In the eleventh episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book, CS Lewis: A Life, we hear the inspiration behind the Narnia Chronicles and look at the important role imagination played in Lewis' work. Plus, don’t forget to register for the opportunity to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis. To be in with a chance to win a copy of CS Lewis: A Life, sign up to our newsletter at: https://premierunbelievable.com/cslewisbook + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560...
Mar 20, 2023•19 min•Ep. 99
In the tenth episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book, CS Lewis: A Life, we explore the professional setbacks and personal trials Lewis encountered post Second World War. We also look at his move away from apologetics and why he declined a CBE. Plus, don't forget to register for the opportunity to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis. To be in with a chance to win a copy of CS Lewis: A Life, sign up to our newsletter at: https://premierunbelievable.com/cslewisbook + Subscr...
Mar 13, 2023•21 min•Ep. 98
In the ninth episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book, CS Lewis: A Life, we look at some of Lewis' popular literature and how his rising fame affected his reputation as an Oxford scholar. We discuss The Great Divorce, the Ransom Trilogy and some of the strengths and weakness of Mere Christianity. Plus, it's not too late to register for the opportunity to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis. To be in with a chance to win a copy of CS Lewis: A Life, sign up to our newslette...
Mar 06, 2023•18 min•Ep. 97
In the eighth episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book, CS Lewis: A Life, Professor Alister McGrath shares some of Lewis' thoughts on suffering. We also hear how and why Lewis was broadcast on BBC Radio during the Second World War and the impact this had. Plus, it's not too late to register for the opportunity to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis. To be in with a chance to win a copy of CS Lewis: A Life, sign up to our newsletter at: https://premierunbelievable.com/csle...
Feb 27, 2023•21 min•Ep. 96
In the seventh episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life, we explore why Lewis never used a typewriter, who the Inklings were and how they impacted his work, and what role women, such as Dorothy L Sayers, played in Lewis' life. Plus, don't forget to register to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis. To be in with a chance to win a copy of CS Lewis: A Life, sign up to our newsletter at: https://premierunbelievable.com/cslewisbook + Subscribe to The CS Lewis p...
Feb 20, 2023•21 min•Ep. 95
In the sixth episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life, we explore Lewis' faith journey, looking at how and why he became a Christian. We also hear about the significant impact of JRR Tolkien. Plus, don't forget to register to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis. To be in with a chance to win a copy of CS Lewis: A Life, sign up to our newsletter at: https://premierunbelievable.com/cslewisbook + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545...
Feb 13, 2023•31 min•Ep. 94
In the fifth episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life, we look at some key moments in Lewis' Oxford career, such as the death of his father, Plus, don't forget to register to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis. To be in with a chance to win a copy of CS Lewis: A Life, sign up to our newsletter at: https://premierunbelievable.com/cslewisbook + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit ...
Feb 07, 2023•20 min•Ep. 93
In the fourth episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life, we dive into Lewis' first few years at Oxford and explore the nature of his complicated romantic relationship with Mrs Moore. Plus, don't forget to register to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis. To be in with a chance to win a copy of CS Lewis: A Life, sign up to our newsletter at: https://premierunbelievable.com/cslewisbook + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For mor...
Jan 30, 2023•22 min•Ep. 92
In the third episode of our series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life, we explore Lewis' experience of the First World War and the significant relationships he formed during this time, such as with the Moore family. We also delve into Lewis' interest in sadomasochism! Plus, a quick reminder of our competition to win a copy of McGrath’s seminal biography of Lewis. To be in with a chance to win a copy of CS Lewis: A Life, sign up to our newsletter at: https://premierunbelievable.com/csle...
Jan 23, 2023•20 min•Ep. 91
In the second episode of a new series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life, we look at why Lewis found school so thoroughly unpleasant and how it helped to cement his growing atheism. Plus, we launch a competition to win a copy of McGrath’s book. To be in with a chance to win a copy of CS Lewis: A Life, sign up to our newsletter at: https://premierunbelievable.com/cslewisbook + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visi...
Jan 16, 2023•22 min•Ep. 90
In this first episode of a new series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life, we look at Lewis’ early childhood in County Down, their family life and the death of his mother. + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + For apologetics training: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and re...
Jan 09, 2023•20 min•Ep. 88
As we begin a new year, we pause to remind ourselves of the thought, life and legacy of CS Lewis. Professor Alister McGrath shares why and how we can engage with Lewis and his writings as we introduce a new series focussing on McGrath’s book CS Lewis: A Life. + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + For apologetics training: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/t...
Jan 02, 2023•21 min•Ep. 87
There is something inherently Christmassy about The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and a church in the North East of England have used Lewis’ classic children’s tale to put on a special event, inviting local families to engage with the Christmas story in an imaginative way. For more on running a Narnia trail: https://naydawson.com/2021/12/14/running-a-narnia-trail/ Support our End Of Year Appeal: https://gtly.to/aAxRk0kQs + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For m...
Dec 26, 2022•17 min•Ep. 86
What did Christmas mean to CS Lewis? How did he celebrate it? Did he ever write about the festive season? Professor Alister McGrath shares his insights into CS Lewis' depiction of the incarnation and Christmas. Support our End Of Year Appeal: https://gtly.to/aAxRk0kQs + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + For apologetics training: https://www.premierunbelieva...
Dec 19, 2022•18 min•Ep. 85
Teri-Anne Cavanagh is training for ordained ministry in the Church of England, but she wasn't always a Christian. CS Lewis played an instrumental role in initiating her journey back to the faith of her childhood. + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + For apologetics training: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training + Support the podcast from the USA + Su...
Dec 12, 2022•17 min•Ep. 84
Northern Irish artist Ross Wilson BEM talks about his remarkable sculpture The Searcher, which is based on the character of Digory Kirke who, in ‘The Magician’s Nephew,’ creates a wardrobe made from a magical apple tree. Modelled on CS Lewis as he was in 1919, the sculpture seeks, in the words of the artist, to capture the “great ideas of sacrifice, redemption, victory and freedom for the sons of Adam and the daughters of Eve” that lie at the heart of the ‘Chronicles of Narnia’. This talk was or...
Dec 05, 2022•40 min•Ep. 83
Ruth Jackson continues her conversation with author Joshua Karras who has penned a modern appropriation of The Screwtape Letters. 80 years after the publication of CS Lewis' classic epistolary novel, Karras shares why he has included some of the contemporary temptations in his literary adaptation. For The Incendus Letters https://www.stshenoudapress.com/store/incendus-letters-letters-senior-junior-devil/ + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free eboo...
Nov 28, 2022•24 min•Ep. 82
80 years after the publication of The Screwtape Letters, young author Joshua Karras has written an appropriation of CS Lewis' classic epistolary novel for a modern audience. Ruth Jackson discovers the inspiration behind this audacious project. For The Incendus Letters https://www.stshenoudapress.com/store/incendus-letters-letters-senior-junior-devil/ + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premie...
Nov 21, 2022•23 min•Ep. 81
Justin Brierley takes podcast listeners on a revealing tour around The Kilns, the house Lewis shared with his brother Warnie in Oxford. Scholar in residence Trevin Wax is our (unofficial) tour guide as they uncover some of the inspiration for Lewis' writings and relationships in the various rooms and memorabilia that has been preserved. For tours of The Kilns and to support The CS Lewis Foundation: https://www.cslewis.org/ + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For mo...
Nov 14, 2022•30 min•Ep. 80
Author and pastor Trevin Wax shares why he loves CS Lewis. They look at the relevance of Lewis' writings as well as debating whether or not he was a heretic! For Trevin Wax: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/ + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + 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...
Nov 07, 2022•20 min•Ep. 79
Ruth Jackson speaks to author and pastor Trevin Wax about CS Lewis. They discuss numerous topics including objective truth, Christian morality and evangelism. For Trevin Wax: https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/ For the CS Lewis conference on Nov 5th: https://thinkfaith.net/events/cslewis/ + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podc...
Oct 31, 2022•26 min•Ep. 78
The second part of a conversation between philosopher Mark Vernon and poet-theologian Malcolm Guite on the spiritual journeys of The Inklings, a group of writers and poets including Owen Barfield, CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien, who met in Oxford to discuss each other's work. Part 2 of an Unbelievable? show first broadcast in 2019. For Mark Vernon: https://www.markvernon.com/ For Malcolm Guite: https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/ + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For m...
Oct 24, 2022•35 min•Ep. 77
Mark Vernon, author of ‘A Secret History of Christianity: Jesus, the last Inkling and the evolution of consciousness’ engages with poet-theologian Malcolm Guite on the spiritual and religious influences of Owen Barfield, JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis, three key members of 'The Inklings'. Part 1 of an Unbelievable? show first broadcast in 2019. For Mark Vernon: https://www.markvernon.com/ For Malcolm Guite: https://malcolmguite.wordpress.com/ + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/15609...
Oct 17, 2022•28 min•Ep. 76
Holly Ordway grew up as an atheist before converting to Christianity in her adult years. The fantasy work of CS Lewis and JRR Tolkien would be an important part of her journey to faith. She engages with atheist writer Laura Miller author of 'The Magician's Book: A Skeptic's Adventures in Narnia' in this replay of an Unbelievable? episode first broadcast in 2013. For Holly Ordway: https://hollyordway.com/ For Laura Miller: https://lauramiller.typepad.com/ + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: http...
Oct 10, 2022•1 hr 1 min•Ep. 75
In this second part of a live kids Q&A on Narnia, recorded at Oxford University, Dr Michael Ward continues to answer questions such as 'Where did the wood between the worlds come from?', 'Can people from Narnia enter our world?' and 'Is Narnia something CS Lewis experienced as a child?' For books by Michael Ward: https://michaelward.net + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbeliev...
Oct 03, 2022•25 min•Ep. 74
Recorded live at Oxford University, Narnia expert Dr Michael Ward engages with a panel of young people with a variety of questions about Narnia and CS Lewis. How old is Narnia? How many ways are there into Narnia? Were the Pevensie children destined to go through the wardrobe?... and many more. For books by Michael Ward: https://michaelward.net/ + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/1560959545 + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unb...
Sep 26, 2022•23 min•Ep. 73
On Thursday September 8th Queen Elizabeth II, Britain’s longest-reigning monarch, died aged 96. In this special one-off episode about the Queen and CS Lewis, Ruth Jackson speaks to CS Lewis scholar Dr Michael Ward. They discuss Lewis’ thoughts on monarchy, the Queen’s coronation and the kings and queens of Narnia. Watch out for a brutally honest potted history of some of the British monarchs! +Hear more from Michael Ward on an earlier episode of the CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premierunbelieva...
Sep 19, 2022•40 min•Ep. 72
In the third part of their discussion David Marshall tells Justin Brierley about his own time as a missionary in China and East Asia and how he found CS Lewis' writing helped his journey there. How does the subject of miracles - the death and resurrection of Alan for instance - get addressed in Narnia? For 'The Case For Aslan', from Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Case-Aslan-Evidence-Jesus-Narnia/dp/1947929216/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22S25FFJ3PXZR&keywords=the+case+for+aslan&qid=1661214444&am...
Sep 05, 2022•23 min•Ep. 71
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 the real world. For 'The Case For Aslan', from Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Case-Aslan-Evidence-Je...
Aug 29, 2022•25 min•Ep. 70
'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/ref=sr_1_1?crid=22S25FFJ3PXZR&keywords=the+case+for+aslan&qid=1661214444&sprefix=%2Caps%2C8...
Aug 22, 2022•24 min•Ep. 69
