The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a portal fantasy novel that follows the story of four English siblings - Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy - who are evacuated to the countryside during World War II. While exploring the large, old house of Professor Kirke, Lucy discovers a wardrobe that serves as a portal to the land of Narnia. In Narnia, they encounter various magical creatures and the evil White Witch, who has cast a spell to keep Narnia in perpetual winter. The siblings soon learn that they are part of an ancient prophecy to save Narnia, aided by the lion Aslan. The story is an allegory of Christianity, with Aslan's sacrifice and resurrection mirroring the story of Jesus Christ. The novel also incorporates elements from Germanic, classical Greek and Roman, and Celtic mythology.
This work, published in 1947, is the first consistently premillennial and dispensational systematic theology ever written. It covers a wide range of theological topics, including bibliology, theology proper, angelology, anthropology, hamartiology, soteriology, ecclesiology, and eschatology. Chafer's work is notable for its completeness and accessibility, making it readable for both scholars and those not formally trained in theology. The eight volumes are highly regarded for their practical and devotional content, as well as their comprehensive treatment of systematic theology[2][3][4].
The Silmarillion is a comprehensive narrative that details the creation of Tolkien's universe, Eä, and the history of the First Age. It includes the legend of the Silmarils, jewels crafted by Fëanor that contain the essence of the Two Trees of Valinor. The book covers the creation of the world, the history of the Elves and Men, the wars against Morgoth, and the legendary love story of Beren and Lúthien. Edited and published posthumously by Christopher Tolkien with the assistance of Guy Gavriel Kay, it is a foundational work that underpins the stories of 'The Hobbit' and 'The Lord of the Rings'[3][4][5].
In this kickoff live session for our new class on the Holy Spirit, I'm joined by Grace Ji-Sun Kim—author of the Homebrewed Christianity Guide to the Holy Spirit (and about 24 other spirit-focused books by her count!). We dive into some fascinating early questions about the nature of the spirit: Is it a person, principle, or energy? Grace reminds us that confusion is actually a good starting place, since certainty is where problems arise. We explore how her unique background—growing up Korean Presbyterian but exposed to Baptist, Pentecostal, and many other traditions—gave her a perspective that transcends denominational boundaries. Grace shares incredible stories about her unexpected adventure in Rome during the papal conclave (including jumping barriers to chase Pope Leo XIV!), reflecting on how the Spirit moves in ways that challenge patriarchal structures while still working within them. We discuss embodied spirituality, vibrations as divine creation, and how studying the Spirit has transformed Grace's own prayer life. Whether you're Presbyterian, Pentecostal, or somewhere in between, join us as we journey through this four-part exploration of the Holy Spirit leading up to Pentecost! And if you're in North Carolina, come see us live at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chapel Hill at 7pm on June 8th!
Get access to all 4 of Grace's lectures by joining our class, Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost
You can WATCH this conversation on YouTube
Grace Ji-Sun Kim is a professor of theology at Earlham School of Religion and host of the Madang podcast.
Previous Episodes with Grace
Upcoming Online Class: Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, & the Holy Ghost
"Rediscovering the Spirit: Hand-Raisers, Han, and the Holy Ghost" is an open-online course exploring the dynamic, often overlooked third person of the Trinity. Based on Grace Ji-Sun Kim's groundbreaking work on the Holy Spirit (pneumatology), this class takes participants on a journey through biblical foundations, historical developments, diverse cultural perspectives, and practical applications of Spirit theology. Moving beyond traditional Western theological frameworks, we'll explore feminist interpretations, global perspectives, and innovative approaches to understanding the Spirit in today's world. Whether you've felt the Spirit was missing from your faith journey or are simply curious to deepen your understanding, this class creates space for thoughtful discussion, personal reflection, and spiritual growth.
As always, this class is donation-based, including 0. To get class info and sign up, head over here.
_____________________
Hang with 40+ Scholars & Podcasts and 600 people at Theology Beer Camp 2025 (Oct. 16-18) in St. Paul, MN.
This podcast is a Homebrewed Christianity production. Follow the Homebrewed Christianity, Theology Nerd Throwdown, & The Rise of Bonhoeffer podcasts for more theological goodness for your earbuds. Join over 80,000 other people by joining our Substack - Process This! Get instant access to over 45 classes at www.TheologyClass.com
Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Homebrewed Christianity 
