

The C.S. Lewis podcast
Premier
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

Jun 10, 2024 • 18min
#161 Alister McGrath: Your questions answered
Professor Alister McGrath joined Ruth Jackson for a webinar answering live questions about CS Lewis, including how Lewis used modern media, whether there is a "modern day Lewis" and how we navigate some of the potentially racist terms within his work.
+ 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
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+ Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world

Jun 3, 2024 • 21min
#160 Malcolm Guite: Poetry and a baptised imagination
In this third and final part, Rev Dr Malcolm Guite, Life Fellow of Girton College, Cambridge University answers questions about CS Lewis on Narnia, The Pilgrim's Regress and poetry. This is taken from the Q&A after his presentation ‘A Little Incarnation: CS Lewis and the poetry of embodiment’, which was given at a CS Lewis symposium called Now We Have Faces, hosted by The CS Lewis Group at Ulster University in coordination with English at Ulster.
+ 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

May 27, 2024 • 31min
159 Malcolm Guite: The true myth
Guest Malcolm Guite, Rev Dr Malcolm Guite, Life Fellow of Girton College, Cambridge University, discusses CS Lewis's poetry, the interplay of reason and imagination, and Lewis's struggle with reality vs. imagination. The podcast explores the deep analysis of Shakespearean text, theological reflections, and the harmony between reason and imagination in Lewis's works.

May 20, 2024 • 21min
#158 Malcolm Guite: Was Lewis a poet?
Rev Dr Malcolm Guite, Life Fellow of Girton College, Cambridge University shares his thoughts about Lewis' imaginative vision as a writer. This talk was originally given at a CS Lewis symposium called Now We Have Faces, which was hosted by The CS Lewis Group at Ulster University in coordination with English at Ulster. The title of Malcolm's presentation was ‘A Little Incarnation: CS Lewis and the poetry of embodiment’
+ 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

May 13, 2024 • 21min
#157 Kathy Keller: One of the last people to correspond with Lewis before his death
As we approach the one year anniversary of apologist Tim Keller's death on May 19th, we caught up with his wife Kathy Keller who corresponded with CS Lewis as a child. Why did she write to Lewis? How did he respond? What are some of the stories he shared with her? What was it like meeting Warnie Lewis? Plus, we hear the impact of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien on Tim Keller and she answers the question many have been asking: did they speak Elvish at home?
For Kathy on Unapologetic: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/shows/unapologetic
For Kathy on Unbelievable: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/shows/unbelievable
+ 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

May 6, 2024 • 17min
#156 Phil Knox: Lord All matey or Lord Almighty?
Author Phil Knox discusses the spiritual depth of friendship according to C.S. Lewis. Topics include Jesus' favorites, God as friend, and the value of Christian friendships. Explore the importance of meaningful connections and genuine relationships in a thought-provoking conversation.

Apr 29, 2024 • 17min
#155 Phil Knox: Are we allowed favourite friends?
Phil Knox, author of The Best of Friends, explores what Lewis said about friendship. Why have we neglected friendship? What lessons can we learn from Lewis? Should we treat all friends equally?
For Phil Knox on Unapologetic: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/unapologetic/unapologetic-69-phil-knox-does-evangelism-matter/16302.article
For Professor Alister McGrath on The Four Loves: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-53-the-four-loves/13005.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

Apr 22, 2024 • 22min
#154 Lewis and Tolkien: The final years
Dive into the complex friendship between Tolkien and Lewis as they clash on theology and respond to each other's fame. Explore Tolkien's strong criticism of Lewis' posthumous work and their differing literary tastes. Uncover the enduring bond these two remarkable men shared despite life's challenges.

Apr 15, 2024 • 20min
#153 The poet and the philologist: Lewis and Tolkien's early years
Dr. Holly Ordway discusses the early friendship between Lewis and Tolkien, highlighting their pivotal meeting at Addison's Walk. They explore how their friendship influenced their faith and creative works, as well as the significance of the Inklings group in fostering creativity and community.

Apr 8, 2024 • 20min
#152 Is ‘The Lord of the Rings’ a religious work?
Dr. Holly Ordway, author of Tolkien's Faith, dives into J.R.R. Tolkien's religious influences in 'The Lord of the Rings', exploring themes of Catholicism, humble hobbits, Eucharistic symbolism, and theological nuances. She discusses Tolkien's identification with characters like Sam, his struggles, doubts, and the connection to 'Leaf by Niggle'.