Category: Christians & Culture

Commentary, from a Biblical perspective, on current events that are primarily cultural. There may be some overlap with politics and government, but the emphasis is on broader societal developments apart from politics, which also includes analysis of specific individuals.

Inspiring a Love of History

Is the study of history an endangered species? We read about the sad state of affairs in higher education with respect to history programs. Many universities are either scaling back on the history major, combining it with something else, or removing it from their offerings entirely. The say, of course, that this is due to declining enrollments in history programs. They are correct in that assessment. And that is what is so sad about it all. The university where I… Read more »

In the Footsteps of the Original Inklings

Those of us who love reading and thinking about the writings of C. S. Lewis, J. R.R. Tolkien, and others who were part of their company don’t want to do all of our reading and thinking alone. We like to gather together as often as possible to share in this mutual affection for authors who have made an impact on our faith and imagination. We do so at conferences, but schedules, finances, and other impediments limit our attendance—we have to… Read more »

A Teaching Ministry

I have been blessed these last two years with opportunities to teach classes that are very near and dear to my heart. Those who follow my blog posts know that my research and writing focus on C. S. Lewis has been central to my teaching ministry. I just completed a semester at Southeastern University teaching my basic Lewis course, while simultaneously teaching a course on Lewis’s Ransom Trilogy at my church. While my next Lewis-centered course won’t be until the… Read more »

Writers That Lewis Admired: A New Course

Last year’s major teaching project was the Ransom Trilogy. I’m now embarking on another one for the coming fall semester for my church’s Parish Academy program. I have no title for it yet, but the substance is set: an examination of key authors in C. S. Lewis’s life and circle. They are George MacDonald, G. K. Chesterton, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Dorothy L. Sayers. Lewis knew two of these writers by their works only; the other two he knew… Read more »

The Feast of Clive Staples Lewis

While I have known for many years that C. S. Lewis died on this day, November 22, back in 1963, I only just today found out that the Episcopal Church in 2003 created a Feast of Clive Staples Lewis for this day. The Collect for the day reads as follows: “O God of searing truth and surpassing beauty, we give you thanks for Clive Staples Lewis, whose sanctified imagination lit fires of faith in young and old alike. Surprise us… Read more »

Intellect & Imagination: The Proper Balance

One of Lewis’s comments in his autobiography, Surprised by Joy, came to mind recently as I thought about the path my own life has taken. Lewis was an intensely rational person, a trait drilled into him by his tutor, William Kirkpatrick. At the same time, he was a person who reveled in imaginative works of literature. At various times in his life, one or the other would come to the forefront. There was a time, though, as a young man… Read more »

The “Extras” in Out of the Silent Planet

I have just this week completed teaching Out of the Silent Planet to a dedicated small group in person at my church while a larger number watch on Zoom, and a much larger number than the first two groups watch the video later. It’s a privilege that I don’t take for granted. Now that I have finished that book and will enter into Perelandra next, I would like to take a few moments to note that one of the benefits… Read more »