157 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 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.

The C.S. Lewis podcast Premier

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.6 • 86 Ratings

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 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.

    #156 Phil Knox: Lord All matey or Lord Almighty?

    #156 Phil Knox: Lord All matey or Lord Almighty?

    Did Jesus have favourites? What does good friendship look like? Can we can call God friend? Why does Lewis consider friendship "the most spiritual of loves"? Is Christian frienship greater than non-Christian friendship? Phil Knox, author of The Best of Friends concludes his conversation on Lewis and friendship.
    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

    • 16 min
    #155 Phil Knox: Are we allowed favourite friends?

    #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

    • 16 min
    #154 Lewis and Tolkien: The final years

    #154 Lewis and Tolkien: The final years

    What were the significant points of contention between Lewis and Tolkien? Where did they differ on theology? How did they respond to each other's fame? What did Tolkien think of The Narnia Chronicles? Why was Lewis' Letters To Malcolm so "horrifying" to Tolkien? Did these two Inklings fall out at the end of Lewis' life?
    For Holly: https://hollyordway.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

    • 21 min
    #153 The poet and the philologist: Lewis and Tolkien's early years

    #153 The poet and the philologist: Lewis and Tolkien's early years

    Dr Holly Ordway, author of Tolkien’s Faith explores what Lewis and Tolkien thought of each other when they first met. How did their friendship blossom? Why was their conversation in Addison's Walk so significant to Lewis' journey back to Christianity? What influence did the two men have on each other?
    For Holly: https://hollyordway.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

    • 19 min
    #152 Is ‘The Lord of the Rings’ a religious work?

    #152 Is ‘The Lord of the Rings’ a religious work?

    Dr Holly Ordway, author of Tolkien’s Faith explores what JRR Tolkien meant when he described The Lord of the Rings as a "fundamentally religious and Catholic work". Do we see any elements of his faith in the book? Is it possible to discern a theology? Are there any characters Tolkien identified with? plus, how does Leaf by Niggle relate to Tolkien's magnum opus?
    For Holly: https://hollyordway.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

    • 20 min
    #151 Holly Ordway: Trauma, Catholicism and romantic love

    #151 Holly Ordway: Trauma, Catholicism and romantic love

    Dr Holly Ordway, author of Tolkien’s Faith, shares some of the traumatic events in JRR Tolkien's life, such as the death of his parents during his childhood, his forbidden romantic love and his experience of the Great War. What would it have been like to convert to Catholicism? How did his guardian Fr Francis impact Tolkien's faith?
    For Holly: https://hollyordway.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

    • 34 min

Customer Reviews

4.6 out of 5
86 Ratings

86 Ratings

MusicMakesTheWorldGoAround ,

What a find!

I’m really enjoying this show. I didn’t know that much about CS Lewis when I started listening, but this podcast has really helped me get into his work and I’m loving it. Thank you so much Ruth and Alister, I’m a huge fan of the show.

jonnymo02 ,

It’s not good, but it’s safe.

This is a frustrating podcast. Alister seems to be going out of his way to not come down on any side, which makes this a very tedious and boring listen. I was initially excited to listen to a podcast about my favourite books, but my soul died a little bit every time Alister said “Unfortunately, we just don’t know.” You will learn lots of useless facts about Lewis and Oxford in the 50s, but no attempt is made to extend his thought into our world today. I recommend Annie Crawford on The Symbolic World podcast. She seems to understand Lewis better, or at least she’s not afraid to make educated assumptions and even to disagree with Lewis at times. One star because my high expectations were dashed. Oh and 20 minute long podcasts with 5 minutes of intro, outdo and ads? Seriously?

despairing of dorset ,

Gets better and better!

This has improved beyond all recognition since it began, and I’m now happy to give it five stars and recommend it unreservedly!

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