Christians Reading Classics

Ronni Kurtz, an Assistant Professor of Systematic Theology, and Philip D. Bunn, an Assistant Professor of Political Science, dive deep into C.S. Lewis's 'That Hideous Strength.' They explore the theological and philosophical themes in the novel, such as the ethical implications of technology and modern education. The duo discusses the relevance of Lewis's insights concerning AI and its impact on humanity. Additionally, they analyze character dynamics and the characteristics that define classic literature, emphasizing the enduring power of literary works.

Nadia Williams speaks with church historian John Wilsey about Alexis de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America," marking its 190th anniversary. They explore what makes this political work a classic, Tocqueville's aristocratic background and surprising observations about American equality, religion's central role in preserving democratic freedom, and why American conservatives should appreciate his insights about the balance between individual liberty and community responsibility. Chapters 0:00 - What Makes a Classic 7:30 - Tocqueville's Aristocratic Background 23:17 - The Prison Reform Pretext 26:16 - Structure of Democracy in America 39:56 - Religion's Surprising Role in Democracy 55:24 - The Book's Reception Then and Now 57:53 - Why Conservatives Should Read Tocqueville 1:06:19 - Freedom Requires Responsibility 1:09:20 - The Book John Wishes He'd Written       Links   1. John D. Wilsey's abridgment of Democracy in America 2. George Wilson Pierson, Tocqueville in America 3. Gustave de Beaumont, Marie, Or Slavery in the United States 4. Year-long Vital Remnants season on Democracy in America 5. Robert Tracy McKenzie, We the Fallen People 6. This podcast is based on this edition of Democracy in America--it is the Liberty Fund edition translated by James T. Schleifer and edited by Eduardo Nolla. 7. John D. Wilsey, Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer    

Nadya Williams talks with theologians Coleman Ford and Shawn Wilhite about the Nicene Creed, marking its 1700th anniversary. They explore what makes a theological work a “classic,” the historical background of the Council of Nicaea, the meaning of key Christological terms, and how to “think Nicenely” in the Christian life. The discussion blends history, theology, and practical discipleship, showing how the Creed shapes Christian identity and worship. Chapters 00:04 – Introduction and Reading of the Nicene Creed 02:18 – Guests’ Backgrounds and Book Collaboration 02:57 – What Makes a Theological Classic? 07:19 – Defining the Work of Theologians as “Doctors of the Soul” 17:18 – Historical Background of the Council of Nicaea 22:47 – Why the Debate over Christ’s Relationship to the Father Mattered 28:21 – Constantine’s Role and Political Context 32:23 – Structure of the Creed and Differences Between 325 and 381 Versions 38:25 – Christology in the Creed: Begottenness, Substance, and “Light from Light” 49:50 – Visual Imagery and Theological Language 54:32 – Thinking “Nicenely” and Why It Matters Today 01:00:18 – Writing Together as Friends 01:04:21 – Classics the Guests Wish They Had Written Links Coleman Ford and Shawn Wilhite, Nicaea for Today: Why an Ancient Creed (Still) Matters Coleman Ford and Shawn Wilhite, Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls

Nadya Williams talks with theologian Kirsten Sanders about J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Return of the King, exploring its vision of good and evil, the tragic imagination, and the “faith of hobbits.” They discuss why classics endure, the theological depth of Tolkien’s world, the moral resonance of small acts of faithfulness, and the book’s bittersweet ending. Chapters 00:03 – Tolkien’s life, The Hobbit, and the birth of The Lord of the Rings 02:44 – What makes a book a classic? 05:19 – A reluctant Tolkien reader finds unexpected resonance 10:53 – The quest, the ring, and the nature of evil 14:11 – Evil’s hunger and the metaphors of light and darkness 17:56 – Frodo’s smallness and the anthropology of humble creatures 20:49 – The tragic tone of The Return of the King 23:02 – Denethor’s despair and Gandalf’s call to do good 28:30 – The faith of hobbits and resisting nihilism 30:38 – Tolkien’s gift for character and detail 31:42 – Gandalf, Tom Bombadil, and the mystery of the unaffected 34:27 – Elves, tradition, and the long memory of history 36:46 – Everything is theological: why the story works 39:03 – Sanders’ current and future book projects 41:21 – The faith of hobbits in daily life 42:40 – The power of tangible care and the visible good 44:06 – The devastating beauty of Kristin Lavransdatter 44:59 – Rethinking feminist novels and facing “big books” Links Kirsten Sanders, "For Eowyn" Jake Meador, "What I Saw in the Shire--JRR Tolkien and the Love of Little Things" Holly Ordway, "Hobbits and Empire: Geography and the Life of Nations in Tolkien's Writings"

Nadya Williams and guest John Shelton explore Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland on its 160th anniversary. They discuss what makes a book a “classic,” the balance between whimsy and seriousness, Carroll’s satirical brilliance, and the enduring cultural impact of Alice. The conversation highlights themes of logic, absurdity, moral imagination, and the shaping of children’s literature. Chapters 00:03 – Introduction to Lewis Carroll and Alice’s enduring appeal 03:00 – What makes a literary work a “classic”? 06:16 – Why Alice’s humor still works 07:43 – Iconic phrases and cultural influence 09:19 – Whimsy as serious work 11:42 – The sacredness of delight 13:38 – Influence on later works and pop culture 14:58 – The importance of the written form and illustrations 24:30 – The challenge of adapting Alice to other media 25:08 – Children’s classics and parental reading traditions 27:27 – Violence, absurdity, and what’s “too scary” for kids 31:16 – The rise of children’s literature in Carroll’s time 36:49 – Logic, madness, and education 37:18 – Carroll’s faith and the spiritual dimension of whimsy 39:14 – The purpose of children’s literature 41:20 – Selecting books for children and moral lessons from stories 45:13 – Learning the right use of force and justice 46:34 – Recognizing and mocking true absurdity 50:27 – Subtle moral norms in Alice 52:17 – Books the guest wishes he had written 54:56 – The relational nature of children’s books 57:27 – Stories as moral frameworks for life Links John Shelton, "Stories After Virtue: Reading As A Moral Enterprise" Tara Thieke, "Cats and Sixty Foot Whales: Reflections on Children's Literature" Lewis Carroll, An Easter Greeting to every child who loves Alice - Alice-in-Wonderland.net

In this episode of Christians Reading Classics, Nadya Williams talks with historian John Fry and children’s literature scholar LuElla D’Amico about Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie. They explore what makes a children’s book a classic, Wilder’s life and historical context, the collaboration with her daughter Rose, and the enduring moral and cultural resonance of the series. The conversation touches on themes of virtue, nostalgia, cross-cultural appeal, and the complexities of reading historical works through modern eyes. Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Little House on the Prairie and Guests 02:18 – What Makes a Classic in Children’s Literature? 07:54 – Personal Connections to the Little House Books 12:02 – Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Life and Historical Context 22:02 – Story Overview and Thematic Highlights 31:38 – Advice for First-Time Readers 37:17 – Why Wilder Wrote the Books and the Role of Rose Wilder Lane 48:32 – Wilder’s Faith and Its Influence in the Series 52:02 – Reading with a Theological Imagination 55:19 – Closing Thoughts and Books the Guests Wish They Had Written Links John Fry, A Prairie Faith: The Religious Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder LuElla D'Amico, "The Art of Good Gossip: Unexpected Lessons About Virtue and Community from Little Women" LuElla D'Amico, "Wondrous Reading"

Nadya Williams talks with Geoffrey Kurtz about Ignazio Silone’s Bread and Wine, exploring its political, spiritual, and literary significance. They discuss what makes a classic, Silone’s shift from communism to a more open-ended moral vision, the novel’s blend of politics and clandestine faith, and the transformation of its protagonist, Pietro Spina, through solitude and friendship. Chapters 00:02 – Silone’s author’s note and the idea of rewriting one’s “soul book” 02:29 – Defining a classic: resonance across time and place 04:24 – Silone’s life, politics, and exile 08:54 – From political collapse to becoming a novelist 11:00 – The 1936 and 1955 editions: from didactic to subtle 13:13 – Setting and premise of Bread and Wine 14:35 – Disguise, solitude, and unexpected friendships 17:45 – Growth in character and writing craft 18:10 – How much is Spina autobiographical? 21:51 – Political and religious dimensions rooted in the same moral impulse 24:53 – Don Benedetto as a bridge between action and contemplation 29:33 – God’s clandestine presence in the novel 31:08 – Solitude as the seed of transformation 35:48 – Loneliness, community, and the longing for safe relationships 36:30 – Reception in Italy, the U.S., and among leftists and Catholics 43:50 – Politics bounded by love and human dignity 47:26 – Kurtz’s intellectual journey and democratic socialism 50:55 – On “democratic socialist” vs. “social democrat” 51:38 – Current reading: Wendell Berry and parallels to Silone 54:21 – A classic Kurtz wishes he’d written Links Geoffrey Kurtz, "How to Be a Liberal-Socialist-Conservative" Geoffrey Kurtz, Jean Jaurès: The Inner Life of Social Democracy

Nadya Williams is joined by Ivana Greco and Dixie Dillon-Lane to explore Winnie-the-Pooh as a children’s classic. They discuss what makes a book timeless, how Milne’s humor and characterization capture the child’s mind, the role of family lore and shared cultural touchstones, and how to navigate classics that don’t click with every child. Chapters 00:03 – Origins of Winnie-the-Pooh and its enduring appeal 03:19 – Defining a “classic” in children’s literature 07:11 – Story plots, character development, and the child’s perspective 09:16 – Humor, literal thinking, and being “in on the joke” 13:10 – Power dynamics, Christopher Robin, and imaginative escape 15:32 – Re-reading classics through different life stages 17:05 – Songs, riddles, and the child’s interior life 21:25 – The instinctive music of childhood 24:55 – Character archetypes: Eeyore, Tigger, and self-recognition 29:46 – Literary touchstones in family culture 33:43 – When classics don’t click with your kids 41:22 – Encouraging literacy in homeschooling 47:12 – Adapting teaching methods to your child and yourself 49:51 – Avoiding power struggles in reading instruction 54:20 – Recognizing slow, steady progress 58:00 – Classics the guests wish they had written 01:07:18 – Books that become part of who we are Links Alexander Lenard, Winnie Ille Pu (the Latin translation) Ivana D. Greco, "The Home Front" Dixie Dillon Lane, "The Hollow"

Nadya Williams interviews Dr. Timothy Larsen on G.K. Chesterton’s The Everlasting Man, exploring its enduring insights on humanity, Christ, and the joy of Christian apologetics. They discuss what makes a “classic,” Chesterton’s playful paradoxes, his cultural context after WWI, and how to approach the book today. Key Idea: Chesterton re-narrates the human story and the gospel with wit, joy, and surprise, inviting readers to see faith anew. Chapters: 00:00 – Chesterton’s Introduction: Seeing Home for the First Time 02:20 – What Makes a Classic Book? 05:15 – Chesterton’s Life and Many Roles 07:30 – Why The Everlasting Man Was Written 10:05 – Part One: The Creature Called Man 12:30 – Part Two: The Man Called Christ 14:40 – Paradox and Wit in Apologetics 19:00 – Chesterton as an “Earthy” Christian 21:30 – Reception and Legacy 26:30 – Advice for First-Time Readers 29:40 – Larsen’s Upcoming Book on WWI Clergy 33:15 – The Classic Larsen Wishes He’d Written 35:20 – Nadia’s Choice of a Classic Links: Timothy Larsen, "The Full-Bodied Apologist" Timothy Larsen, "When H. G. Wells Found God" Forthcoming book: The Fires of Moloch: Anglican Clergymen in the Furnace of World War One

Welcome to Christians Reading Classics! A new Mere Orthodoxy podcast hosted Nadya Williams. In this introductory episode, you'll learn what this podcast is all about and what you can look forward to. If you love classic books, or are even interested in learning more about them, you're in the right place.