict between religion and science. What would Freud and Lewis have spoken about if they had met? How can we model civil conversation with those we vehemently...

We continue our conversation with Professor Alister McGrath answering live questions, including who influenced Lewis’ faith journey, whether there’s an expiry date on his relevance and how Lewis has impacted Alister’s own theology.  + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For online learning https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the...

Professor Alister McGrath joined Ruth Jackson for a webinar answering live questions about CS Lewis, including how Lewis used modern media, whether there is a "modern day Lewis" and how we navigate some of the potentially racist terms within his work. + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For online learning https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events +...