Wade Center

Latest Episodes:

C.S. Lewis and the Bible w/ Dr. Leslie Baynes Aug 13, 2026

Show notes

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).

George MacDonald's Translations of Martin Luther's Hymns w/ Rev. Dr. Sarah Hinlicky Wilson Jul 16, 2026

Show notes

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.

Filming the Lives of Lewis and Tolkien w/ Kirk Manton Apr 22, 2026

Show notes

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.

"Wardrobes and Rings: Through Lenten Lands with the Inklings" w/ Julia Golding and Malcolm Guite Feb 10, 2026

Show notes

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

"The Way of Dante" w/ Dr. Richard Gibson Jan 12, 2026

Show notes

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.

Tish Harrison Warren on "What Grows in Weary Lands" Nov 26, 2025

Show notes

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

Songs/Artists Mentioned

"Show the Way" by David Wilcox
"Your Labor is not in Vain" by Wendell Kimbrough
Jon Guerra

Bonus: Tolkien's Films w/ Dr. Holly Ordway Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

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.

"Tolkien's Faith" w/ Dr. Holly Ordway Nov 17, 2025

Show notes

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.

The Downing's Return to Discuss "The Wages of Cinema" Oct 06, 2025

Show notes

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.

C.S. Lewis's Oxford w/ Dr. Simon Horobin Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

In addition to being his teaching home, Oxford was an integral part of C.S. Lewis's life. His drafty rooms in The New Building, his pastoral residence at The Kilns, the trees lining Addison's Walk all shaped the life and writings of C.S. Lewis. Join co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill as they go on a tour of C.S. Lewis's Oxford with Dr. Simon Horobin, Professor of English Language & Literature at Magdalen College. Grab a copy of Dr. Horobin's book here.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Wade Center

Related Podcasts

1

2

3

4

5

6