Best Joseph McGrath Podcasts (2025)

1
#236 Joseph Weigel: The fairytale of That Hideous Strength 16:26

Play Pause

4d ago16:26

16:26

Firefighter and podcaster Joseph Weigel joins Ruth Jackson to explore the “fairy tale for grown-ups” that is 'That Hideous Strength' part of CS Lewis's Space Trilogy. Joseph shares why Lewis’ dystopian thriller is his favourite of the Space Trilogy, unpacks the marriage of Mark and Jane, and examines the unsettling ambitions of the N.I.C.E. They di…

1
#235 Joseph Weigel: A Firefighter on Faith, Courage, and The Abolition of Man 25:52

11d ago25:52

25:52

Ruth Jackson talks with firefighter and podcast host Joseph Weigel about CS Lewis’ "The Abolition of Man" and why its insights into truth, morality, and modern culture still matter today. They explore how Lewis’ ideas about courage, sacrifice, and integrity resonate in everyday life and ask whether these themes have any relevance to the challenges …

1
#234 Lilian Lindén: Did Lewis credit Barfield for what he learned from Steiner? 21:33

18d ago21:33

21:33

Ruth Jackson speaks with Lilian Lindén, who has a degree in philosophy of religion, about her paper from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference held at George Fox University. Her paper was titled "Did Lewis credit Barfield for what he learned from Steiner?". We then get to hear her paper live from the conference.Lilian's PhD: https://doria.fi/ha…

1
#233 Lilian Lindén: CS Lewis, Owen Barfield, and the Great War 28:22

25d ago28:22

28:22

Ruth Jackson speaks with Lilian Lindén about CS Lewis’ early philosophical development and his long-running debate with his friend Owen Barfield, the so-called “Great War.” They unpack Lewis’s shift from realism to idealism, explore Barfield’s influence through anthroposophy, and consider how figures like Rudolf Steiner shaped their discussions. Th…

1
#232 Lilian Lindén: The influence and relevance of CS Lewis today 18:44

1M ago18:44

18:44

Ruth Jackson speaks with Lilian Lindén, who has a degree in philosophy of religion, about how CS Lewis continues to shape faith and thought today. They discuss how she first encountered Lewis, the impact his writings have had on her life, and why his ideas remain so compelling more than 60 years after his death. Lilian also presented a paper at the…

1
#231 Alister McGrath: CS Lewis, Christians and the Church 19:27

1M ago19:27

19:27

Ruth Jackson is joined again by Professor Alister McGrath, to discuss theology in a multi-part series. They explore what those in Christian ministry learn from C.S. Lewis - the “very ordinary layman” who helped shape modern faith. Alister reflects on Lewis’s approach to prayer and spiritual growth, his vision for Mere Christianity and how his theol…

1
#230 Alister McGrath: Theology, miracles and imagination 26:23

2M ago26:23

26:23

1
#229 Alister McGrath: Reflecting on CS Lewis' work as a theologian 18:26

2M ago18:26

18:26

In today's episode, Ruth Jackson is joined again by Professor Alister McGrath, to discuss theology in a multi-part series. They reflect on Lewis' work as a theologian, covering questions such as: What are some of the key theological topics Lewis unpacks in his work? Has Lewis influenced the development or direction of modern Christian theology? Wha…

1
#228 Alister McGrath: Was CS Lewis a theologian? Part 2 24:25

2M ago24:25

24:25

In today's episode, Ruth Jackson is joined again by Professor Alister McGrath, to discuss theology in a multi-part series. Why do people not consider Lewis a theologian? Who are some of the people who do take him seriously as a theologian, and has he become one in modern times? What can we learn from Lewis’ approach to theology? + Support us here+ …

1
#227 Alister McGrath: Was CS Lewis a theologian? 21:39

2M ago21:39

21:39

In today's episode, Ruth Jackson is joined again by Professor Alister McGrath, to discuss theology in a multi-part series. How do we define theology? What is Alister's experience with it? Was Lewis considered a theologian by others, or even himself? Episode one dives into all of this, and more. + Support us here+ Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: …

1
#226 Paul Anderson: Fern-Seed, Elephants, Bultmann, and Lewis - Varied Expertise in Critical Perspective 25:32

2M ago25:32

25:32

We are joined again by Paul Anderson, a Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University in Oregon, for the final episode in this series. In today's episode, we get to hear his paper, which was titled Fern-Seed, Elephants, Bultmann, and Lewis - Varied Expertise in Critical Perspective, live from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis conf…

1
#225 Paul Anderson: CS Lewis, the Bible and theology 24:52

3M ago24:52

24:52

Paul Anderson, a Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University in Oregon, is back to discuss C.S. Lewis’ approach to the Bible and theology. They explore how Lewis read and interpreted Scripture, how his literary background shaped his perspective, and how he balanced critical scholarship with personal devotion. What can we lear…

1
#224 Paul Anderson: Lewis, Bultmann, Fern-seeds and Elephants 21:33

3M ago21:33

21:33

Ruth Jackson is joined again by Dr Paul Anderson, Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University. Paul, a prolific scholar and founding member of the "John, Jesus and History" project, shares insights from his paper presented at the 2024 conference at George Fox University. Together, Ruth and Paul explore Lewis’ classic essay "Fe…

1
#223 Paul Anderson: CS Lewis and the Gospel of John 23:20

3M ago23:20

23:20

Ruth Jackson is joined with Paul Anderson, a Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University in Oregon. Paul speaks on his first encounter with C.S. Lewis and the role Lewis’ works have played in his own life, ministry, and scholarship. They discuss Lewis’ views on the Bible, how his literary approach to Scripture compares with t…

1
#222 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch: Lewis and the argument from desire 23:06

3M ago23:06

23:06

Today we are joined by Dr. Max Baker-Hytch, a tutorial fellow in Philosophy at Oxford University, to discuss Lewis and the argument from desire. Covering topics such as whether our deepest longings point to the existence of another world, how naturalists might respond, and whether such desires could have evolutionary origins. The conversation also …

1
#221 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch: Lewis and the argument from reason 23:33

4M ago23:33

23:33

Today we are joined by Dr. Max Baker-Hytch, a tutorial fellow in Philosophy at Oxford University, to discuss Lewis and Lewis' argument from reason, as explored in Miracles and beyond. They explore Lewis’ claim that if our thoughts are just the result of natural processes, we have no reason to trust them. Can reason really come from something non-ra…

1
#220 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch: The Moral Argument for God's Existence 28:27

4M ago28:27

28:27

Today we are joined by Dr. Max Baker-Hytch, a tutorial fellow in Philosophy at Oxford University, to discuss Lewis and the moral argument for God's existence. What did Lewis mean by a universal moral law, and why did he think it pointed to something beyond nature? They explore the foundations of this argument, its philosophical roots, and the criti…

1
#219 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch: Was C.S Lewis a philosopher? 30:25

4M ago30:25

30:25

Today we are joined by Dr. Max Baker-Hytch, a tutorial fellow in Philosophy at Oxford University, to discuss Lewis and philosophy. Did C.S. Lewis consider himself a philosopher, and should we? What kind of philosophical training did he have, and which thinkers shaped his ideas? How do his arguments compare with other 20th-century philosophers, and …

1
#218 Traver Carlson: Re-veiling the Secret: Reading The Ransom Trilogy as Spiritual Exercise 36:38

4M ago36:38

36:38

Ruth Jackson is joined by Traver Carlson, a PHD candidate in Philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies, to discuss his paper from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference, titled Re-veiling the Secret: Reading The Ransom Trilogy as Spiritual Exercise. We then get to hear his paper from the conference, followed by some helpful clarification…

1
#217 Traver Carlson: The Ransom Trilogy, Space and Medieval Imagery 21:21

5M ago21:21

21:21

Ruth Jackson is joined by Traver Carlson, a PHD candidate in Philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies, to discuss his paper from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference, which focuses on The Ransom Trilogy. They explore how Lewis uses space, language, and imagination to help us see the world in a new light. From medieval imagery to the i…

1
#216 Traver Carlson: The Impact of CS Lewis today 20:51

5M ago20:51

20:51

Ruth Jackson is joined by Traver Carlson, a PHD candidate in Philosophy at the Institute for Christian Studies, to discuss his paper from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference. He dives into his first discovery of Lewis, the impact he had on his faith and academic journey and his relevance to today, as well as much more. Other series to listen …

1
#215 Alister McGrath: Exploring The Discarded Image (Part 2) 22:32

5M ago22:32

22:32

In part two, Ruth Jackson and Alister McGrath explore how CS Lewis saw the links between science, philosophy, and faith. They discuss his view that science can point to deeper truths, his idea of Christianity as the “true myth,” and his belief that scientific theories aren’t final facts. The conversation touches on Lewis’s thoughts about the soul, …

1
#214 Alister McGrath: Exploring The Discarded Image (Part 1) 23:43

5M ago23:43

23:43

Ruth Jackson speaks with Alister McGrath about CS Lewis’ final book, The Discarded Image, a reflection on the medieval view of the cosmos. Why did Lewis care so much about this old model of the universe, and what does it reveal about his views on science, imagination, and faith? They explore Lewis’s description of a geocentric, ordered world and ho…

1
#213 Alister McGrath: CS Lewis on science, AI & technology (Part 2) 19:50

6M ago19:50

19:50

Alister McGrath reflects on how Lewis’ ideas might speak into today’s rapidly advancing technologies. What would Lewis have thought about artificial intelligence, genetic modification, or even transhumanism? Would he see these developments as threats to human dignity or as opportunities that require moral and spiritual guidance? And as technology c…

1
#212 Alister McGrath: CS Lewis on science, AI & technology (Part 1) 21:24

6M ago21:24

21:24

In this episode, Ruth Jackson speaks with Alister McGrath about Lewis’ views on science, technology, and ethics. What concerns did Lewis raise about unchecked scientific progress in works like The Abolition of Man? Would he have seen developments in AI or genetic engineering as threats—or opportunities? They also explore whether Lewis thought scien…

1
#211 Nathan Fayard: Exploring the Inversion of the Satanic Hero. 23:44

6M ago23:44

23:44

Explore the depths of CS Lewis's thought and theology in our latest podcast episode with Dr. Nathan Fayard from Indiana Wesleyan University. Specialising in old English literature and medievalism, Dr. Fayard discusses his latest work, "The Recovered Images." We dive into his presentation from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis Conference titled "Promet…

1
#210 Nathan Fayard: What makes a true hero - power, rebellion, or love? 20:54

6M ago20:54

20:54

Ruth Jackson speaks with Dr. Nathan Fayard, Assistant Professor of English at Indiana Wesleyan University about how Lewis engages with the idea of the romantic hero in Perelandra. Why does Lewis split heroic qualities between Ransom and the villain Weston? What can Byron’s Manfred and Shelley’s Prometheus Unbound teach us about Lewis’s theology?Fay…

1
#209 Nathan Fayard: Lewis’s thinking on redemption, paradise, and poetic vision 19:43

6M ago19:43

19:43

Ruth Jackson is joined again by Nathan Fayard, Assistant Professor of English at Indiana Wesleyan University, to explore how the poetry of John Milton and Percy Bysshe Shelley shaped C.S. Lewis’s imagination and theology. Focusing on Paradise Lost and Prometheus Unbound, they discuss how these epic works influenced Lewis’s thinking on redemption, p…

1
#208 Nathan Fayard: The impact of Lewis on life, faith and perspective 18:57

7M ago18:57

18:57

Ruth Jackson is joined by Nathan Fayard, an assistant professor of English at Indiana Wesleyan University, to discuss his paper from the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis conference held at George Fox University. How did Nathan first encountered Lewis? What impact has he had on his life and faith journey? He also gives a summary Perelandra as we prepare t…

1
#207 Jacqueline Wilson: C.S Lewis's Prayer Life in Historical Context 22:14

7M ago22:14

22:14

Ruth Jackson is joined by Jacqueline Wilson, a student working towards her Master of Arts in cultural apologetics from Houston Christian University, to share her thoughts on Lewis' prayer life in the paper she presented at the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewis conference, which was held at George Fox University. The title of her paper was "A very Ordinary…

1
#206 Jacqueline Wilson: The prayer life of CS Lewis 20:03

7M ago20:03

20:03

Ruth Jackson is joined by Jacqueline Wilson, a student working towards her Master of Arts in cultural apologetics from Houston Christian University, to discuss her paper from the Undiscovered CS Lewis conference, and how she first encountered Lewis. They tackle questions surrounding Lewis' unusual prayer life, as well as his perception of and conne…

1
#205 Alister McGrath: Lewis on science and evolution 17:39

7M ago17:39

17:39

In this episode, Ruth Jackson speaks with Alister McGrath about Lewis’s views on evolution and science. What did Lewis believe about evolution, and how did he separate it from philosophical naturalism? Did he think evolution could explain things like morality and consciousness? They also explore his concerns about reducing human life to just materi…

1
#204 Alister McGrath: Lewis on science, miracles and materialism 24:17

8M ago24:17

24:17

In this episode, Alister McGrath reflects on what Lewis thought about miracles and science. Did he think miracles could make sense in a world ruled by natural laws? Can someone believe in both science and the supernatural? They also look at Lewis’s response to the ideas of HG Wells, who believed science and religion didn’t mix. Were Wells’ views co…

1
#203 Alister McGrath: How CS Lewis bridged the gap between faith and scientific understanding 20:38

8M ago20:38

20:38

In this second episode of our mini-series on CS Lewis and science, Ruth Jackson continues the conversation with Professor Alister McGrath. They explore how Lewis challenged the supposed conflict between science and religion, offering instead a richer vision where both disciplines illuminate reality. McGrath discusses Lewis’ evolving views, from ear…

1
#202 Alister McGrath: What did CS Lewis think of science? Part 1 14:42

8M ago14:42

14:42

In part 1 of our new series on science, Ruth Jackson is joined by Alister McGrath to explore how CS Lewis approached the relationship between science and religion. A former atheist and Oxford-trained scientist, McGrath unpacks how Lewis combined reason and imagination to challenge scientific materialism while affirming science’s value within a broa…

1
#201 Holly Ordway: Tolkien, suffering and the problem of evil 31:08

8M ago31:08

31:08

Ahead of Tolkien Reading Day on 25th March, Dr Holly Ordway, author of Tolkien’s Faith, explores the contrasting spiritual journeys of J.R.R. Tolkien and CS Lewis—both of whom experienced the profound early loss of their mothers. While Tolkien’s faith deepened through suffering, Lewis famously declared that even amid the horrors of World War I, he …

1
#200 Ruth Jackson: 200th Episode Special 29:40

9M ago29:40

29:40

Ruth Jackson shares some of her favourite moments from the podcast to celebrate the 200th episode. We will be revisiting conversations with Alister McGrath discussing CS Lewis' relevance and mental health, hearing stories on how Lewis helped bring people to faith, his correspondence with Kathy Keller, and his impact on the creative works of film di…

1
#199 Michael Oppizzi: Why Till We Have Faces Still Speaks to Us Today 30:06

9M ago30:06

30:06

In this third and final episode with Michael Oppizzi, Ruth Jackson asks about his groundbreaking research on planetary symbolism in Till We Have Faces, CS Lewis’s final and often misunderstood novel. Did Lewis truly abandon his fascination with planetary imagery after The Chronicles of Narnia? How does medieval cosmology shape the novel’s themes of…

1
#198 CS Lewis’ Final Novel: Ancient Myth and Modern Relevance 19:44

9M ago19:44

19:44

CS Lewis considered Till We Have Faces his best work, yet it remains one of his least understood. Why did he write it in the 1950s, and why does it still resonate today? In this episode, Ruth Jackson speaks with Michael Oppizzi about the novel’s historical and literary context, its deep psychological and spiritual themes, and how its exploration of…

1
#197 The Many Faces of CS Lewis: A Conversation with Michael Oppizzi 19:51

9M ago19:51

19:51

In this episode, host Ruth Jackson speaks with Michael Oppizzi, an educator and cultural apologist, about the enduring relevance of CS Lewis. They discuss Lewis’s impact on faith, imagination, and intellect, with a deep dive into Till We Have Faces, the role of letters in shaping thought, and the significance of cultural apologetics today. From pla…

1
#196 How did Shakespeare influence Lewis' exploration of death, resurrection and the human condition? 28:07

9M ago28:07

28:07

How did "great myths" shape Lewis' understanding of Christian truth? Dr Sarah Waters, assistant professor of language and literature at Stirling College, Kansas, continues to explore the intriguing intersection between Shakespeare's literary genius and CS Lewis' spiritual journey. Sarah recently presented this paper at the 2024 Undiscovered CS Lewi…

1
#195 Sarah Waters: Did Shakespeare play a role in Lewis' conversion? 33:22

10M ago33:22

33:22

How did William Shakespeare influence CS Lewis’ conversion to Christianity? Dr Sarah Waters, assistant professor of language and literature at Sterling College, Kansas, draws connections between Lewis’ faith journey and his engagement with Shakespeare’s works. How do Hamlet and The Winter’s Tale connect to his famous conversation with JRR Tolkien …

1
#194 Sarah Waters: How Lewis grew to love Shakespeare 27:21

10M ago27:21

27:21

What was Lewis' favourite Shakespeare play? Dr Sarah Waters, assistant professor of language and literature at Sterling College, Kansas, delves into Lewis' literary accessibility and theological insights, uncovering the timeless relevance of his work. What moved Lewis from disliking Shakespeare as a child to incorporating numerous references in his…

1
#193 Leprechauns, fairies and the Holy Ghost 33:09

10M ago33:09

33:09

What did Warnie and Lewis get up to while holidaying in County Louth? How did he encounter leprechauns, fairies and the Holy Ghost? Plus, we hear about some of the key women in Lewis' life: Mrs Moore, Joy and their housekeeper Vera Henry. Rev Paul Clayton-Lea, author of CS Lewis and the Wee County shares the second half of his talk given at the CS …

1
#192 Warnie, alcoholism and Country Louth 25:55

10M ago25:55

25:55

Lewis' life was not a bed of roses. However, he was still able to find joy in dark situations. For example, discovering beauty and friendship in Ireland's Country Louth while his brother Warnie was being nursed there for alcohol addiction. Rev Paul Clayton-Lea, author of CS Lewis and the Wee County shares some fascinating personal stories from the …

1
#191 New Atheism, Sigmund Freud and Narnia: Does CS Lewis still matter? 20:03

11M ago20:03

20:03

Is CS Lewis relevant today? Can he speak to a post-Christian culture? We hear from Meg Thomson, producer of Freud’s Last Session, a film starring Anthony Hopkins as Sigmund Freud and Matthew Goode as CS Lewis, Dr Jem Bloomfield, an assistant professor at the University of Nottingham and author of Paths in the Snow and Justin Brierley, author of The…

1
#190 Holly Ordway: Tolkien's Father Christmas letters 23:58

11M ago23:58

23:58

For 23 years JRR Tolkien wrote to his four children as Father Christmas. Dr Holly Ordway, author of Tolkien’s Faith, explores Tolkien's creative, humorous writing around Father Christmas and his companions, including his Polar bear assistant, snow-elves, the Man in the Moon and goblins! How does Tolkien combine fantasy and reality? Are there any fa…

1
#189 Holly Ordway: What did Christmas mean to JRR Tolkien? 27:45

11M ago27:45

27:45

How integral was the incarnation for JRR Tolkien? Does Christmas feature in The Lord of the Rings legendarium? How did the Tolkien family celebrate Christmas? Dr Holly Ordway, author of Tolkien’s Faith, shares her thoughts on what Christmas meant to Tolkien and explores a recently discovered poem of his, Noel, which is one of his most overtly Chris…

1
#188 Jem Bloomfield: Christmas in Narnia 36:14

11M ago36:14

36:14

Dr Jem Bloomfield, assistant professor of literature at the University of Nottingham and author of Paths in the Snow, unpacks the Christmas references as well as key elements, such as the stone table and the titles of the Pevensie children, within The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Was JRR Tolkien justified in his unease about the appearance of …

1
#187 Jem Bloomfield: Paths in the snow 22:18

12M ago22:18

22:18

As Christmas approaches, we unpack some of the key elements in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe with Dr Jem Bloomfield, assistant professor of literature at the University of Nottingham and author of Paths in the Snow. What are the literary works Lewis draws on in this book? How does he use biblical imagery and stories? Why does The Lion, the W…