While many love C.S. Lewis's Narnia Chronicles, they often neglect his lesser-known fiction, the Ransom trilogy. These books, in addition to being excellent storytelling, reflect a supernatural view of the cosmos. One of the reasons they are neglected is because they are denser and require more careful reading than the Narnia stories. That's where Christiana Hale comes to our rescue. She has written Deeper Heaven: A Reader's Guide to C.S. Lewis's Ransom Trilogy. Today we discuss the trilogy, the sources of influence on C.S. Lewis, and why calling these books the "space trilogy" misses the point. 

• Deeper Heaven: A Reader's Guide to C.S. Lewis's Ransom Trilogy

Have you ever wondered what made C. S. Lewis such a strong Christian? That exact question stirred Dr. Lyle Dorsett years ago. In researching the spiritual life of the great author, Dr. Dorsett came to lead the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College, which houses the largest number of C. S. Lewis artifacts in the U.S. His book on Lewis, Seeking the Secret Place, is a discussion of how Lewis grew as a Christian throughout his life. 

Most recently Dr. Dorsett has served as an Anglican clergyman in Birmingham, Alabama, while simultaneously serving as Professor of Evangelism at Beeson Divinity School. He is also the only man I know who, after finding there was no biography of someone, chose to fix the problem by writing it himself. Those biographies were of A. W. Tozer and Joy Davidman (C. S. Lewis's wife). He is now retired.

Books by Dr. Dorsett

• Seeking the Secret Place

Lectures by Dr. Dorsett

C. S. Lewis and the Care of Souls - Desiring God 2013 National Conference

I interview Coach Grant Teaff, a former head football coach at Baylor University. Coach Teaff is a faithful Christian and has written several books on teaching character to young adults. He is a great storyteller and is currently working with his daughter to compile various speeches and lectures through the years into a podcast. 

Books by Coach Teaff

• A Coach's Influence - Beyond the Game

In this episode I talk with Father Daniel French, a priest in the Church of England. In addition to his role as a shepherd, he is working with others both in the U.S. and the U.K. on an underground catechism for the church, a book that addresses how Christians from various backgrounds should think about basic moral issues like transhumanism, hierarchy, sexual confusion, abortion, and euthanasia. 

We discuss his background, the life of a parish priest, the importance of preparing for turbulence, and how Christians can work together despite various backgrounds. 

He blogs at Notes to the Underground Church. 

Some articles by Fr. French

• Could an underground church emerge in Britain?

In this episode I interview Tara Ann Thieke, a wife, mom, and writer. We discuss children's literature, guiding our children in the world of technology, and how to sustain a hopeful spirit as parents in the midst of a dark world. Some of her articles are published below:

• Cats and Sixty-foot Whales - Reflections on Children's Literature

In this episode I interview Tara Ann Thieke, a wife, mom, and writer. We discuss children's literature, guiding our children in the world of technology, and how to sustain a hopeful spirit as parents in the midst of a dark world. Some of her articles are published below:

• Cats and Sixty-foot Whales - Reflections on Children's Literature

Today I interview Brad Littlejohn, the president of the Davenant Institute and Senior Fellow of the Edmund Burke Foundation. Brad is a trained historian and focuses on the English Reformation and one of the greatest Anglican theologians, Richard Hooker. In this episode we discuss the English Reformation, Puritanism, and how Hooker tried to steer the church in the midst of turmoil. Then we consider some of how we can apply that wisdom today. 

Some of Brad's books can be found here. 

Rod Olps is a retired businessman who mentors men and businesses through periods of transition. Years ago he read a book titled The Seasons of a Man's Life by Daniel Levinson. He discovered biblical principles which corresponded with the teachings of that book and began applying those principles to men of various ages in his counseling.

In our discussion today we talk about the different seasons and how to prepare for them. We also talk about spiritual gifts, unity in the church, and discipleship. 

In this podcast I talk with Alastair Roberts. Alastair writes for Davenant Institute, Theopolis, Mere Orthodoxy, and has a blog, Alastair's Adversaria. We discuss baptism, interpreting Scripture, and what it means to grow in wisdom. 

Aaron Renn is a consultant, social critic, and creator of The Masculinist. This monthly newsletter about men, the church, and society that is some of the best commentary I've read. He recently expanded his presence through adding a podcast.

In this episode we discuss masculinity in the church and the relationship of the world and the church.