Wade Center

While many of us have been shaped by the mind of C.S. Lewis through his famous novels like the Ransom Trilogy or The Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis himself was shaped by Medieval authors like Dante and Boethius. In this week's episode co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill sit down with Dr. Jason M. Baxter, Director for the Center of Beauty and Culture at Benedictine College, to discuss his book "The Medieval Mind of C. S. Lewis." What can we learn about Lewis by studying his love of the Medieval mind? And what value is there for us — as modern 21st century citizens — to try and step into that forgotten world as Lewis loved to do? Read more from Jason on his Substack, "Beauty Matters."

How did C.S. handle Scripture in his various works—especially in The Chronicles of Narnia? In this week's episode, co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill sit down with Dr. Leslie Baynes, to discuss all these questions and more from her new book Between Interpretation & Imagination: C. S. Lewis and the Bible (https://www.lesliebaynes.com).

Did you know that George MacDonald translated German hymns written by none other than Martin Luther? In this week's episode, co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill sit down with Rev. Dr. Sarah Hinlicky Wilson, to discuss her recent article in VII: The Journal of the Marion E. Wade Center about "George MacDonald's Translation of Martin Luther's Hymns." Sarah unpacks why MacDonald was interested in Luther's hymns and theology, what makes his translations so unique, and how this helps shed light on MacDonald's other writings.

The friendship of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien has spawned many myths and inspired many lives. In this week's episode, co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill sit down with Kirk Manton, the producer or a forthcoming five-part documentary about the lives and friendship of Lewis and Tolkien titled, "The Forge of Friendship." Manton unpacks all the hard work that went into creating this amazing documentary that features everything from vivid reenactments of Lewis and Tolkien's lives to in-depth interviews with leading scholars and historians. Learn more about the documentary on Eastgate Creative's website.

You don't want to miss this episode! Join co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill as they interview Julia Golding and Malcolm Guite to discuss their latest book "Wardrobes and Rings" which journeys through the themes and Scripture of Lent with C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Dorothy L. Sayers. Curl up by a fireplace and listen in as Guite and Golding unpack their faith, the importance of Lent and Easter through the lens of their favorite themes from Lewis's Narnia Chronicles and Space Trilogy and Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. Listen to the audiobook on Audible Purchase a physical copy

If you want to understand the writings of C.S. Lewis, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Charles Williams, you need to read Dante Alighieri's,  The Divine Comedy. In this week's episode co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill sit down with Dr. Richard Hughes Gibson, Professor of English at Wheaton College, to discuss his recent book called The Way of Dante that details the medieval Italian poet's influence on three of the Wade Center's authors. Journey with us through hell, purgatory, and paradise as we ask Rick about how Lewis, Sayers, and Williams read, reflected on, and debated Dante's allegorical work and why all of this matters for our lives today.

How can we trust a God that let's bad things happen to us? How can we worship in the ordinary and in the difficult times in life, even when we are suffering? In this week's episode, co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill sit down with author and Anglican priest, Tish Harrison Warren, to discuss her recent books and her newest forthcoming book "What Grows in Weary Lands: On Christian Resilience" about how can we continue to worship and pray when we are weary and our spiritual lives feel arid. Books/Talks by Tish Harrison Warren Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life Wade Center Lecture: "Waiting on the Slow Work of God: How the Habit of Hope Transforms Us" Songs/Artists Mentioned "Show the Way" by David Wilcox "Your Labor is not in Vain" by Wendell Kimbrough Jon Guerra

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 Dr. Holly Ordway about her recent book on Tolkien's Faith: A Spiritual Biography (2023) and the truth about whether the friendship between Tolkien and C.S. Lewis fell apart (or not) at the end of their lives.

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 Dr. Holly Ordway, author of Tolkien's Faith: A Spiritual Biography (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.

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 Crystal's lecture at The Wade Center on YouTube this past summer and grab a copy of her book over at InterVarsity Press.