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The C.S. Lewis podcast

#128 Perelandra: It's not for nothing that you are named Ransom

Oct 23, 2023
In this podcast, Alister McGrath explores key questions raised by C.S. Lewis in his novel Perelandra. They discuss the nature of goodness and the fear of God, as well as the significance of the protagonist Ransom's name. The hosts also delve into the themes and symbols in Perelandra, including human agency and the transformative experiences of the characters. They touch on the concept of active participation in beauty and faith, highlighting its relevance to the Christian faith.
12:47

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • CS Lewis raises important questions about our understanding of God and the potential unease we may experience if He turns out to be different from our preconceived notions.
  • Ransom's name in the trilogy may signify him being a Christ figure or someone who can deliver humanity from captivity, revealing the significance of the human situation and his potential role in bringing about change.

Deep dives

Lewis explores the fear of the unknown in relation to the goodness of God

In this podcast episode, the guest discusses a passage from one of CS Lewis's lesser-known works, where the narrator grapples with the fear of encountering a good that may be dreadful. The guest suggests that Lewis is highlighting the tension between our expectations of a wholly beautiful and good God and the reality of God's transcendence. The speaker emphasizes that the true allure in approaching God lies in His incomprehensibility and the possibility that He might be different from what we expect. Ultimately, the guest concludes that Lewis raises important questions about our understanding of God and the potential unease we may experience if He turns out to be different from our preconceived notions.

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