60 years after his death, are CS Lewis and his God still relevant?

Unbelievable?

Premier Unbelievable?

Christianity, Religion & Spirituality

4.6 • 2.3K Ratings

🗓️ 24 November 2023

⏱️ 80 minutes

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Summary

Ruth Jackson hosts a discussion about a 20th Century British writer and lay theologian who is arguably one of the most influential voices in modern Christianity. On November 22nd 1963, Clive Staples Lewis – Jack to his friends – died in Oxford, England. However, 60 years after his death, is CS Lewis still relevant? We hear from former pastor-turned atheist, Dan Barker, who suggests that many of Lewis’ arguments are fundamentally flawed. Literature professor, Dr Carolyn Weber, highlights where she disagrees with Dan and shares some of her story about coming to faith at Oxford University, in part through CS Lewis. Looking at some of Lewis’ key works, Dan and Carolyn discuss whether faith and reason are antithetical, if Christianity is true and in what ways Lewis speaks to us today. Dan Barker spent many years as a Christian pastor before becoming an atheist. He is co-president of the Freedom From Religion Foundation and co-founder of The Clergy Project. Dan is an accomplished musician and author of many books, including God: The Most Unpleasant Character in all Fiction. Dr Carolyn Webber is an award-winning author, professor and international speaker. Carolyn’s first memoir, Surprised by Oxford, recently became a feature film. Both the book and film tell her story of coming to faith from scepticism – a journey that, in many ways, mirrors CS Lewis’ own. For the CS Lewis podcast, including an episode with Dr Carolyn Weber sharing more of her story and numerous episodes with Dan Barker discussing Lewis’ apologetics alongside Michael Ward: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/shows/the-cs-lewis-podcast For Dan Barker and Martin Kuhrt discussing whether the God of the Bible is a capriciously malevolent, misogynistic, sadomasochistic bully: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/unbelievable/unbelievable-is-the-god-of-the-bible-a-capriciously-malevolent-misogynistic-sadomasochistic-bully-dan-barker-vs-martin-kuhrt/11653.article For Dr Carolyn Weber: https://www.carolynweber.com/about/ For Dan Barker: https://ffrf.org/about/staff-board/item/38960-dan-barker • Subscribe to the Unbelievable? podcast: https://pod.link/267142101 • More shows, free eBook & newsletter: https://premierunbelievable.com • For live events: http://www.unbelievable.live • For online learning: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/training • Support us in the USA: http://www.premierinsight.org/unbelievableshow • Support us in the rest of the world: https://www.premierunbelievable.com/donate

Transcript

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0:27.0	To donate, search for Tier Fund No Going Back. Hello and welcome to Unbelievable the show that aims to get Christians and non-christians thinking about topics that matter to all of us.
0:45.0	I'm with Jackson and today we are discussing CS Lewis.
0:48.0	On November the 22nd, 1963, Clive Stapels Lewis, or Jack as he was known to many of his friends, died in Oxford, England.
0:56.7	His death was somewhat overshadowed by the assassination of US President John F. Kennedy on the same day.
1:02.3	But today we want to take some time to reflect on
1:04.7	CS Lewis's life and ask the question, 60 years after his death, is CS Lewis still
1:10.6	relevant? And I'm delighted to be joined today by Dan Barker and Carolyn Weber.
1:16.0	Dan Barker is a former Christian, pastor turned atheist who's co-president of the Freedom
1:20.7	from Religion Foundation.
1:22.1	Dan is an accomplished musician and author of numerous books,
1:25.0	including God, the most unpleasant character in all fiction
1:29.0	that he's actually spoken about on Unbelievable.
1:31.0	So do check out that episode because it's brilliant.
1:33.4	Carolyn Weber is an award-winning author professor and international speaker.
1:37.2	Carolyn's first memoir Surprised by Oxford recently became a fabulous feature film and
	...

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