Unbelievable? The World Isn’t Disenchanted - We Are | Malcolm Guite
Jan 13, 2026
Malcolm Guite, a poet, Anglican priest, and academic, dives into the importance of imagination and poetry in faith. He reflects on the influences of Augustine, Coleridge, and C.S. Lewis, advocating for a balance between reason and imagination. Guite argues against modern disenchantment, suggesting we should 'un-disenchant' ourselves. He shares insights on his upcoming epic Arthurian retelling and emphasizes the need for beauty and belonging in a world often fixated on utilitarianism. His thoughts challenge conventional perceptions of truth and creativity.
01:18:55
Research Walks At Arthurian Sites
- Guite and illustrator Stephen Crotts visited Arthurian sites like Glastonbury and Tintagel to sketch and inspire the poetic retelling.
- Their fieldwork will become a documentary accompanying the new Arthurian volumes.
Imagination As An Organ Of Meaning
- Imagination is an organ of meaning that complements reason and reveals how our lives connect to the great story of Scripture.
- Malcolm Guite argues imaginative storytelling can convey deep truths inaccessible to mere data or syllogisms.
Fuel Your Creativity Theologically
- Kindle the imagination for Christ by grounding creative work theologically and practicing imaginative truth-bearing arts.
- Guite recommends creatives read both deep theological and literary traditions to nourish faith-filled imagination.
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Intro
00:00 • 1min
Guite's current projects and Arthurian epic
01:23 • 3min
Mission: Kindle imagination for Christ
04:36 • 5min
Making academic ideas accessible
10:01 • 2min
C.S. Lewis's layered influence
12:24 • 2min
Coleridge, Augustine and rejecting chronological snobbery
14:49 • 4min
Reason and imagination in Lewis's thought
19:16 • 2min
Lewis's poem 'Reason' and the reconciliation theme
21:22 • 10min
Ad break
31:33 • 31sec
McGilchrist and the hemispheric divide
32:04 • 2min
Ad break
34:01 • 30sec
Consequences of divorcing reason from imagination
34:31 • 7min
Jesus's parables: purpose and depth
41:12 • 7min
Metaphor, scripture and literal truth
47:50 • 5min
Incarnation as poet-in-the-world metaphor
52:46 • 3min
Metaphor doesn't undermine resurrection's historicity
55:52 • 8min
Campus chaplaincy: students' changing questions
01:03:32 • 8min
Belonging first, then belief and behavior
01:11:50 • 4min
Recent and forthcoming books
01:15:46 • 6min
Outro
01:21:45 • 30sec
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Wardrobes and Rings
Simon Horobin
Malcolm Guite
Julia Golding
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C.S. Lewis Poems
C.S. Lewis
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The Narnia code
Michael Ward
#338
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Written between 413-426 CE, 'The City of God' is a response to pagan claims that the sack of Rome by barbarians was a consequence of the abolition of pagan worship by Christian emperors.
Augustine argues that Christianity saved the city from complete destruction and that Rome’s fall was due to internal moral decay.
The book divides humanity into two metaphorical cities: the City of God, characterized by devotion to God, and the City of Man, characterized by self-love.
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The master and his emissary
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The book is divided into two volumes: 'The Ways to Truth' and 'What Then is True?
'.
McGilchrist argues that the left hemisphere's dominance has led to a skewed perception of the world, neglecting the vital role of the right hemisphere in integrating science, reason, intuition, and imagination.
He explores topics such as attention, perception, judgement, and the nature of reality, including concepts like time, space, consciousness, and the sacred.
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Augustine's work is characterized by its philosophical depth and theological insight, offering a nuanced understanding of the Trinity's mysteries.
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Faith, Hope and Poetry
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Faith, Hope, and Poetry is a collection of essays that explore the intersection of theology and art.
This collection brings together some of his finest essays, offering profound insights into the spiritual dimensions of literature.
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Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, arguing that the series reflects the imagery of the seven heavens.
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Ward meticulously examines each book in the series, demonstrating how Lewis subtly incorporated theological concepts and celestial imagery.
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The book is a must-read for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of Lewis's masterpiece.
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Miracles
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He recounts his sinful youth, his involvement with Manicheism and Neoplatonism, and his eventual conversion in a Milanese garden.
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The work is structured as a series of prayers to God, reflecting Augustine's journey of redemption and his understanding of God's grace and providence.
#57717
Spirits in Bondage
C.S. Lewis
C. S.
Lewis's "Spirits in Bondage" is a collection of poems written during his early years as an atheist.
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Anodos undergoes a series of transformative experiences that challenge his perceptions and force him to confront his inner demons.
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C.S. Lewis
In 'Mere Christianity', C.S.
Lewis argues for the existence of God and defends Christian theology.
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The book is known for its clear and logical presentation of Christian apologetics and has been praised for its straightforward and humorous writing style.
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SA McNally
Bandersnatch, in the context of this podcast, refers to a book that explores the history and interactions of the Inklings, a group of writers associated with the University of Oxford, England.
This group included notable authors such as C.S. Lewis, J.R. R.
Tolkien, and Charles Williams.
The book likely delves into the dynamic relationships between these authors, examining how their shared interests in literature, mythology, and theology influenced their individual works.
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C.S. Lewis
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Lewis argues that human suffering is a consequence of the existence of evil and free will, and that God uses suffering as a tool to draw us nearer to Him. He categorizes pain as both physical and emotional, serving as a warning signal that alerts us to potential harm and compels us to make necessary changes.
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The book concludes by reassuring that God's wisdom is infinitely superior to ours and that pain eventually leads us back to a loving relationship with our Creator.
#132
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Paradise Lost
John Milton
Published in 1667, 'Paradise Lost' is an epic poem in blank verse that follows the biblical story of the Fall of Man. The poem begins in medias res, detailing the descent of Satan and his followers into Hell after their rebellion against God. It explores two main narrative arcs: one focusing on Satan's actions and the other on Adam and Eve's story in the Garden of Eden.
The poem delves into themes such as free will, obedience, revenge, and pride, and it portrays the complex characters of Satan, Adam, and Eve. Milton's work is known for its rich language, classical structure, and profound theological and philosophical insights.
Malcolm Guite joins Luke Martin for a wide-ranging Unbelievable: The Interview conversation on poetry, faith, and the power of imagination. Known as a poet, priest, and academic (and former chaplain of Girton College, Cambridge), Guite reflects on the writers who shaped him from Augustine to Coleridge, and especially C.S. Lewis and Tolkien. Why does imagination matter for truth, not just feelings? And what happens to a culture when “reason” becomes narrow, utilitarian, and disenchanted? Guite engages the modern hunger for beauty, tradition, and meaning, arguing we don’t need to “re-enchant” the world so much as un-disenchant ourselves. He also shares what he’s writing next: an epic poetic retelling of the Arthurian cycle Galahad and the Grail: Merlin’s Isle (Volume 1), out in March 2026 - a retelling restoring the Christian bedrock of the Arthurian legend and the Holy Grail, inspired by the Inklings.
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