Charlie Reeder

In this episode of The CS Lewis Podcast, Ruth Jackson introduces a special conference paper by Charlie Reeder, recorded at the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference at George Fox University. Charlie explores 'Spirits in Bondage', Lewis’ little-known first published work, written while he was still an atheist, and argues that it holds the key to understanding Lewis’s lifelong theme of longing. Tracing the idea of 'Sehnsucht' —a deep, restless desire for a “hidden country”—Charlie shows how Lewis’ early bitterness toward God already contains the seeds of the vision later fulfilled in 'The Pilgrim’s Regress', 'The Weight of Glory', 'Narnia', and beyond. This episode offers a rich literary and theological journey through Lewis’ imagination, revealing how longing ultimately points not just to a place, but to a person. For Charlie's Substack: https://theoxfordreeder.substack.com/ + Support us here: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/geolink/donate + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our website: https://premierunbelievable.com/

Joining the discussion is Charlie Reeder, a recent Oxford graduate and expert on C.S. Lewis's themes of longing. He dives into the concept of Sehnsucht, exploring Lewis's early poetry collection, 'Spirits in Bondage', and its links to his later Christian thought. The conversation emphasizes how Lewis wrestled with an intense desire for something beyond this world long before his conversion. Charlie sheds light on the often-overlooked nuances of Lewis's work, revealing a profound quest for the 'hidden country' that shapes his life and faith.