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
Dec 2, 2024 • 28min
#186 Dan Barker and Carolyn Weber: Can atheists appreciate CS Lewis?
Does Lewis' moral argument carry any weight? Is CS Lewis still relevant? If so, is that only for Christians? Are the big questions he raises pertinent today? Is faith rational? Former pastor-turned atheist, Dan Barker and literature professor, Dr Carolyn Weber, discuss Lewis' work and his talents as a writer.
To hear more of Carolyn's story: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-129-dr-carolyn-weber-surprised-by-oxford/16637.article
For Dr Carolyn Weber: https://www.carolynweber.com/about/
For Dan Barker: https://ffrf.org/about/staff-board/item/38960-dan-barker
+ 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
Nov 25, 2024 • 37min
#185 Dr. Chris Pipkin: Friendship
November 29th, CS Lewis' birthday, marks CS Lewis Reading Day and the theme this year is friendship. To celebrate, we spoke to Dr Chris Pipkin, a professor of English at Emmanuel College in Georgia and host of The Inklings Variety Hour podcast.
Don't forget to share your favourite Lewis quotations on social media, using #CSLewisReadingDay
For CS Lewis Reading Day: https://www.pintswithjack.com/reading-day/year-2/
For Chris Pipkin: https://cpipkin.com/
For The Inklings Variety Hour podcast: https://inklingsvarietyhour.substack.com/ or https://inklingshour.podbean.com/
For Phil Knox on friendship: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-155-phil-knox-are-we-allowed-favourite-friends/17577.article
https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-156-phil-knox-lord-all-matey-or-lord-almighty/17603.article
For 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
Nov 18, 2024 • 28min
#184 Dan Barker and Carolyn Weber: Are Lewis' arguments flawed?
In the second part of Dan Barker and Dr Carolyn Weber's discussion about CS Lewis' relevance, Dan points out some of the holes he perceives in Lewis' beliefs. On the opposite side of the debate, Carolyn shares how she became a Christian, highlighting elements of her story that echo Lewis' own and looking at how Lewis' writing greatly influenced her decision.
To hear more of Carolyn's story: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-129-dr-carolyn-weber-surprised-by-oxford/16637.article
For Dr Carolyn Weber: https://www.carolynweber.com/about/
For Dan Barker: https://ffrf.org/about/staff-board/item/38960-dan-barker
+ 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
Nov 11, 2024 • 29min
#183 Dan Barker and Carolyn Weber: Is CS Lewis still relevant?
On November 22nd 1963, Clive Staples Lewis – Jack to his friends – died in Oxford, England. However, 61 years after his death, is CS Lewis still relevant? We hear from former pastor-turned atheist, Dan Barker, who suggests that many of Lewis’ arguments are fundamentally flawed. Literature professor, Dr Carolyn Weber, highlights where she disagrees with Dan and shares some of her story about coming to faith at Oxford University, in part through CS Lewis.
For Dr Carolyn Weber: https://www.carolynweber.com/about/
For Dan Barker: https://ffrf.org/about/staff-board/item/38960-dan-barker
+ 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
Nov 4, 2024 • 27min
#182 Sarah Hawkyard: CS Lewis changed everything
Ruth Jackson spoke to singer-songwriter Sarah Hawkyard who describes Mere Christianity as a "game changer", which "hooked" her onto Christianity. Lews played an integral role in Sarah coming to faith, challenging, inspiring and providing her with profound knowledge. She also shared the importance of creativity, singing a few lines from one of her songs that is directly influenced by CS Lewis.
For Sarah: https://www.sarahhawkyard.com/
+ 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
Oct 28, 2024 • 33min
#181 Curtis White: What did TS Eliot and Lewis think of each other?
Dr Curtis White's PhD focuses on the relationship, work and theology of CS Lewis and TS Eliot. Here, he highlights some of his thoughts on this topic as well as sharing how Lewis was integral to his own faith journey. White also talks about the upcoming CS Lewis Symposium in Belfast, which John Brown University is providing financial support for.
To find out more and book tickets for the CS Lewis Symposium in Belfast on 4th November:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cs-lewis-symposium-belfast-tickets-896372122147
+ 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
Oct 21, 2024 • 31min
#180 David Clare: Ecstatic experience
How did Lewis approach ecstatic experiences, particularly in light of his Ulster Protestant background? Dr David Clare of Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick continues his talk given at the C.S. Lewis Group at Ulster's spring mini symposium. He also answers questions from the live audience. The event was entitled 'C.S. Lewis and the Land of His Birth: Re-rooting Lewis in Ulster & the Island of Ireland'. The title of Dr Clare's talk was ‘“Lit Up Inside”: C.S. Lewis’s Joy & Ulster Protestant Ecstasy’.
To find out more and book tickets for the CS Lewis Symposium in Belfast on 4th November:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cs-lewis-symposium-belfast-tickets-896372122147
+ 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
Oct 14, 2024 • 35min
#179 David Clare: Joy and Ulster Protestant ecstasy
How did Lewis approach moments of religious ecstasy? Dr David Clare of Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick explores this idea in a talk given at the C.S. Lewis Group at Ulster's spring mini symposium. The event was entitled 'C.S. Lewis and the Land of His Birth: Re-rooting Lewis in Ulster & the Island of Ireland'. The title of Dr Clare's talk was ‘“Lit Up Inside”: C.S. Lewis’s Joy & Ulster Protestant Ecstasy’. Here, he looks at some of Lewis' moments of spiritual ecstasy as well as his search for joy. To find out more and book tickets for the CS Lewis Symposium in Belfast on 4th November:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cs-lewis-symposium-belfast-tickets-896372122147
+ 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
Oct 7, 2024 • 23min
#178 Scott Tuohy: A Lewis quotation changed my life
When scaffolder Scott Tuohy heard a quotation from CS Lewis while attending an Alpha course, he was so profoundly moved by it, he got the quote tattooed on his bicep the next day. His life has never been the same since. Here, he shares his story with Ruth Jackson.
To find out more about Alpha: https://alpha.org.uk/try-alpha
+ 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
Sep 30, 2024 • 19min
#177 Alister McGrath: Emotions, sentimentality and rational truth
Would Lewis have any advice for anyone struggling to make sense of their emotions? How do we respond to a culture or a generation who often prioritise emotional truth over rational truth? How do we avoid sentimentality? Are there any ways that Lewis has been particularly powerful spiritual mentor for you personally? How can Lewis’ lived out faith be helpful for us? Professor Alister McGrath continues to explore our emotions and sentimentality in comparison to rational truth. + Let us know what you think at unbelievable@premier.org.uk + 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
