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The C.S. Lewis podcast

Religion EN ↓ 270 episodes

A weekly podcast 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 slig...

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#69 We need to talk about Susan: David Marshall defends CS Lewis against Pullman and JK Rowling 29.08.2022 24:31

My sister Susan,” answered Peter shortly and gravely, “is no longer a friend of Narnia.” Philip Pullman and JK Rowling have both criticised the way CS Lewis treated Susan at the end of the Narnia. Author David Marshall defends Lewis' decision not to have Susan enter heaven in the 'The Case for Aslan: Evidence for Jesus in the land of Narnia' and writes his own imagined next steps for Susan in th...

#68 The Case For Aslan: David Marshall on ’Puddleglum’s Wager’ 22.08.2022 24:14

'The Case for Aslan: Evidence for Jesus in the land of Narnia' examines how Lewis employed Christian apologetics throughout the fantasy writing of Narnia. Author David Marshall tells Justin Brierley how in The Silver Chair, Puddleglum proves himself to be a wise, if gloomy, thinker. For 'The Case For Aslan', from Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Case-Aslan-Evidence-Jesus-Narnia/dp/1947929216...

#67 Audience Q&A on vocation, culture and Christian witness 15.08.2022 38:13

Alister McGrath joins Justin Brierley and a panel of Christian thinkers, scientists and church leaders to take audience questions on vocation, culture and Christian witness in this continuation of last week's session, originally recorded live at Unbelievable? the Conference 2022. Get all the video sessions from Unbelievable? the Conference 2022 + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod....

#66 Speaking the authentic voice of Jesus in arts, science and global culture 08.08.2022 28:52

Recorded live at Unbelievable? the Conference 2022, Justin Brierley leads a panel including Alister McGrath, Sharon Dirckx, John Wyatt, Skye Jethani, and Joseph D'Souza on bringing Christian faith into the spheres of art, science, education and global justice. Get all the video sessions from Unbelievable? the Conference 2022 + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + Fo...

#65 Alister McGrath: How to transform our culture and not be consumed by it 01.08.2022 16:26

Prof Alister McGrath draws on CS Lewis and scripture to encourage Christians to live out their vocation and make a difference in a confused and divided culture. This keynote address was given at Unbelievable? the Conference 2022. Get all the video sessions from Unbelievable? the Conference 2022 + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and ne...

#64 On Living In An Atomic Age - CS Lewis’ essays and short writings 25.07.2022 19:02

'If we are all going to be destroyed by an atomic bomb, let that bomb when it comes find us doing sensible and human things'. Alister and Justin discuss the way that CS Lewis' 1948 essay is remarkably relevant to modern crises such as Covid and the war in Ukraine. Download Alister and all sessions from Unbelievable? 2022 + For more episodes subscribe to the podcast + For more shows, free ebook a...

#63 The Weight of Glory - CS Lewis’ essays and short writings 18.07.2022 19:33

'The Weight of Glory' is a sermon that CS Lewis preached at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin, Oxford in 1941. It is widely regarded as one of his most significant short works, focussing on the way our human longings in this world point to another world that we were made for. Download Alister and all sessions from Unbelievable? 2022 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our n...

#62 First and Second Things - CS Lewis’ essays and short writings 11.07.2022 18:15

Oringally published in 1942 this essay argues that humans often turn 'second order' things such as music, art, romatic love etc into 'first order' things in place of God. In doings so they lose the joy of those things in the process. "You can't get second things by putting them first; you can get second things only by putting first things first." Download Alister and all sessions from Unbelievable...

#61 Is Theology Poetry? CS Lewis’ essays and short writings 04.07.2022 21:15

Originally given as a talk in 1945, this was the first piece of Lewis' writing that Alister Mcgrath ever read as a student and it had a profound influence on him. It includes Lewis' memorable phrase: 'I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen, not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.' Get Alister's new book What's the Point of Theology? Download Alist...

#60 Is Theism Important? - CS Lewis’ essays and short writings 27.06.2022 25:04

This essay originally took the form of a talk at the Socratic club in Oxford in 1952. Lewis explains the difference between 'Faith A' as 'intellectual assent' and 'Faith B' as 'trust or confidence in God', as well as the experience of awe. Get Alister's new book What's the Point of Theology? Download Alister and all sessions from Unbelievable? 2022 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit...

#59 The Grand Miracle - CS Lewis’ essays and short writings 20.06.2022 17:15

Originally preached a sermon in 1945, this essay by Lewis uses the imagery of a diver to explain the significance of the incarnation as God stepping into creation to ultimately redeem it. Get Alister's new book What's the Point of Theology? Download Alister and all sessions from Unbelievable? 2022 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Li...

#58 Myth Became Fact - CS Lewis’ essays and short writings 13.06.2022 19:20

CS Lewis discusses the importance of 'myth' in this critique of those who want to 'demythologise' Christianity. He explains why Christ is the 'true myth' that all other stories of dying and rising gods are pointing towards. Get Alister's new book What's the Point of Theology? Download Alister and all sessions from Unbelievable? 2022 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website...

#57 Dogma and the Universe - CS Lewis’ essays and short writings 06.06.2022 21:28

Originally published in 1943 in a Christian magazine, 'Dogma and the Universe' sees Lewis look at the fact that modern science tells us the Universe had a beginning and that life will also come to an end one day. Get Alister's new book What's the Point of Theology? Download Alister and all sessions from Unbelievable? 2022 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our ...

#56 Meditation in a Toolshed - CS Lewis’ essays and short writings 30.05.2022 18:08

We begin season 6 of the CS Lewis podcast looking at a number of CS Lewis' shorter articles, essays and sermons. 'Meditation in a Toolshed' (1945) sees Lewis exploring the idea of 'looking at' a beam of sunlight vs 'looking along' the beam. Alister and Justin discuss how Lewis related this idea to the Christian faith. Download Alister's sessions from Unbelievable? the Conference + For more shows,...

#55 Ask Alister McGrath Anything Part 2 23.05.2022 33:18

Alister McGrath continues to respond to listener questions about science, faith and doubt (and CS Lewis!) in the second part of a show first recorded as a livestream listener Q&A edition of Unbelievable? in 2020, hosted by Justin and Lucy Brierley and Ruth Jackson. + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast ...

#54 Alister McGrath journeys through science, faith and doubt 16.05.2022 36:27

Alister McGrath talks about his memoir 'Through a Glass Darkly: Journeys Through Science, Faith & Doubt' in the first part of a show recorded as a livestream listern Q&A edition of Unbelievable? in 2020, hosted by Justin and Lucy Brierley and Ruth Jackson. + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the...

#53 The Four Loves 09.05.2022 24:17

The Four Loves (1960) is a reflection on four types of love - affection, friendship, eros and charity. Alister examines them and the concept of 'Agape' love that Lewis draws out. + 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

#52 Reflections on the Psalms 02.05.2022 22:56

Reflections On The Psalms (1958) is CS Lewis' only book that directly comments on the Bible. Alister explains why Lewis chose to write about the Psalms and what lessons we can draw from it today. + 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

#51 Surprised by Joy 25.04.2022 24:42

Surprised By Joy (1955) is CS Lewis' 'spiritual autobiography of his conversion experience. Alister draws out the lessons his life can give us today. + 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

#50 The Great Divorce 18.04.2022 31:35

The Great Divorce (1945) is an unusual story told from the perspective of passengers on a 'day trip' from hell to heaven. Alister explains how the story and characters draw out Lewis' views on the nature of heaven and hell. + 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 U...

#49 The Screwtape Letters 11.04.2022 24:55

The Screwtape Letters (1942) saw CS Lewis rise to international prominence as an author. Alister and Justin talk about its creative approach to conversion, temptation and the Christian life. + 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

#48 The Problem of Pain 04.04.2022 19:57

The Problem Of Pain (1940) was CS Lewis' apologetic on the problem of God & suffering. Alister reviews its content and impact. + 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

#47 Pilgrim’s Regress 28.03.2022 18:36

Published in 1933, Pilgrim's Regress was Lewis' first book written after his conversion. Modelled after Bunyan's 'Pilgrim's Progress', Alister explains why it is among the least well-known of Lewis' writings. + For more from the podcast http://www.cslewispodcast.com + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and rest of the wo...

#46 Season 5 - CS Lewis’ popular Christian books (intro) 21.03.2022 21:29

In this new season of the podcast hosted by Justin, Alister introduces seven of CS Lewis' popualr Christian works. + For more from the podcast http://www.cslewispodcast.com + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world

#45 Audience Q&A on how to make the case for Jesus 14.03.2022 25:20

Alister takes audience Q&A on Jesus, CS Lewis and evangelism. From Unbelievable? the Conference 2013 + For more from the podcast http://www.cslewispodcast.com + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world