

The C.S. Lewis podcast
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A weekly podcast from Premier Unbelievable? with Professor Alister McGrath exploring C.S. Lewis’ thought, theology and teaching.
C.S. Lewis is one of the most influential voices in modern Christianity. The 20th Century British writer and lay theologian has profoundly impacted Christians around the world and brought many atheists and agnostics to faith in Jesus.
One person whose faith was greatly encouraged by the writings of C.S. Lewis is Professor Alister McGrath. Both men were raised in Northern Ireland, studied at Oxford University and went on to become professors there. They also both came to faith from atheism slightly later in life. Alister has written numerous books on C.S. Lewis, including a seminal biography C.S. Lewis – A Life.
Every Monday, Ruth Jackson and Professor Alister McGrath will reflect on C.S. Lewis’ ideas, life and influence as well as trying to answer questions that impact culture today.
C.S. Lewis is one of the most influential voices in modern Christianity. The 20th Century British writer and lay theologian has profoundly impacted Christians around the world and brought many atheists and agnostics to faith in Jesus.
One person whose faith was greatly encouraged by the writings of C.S. Lewis is Professor Alister McGrath. Both men were raised in Northern Ireland, studied at Oxford University and went on to become professors there. They also both came to faith from atheism slightly later in life. Alister has written numerous books on C.S. Lewis, including a seminal biography C.S. Lewis – A Life.
Every Monday, Ruth Jackson and Professor Alister McGrath will reflect on C.S. Lewis’ ideas, life and influence as well as trying to answer questions that impact culture today.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 25, 2025 • 22min
#224 Paul Anderson: Lewis, Bultmann, Fern-seeds and Elephants
Ruth Jackson is joined again by Dr Paul Anderson, Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University. Paul, a prolific scholar and founding member of the "John, Jesus and History" project, shares insights from his paper presented at the 2024 conference at George Fox University. Together, Ruth and Paul explore Lewis’ classic essay "Fern-seeds and Elephants", in which Lewis critiques biblical scholarship with his memorable “four bleats.” Paul reflects on Lewis’ concerns about critical naturalism, the dismissal of miracles, and the tendency to “read between the lines” while missing the heart of the text. The conversation also considers Rudolf Bultmann’s influence, the challenges of theological education, and how Lewis’ reflections remain relevant today.
For more on Paul Anderson:
George Fox University: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/anderson.html
Amazon author's page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Paul-N.-Anderson/author/B001HODFI2?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Academia and Digital Commons Pages: https://georgefox.academia.edu/PaulAnderson
The JJH Homepage: https://johannine.org/JJH.html
The Fourth Quest paper: https://sats.ac.za/conspectus/conspectus-32/
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Aug 18, 2025 • 23min
#223 Paul Anderson: CS Lewis and the Gospel of John
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.

Aug 11, 2025 • 23min
#222 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch: Lewis and the argument from desire
Today we are joined by Dr. Max Baker-Hytch, a tutorial fellow in Philosophy at Oxford University, to discuss Lewis and the argument from desire. Covering topics such as whether our deepest longings point to the existence of another world, how naturalists might respond, and whether such desires could have evolutionary origins. The conversation also looks at critiques of Lewis’ view, how it compares to other arguments for God, and whether it still resonates in our modern, secular age.
For more on Max: https://philpeople.org/profiles/max-baker-hytch
His book with Cambridge University Press entitled God and the Problem of Evidential Ambiguity: https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/abs/god-and-the-problem-of-evidential-ambiguity/9471CE092B20C702803FEA81A75C03F0
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+ Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast
+ For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our website

Aug 4, 2025 • 24min
#221 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch: Lewis and the argument from reason
Today we are joined by Dr. Max Baker-Hytch, a tutorial fellow in Philosophy at Oxford University, to discuss Lewis and Lewis' argument from reason, as explored in Miracles and beyond. They explore Lewis’ claim that if our thoughts are just the result of natural processes, we have no reason to trust them. Can reason really come from something non-rational? They also discuss how this idea challenges naturalism, what it means for science and belief, and whether Lewis’s argument still matters today.
For more on Max: https://philpeople.org/profiles/max-baker-hytch
His book with Cambridge University Press entitled God and the Problem of Evidential Ambiguity: https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/abs/god-and-the-problem-of-evidential-ambiguity/9471CE092B20C702803FEA81A75C03F0
+ Support us here
+ Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast
+ For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our website

Jul 28, 2025 • 28min
#220 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch: The Moral Argument for God's Existence
Join Dr. Max Baker-Hytch, a tutorial fellow in Philosophy at Oxford, as he delves into the moral argument for God's existence inspired by C.S. Lewis. They discuss the universal moral law and its implications beyond nature. Can morality exist without a Moral Lawgiver? The conversation tackles the tension between objective morality and relative truth in modern culture, while also exploring the philosophical roots of these debates. Max sheds light on how our understanding of moral laws influences our ethical lives today.

Jul 21, 2025 • 30min
#219 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch: Was C.S Lewis a philosopher?
Today we are joined by Dr. Max Baker-Hytch, a tutorial fellow in Philosophy at Oxford University, to discuss Lewis and philosophy. Did C.S. Lewis consider himself a philosopher, and should we? What kind of philosophical training did he have, and which thinkers shaped his ideas? How do his arguments compare with other 20th-century philosophers, and why is he often overlooked in academic philosophy today? They also explore whether Lewis’ fiction carries philosophical weight, how his faith influenced his reasoning, and what his work can teach us about tackling life’s big questions today.
For more on Max: https://philpeople.org/profiles/max-baker-hytch
His book with Cambridge University Press entitled God and the Problem of Evidential Ambiguity: https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/abs/god-and-the-problem-of-evidential-ambiguity/9471CE092B20C702803FEA81A75C03F0
+ 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
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+ Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world

Jul 14, 2025 • 37min
#218 Traver Carlson: Re-veiling the Secret: Reading The Ransom Trilogy as Spiritual Exercise
Ruth Jackson is joined by Traver Carlson, a PHD candidate in Philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies, to discuss his paper from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference, titled Re-veiling the Secret: Reading The Ransom Trilogy as Spiritual Exercise. We then get to hear his paper from the conference, followed by some helpful clarifications and final thoughts from him.
Other series to listen to:
Out of the Silent planet: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-120-out-of-the-silent-planet-weston-devine-and-jrr-tolkien/16073.article
Perelandra: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-124-perelandra-scientism-spirituality-and-magic/16390.article
That Hideous Strength: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-141-that-hideous-strength-is-there-a-darker-agenda-to-scientific-experimentation/17076.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

Jul 7, 2025 • 21min
#217 Traver Carlson: The Ransom Trilogy, Space and Medieval Imagery
Ruth Jackson is joined by Traver Carlson, a PHD candidate in Philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies, to discuss his paper from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference, which focuses on The Ransom Trilogy. They explore how Lewis uses space, language, and imagination to help us see the world in a new light. From medieval imagery to the idea of “heaven” versus “space,” the conversation looks at how these stories can shape the way we think about life, faith, and the universe.
Other series to listen to:
Out of the Silent planet: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-120-out-of-the-silent-planet-weston-devine-and-jrr-tolkien/16073.article
Perelandra: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-124-perelandra-scientism-spirituality-and-magic/16390.article
That Hideous Strength: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-141-that-hideous-strength-is-there-a-darker-agenda-to-scientific-experimentation/17076.article
+ 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

Jun 30, 2025 • 21min
#216 Traver Carlson: The Impact of CS Lewis today
Ruth Jackson is joined by Traver Carlson, a PHD candidate in Philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies, to discuss his paper from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference. He dives into his first discovery of Lewis, the impact he had on his faith and academic journey and his relevance to today, as well as much more.
Other series to listen to:
Out of the Silent planet: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-120-out-of-the-silent-planet-weston-devine-and-jrr-tolkien/16073.article
Perelandra: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-124-perelandra-scientism-spirituality-and-magic/16390.article
That Hideous Strength: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-141-that-hideous-strength-is-there-a-darker-agenda-to-scientific-experimentation/17076.article
+ 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

Jun 23, 2025 • 23min
#215 Alister McGrath: Exploring The Discarded Image (Part 2)
Discover C.S. Lewis's intriguing connections between science, philosophy, and faith. Alister McGrath delves into the idea that science reveals deeper truths, framing Christianity as the 'true myth.' The conversation challenges the perception of scientific theories as absolute and emphasizes the enriching power of myth and narrative. Explore how historical worldviews enhance our understanding of modern life and the significance of avoiding 'chronological snobbery' in appreciating the past. Lewis's insights continue to resonate deeply in contemporary thought and literature.