The C.S. Lewis podcast

216

A weekly podcast from Premier Unbelievable? 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.

#209 Nathan Fayard: Lewis’s thinking on redemption, paradise, and poetic vision
May 12, 2025 – 00:19:43
#208 Nathan Fayard: The impact of Lewis on life, faith and perspective
May 5, 2025 – 00:18:57
#207 Jacqueline Wilson: C.S Lewis's Prayer Life in Historical Context
Apr 28, 2025 – 00:22:14
#206 Jacqueline Wilson: The prayer life of CS Lewis
Apr 21, 2025 – 00:20:03
#205 Alister McGrath: Lewis on science and evolution
Apr 14, 2025 – 00:17:39
#204 Alister McGrath: Lewis on science, miracles and materialism
Apr 7, 2025 – 00:24:17
#203 Alister McGrath: How CS Lewis bridged the gap between faith and scientific understanding
Mar 31, 2025 – 00:20:38
#202 Alister McGrath: What did CS Lewis think of science? Part 1
Mar 24, 2025 – 00:14:42
#201 Holly Ordway: Tolkien, suffering and the problem of evil
Mar 17, 2025 – 00:31:08
#200 Ruth Jackson: 200th Episode Special
Mar 10, 2025 – 00:29:40
#199 Michael Oppizzi: Why Till We Have Faces Still Speaks to Us Today
Mar 3, 2025 – 00:30:06
#198 CS Lewis’ Final Novel: Ancient Myth and Modern Relevance
Feb 24, 2025 – 00:19:44
#197 The Many Faces of CS Lewis: A Conversation with Michael Oppizzi
Feb 17, 2025 – 00:19:51
#196 How did Shakespeare influence Lewis' exploration of death, resurrection and the human condition?
Feb 10, 2025 – 00:28:07
#195 Sarah Waters: Did Shakespeare play a role in Lewis' conversion?
Feb 3, 2025 – 00:33:22
#194 Sarah Waters: How Lewis grew to love Shakespeare
Jan 27, 2025 – 00:27:21
#193 Leprechauns, fairies and the Holy Ghost
Jan 20, 2025 – 00:33:09
#192 Warnie, alcoholism and Country Louth
Jan 13, 2025 – 00:25:55
#191 New Atheism, Sigmund Freud and Narnia: Does CS Lewis still matter?
Jan 6, 2025 – 00:20:03
#190 Holly Ordway: Tolkien's Father Christmas letters
Dec 30, 2024 – 00:23:58
#189 Holly Ordway: What did Christmas mean to JRR Tolkien?
Dec 23, 2024 – 00:27:45
#188 Jem Bloomfield: Christmas in Narnia
Dec 16, 2024 – 00:36:14
#187 Jem Bloomfield: Paths in the snow
Dec 9, 2024 – 00:22:18
#186 Dan Barker and Carolyn Weber: Can atheists appreciate CS Lewis?
Dec 2, 2024 – 00:27:44
#185 Dr. Chris Pipkin: Friendship
Nov 25, 2024 – 00:36:59
#184 Dan Barker and Carolyn Weber: Are Lewis' arguments flawed?
Nov 18, 2024 – 00:28:11
#183 Dan Barker and Carolyn Weber: Is CS Lewis still relevant?
Nov 11, 2024 – 00:29:17
#182 Sarah Hawkyard: CS Lewis changed everything
Nov 4, 2024 – 00:27:00
#181 Curtis White: What did TS Eliot and Lewis think of each other?
Oct 28, 2024 – 00:32:50
#180 David Clare: Ecstatic experience
Oct 21, 2024 – 00:30:48
#179 David Clare: Joy and Ulster Protestant ecstasy
Oct 14, 2024 – 00:35:02
#178 Scott Tuohy: A Lewis quotation changed my life
Oct 7, 2024 – 00:22:49
#177 Alister McGrath: Emotions, sentimentality and rational truth
Sep 30, 2024 – 00:18:35
#176 Alister McGrath: Feelings, desire and religious experience
Sep 23, 2024 – 00:17:04
#175 Alister McGrath: What would Lewis think of Jordan Peterson?
Sep 16, 2024 – 00:17:38
#174 Alister McGrath: Can Lewis help us to find meaning?
Sep 9, 2024 – 00:19:04
#173 Alister McGrath: How do we tell good stories?
Sep 2, 2024 – 00:17:49
#172 Alister McGrath: Why do stories matter?
Aug 26, 2024 – 00:15:53
#171 Alister McGrath: Spiritual disciplines, young people and the academy
Aug 19, 2024 – 00:20:04
#170 Alister McGrath: Is Lewis a helpful spiritual mentor?
Aug 12, 2024 – 00:17:55
#169 James Emery White: Culture, translation and COVID-19
Aug 5, 2024 – 00:20:43
#168 Philip Tallon: What if God isn't good?
Jul 29, 2024 – 00:18:42
#167 Philip Tallon: How do hell, the Fall and beauty fit into Lewis' theodicy?
Jul 22, 2024 – 00:24:49
#166 Philip Tallon: Is pain a megaphone?
Jul 15, 2024 – 00:21:17
#165 Philip Tallon: Is pain a problem?
Jul 8, 2024 – 00:26:12
#164 Johan Erasmus: Coming to faith via Richard Dawkins and CS Lewis
Jul 1, 2024 – 00:34:46
#163 Matthew Brown: What would Sigmund Freud and CS Lewis discuss?
Jun 24, 2024 – 00:36:08
#162 Alister McGrath: Is there still a place for Lewis in today’s society?
Jun 17, 2024 – 00:15:16
#161 Alister McGrath: Your questions answered
Jun 10, 2024 – 00:17:50
#160 Malcolm Guite: Poetry and a baptised imagination
Jun 3, 2024 – 00:21:00

Recent Reviews

KaptainKomodia

Been looking for a smart Christian Podcast

It truly is amazing how much CS Lewis understood about our world and how relevant he is today. If everybody processed faith acknowledge like CS Lewis, the world would be a better place. Even his shortcomings were due to bad science, not bad theology.
The Nameless Twin

Guidance through the Shadowlands

I was first handed The Chronicles of Narnia when I was ten, in 1978, and went on to read the entire series twice a year well into my twenties. As I got older I added more of Lewis’ other books to my regular reading schedule. This is one of the Lewis podcasts I listen to, and I must say it’s the most consistently enjoyable. Though he died before I was born, CS Lewis has been a constant in my life since I “met” him. His effect on me is that of George MacDonald on him.
CrossSports

C.S. Lewis!

I love your podcasts!!! Thank you so much! Ruth you do a fantastic job and are so gracious! FYI my husband debated Dan Barker back in 1999. My husband did a great job defending the existence of God. Dan seems intelligent but didn’t substantiate his stance on God does not exist. You did a gracious job of listening well and asking good questions. Best, Julie
CSLewisReader

Awesome!

this podcast does a great job of articulating and exploring Lewis’s views
CSLreader

Excellent

The most recent Podcast “Why do stories matter” was so insightful and inspirational. Alistair concisely explained Lewis’s (and Tolkien’s) understanding and application of myth, and the Christian story as the “true myth” with the innate power to capture the imagination and transform the life. Ruth’s questions were great and the brilliant Lewis quote she read from “Myth Became Fact” a perfect complement. Love the Podcast. More please. Thank you!
DaveAttaway

CS Lewis podcast

I really enjoyed this week’s episode with the interview of Ruth Jackson from 2021. It was interesting to hear how she started the podcast and her connection with Alister McGrath. I can’t wait to go back and listen to the early episodes, especially when they discuss Mere Christianity! Thanks Ruth. Keep up the great work!!
*courtney m*

Brody

I agree with the podcast’s analysis on how C.S Lewis’s beliefs effected the story. I agree because after C.S Lewis’s beliefs were made clear I could better see why and how the aliens culture and beliefs came about as well as Ransoms.
Lackingnada

Stunning.

I am a 72 yo chagrined possessor of so many failures and faults, …. So undeserving of God’s consideration. But that doesn’t stop Him and doesn’t interfere w His provision. Thank you for wonderful interview. Delighted to see many more podcasts waiting. As well as web site! Very many thanks. Mary Ann
vcarol123

Grateful!

I just found this podcast after a random salesperson mentions C. S. Lewis to me. “When the student is ready, the teacher appears.” Thank you!
Mariathefirst

The podcast I’ve been looking for!

Really brilliant! I liked the length, but really wished for more from both speakers! You can tell they both love what they’re speaking on; it’s an enthusiasm that was evident to the “God bless you” at the end. Please never end this work!
Ray Hylton

Please keep this podcast going!

I am a pastor struggling to deepen and refresh my theological reflections. These podcasts on Lewis more than fill my cup. I am very grateful to you for each episode. Please keep them coming!
J.L. Henkle

Lovely, insightful podcast

I’ve never been a podcast person, but I adore this one. Lewis is hands-down my favorite author and has been a huge part of my Christian journey, and listening to Alister, Ruth, and Justin discuss his life, books, and insights has been wonderful. It’s always a joy to encounter other Lewis fans, and I love being able to sit in on these great conversations.
rdettmer13

Wonderful

Wonderful podcast and great insights from such brilliant minds
Bil10923874

Listening Over and Over

So glad to find this podcast. A wealth of information!
elew0412

Fantastic podcast!

Just started and already find it riveting. I hope they cover the Space Trilogy!
Opa Gould

Cudos to Ruth Jackson

Ruth Jackson has done her homework and asks questions which, in and of themselves, prove deeply into the subject. Well done!
contriban

Thoroughly Enjoyable

Since discovering this podcast, I have found myself excited to listen to each new episode. Alister and Ruth do such a wonderful job, and share great insights regarding C.S Lewis. Do yourself a favor and give this podcast a listen, you won’t regret it!
Lily K @@

Delightful

I can’t think of anything more delightful than listening to the delightful Ruth Jackson talking to the delightful Alister McGrath about the delightful CS Lewis. So good.
mthnds

Delightful Discovery

The discussions of C S Lewis are in-depth and extremely interesting. I recommend this podcast!
Brisket K1NG

Simply excellent in every respect

I have now recommended this podcast to numerous people who have come back to me with glowing reviews. The production quality is wonderful and the content is deep and intriguing. I appreciate that it is not hagiography and doesn’t shy away from some of the difficult aspects in Lewis’ life - like his spat with Tolkien. Both Ruth and Dr. McGrath are fantastic. I look forward to each week’s new episode!
Uptroll

Excellent podcast

Good insight into C. S. Lewis, his conversion and his view of the meaning of life!
BMWgirlSeattle

Great podcast!

Just discovered this podcast. Wonderful dialogue which kept my interest, filled with interesting details about C.S. Lewis’s life and beliefs. Lots of substance presented in an easy to listen to manner.
MickeyB485

Super Excited

I read Mere Christianity subsequently after coming to Christ and, being very sentimental, I’m super stoked for this podcast. First episode and it’s already amazing!!! There’s no doubt I’ll be regularly listening!
Jimmers78

Great start

After one episode, it is already one I an excited to see on my podcast feed. I cannot wait for the next episode.
IAV man

Great insight into CS Lewis that provides valuable context

Love hearing so much of the background around Lewis’s life that helps frame his thoughts and thus actions at the time he was writing. I can’t wait for the next episode.
Episcopalian78

Wow!

Wow! One episode in and I’m hooked. Can’t wait for the next one. I’m a huge CS Lewis fan in the USA. I’m an Episcopalian, so I love that CS Lewis was an Anglican. Unfortunately, we don’t have too many inspiring Anglican writers/speakers today (except for NT Wright). Professor Alister McGrath shows enthusiasm and extensive knowledge about CS Lewis and keeps me engaged with the conversation. Ruth Jackson does a great job of asking questions. Thank you so much for this podcast. I’ve subscribed and am looking forward to more episodes!