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CS Lewis Podcast

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. To find out more about the launch of this podcast and receive exclusive content from Alister McGrath, sign up to the Unbelievable? newsletter.

Tuesdays from 10pm and Sundays from 5pm

#175 Alister McGrath: What would Lewis think of Jordan Peterson?

How does having a better understanding of a "big picture" give us hope, particularly in the midst of mental health struggles? How can we hold different aspects of our life together? Which travelling companions would Lewis recommend? What would Lewis...

#174 Alister McGrath: Can Lewis help us to find meaning?

What did Lewis mean by "big pictures" and how did he use them in his work? How can he help those struggling to find their purpose in life? Why are people so concerned about a lack of coherence and can Lewis be of assistance? Can creeds help us? Profe...

#173 Alister McGrath: How do we tell good stories?

How can our individual stories find new meaning and significance from Christianity's "grand story"? In what ways did Lewis tell the Christian story? And what can we learn from this? How do we share our own story? Professor Alister McGrath explores ho...

#172 Alister McGrath: Why do stories matter?

Which stories impacted Lewis as a young child? Why is story so important? How does imagination help convey truth? What did Lewis mean by "myth" and how did that impact his thinking? Where did JRR Tolkien help with this? How do we allow the Christian...

#171 Alister McGrath: Spiritual disciplines, young people and the academy

Professor Alister McGrath continues to explore how we can use CS Lewis as a resource for our Christian life. How did Lewis' conversion change his life? What habits did he put in place to establish a rhythm of life for his faith? In what ways does Lew...

#170 Alister McGrath: Is Lewis a helpful spiritual mentor?

How did CS Lewis live out his Christian faith? What practical tools or approaches can he offer to inform our spiritual practices? How can Lewis help us work out our vocation? Does he have any advice for those experiencing doubt? Professor Alister McG...

#169 James Emery White: Culture, translation and COVID-19

How did CS Lewis translate Christianity for ordinary people? What would he say to our post-Christian culture? Can Lewis help with evangelism? In what ways did people apply his ideas to the COVID-19 pandemic? Pastor, author and theologian Dr James Eme...

#168 Philip Tallon: What if God isn't good?

Did Lewis want to rewrite some of his earlier work on suffering in light of his own experience of pain and loss? Did Lewis doubt the existence of God or question his character during these times? What words of encouragement would Lewis give to those...

#167 Philip Tallon: How do hell, the Fall and beauty fit into Lewis' theodicy?

How does Lewis perceive the Fall? Is he able to reconcile it with an evolutionary model? Where does the cross feature in The Problem of Pain? What did Lewis think of hell? In what ways does Lewis help us to recognise beauty and aesthetics in our disc...

#166 Philip Tallon: Is pain a megaphone?

Can pain ever be good for us? What about children with cancer? How do we account for animal suffering? Will our pets be in heaven? Does our theology of heaven impact our thoughts around suffering? Dr Philip Tallon, Associate Professor of Theology and...

#165 Philip Tallon: Is pain a problem?

Dr Philip Tallon, Associate Professor of Theology and Dean of The School of Christian Thought at Houston Christian University, unpacks one of Lewis' earliest work of apologetics The Problem of Pain. What are the critiques of this book and can any of...

#164 Johan Erasmus: Coming to faith via Richard Dawkins and CS Lewis

Can Lewis still speak to us today? Following the death of his father as a child, Afrikaner pastor Johan Erasmus struggled to find a place where he could ask sceptical questions about faith, God and the Universe. During this time he discovered CS Lewi...

#163 Matthew Brown: What would Sigmund Freud and CS Lewis discuss?

Hollywood director Matthew Brown, who directed and co-wrote Freud's Last Session, shares his thoughts on two of the greatest minds of the 20th Century. The film, which features Sir Anthony Hopkins, Matthew Goode and Liv Lisa Fries, raises questions a...

The CS Lewis Podcast #162 Alister McGrath: Is there still a place for Lewis in today’s society?

We continue our conversation with Professor Alister McGrath answering live questions, including who influenced Lewis’ faith journey, whether there’s an expiry date on his relevance and how Lewis has impacted Alister’s own theology. + Subscribe to...

#161 Alister McGrath: Your questions answered

Professor Alister McGrath joined Ruth Jackson for a webinar answering live questions about CS Lewis, including how Lewis used modern media, whether there is a "modern day Lewis" and how we navigate some of the potentially racist terms within his work...