Lewis, the Lion in Milton Scholarship: "A Preface to Paradise Lost" w/ Dr. David Urban
Release Date: 03/29/2024
Bonus: Tolkien's Films w/ Dr. Holly Ordway
Wade Center
Would J.R.R. Tolkien have approved of the recent Rings of Power series or Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy? We couldn't resist asking Dr. Holly Ordway her opinion on Tolkien's films and how she thinks Tolkien would have reacted. Don't forget to check out out main episode this week with about her recent book on (2023) and the truth about whether the friendship between Tolkien and C.S. Lewis fell apart (or not) at the end of their lives.
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"Tolkien's Faith" w/ Dr. Holly Ordway
Wade Center
Millions explore and live inside of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novels on a regular basis, but few study and examine his faith. Join co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill as they discuss sit down with , author of (2023), to discuss Tolkien's faith, his friendship with C.S. Lewis, his opinion of The Chronicles of Narnia, why his novels weren't more spiritually explicit with their content and themes, and how Tolkien read Scripture—including his work on translating the book of Jonah.
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The Downing's Return to Discuss "The Wages of Cinema"
Wade Center
Crystal L. and David C. Downing, former co-hosts of the podcast, return to discuss Crystal's latest book, The Wages of Cinema (IVP, 2025). Join Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill as they sit down to discuss the intersection of film theory with Dorothy L. Sayers and Christian theology. If you want to dig in more make sure to watch at The Wade Center on this past summer and grab a copy of her book over at .
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C.S. Lewis's Oxford w/ Dr. Simon Horobin
Wade Center
In addition to being his teaching home, Oxford was an integral part of C.S. Lewis's life. His drafty rooms in The New Building, his pastoral residence at The Kilns, the trees lining Addison's Walk all shaped the life and writings of C.S. Lewis. Join co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill as they go on a tour of C.S. Lewis's Oxford with Dr. Simon Horobin, Professor of English Language & Literature at Magdalen College. Grab a copy of Dr. Horobin's book .
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Did C.S. Lewis Believe in Evolution? w/ Dr. John Walton
Wade Center
Did C.S. Lewis believe in evolution or not? Join co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill for a bonus episode where we ask this question of Dr. John H. Walton, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. Dr. Walton is widely known for his books as well as his commentaries and teaching on the creation account in Scripture. Make sure to check out our main episode with Dr. Walton where we discuss how Lewis frame creation in his writings, particularly in Perelandra and The Magician's Nephew.
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Creation in C.S. Lewis's Fiction w/ Dr. John Walton
Wade Center
C.S. Lewis fictionalized the creation account in several of his novels, most notably in Perelandra and The Magician's Nephew. Join co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill as they explore Lewis's imaginative and expansive creation narratives with Dr. John H. Walton, Emeritus Professor of Old Testament at Wheaton College. Dr. Walton is widely known for his books as well as his own interpretations of the creation account in Scripture. You won't want to miss this week's discussion as we explore how Lewis's writings compare to the biblical account on a host of topics from sacred space, to the...
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Books Worth (re)Reading, Part 2
Wade Center
“At the end of all our exploring, we will arrive where we began and know the place for the first time.” - “Little Gidding,” T.S. Eliot Listeners shared some amazing "Books Worth (re)Reading" in response to our first installment, so we are back with a sequel! Join co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill as they revisit the books that we (and our listeners) love and continue to reread. If you are a regular listener, please email us your list of books as well as an explanation of how they've shaped your mind, imagination, and spirit. Below are the second set of books mentioned in this...
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C.S. Lewis and Christian Witness w/ President Philip Ryken
Wade Center
Millions know him as a novelist and an Oxford Don, but C.S. Lewis's most lasting impact may be his role model as a Christian witness and evangelist. President of Wheaton College, Dr. Philip Ryken joins co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill to explore C.S. Lewis's views about the witness of Scripture and what he can teach us about our own approach to Christian witness. How did Lewis approach Scripture, doctrine, and evangelism and how might that inform our own efforts to bear witness to the truth?
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Books Worth (re)Reading, Part 1
Wade Center
If this podcast is bound together by anything, it is a love of books—particularly, a love for books written by the Wade Center authors. Inspired by C.S. Lewis's habit and love of re-reading books, co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill embark this week on an exploration of the books that they love and continue to reread. If you are a regular listener, please email us your list of books as well as an explanation of how they've shaped your mind, imagination, and spirit. Below are the first set of books mentioned in this episode. , C.S. Lewis , J.R.R. Tolkien , C.S. Lewis , Richard Powers ,...
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The Last Romantic w/ Dr. Jeffrey Barbeau
Wade Center
Sometimes the best way to understand an author is by exploring their conversation partners? Who are they responding to? In his recent Hansen lectures—now released in book form through IVP as The Last Romantic—Dr. Jeffrey Barbeau explores the ways in which C.S. Lewis is indebted to, influenced by, and fulfills the aspirations of Romantic authors such as Wordsworth, Coleridge, and even Schleiermacher. Join Dr. Jim Beitler, Director of the Marion E. Wade Center, and co-host Aaron Hill as they sit down with Dr. Jeffrey Barbeau to discuss how Lewis is The Last Romantic and how...
info_outlineIn the first half of the 20th century, England elites like T.S. Eliot were trying to devalue John Milton and elevate John Donne—exchanging one 17th-century English poet for another. At the height of World War II, C.S. Lewis took up arms against these oppressors and defended Milton in a series of lectures that would later be published as A Preface to Paradise Lost (1942). Since then, every aspiring scholar has had to grapple with Lewis, the lion in the path of Milton studies. In this week's episode, Drs. Crystal and David C. Downing sit down with Dr. David Urban (Professor of English at Calvin University) to discuss how Paradise Lost and Lewis's Preface to it serves as a crucial lens through which to read and interpret Lewis's fiction and non-fiction works.