The C.S. Lewis podcast

Latest Episodes:

#220 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch: The Moral Argument for God's Existence Jul 28, 2025

Show notes

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 critiques it has faced. Does morality require a Moral Lawgiver? Can natural selection or social convention fully explain our sense of “right” and “wrong”? And what might this argument mean for how we live today, in a culture where moral truth is often seen as relative?

For more on Max: https://philpeople.org/profiles/max-baker-hytch His book with Cambridge University Press entitled God and the Problem of Evidential Ambiguity: https://www.cambridge.org/core/elements/abs/god-and-the-problem-of-evidential-ambiguity/9471CE092B20C702803FEA81A75C03F0

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#219 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch: Was C.S Lewis a philosopher? Jul 21, 2025

Show notes

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 why is he often overlooked in academic philosophy today? They also explore whether Lewis’ fiction carries philosophical weight, how his faith influenced his reasoning, and what his work can teach us about tackling life’s big questions today.

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#218 Traver Carlson: Re-veiling the Secret: Reading The Ransom Trilogy as Spiritual Exercise Jul 14, 2025

Show notes

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 clarifications and final thoughts from him.

Other series to listen to: Out of the Silent planet: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-120-out-of-the-silent-planet-weston-devine-and-jrr-tolkien/16073.article Perelandra: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-124-perelandra-scientism-spirituality-and-magic/16390.article That Hideous Strength: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/the-cs-lewis-podcast/the-cs-lewis-podcast-141-that-hideous-strength-is-there-a-darker-agenda-to-scientific-experimentation/17076.article

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#217 Traver Carlson: The Ransom Trilogy, Space and Medieval Imagery Jul 07, 2025

Show notes

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 idea of “heaven” versus “space,” the conversation looks at how these stories can shape the way we think about life, faith, and the universe.

#216 Traver Carlson: The Impact of CS Lewis today Jun 30, 2025

Show notes

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.

#215 Alister McGrath: Exploring The Discarded Image (Part 2) Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

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, the value of myth, and whether modern science misses something older worldviews grasped. They also consider how The Discarded Image connects to his wider apologetics and his warning against “chronological snobbery.”

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#214 Alister McGrath: Exploring The Discarded Image (Part 1) Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

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 how it contrasts with today’s scientific and secular worldview. Could this older picture still speak to us today? And how did Lewis understand the relationship between science and the biblical creation story? + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/ + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world

#213 Alister McGrath: CS Lewis on science, AI & technology (Part 2) Jun 09, 2025

Show notes

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 continues to reshape our world, does Lewis offer a framework for thinking wisely about progress, purpose, and the ethical limits of innovation? + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/ + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world

#212 Alister McGrath: CS Lewis on science, AI & technology (Part 1) Jun 02, 2025

Show notes

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 science could ever replace belief in God, and how he might respond to the ethical challenges facing today’s technology. + Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://pod.link/ + For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our new website + For our Premier Unbelievable? Live events + Support the podcast from the USA + Support the podcast from UK and rest of the world

#211 Nathan Fayard: Exploring the Inversion of the Satanic Hero. May 26, 2025

Show notes

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 "Prometheus on Perrelandra: The Inversion of the Satanic Hero in CS Lewis's Perelandra." Discover how CS Lewis reimagined romantic heroes through his cosmic trilogy, challenging the notions of pride and rebellion. Uncover how these elements are woven creatively into Lewis’s narrative fabric, presenting an insightful critique of romanticism. For a deeper understanding, explore Dr. Fayard's full article in the Journal of Inkling Studies.

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