Category: CSL Minute

The Lasting Legacy of C.S. Lewis

William OFlaherty CSL Minute

Fifty years ago C.S. Lewis died on the same day that John F. Kennedy was murdered. While the mystery of who killed Kennedy remains in some minds, it is clear why C.S. Lewis continues to be admired and his popularity is ever growing. The key reason is because he wrote in several diverse realms and thus had a variety of audiences. Some are only familiar with him as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, while others respect him because of his works dealing with understanding or defending the Christian faith. Then there are those who have regard for him due to his academic books resulting from teaching Medieval and Renaissance Literature at Oxford and Cambridge Universities.

Ironically almost as each decade

Apostle to the Skeptics (CSLM-32)

William OFlaherty CSL Minute

Can you believe there was a time when C.S. Lewis wasn’t well-known as the author of The Chronicles of Narnia?

It is difficult to image knowing an author without identifying him to his most famous work. Yet, if you were alive in 1949 you would have been witness to the release of the first biography on C.S. Lewis. That year Chad Walsh published C.S. Lewis: Apostle to the Skeptics.

Weight of Glory Anniversary Reflections (Revised)

William OFlaherty CSL Minute

“The Weight of Glory” was first published in the November, 1941 issue of Theology. Thus, I felt it appropriate to post a reflection of it that I did five months. Only minor edits have been done to the piece.

This year (2013) marks the 72nd anniversary of C.S. Lewis giving his famous sermon “The Weight of Glory.” He preached it on June 8, 1941 at St. Mary the Virgin in Oxford. If I understand correctly this was only the second time he was in any pulpit. His debut sermon was actually at the same location on October 22, 1939. On that date the message was called “None Other Gods: Culture in War-Time,” but it’s known today as “Learning in War-Time.” That talk was enjoyed so much that when Ashely Sampson was

C.S. Lewis Essays Presented Visually

William OFlaherty CSL Minute

Back in May (2013) I told about three “visual” presentations of essays by C.S. Lewis created by a person desiring to make Lewis’s work easier to understand. They are videos freely available on YouTube. I felt it a good time to highlight this excellent work again because he recently added two more videos (see below for a list of all of them). Each are great pieces by Lewis that are often overlooked. As this month is the 50th anniversary of Lewis’s death it’s a good time to be reminded of these lesser known shorter writings. The person goes by “C.S. Lewis Doodle” on YouTube and the style of his presentation is ‘Art Deco’ that was popular in the 1920-40’s.

Faun: Foe or Friend? (CSLM-31)

William OFlaherty CSL Minute

When Lucy visits Narnia for the first time she meets someone who initially might be her enemy. Do you know who it is?

Lucy Pevensie is a very trusting little girl who finds her way into Narnia and meets Mr. Tumnus (in The Li, the Witch and the Wardrobe). Although he had orders to take any human to the White Witch, once he actually meets Lucy he realizes what a heartless thing it would be to turn her in.

When Traveling Space (CSLM-30)

William OFlaherty CSL Minute

If you every happen to travel into space I know someone you should take with you.

Fans of Lewis’ science fiction know the person to have along with you when are exploring the heavens is Dr. Elwin Ransom. As told in Out of the Silent Planet, Ransom in kidnapped and taken to Mars by others who have evil intentions, but he outwits them. Then in the second story in the series, Perelandra, he travels to Venus to help save that world from corruption.

Online Video – C. S. Lewis: Why He Matters Today *REVISED*

William OFlaherty CSL Minute

Why has Lewis’s legacy endured? There has been a lot of books written to help answer this very question and some were even just released this year.
While these are great resources, what do you do if you were wanting to introduce a friend to the life and writings of Lewis and they don’t have a lot of time to hear you out? Thanks to the Internet this isn’t a problem, as there are various websites that tell about Lewis. However, if you want something that will take less than 30 minutes then read on about a great video that is online.

Sailing with the “Dawn Treader” (CSLM-29)

William OFlaherty CSL Minute

A great adventure at sea awaits you aboard the “Dawn Treader!”

When Eustace gets his first exposure to Narnia he, Edmund and Lucy join King Caspian who has already set sail to find the missing seven lords. They encounter various islands along the way. The initial stop is one of the Lone Islands where the slave trade is still practiced.

Dragon Island is where Eustace discovers his true nature. Not much happens on Burnt Island, but Deathwater Island more than makes up for that!