The C.S. Lewis podcast #223 Paul Anderson: CS Lewis and the Gospel of John
Aug 18, 2025
Paul Anderson, a Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University, shares his journey with C.S. Lewis and the impact of his writings on faith. He dives into Lewis’s literary approach to the Bible and his unique views on the Gospel of John. The conversation reveals how John's Gospel fits into the historical quest for Jesus and examines the intriguing debates surrounding it. Anderson also reflects on the relevance of Lewis's insights in today's theological discussions, emphasizing the relationship between faith and scholarship.
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First Encounter With Lewis
- Paul Anderson first read C.S. Lewis in college and was especially shaped by Mere Christianity, Problem of Pain, and Miracles.
- He later connected Lewis's essay 'Fernseed and Elephants' to his own paper and presented on a UK lecture tour.
Lewis As Intellectual Defender
- Anderson says Mere Christianity offers a robust philosophical defense against naive atheism and shaped his thinking.
- He pairs Lewis with Elton Trueblood as influential philosophical defenders of God and Christianity.
Narnia's Personal Impact
- Paul and his wife read the Narnia series to their children and saw its formative impact.
- He describes Narnia as creating a modern biblical mythology that speaks to transcendent themes.
