An Unlikely Convert Is Surprised by Oxford

Carolyn Weber didn’t have a dependable earthly father, so she had no intention of trusting a heavenly one. As a hardworking, intellectual agnostic, she decided to read the Bible from front to back so she could show her Christian friends how ridiculous their beliefs were. Instead, she found that the Bible made sense to her. Not only that, but it drew her to the person of Jesus. 

On this episode of The Russell Moore Show, Weber talks about her personal story of conversion and how it led to her memoir, Surprised by Oxford, and the resulting film. She and Moore talk about the influence of C.S. Lewis on both Weber and modern Christianity, the power of literature, and how fiction can help us develop a moral imagination. They discuss poetry, philosophy, and prayer, considering the many beautiful ways God reveals himself to us.

Resources mentioned in this episode include: 

• Carolyn Weber
• Surprised by Oxford: A Memoir by Carolyn Weber
• Surprised by Oxford (film)
• Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis
• The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis
• The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
• Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis
• The Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien
• Life Is a Miracle: An Essay Against Modern Superstition by Wendell Berry
• “Surprised by Joy” by William Wordsworth
• The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter

Do you have a question for Russell Moore? Send it to questions@russellmoore.com.

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“The Russell Moore Show” is a production of Christianity Today 

Executive Producers: Erik Petrik, Russell Moore, and Mike Cosper 

Host: Russell Moore 

Producer: Ashley Hales 

Associate Producers: Abby Perry and McKenzie Hill

Director of Operations for CT Media: Matt Stevens

Audio engineering by Dan Phelps 

Video producer: Abby Egan 

Theme Song: “Dusty Delta Day” by Lennon Hutton

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