#225 Paul Anderson: CS Lewis, the Bible and theology
Paul Anderson, a Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University in Oregon, is back to discuss C.S. Lewis’ approach to the Bible and theology. They explore how Lewis read and interpreted Scripture, how his literary background shaped his perspective, and how he balanced critical scholarship with personal devotion. What can we learn from Lewis about holding faith and reason together? They also consider Lewis’s influence on contemporary debates around miracles, biblical authority, and New Testament studies, and whether his insights still resonate in today’s increasingly sceptical culture.
For more on Paul Anderson:
George Fox University: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/anderson.html
Amazon author's page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Paul-N.-Anderson/author/B001HODFI2?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Academia and Digital Commons Pages: https://georgefox.academia.edu/PaulAnderson
The JJH Homepage: https://johannine.org/JJH.html
The Fourth Quest paper: https://sats.ac.za/conspectus/conspectus-32/
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+ Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast
+ For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our website
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#224 Paul Anderson: Lewis, Bultmann, Fern-seeds and Elephants
Ruth Jackson is joined again by Dr Paul Anderson, Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University. Paul, a prolific scholar and founding member of the "John, Jesus and History" project, shares insights from his paper presented at the 2024 conference at George Fox University. Together, Ruth and Paul explore Lewis’ classic essay "Fern-seeds and Elephants", in which Lewis critiques biblical scholarship with his memorable “four bleats.” Paul reflects on Lewis’ concerns about critical naturalism, the dismissal of miracles, and the tendency to “read between the lines” while missing the heart of the text. The conversation also considers Rudolf Bultmann’s influence, the challenges of theological education, and how Lewis’ reflections remain relevant today.
For more on Paul Anderson:
George Fox University: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/anderson.html
Amazon author's page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Paul-N.-Anderson/author/B001HODFI2?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Academia and Digital Commons Pages: https://georgefox.academia.edu/PaulAnderson
The JJH Homepage: https://johannine.org/JJH.html
The Fourth Quest paper: https://sats.ac.za/conspectus/conspectus-32/
+ Support us here
+ Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast
+ For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our website
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#223 Paul Anderson: CS Lewis and the Gospel of John
Ruth Jackson is joined with Paul Anderson, a Professor of Biblical and Quaker Studies at George Fox University in Oregon. Paul speaks on his first encounter with C.S. Lewis and the role Lewis’ works have played in his own life, ministry, and scholarship. They discuss Lewis’ views on the Bible, how his literary approach to Scripture compares with that of a biblical scholar, and whether he showed a preference for particular Gospels. The conversation also explores Anderson’s own research on the Gospel of John, why it deserves a place in the historical quest for Jesus, and what Lewis might have made of these debates.
For more on Paul Anderson:
George Fox University: https://www.georgefox.edu/academics/undergrad/departments/religion/faculty/anderson.html
Amazon author's page:
https://www.amazon.com/stores/Paul-N.-Anderson/author/B001HODFI2?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true
Academia and Digital Commons Pages: https://georgefox.academia.edu/PaulAnderson
The JJH Homepage: https://johannine.org/JJH.html
The Fourth Quest paper: https://sats.ac.za/conspectus/conspectus-32/
+ Support us here
+ Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast
+ For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our website
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#222 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch: Lewis and the argument from desire
Today we are joined by Dr. Max Baker-Hytch, a tutorial fellow in Philosophy at Oxford University, to discuss Lewis and the argument from desire. Covering topics such as whether our deepest longings point to the existence of another world, how naturalists might respond, and whether such desires could have evolutionary origins. The conversation also looks at critiques of Lewis’ view, how it compares to other arguments for God, and whether it still resonates in our modern, secular age.
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
+ Support us here
+ Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast
+ For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our website
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#221 Dr. Max Baker-Hytch: Lewis and the argument from reason
Today we are joined by Dr. Max Baker-Hytch, a tutorial fellow in Philosophy at Oxford University, to discuss Lewis and Lewis' argument from reason, as explored in Miracles and beyond. They explore Lewis’ claim that if our thoughts are just the result of natural processes, we have no reason to trust them. Can reason really come from something non-rational? They also discuss how this idea challenges naturalism, what it means for science and belief, and whether Lewis’s argument still matters today.
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
+ Support us here
+ Subscribe to The CS Lewis podcast: https://www.premier.plus/cs-lewis-podcast
+ For more shows, free ebook and newsletter visit our website
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.
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