C.S. Lewis Under the Microscope: Biblical Accuracy, Errors, and Influence (Leslie Baynes) Ep. #250

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Apr 30, 2026

Leslie Baynes, New Testament and Hellenistic Judaism scholar and author, explores C.S. Lewis’s complex relationship with scripture. She discusses Lewis’s memorable misquotations, moments where he attributes lines to Jesus that are not in the Gospels, and the cultural tendency to shield his work from critique. The conversation balances admiration with careful scholarly scrutiny.

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INSIGHT

Measured Three Part Study Of Lewis

Baynes organized her book into thirds: descriptive life-with-scripture, critical evaluation, and positive readings of Narnia.
Only about one third is openly critical, showing a measured scholarly balance rather than polemic.

ANECDOTE

Baynes Academic Formation Shapes Her Lens

Baynes trained in Christianity and Judaism in Antiquity with a focus on New Testament and Second Temple Judaism.
Her doctoral work required reading across Hebrew Scriptures through 500 A.D., shaping her approach to Lewis and biblical texts.

INSIGHT

New Cohort Of Biblical Lewis Scholars

Many biblical scholars started examining Lewis recently, creating a small cohort analyzing his marginalia and library.
Baynes, Edith Humphrey, Jason Staples, Aubrey Buster and others collaborate on fresh Lewis–Bible scholarship.

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In this thought-provoking episode, Dr. Leslie Baynes explores the complex relationship between C.S. Lewis and the Bible. While Lewis is widely celebrated for his theological insight and literary brilliance, Baynes’ research uncovers a more nuanced reality—one where Lewis occasionally misquotes scripture, relies heavily on memory, and even attributes statements to Jesus that do not appear in the Gospels.

Drawing from her book Between Interpretation and Imagination: C.S. Lewis and the Bible, Baynes examines both Lewis’s profound contributions and his interpretive missteps, including his famous “liar, lunatic, or Lord” argument.

The episode also tackles the cultural phenomenon of “Saint Lewis,” particularly among American evangelicals, and the resistance to critically evaluating his work. Yet, rather than dismissing Lewis, Baynes advocates for a balanced perspective—appreciating his literary and spiritual impact while engaging his ideas with scholarly rigor.

This episode is essential listening for anyone interested in biblical interpretation, theology, and the enduring influence of one of Christianity’s most beloved thinkers.

You can buy Dr. Baynes' book here: https://www.eerdmans.com/9781467469708/between-interpretation-and-imagination/

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Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to C.S. Lewis and Evangelical Perception 03:00 The Complexity of C.S. Lewis's Legacy 05:57 Navigating Criticism in Lewis Studies 08:59 The Role of Biblical Scholars in Lewis's Work 12:06 The Trilemma: Liar, Lunatic, or Lord? 14:45 Gender Dynamics in Scholarly Critique 23:55 The Influence of Michael Ward 26:01 Critique of C.S. Lewis's Biblical Interpretation 27:15 Misquoting Jesus: The Dangers of Inaccurate Scripture 31:11 The Problem with Lewis's Scriptural Assertions 33:24 The Adulterous Woman: A Misplaced Argument 38:26 Lewis's Misunderstanding of Greco-Roman Literature 40:14 C.S. Lewis and the Chronicles of Narnia 44:30 A Hermeneutics of Love 47:23 C.S. Lewis: A Public Intellectual?