Knowing & Doing

What makes atheism so appealing? Author Cameron McAllister makes the case that overlooking atheism’s appeal constitutes a serious strategic mistake for those of us who want to discuss the gospel with skeptics. Read this article on the C.S. Lewis Institute website.

Andy Bannister argues that in considering how to deal with what has been termed the “New Atheism,” we can learn much from looking at C.S. Lewis’s atheism in his early life, “and his journey from it to Christ, as he engaged with the very kinds of arguments that the New Atheists are recycling today.” To read this full article, click here . Recommended Reading: Peter S. Williams, C.S. Lewis vs. The N...

Since the advent of  Superman: The Movie  in 1978, ushering in the modern era of superhero cinema, theater audiences have enjoyed blockbuster films focused on comic book characters. In this episode, Congressman Aaron Welty explores the modern mythology of comic book heroes and how superhero stories can be a doorway to deeper theological truth. Read this article online . Recommended Reading: Epic b...

D.A. Carson observes that in common usage, the words “spiritual” and “spirituality” have meanings ranging outside the sphere of biblical usage, and likewise the term “spiritual disciplines” has extended itself into arenas that are bound to make those who love the gospel more than a little nervous. In this episode, Carson considers: How shall we evaluate the popular approach to spiritual discipline...

Tom Schwanda helps us explore the Biblical foundations for spiritual growth. This is the first of a three part series that reflects deeply on why we need intimacy with Christ, how scripture sets the platform for it, and then offers suggestions for pursuing that noble goal. To read the full article for this podcast, please click here . Recommended Reading: God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God’s Lo...

Looking at the process of discipleship from the opposite side of most discussions, Tom Tarrants raises the important, albeit disturbing, topic of persecution for the sake of the gospel. Jesus warned many times that his disciples would face specific trials that come from following him. This article helps us prepare for those inevitable trials. Click here to read the full article . "For what credit...

Tom Schwanda completes his three part series on “Growing in Intimacy with God” by digging into the role that experience plays in that process. The tension between knowing and doing, sometimes polarized to unhealthy extremes, is examined with an appreciation for both head and heart, doctrine and experience, thought and emotion. Read this article online . Recommended Reading: Stephen J. Nichols, Jon...

In this episode Tom Tarrants considers the question, “How do we navigate around the seductions of this fallen world and faithfully follow Jesus in daily life?” He argues that the key is in and with our heart’s desires. Recommended Reading Devoted to God: Blueprints for Sanctification  by Sinclair B. Ferguson (Banner of Truth, 2016) Purchase online from Banner of Truth  or Amazon .

Ruth Lovejoy, a Fellow in our C. S. Lewis Institute Fellows program, shares how seeing the gospel and the goodness of God more worshipfully can set us free from our love for and idolatry of efficiency. With one eye on the scripture’s story about Mary and Martha and another eye on her to-do list, Ruth helps liberate us from the tyranny of the urgent. Recommended Reading: Gordon MacDonald,  Ordering...

Jesus’ disciples asked, “Lord, teach us to pray.” In this episode, Pastor Bill Kynes takes us to the heart of Jesus' response and helps us learn how to pray to the Father. To read this article on Growing in Prayer, please click here . Recommended Reading: Tim Keller,  Prayer: Experiencing Awe and Intimacy with God (Penguin Books, 2016)

A life of prayer is something to which we are all called and to which we should all aspire. Dr. Bill Kynes discusses what it would mean for us to devote ourselves to prayer, to ‘pray continually’ as instructed by the Apostle Paul. Recommended Reading: Kevin DeYoung, Crazy Busy: A (Mercifully) Short Book about a (Really) Big Problem (Crossway, 2013) Purchase your copy at:  https://www.crossway.org/...

In this two-part series addressing vocation and calling, Mark Talbot discusses the importance of a biblical view of calling and the value of spending time each day in God’s written word. Read this article online by clicking here . Recommended Reading: Os Guinness, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life (Thomas Nelson, 2003)

Are you confident that you know and are fulfilling God’s purpose for your life? Tom Tarrants observes that God’s purpose for our life has two major aspects: His purpose in the world to come, and His purpose in the present world. These are intricately intertwined, and it is important to approach our need for guidance in the pressing affairs of the present world, which seem so urgent, in the context...

What is it that motivated C.S. Lewis, a comfortable academic with more than enough to do, to direct so much of his time writing and speaking towards the conversion of the unbelieving of the world? What made him sacrifice not only the regard of many of his colleagues but his own academic advancement to defend the faith? . . . Learn more in this episode of Knowing & Doing featuring the writing o...

The biblical writers frequently draw parallels between physical and spiritual life, and in many cases the parallels are close. The physical maturity of a child can be measured with the aid of a tape measure and scales; the child’s intellectual development can be gauged by examinations and tests. Likewise our own growth in maturity can be measured. J. Oswald Sanders shows us how Maturity Can Be Mea...

Dr. Gerald McDermott gives us a thorough and very helpful overview of Islam, the second biggest religion in the world. Read the full article from the CS Lewis Institute here . Recommended Reading: Nabeel Qureshi,  Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity  (Zondervan, 2014). Purchase on Amazon .

Dr. Gerald R. McDermott offers an insightful overview of the history, beliefs, and various schools of Buddhism. He helps Christian better understand their Buddhist neighbors and summarizes key similarities and differences between Buddhism and Christianity. Read the full article here. Recommended Reading: Tangible: Making God Known Through Deeds of Mercy and Words of Truth by Chris Sicks. NavPress,...

Turning Conversations about C.S. Lewis to the Topic He Loved Most If you’ve ever told someone that you’ve read something by C.S. Lewis or like his writing or have seen one of the Narnia movies, you may have found that many people have a positive view of him. In this article, Randy Newman identifies ways we can transition conversations about C.S. Lewis to conversations about Jesus Christ. Read the...

We live in a culture that would have us believe that the way to happiness is to gain more—more money, more things, more pleasure. In this excerpt from his book Abundant: Experiencing the Incredible Journey of Generosity, Todd Harper explores what the Bible has to say about money, and how to experience the abundance God wants for us. Read more about the Joy of Generosity . Recommended Reading: Todd...

According to Gregory Ganssle, the Christian story makes sense of our deepest longings. That is, the story that Christianity sets forth fits well with the things we value most and with the kinds of people we want to be. In this article, he develops one aspect of this fittingness, the centrality of relationships to our well-being. . .  Read the full article. Recommended Reading: Gregory E. Ganssle,...

Dorothy L. Sayers, author of sixteen novels, ten plays, six translations, and twenty-four works of non-fiction, was an accomplished writer in multiple genres. In this article, Lindsey Scholl notes that Sayers had a hard-hitting, humorous, competent style, and argues that reading her would benefit many Christians today, particularly those inclined to use their faith as a cover for sloppy thinking....

In this episode, Tom Tarrants presents a case study, from the Bible, of a group of ambitious men who sought human greatness long ago and how they discovered kingdom greatness. According to Tarrants, their experience has lessons for us today. Read the full article here . Recommended Reading: Jerry Bridges,  The Blessing of Humility  (NavPress, 2016). Click here to order on Christian Book Distributo...

What Is Character? Character assumes that our actions are not isolated from each other. Character is a pattern of choices flowing out of a person—a pattern of virtues or vices.  In Part 2 of “Character” Dr. Lindsley explores how to cultivate character.

It is wise, before entering into a long-term relationship, to consider the other person’s character. This is especially true in friendship, marriage, business partnership, etc. Love in a relationship is only safe when there is character present. Art Lindsley explores the ongoing crisis of character, the importance of character, and the way of character. He helps us find a solid foundation for char...

Tom Tarrants shares his dramatic story of coming to saving faith out of a life of prejudice, hatred, and self-righteousness. In fact, those adjectives don’t paint the picture as bad as it really was!  Tom’s story is inspiring as well as challenging. And it illustrates just how powerful and transformational the gospel can be. Show Notes: Full Article:  https://www.cslewisinstitute.org/Is_Spiritual_...