The following podcast is done in honor of Dr. Christopher Mitchell who passed away unexpectedly on July 10, 2014. It’s been often expressed by those mourning the loss of a loved one or close friend that they wished they had shared their reflective remarks to the person before they had died. While I don’t if the following individuals sharing their thoughts about Chris didn’t say them to him, they are nevertheless touching words about someone who impacted the lives of many people around the world. Some may not recognize Chris’s name, that’s likely because he was a humble person who preferred focusing on encouraging others than spending time trying to make a name for himself.
Month: July 2014
Daily Lewis – Fact / Quote / Quiz: July 16th
FACT OF THE DAY:
An collection of #CSLewis’s essays called Timeless at Heart: Essays on Theology was published today (7/16) in 1987.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“We have seen that every moral judgement involves facts, intuition and reasoning, and, if we are wise enough to be humble, it will involve some regard for authority as well.”
from Why I Am Not A Pacifist
(Reprinted in Timeless at Heart on 7/16/1987)
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QUIZ OF THE DAY:
Complete the quote and name the source (3 words):
“It is funny how mortals always picture us as putting things into their minds: in reality our best work is done by _____ _____ _____ .”
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(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)
Daily Lewis – Fact / Quote / Quiz: July 15th
FACT OF THE DAY:
It All Began with a Picture was an essay published in Radio Times today (7/15) in 1960 telling how #CSLewis got the idea for #Narnia.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“All my seven Narnian books, and my three science fiction books, began with seeing pictures in my head.”
It All Began with a Picture
(Published in Radio Times on 7/15/1960)
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QUIZ OF THE DAY:
One of the saddest events in Lewis’s life happened this month; what was it?
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(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)
Wade Center/Dr. Christopher Mitchell
As this podcast episode is being repeated (with a new introduction), news of the death of Dr. Christopher Mitchell is less than a week old. This interview features Chris from a chat William O’Flaherty had with him in 2012 while he was still the Director of the Marion E. Wade Center. In 2013 he moved to teach at Biola University. While this conversation focuses mostly on the Wade, Chris also shares some of his favorite books by and about Lewis.
Daily Lewis – Fact / Quote / Quiz: July 14th
FACT OF THE DAY:
Imagination and Thought in the Middle Ages is a talk Lewis gave on two nights in July, 1956 (on the 17th and 18th).
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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“[Flippancy] is a thousand miles away from joy; it deadens, instead of sharpening, the intellect; and it excites no affection between those who practice it.”
The Screwtape Letters XI
(Published in The Guardian on 7/11/1941)
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QUIZ OF THE DAY:
Puddleglum is based on what person is Lewis’s life?
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(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)
Daily Lewis – Fact / Quote / Quiz: July 13th
FACT OF THE DAY:
Broadcast Talks was first released in the U.K. on this date (7/13) in 1942, containing the first two BBC radio series.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later. He may break his promise to you, but if you try breaking one to him he will be complaining ‘It’s not fair’ before you can say Jack Robinson.”
Broadcast Talks
(Published on 7/13/1942)
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QUIZ OF THE DAY:
Complete the quote and name the source (3 words):
“We should mind humiliation less if _____ _____ _____ .”
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(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)
Lewis Scholar Dr. Christopher Mitchell Passes
Typically this section of my site highlights some online resource available from other locations on the web. However, the following news about the death of Dr. Christopher Mitchell, a highly respected C.S. Lewis scholar, is close enough to the spirit of reason for this portion of my site that decided to share it here.
At the time I’m posting this (7/12/14) the exact details has not been shared, nor has the date of a memorial service been announced. I’ll update this page to reflect any new information as it becomes available. In the meantime, the following three articles from other places online share what is known and some reactions from other Lewis scholars.
Daily Lewis – Fact / Quote / Quiz: July 12th
FACT OF THE DAY:
First and Second Things is an essay collection released on July 11, 1985 that actually contains material found in God in the Dock.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“Flippancy builds up around a man the finest armour-plating against the Enemy [God].”
The Screwtape Letters XI
(Published in The Guardian on 7/11/1941)
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QUIZ OF THE DAY:
What is the name of the only book released in the 1980’s that contained (at that time) essays by Lewis that had not been previously published since his death?
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(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)
Daily Lewis – Fact / Quote / Quiz: July 11th
FACT OF THE DAY:
The eleventh letter from Screwtape was published on this date (7/11) in The Guardian in 1941.
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QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“I don’t believe that good work is ever done in a hurry.”
Letter to Arthur Greeves 7/11/1916
(Published in The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volume I)
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QUIZ OF THE DAY:
In The Screwtape Letters where are the young demons initially taught and who leads the place?
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(Click “Read More” to SEE Answer)
RETROSPECT: July 11th – 21st
Highlights for the period of July 11-21 include: the first book resulting from speaking on the BBC, an unusual meditation, and the death of Joy.
When Lewis agreed to do talks over the radio he had no idea how well received they would be. After two successful series of talks that were each in five parts and another series scheduled to start in late September, the book Broadcast Talks was released on the 13th in 1942. Unlike the later books released after each of his last two series, this book contained no additional material. They were merely five chapters each to match what was on the air. The only difference had to do with the order of the chapters from the first series.