The C.S. Lewis podcast

Join Jacqueline Wilson, a Master’s student in cultural apologetics at Houston Christian University, as she delves into C.S. Lewis's intriguing prayer life. They explore how Lewis's unconventional prayer practices, particularly his habit of praying for the dead, reflect his unique spiritual journey. Wilson highlights the tension between Lewis's Anglican roots and his evolving relationship with Catholicism. The conversation also touches on the transformative power of Lewis's writings, especially in shaping personal faith and understanding of divine love.

In this engaging discussion, Alister McGrath, a Professor at Oxford University and a noted C.S. Lewis scholar, dives into Lewis's views on evolution and science. He explores how Lewis distinguished evolution from philosophical naturalism and whether it can account for morality and consciousness. McGrath addresses the tensions between faith and scientific interpretations, critiques of Lewis’s perspectives, and the enduring influence of his ideas on modern science and Christianity. Listeners gain valuable insights into the dialogue between faith and scientific inquiry.

In this discussion, Alister McGrath, a leading C.S. Lewis scholar and Professor at Oxford, dives into Lewis's thoughts on miracles and science. He argues that miracles align with divine will rather than contradicting natural laws. Exploring the clash between Lewis and H.G. Wells's materialism, McGrath highlights Lewis's literary responses to secularism. The conversation also probes how Lewis’s critiques of materialism continue to resonate today, emphasizing that science and faith can coexist in understanding human existence and morality.

In this engaging discussion, Professor Alister McGrath, a respected theologian and author specializing in C.S. Lewis, delves into how Lewis reconciled faith with scientific inquiry. McGrath highlights Lewis's evolution from viewing science and religion as conflicting to recognizing their potential harmony. They explore the tension between scientism and faith, emphasizing how Lewis's writings inspire scientists to bridge their beliefs with their work. A fascinating examination of the interplay between imagination and reason in understanding our universe!

In part 1 of our new series on science, Ruth Jackson is joined by Alister McGrath to explore how CS Lewis approached the relationship between science and religion. A former atheist and Oxford-trained scientist, McGrath unpacks how Lewis combined reason and imagination to challenge scientific materialism while affirming science’s value within a broader vision of reality. From Mere Christianity to That Hideous Strength they discuss Lewis’s enduring relevance in today’s science-faith debates. McGrath also shares insights from his forthcoming OUP book on Lewis’s influence in this area. + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world

Ahead of Tolkien Reading Day on 25th March, Dr Holly Ordway, author of Tolkien’s Faith, explores the contrasting spiritual journeys of J.R.R. Tolkien and CS Lewis—both of whom experienced the profound early loss of their mothers. While Tolkien’s faith deepened through suffering, Lewis famously declared that even amid the horrors of World War I, he "never sank so low as to pray." Dr Ordway reflects on Tolkien’s response to suffering, the problem of evil, and the role Lewis played in strengthening his faith. Buy Holly Ordway's wonderful book on Tolkien's faith here https://amzn.to/43QhKoY + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For online learning https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world

Ruth Jackson shares some of her favourite moments from the podcast to celebrate the 200th episode. We will be revisiting conversations with Alister McGrath discussing CS Lewis' relevance and mental health, hearing stories on how Lewis helped bring people to faith, his correspondence with Kathy Keller, and his impact on the creative works of film director Matthew Brown and singer songwriter Sarah Hawkyard. For Carloyn Webber: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-129-dr-carolyn-weber-surprised-by-oxford/16637.article For Kathy Keller: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-157-kathy-keller-one-of-the-last-people-to-correspond-with-lewis-before-his-death/17625.article For Scott Tuohy: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-178-scott-tuohy-a-lewis-quotation-changed-my-life/18303.article For Professor Alister McGrath (1): https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-175-alister-mcgrath-what-would-lewis-think-of-jordan-peterson/18192.article For Sarah Hawkyard: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-182-sarah-hawkyard-cs-lewis-changed-everything/18443.article For Matthew Brown: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-163-matthew-brown-what-would-sigmund-freud-and-cs-lewis-discuss/17843.article For Professor Alister McGrath (2): https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-134-alister-mcgrath-is-there-an-expiry-date-on-lewis-relevance/16838.article + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world

In this third and final episode with Michael Oppizzi, Ruth Jackson asks about his groundbreaking research on planetary symbolism in Till We Have Faces, CS Lewis’s final and often misunderstood novel. Did Lewis truly abandon his fascination with planetary imagery after The Chronicles of Narnia? How does medieval cosmology shape the novel’s themes of love, self-deception, and transformation? And why does Till We Have Faces still resonate so powerfully with modern readers? Michael shares insights from his paper, presented at the Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference, and his upcoming book project, revealing how planetary themes structure the novel’s vision of truth and divine encounter. Can Lewis’s work still teach us today about faith, myth, and the nature of human longing? For the Mere Christians conference in May: https://www.merechristians.net/ + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For online learning https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world

In this chat, Michael Oppizzi, an independent educator and cultural apologetics expert, explores C.S. Lewis's lesser-known novel, *Till We Have Faces*. He discusses its rich themes of identity, silence, and self-deception, and how they mirror modern struggles. The conversation highlights the interplay between ancient mythology and contemporary issues, showcasing Lewis's literary depth. Oppizzi also dives into the novel's medieval imagery and why it remains profoundly relevant today, inviting listeners to reflect on their own searches for truth.

In this episode, host Ruth Jackson speaks with Michael Oppizzi, an educator and cultural apologist, about the enduring relevance of CS Lewis. They discuss Lewis’s impact on faith, imagination, and intellect, with a deep dive into Till We Have Faces, the role of letters in shaping thought, and the significance of cultural apologetics today. From planetary imagery to organic farming, this conversation explores the intersection of literature, theology, and real-world experience. For the Mere Christians conference in May: https://www.merechristians.net/ + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For online learning https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world