C. S. Lewis believed that our dealings with others have eternal importance, emphasizing that we are always helping one another toward perfection or destruction. He wrote, "There are no ordinary people." Joel Heck, author of several books about C.S. Lewis and creator of the internet database "Chronologically C.S. Lewis," has tracked Lewis's life and thought in amazing detail. In NO ORDINARY PEOPLE, he explores 21 friendships divided into three categories: Side-by-Side Friends, Opponents, But Friends, Co-Workers and Fellow Pilgrims. In these fascinating vignettes, even the most seasoned scholar will discover a wealth of new information. Impeccably researched, and including over 50 photographs, this book has a unique place next to Lewis biographies.
"So much has already been written about Lewis, so many aspects of his life and work so thoroughly explored, that one might think that The Undiscovered Lewis would necessarily be a slim volume! Nothing could be further from the truth. These fascinating essays not only include many new discoveries and fresh insights into his life and work, but also map out a trajectory for future studies. In doing so they honor the insights of Chris Mitchell to whose memory they are dedicated, and who had himself, in a celebrated lecture, suggested the structure and topography followed in this volume. In that sense, though it is admirably edited by Bruce Johnson, it is in many respects Mitchell's book. And there is more. As Diana Glyer points out in her excellent essay on "The Algebra of Friendship," friends bring out and augment what is latent in one another. These eighteen essays by friends of Chris Mitchell are themselves a testament to how much his friendship and influence augmented their insights into Lewis. Now happily, the fruits of that fine combination of scholarship and friendship are available to augment our understanding too."Malcolm Guite, author of Faith, Hope and Poetry: Theology and the Poetic Imagination
It has been 15 years since Roderick McGillis edited For the Childlike, a landmark collection of essays about George MacDonald's writings. This latest collection of 14 essays sets a new standard that will influence MacDonald studies for many more years. George MacDonald experts are increasingly evaluating his entire corpus within the nineteenth century context. This volume provides further evidence that MacDonald will eventually emerge from the restrictive and somewhat misleading reputation of being C.S. Lewis' spiritual "master." MacDonald scholar, Stephen Prickett writes: "This is an important, exciting, and even challenging and controversial volume. It looks, as never before, at MacDonald's historical imagination, the influence of his native Scottish culture, the impact of English and German Romanticism, his reading of the Bible, his interest in Darwinism, and in the Victorian intellectual environment as a whole. Several contributors provocatively discuss recent adaptations, redactions, and presentations of MacDonald's work and thought. This collection of essays truly places MacDonald in context." Rolland Hein, author of George MacDonald: Victorian Mythmaker, writes: "Many astute critical judgments in this comprehensive collection represent the best of contemporary scholarship on George MacDonald."
Magdalen College, where C.S. Lewis taught in Oxford, was an appropriate site for the "Informing the Inklings" conference hosted by the George MacDonald Society. Participants explored how MacDonald and fellow literary figures such as S.T. Coleridge, Lewis Carroll, Charles Kingsley, and Andrew Lang paved the way for 20th century fantasists such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. The twelve essays collected in this book examine this rich lineage of mythmakers. Contributors include Stephen Prickett, Malcolm Guite, Trevor Hart, and Jean Webb as well as other Inklings experts. Like the authors they write about, these scholars believe imaginative fiction has the power to enrich and even change our lives.
George MacDonald's AT THE BACK OF THE NORTH WIND has enticed critics since its publication in 1871. The unique blend of fairy tale atmosphere and social realism in this novel laid the groundwork for modern fantasy literature. In the novel, Little Diamond, a kind and precocious boy living in poverty, is befriended by the mysterious North Wind, who takes him on her nightly adventures. Written in intensely poetic language, AT THE BACK OF THE NORTH WIND transcends the genres of children's book or fairy tale. BEHIND THE BACK OF THE NORTH WIND includes 16 essays on this enigmatic and richly layered fantasy novel - with perspectives ranging from the influence of MacDonald's Christian worldview or the relation between fantasy and reality, to grappling with AT THE BACK OF THE NORTH WIND as children's literature. A variety of artist's illustrations are included, from editions published be¬tween 1871 to 1988, visually reinforcing the imaginative impact MacDonald's classic story continues to have on readers. This collection of essays is designed as a companion volume to Broadview Press's critical edition of AT THE BACK OF THE NORTH WIND, also edited by Pennington and McGillis.
Crossing a Great Frontier collects twenty-one hard-to-find scholarly essays about Phantastes into one convenient volume. In his comprehensive introduction, editor John Pennington describes the essays as reflecting four main perspectives about Phantastes: as a religious work, a structurally coherent work, an insightful psychological work, and within its cultural/literary context. The book's title is derived from C.S. Lewis who wrote that after reading Phantastes, he knew he had "crossed a great frontier. Lewis's praise for MacDonald influenced more people to read MacDonald. His comments, however, diminished MacDonald's reputation as a skilled writer. Crossing a Great Frontier presents indisputable proof that Lewis underestimated the skill of his 19th century mentor. Readers will discover a multitude of insights into a book and author whose genius continues to be revealed. John Pennington, professor of English at St. Norbert College, specializes in Victorian fairy tales and is the editor of North Wind: The Journal of George MacDonald Studies.
C. S. Lewis: Views From Wake Forest is a collection of sixteen insightful essays that will delight both Inklings scholars and C. S. Lewis readers of all ages and opinions. Walter Hooper, for example, the man most responsible for preserving, publishing, and promoting Lewis' many works after Lewis' death in 1963, shares stories from his work with Lewis, Owen Barfield, Lady Collins, and other friends of Lewis in his essay 'Editing C. S. Lewis, ' an inspiring tale as well as a landmark event in Lewis scholarship. James Como, author of Why I Believe in Narnia and a Keynote Speaker at the international conference from which these essays were collected, reveals the neglected C. S. Lewis, the cultural critic and public philosopher whose insights and thinking give Lewis' more popular novels and apologetic works their weight and value. Fourteen more Lewis scholars explore Lewis' invaluable social criticism, his philosophical and theological insights, his Narnia books and Ransom Trilogy, as well as his medieval imagination and mythological artistry. For the serious student of C. S. Lewis as well as for anyone wanting to understand the Narnian novelist and Christian genius more profoundly, C. S. Lewis: Views From Wake Forest is a book that will open up new dimensions and ways of appreciating his multi-faceted brilliance
In Waking the Dead, author Dean Hardy offers a pioneering study of George MacDonald's theological and philosophical foundations as well as his methods as a Christian apologist. In doing so, this book presents MacDonald as a successful model for Christians today.
From May 31 to June 3, 2018, the 11th biennial Colloquium on C.S. Lewis & Friends convened at Taylor University to consider "The Faithful Imagination." This volume contains essays about the roots and shoots of authors who linked the imaginative life with faithfulness to truth.
Magdalen College, where C.S. Lewis taught in Oxford, was an appropriate site for the "Informing the Inklings" conference hosted by the George MacDonald Society. Participants explored how MacDonald and fellow literary figures such as S.T. Coleridge, Lewis Carroll, Charles Kingsley, and Andrew Lang paved the way for 20th century fantasists such as C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. The twelve essays collected in this book examine this rich lineage of mythmakers. Contributors include Stephen Prickett, Malcolm Guite, Trevor Hart, and Jean Webb as well as other Inklings experts. Like the authors they write about, these scholars believe imaginative fiction has the power to enrich and even change our lives.
The first full-length study of George MacDonald's major children's novels: At the Back of the North Wind, The Princess and the Goblin, and The Princess and Curdie. Includes 16 early illustrations of the books.
What made bestselling author C. S. Lewis such a great writer with so many admirers?" One answer to that question is Lewis' vast and deep reading across the entire canon of Western literature, from Homer and the Bible down to some of the most important works of the early twentieth century.Before one can become a great writer, one must be a great reader. What has made Oxford don, Cambridge professor and bestselling author C. S. Lewis such a great writer with so large a following?" One answer to that question which has yet to be fully explored is Lewis' vast and deep reading across the entire canon of Western literature, from Homer and the Bible down to some of the most important works of the early twentieth century. It seems self-evident that before one can become a great writer one must be a great reader. Most certainly, C. S. Lewis was a voracious consumer of books.In 1962, an interviewer asked Lewis: "What books did most to shape your vocational attitude and your philosophy of life?" In response, Lewis offered the following top ten list: 1. Phantastes by George MacDonald2. The Everlasting Man by G. K. Chesterton3. The Aeneid by Virgil4. The Temple by George Herbert5. The Prelude by William Wordsworth6. The Idea of the Holy by Rudolf Otto7. The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius8. The Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell 9. Decent into Hell by Charles Williams 10. Theism and Humanism by Arthur James Balfour Based on his books, marginal notes, and personal letters, Lewis' reading of books is thoroughly documented. In addition, Will Vaus offers a brief biography of each author with a helpful summary of their book. With this handy three-volume series, readers can discover new authors and learn what Lewis believed was most important in his won life and writings Do you like C. S. Lewis? Then it makes sense to read what he wrote. But if you really want to know Lewis and really understand what made him tick, don't neglect to read what he read. Will Vaus has done us all a great service in showing why these books are important and more: he makes them accessible to us all. Diana Pavlac Glyer, author of Bandersnatch and The Company They Keep: C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien as Writers in Community This third volume of Will Vaus's thorough examination of C.S. Lewis's top ten book list is a superb conclusion to his multi-volume study. Every serious student of Lewis's writing should read this book. Lyle W. Dorsett, PhD, Billy Graham Professor of Evangelism, Beeson Divinity School
Crossing a Great Frontier collects twenty-one hard-to-find scholarly essays about Phantastes into one convenient volume. In his comprehensive introduction, editor John Pennington describes the essays as reflecting four main perspectives about Phantastes: as a religious work, a structurally coherent work, an insightful psychological work, and within its cultural/literary context. The book's title is derived from C.S. Lewis who wrote that after reading Phantastes, he knew he had "crossed a great frontier. Lewis's praise for MacDonald influenced more people to read MacDonald. His comments, however, diminished MacDonald's reputation as a skilled writer.Crossing a Great Frontier presents indisputable proof that Lewis underestimated the skill of his 19th century mentor. Readers will discover a multitude of insights into a book and author whose genius continues to be revealed. "John Pennington demonstrates acute critical judgment in his selection of essays. His introduction serves to explain the various critical perspectives on MacDonald and his work, especially Phantastes. This is an indispensable book for any reader of MacDonald's fantasy, fascinating in its range and acuity of commentary." Roderick McGillis, Professor Emeritus of English, the University of Calgary, Co-editor of Phantastes by George MacDonald: Annotated Edition and Behind the Back of the North Wind: Critical Essays. "This collection of twenty-one of the best essays on Phantastes combines straightforward literary analysis with contextual, psychological, metaphysical, alchemical and scientific approaches to the elucidation of this moving and elusive work. These essays demonstrate how much the book stimulates readers, and how many suggestive riches it contains." Colin Manlove, Author of Scotland's Forgotten Treasure: The Visionary Novels of George MacDonald. John Pennington, professor of English at St. Norbert College, specializes in Victorian fairy tales and is the editor of North Wind: The Journal of George MacDonald Studies.
In June 2016, the 10th biennial Frances Ewbank Colloquium on C. S. Lewis and Friends convened at Taylor University with the special theme of "friendship." Many of the essays and creative pieces collected in this book explore the important relationships of Inklings-related authors, as well as the relationships between those authors and other, sometimes rather surprising, "friends." The year 2016 marked the 90th anniversary of the first meeting of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien - a creative friendship of epic proportions.
If you knew David Neuhouser well enough, you would recognize that behind and beneath the gentle, shy, soft-spoken demeanor of this self-diagnosed introvert was an adventurous, even fearless soul, who refused to be categorized or boxed in by the expectations of the world around him. As person after person who knew him testifies, he was a true gentleman, as well as being a gentle man. But he was also a man of courage and a certain feisty attitude; a person of integrity who unapologetically, if quietly, lived out his beliefs. Of course, one of those beliefs was that the writings of C. S. Lewis, George MacDonald, and other authors have great value for students, for the scholarly community, and for the wider world. In 1997, due to David's perseverance, the Brown Collection of books by and about C. S. Lewis and related authors came to Taylor University and the Lewis and Friends Colloquium began. A former colleague who worked with Dave in the early years of both the collection and the colloquia writes in his tribute: "David's dream was to make Taylor University a center for the study of Lewis, MacDonald, and the Inklings, and he showed a quiet determination to travel anywhere, cultivate scholars, network with collectors, gently cajole donors - whatever was necessary to bring his vision to fruition." Twenty years and ten colloquia later, as the work he started continues, we can only be thankful for his bright vision and his quiet determination. This book of selected writings reflects his scholarship in math and literature, as well as his musings on beauty and the imagination. The twenty-one tributes from friends and colleagues are just a small indication of the many lives he has influenced. The publication of this volume is meant to acknowledge David L. Neuhouser for his wide-ranging contributions to scholarship and to honor his life of friendship, encouragement, and genuine goodness.
"C. S. Lewis Goes to Hell by William O'Flaherty is precisely as advertised. Part encyclopedia, part plot summary, part analysis, and part discussion guide, this book is a valuable resource for both an individual reader and for a small group interested in exploring in more detail Lewis' satirical masterpiece." Don King, Professor of English Editor of The Collected Poems of C. S. Lewis: A Critical Edition "A good study guide is surprisingly difficult: it must combine accuracy with imagination; it must be generative without being speculative. O'Flaherty delivers. I am genuinely excited about this important resource." Diana Pavlac Glyer, Professor of English Author of Bandersnatch: C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and the Creative Collaboration of the Inklings "Presenting The Screwtape Letters as a theatrical stage adaptation has had the wonderful benefit of inspiring hundreds if not thousands of theatre-goers to read Lewis' classic novel. As a result we are often asked to suggest a study guide to help people wrestle more deeply with the themes and insights behind the brilliant, morally inverted universe that Lewis created. William O'Flaherty's thoughtful, copious and insightful volume is what I will be recommending to them. It's the best of its kind." Max McLean, Artistic Director of Fellowship for Performing Arts, New York, NY "O'Flaherty's companion to Screwtape is seriously worth any Lewis lover's time, both for its penetrating study questions and its excellence as a reference tool." Charlie W. Starr, Professor of English Author of Light: C. S. Lewis' First and Final Short Story "Once C. S. Lewis' best-known work, The Screwtape Letters today has been somewhat eclipsed by The Chronicles of Narnia. For those discovering Screwtape for the first time, William O'Flaherty provides clear summaries, useful background information, and helpful discussion questions. Anyone leading a small group study will find this to be a valuable tool." Devin Brown, Professor at Asbury University Author of A Life Observed: A Spiritual Biography of C. S. Lewis "A worthy resource that will be highly valued by scholars and fans of C. S. Lewis and his masterpiece, The Screwtape Letters. Congratulations and thanks to William O'Flaherty for his diligence and fine work!" Carolyn Curtis, author of Women and C. S. Lewis: What His Life and Literature Reveal for Today's Culture. C. S. Lewis Goes to Hell is a comprehensive exploration which delves deep into the psychology of Screwtape and his agenda. Fans of Lewis will relish the wisdom offered here and nurture a renewed appreciation for The Screwtape Letters." Crystal Hurd Author of Thirty Days with C. S. Lewis: A Women's Devotional. William O'Flaherty works as a Family Counselor in Pennsylvania. He also created the website EssentialCSLewis.com and hosts the "All About Jack" podcast to help advance the study of C.S. Lewis and related authors.
The "Great War" was a prolonged debate between Lewis and Barfield, fraught with subtle metaphysical and philosophical distinctions. Even Lewis scholars find the arguments and their implications difficult to grasp. Author Stephen Thorson began writing this book over 30 years ago and published parts of it in articles during Barfield's lifetime. Barfield wrote to Thorson in 1983 saying, "...you have surveyed the divergence between Lewis and myself very fairly, and truly in depth..." This book looks at the role of Lewis's recurrent experiences of Joy and Poetic Imagination in his philosophy, examining how his view of being and imagination changed drastically after his conversion. The thought of Lewis's life-long friend, Owen Barfield, whose conversion to Rudolf Steiner's esoteric Anthroposophy stimulated a dispute between the two men that was crucial for Lewis's conversion to Christianity, is also examined. "I can truthfully say that I have no comment to offer other than praise, both for the meticulousness of the research underlying it [Thorson's article on the "Great War" published in 1998]. It is hardly necessary to add that I enjoyed reading it." - Owen Barfield "No one was closer to C. S. Lewis, as both friend and intellectual sparring partner, than Owen Barfield; and no one was closer to Barfield in that respect than Lewis. Joy and Poetic Imagination is a long-overdue leap forward in our understanding of a key feature of each man's life and work." - Arend Smilde, co-editor of The "Great War" of Owen Barfield and C.S. Lewis: Philosophical Writings 1927-1930) "Stephen Thorson's writings are like a door to a proper understanding of the philosophical thinking of C. S. Lewis and Owen Barfield ... highly recommended to anyone who is interested in the philosophy of Lewis and Barfield." -- Norbert Feinendegen, co-editor of The "Great War" of Owen Barfield and C.S. Lewis: Philosophical Writings 1927-1930) About the author: Dr. Thorson is a pediatrician with an MA in Theological Studies, and has worked in Nepal for thirty-two years. He contributed most of the topical articles for the award-winning Applied New Testament Commentary and The Applied Old Testament Commentary, and has regularly published articles on Lewis and Barfield.
What made bestselling author C. S. Lewis such a great writer with so many admirers? One answer to that question is Lewis' vast reading across the entire canon of Western literature, from Homer and the Bible to some lesser-known works of the early twentieth century. Before one can become a great writer, one must be a great reader. In 1962, an interviewer asked Lewis: "What books did most to shape your vocational attitude and your philosophy of life?" In response, Lewis offered the following top ten list: 1. Phantastes by George MacDonald 2. The Everlasting Man by G. K. Chesterton 3. The Aeneid by Virgil 4. The Temple by George Herbert 5. The Prelude by William Wordsworth 6. The Idea of the Holy by Rudolf Otto 7. The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius 8. Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell 9. Descent into Hell by Charles Williams 10. Theism and Humanism by A.J. Balfour Based on his books, marginal notes, and personal letters, Lewis' reading of these books is thoroughly documented. In addition, Will Vaus offers a brief biography of each author with a helpful summary of their book. Lewis' Top Ten goes to the sources of the ideas and ideals reflected in Lewis' own books. With this handy three-volume series, readers can discover new authors and learn what Lewis believed was most important in his own life and writings. Will Vaus has done us a great service in this clear and comprehensive survey. This book is not just for C.S. Lewis enthusiasts but for anyone who would like to broaden and deepen their reading. Malcolm Guite, Chaplain, Girton College, Cambridge Author of Sounding the Seasons: Seventy SonnetsA penetrating study ... readers will find their appreciation of Lewis deepened and advanced by Vaus' insights and commentary. Don King, Professor of English at Montreat College Author of The Collected Poems of C.S. Lewis: A Critical Edition Will Vaus is a popular speaker on C.S. Lewis and the author of many books, including Speaking of Jack: A C.S. Lewis Discussion Guide and The Hidden Story of Narnia: A Book-by-Book Guide to C.S. Lewis' Spiritual Themes.
Imagine having the brilliant journalist and prolific Christian author G.K. Chesterton as your daily jogging partner. This is precisely what Robert Moore-Jumonville did for over twelve years - he read LOTS of Chesterton's books and, during his daily jogging routine, reflected on them. The resulting essays appeared in Gilbert magazine, the monthly publication of the American G.K. Chesterton Society. JOGGING WITH G.K. CHESTERTON is a showcase for the merry mind of Chesterton. But Chesterton's lighthearted wit always runs side-by-side with his weighty wisdom. These 65 "earthshaking expeditions" will keep you smiling and thinking from start to finish. You'll be entertained, challenged, and spiritually uplifted as you take time to breathe the crisp morning air and contemplate the wonders of the world. "This is a delightfully improbable book in which Chesterton puts us through our spiritual and intellectual exercises with mind-jogging and body-jiggling brilliance. It will leave you breathless with the exhilaration and exhaustion of the Chestertonian chase." Joseph Pearce Author of Wisdom and Innocence: A Life of G.K. Chesterton "G.K. Chesterton is one of the giants of the Christian intellectual tradition. If you want to learn about him, or learn more than you now know, I heartily recommend JOGGING WITH G.K. CHESTERTON. It will delight, entertain, instruct and challenge you." Richard J. Foster Author Celebration of Discipline and Sanctuary of the Soul Robert Moore-Jumonville is Professor of Christian Spirituality at Spring Arbor University in Michigan and the pastor of Pope United Methodist Church. He is the author of Hermeneutics of Historical Distance and co-authored (with Thom Slatterlee) two books of selected readings from G.K. Chesterton.
With vampires, fairies, angels, romance, steampunk, and modern New York all in one series, Cassandra Clare is exploding onto the scene. This book explores the deeper world of the Shadowhunters: - Parabatai, Nephilim, blessings, and runes - Lucifer, Ithuriel, Lilith, Agramon, and other angels and demons - Ancient legends of werewolves, vampires, and fairyfolk - Clare's clever Easter eggs from pop culture and literature - The classic heroine's journey - Muslim angels, Hindu prayers, the Jewish Book of Raziel, and the Christian Grail There's something for everyone, as this book reveals unseen lore within the bestselling series. Valerie Estelle Frankel is the author of two books on the heroine's journey, along with books on the Harry Potter series and The Hunger Games. Valerie lives (and writes!) in Sunnyvale, California.
Something really 'higher' is occasionally glimpsed in mythology: Divinity, the right to power, the due of worship; in fact 'religion.'" Inspired by these and other words of J. R. R. Tolkien and his great contemporary, C.S.Lewis, IMITATING THE SAINTS explores our greatest modern mythology-superheroes-from a rigorously philosophical, Christian perspective. Moving effortlessly through the pantheons of the DC and Marvel universes, this book has chapters on the major superheroes-from Superman to Spider-Man-and explores these mythical figures in ways that highlight their deep, lasting, and ever-growing appeal. "Drawing on both classical philosophy and biblical traditions, Barkman shows how stories about superheroes provide us mere mortals with models to emulate, warnings to heed, and arguments worth examining, offering not only counsel regarding right conduct and living well, but also supplying guidance in our ascent toward an understanding of the divine. Astonishing!Incredible! Amazing!" Travis D. Smith, Associate Professor of Political Science, Concordia University "Barkman wakes for us the deep religious rhythms long dormant in our icons, comics, and superheroes. In a time of supposed secularity, of crisis, and of emergency, this book brings us face to face with the sacred saints of society. It denies that sacred myth has ever been absent in western culture, and begs our saints for resurrection and inspiration again." Robert Joustra, Senior Editor Comment magazine "Once you're finished with this book, like Robin, you'll be saying, 'Holy Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Batman! What a great read!'" Rob Arp, author of What's Good on TV: Understanding Ethics through Television Adam Barkman is Associate Professor of Philosophy at Redeemer University College, and the author and editor of half a dozen books, most recently The Culture and Philosophy of Ridley Scott.
Katniss is the heroine who's changed the world. Like Harry Potter, she's gotten kids and teens reading. And like Harry, she explodes across genres: She is a dystopian heroine, a warrior woman, a reality TV star, a rebellious adolescent. She's surrounded by the figures of Roman history, from Caesar and Cato to Cinna and Coriolanus Snow. She's also traveling the classic heroine's journey. As a child soldier, she faces trauma; as a growing teen, she battles through love triangles and the struggle to be good in a harsh world. This book explores all this and more, while taking a look at the series' symbolism, from food to storytelling, to show how Katniss becomes the greatest power of Panem, the girl on fire. For all the essays and book reports kids write on The Hunger Games, for all the curious fans who want to know who "Cinna" and "Plutarch" were historically, for all the kids confused about the trilogy's ending, for all the fascinated teachers and scholars, this book will be an invaluable resource. Valerie Estelle Frankel is the author of two books on the heroine's journey, along with books on the Harry Potter series. Her book exploring the popular series of books, The Mortal Instruments, is being published soon by Zossima Press (Myths and Motifs in The Instruments). Valerie lives (and writes!) in Sunnyvale, California.
George MacDonald was a many-faceted nineteenth-century writer-an ordained minister without a church, a popular lecturer, college professor, and most famously, the author nearly 50 books. From sermons to poetry, scholarly essays to novels, and fantasy romances to fairy stories, his writing often combines the flavor of the fantastic with a scent of the spiritual-all the while evincing wisdom based in reality. Rolland Hein, eminent MacDonald scholar, biographer, and editor of this anthology, aptly quotes from MacDonald's novel The Marquis of Lossie, "Life and religion are one, or neither is anything...." The selections from Through the Year with George MacDonald are proof of the unity of MacDonald's vision. They are also proof of the decades Dr. Hein has spent immersed in the writings of this remarkable author, compiling a devotional book that readers will return to many times over for inspiration. Many who are aware of C.S. Lewis's indebtedness to George MacDonald and, as a consequence, have desired to know this Scottish author better, will find this anthology to be the perfect way into his writings. Rolland Hein is a wise and accomplished guide to MacDonald, presenting readers with selections that speak engagingly of deep spiritual truths such as kindness, trust, obedience, holiness-and chief among these always, the unending love of God the Father for each one of His children. Indeed, in this volume you will encounter, as MacDonald compellingly demonstrates, 'life essential.' Marjorie Lamp Mead, Associate Director The Marion E. Wade Center, Wheaton College C.S. Lewis said of George MacDonald, "I know hardly any other writer who seems... closer... to the Spirit of Christ Himself." In this devotional book, renowned scholar Rolland Hein presents gems from the rich array of MacDonald's writings-a rare treasure for all who wish to walk beside one who practiced the presence of God. Monika B. Hilder, Associate Professor of English, Trinity Western University, author of The Feminine Ethos in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia Rolland Hein is professor emeritus at Wheaton College and the author of several books about George MacDonald.
SHADOWS AND CHIVALRY studies the influence of George MacDonald, a nineteenth-century Scottish novelist and fantasy writer, upon one of the most influential writers of modern times, C. S. Lewis - the creator of Narnia, literary critic, and best-selling apologist. While other books, quoting Lewis himself, have only mentioned the fact that Lewis called MacDonald his "master," and that MacDonald's Phantastes helped "baptize" Lewis's imagination, this study attempts to trace the overall effect of MacDonald's work on Lewis's thought and imagination. Without ever ceasing to be a story of one man's influence upon another, the study also serves as an exploration of each writer's thought on, and literary visions of, good and evil. Lastly, using the metaphor of chivalry, McInnis looks at what Lewis and MacDonald believed to be greater than either suffering or hell: the severe and tender Love who longs to save. "By far the most penetrating and exhaustive study that I have seen of the origin in George MacDonald's writings of so many of C. S. Lewis's ideas. Jeff McInnis's sensitive and highly informed judgments greatly enrich our understanding of their imaginative and devotional achievement. A genuinely enriching read for any earnest Christian mind." Rolland Hein, Professor Emeritus, Wheaton College Author of Through the Year with George MacDonald "Jeff McInnis has written a book that henceforth will be indispensable to all students of C. S. Lewis who seek to understand the oft-mentioned but till now not fully fathomed debt of his literary and theological imagination to George MacDonald. His well conceived study has the further benefit of doing considerable justice to the angular graces of MacDonald's anti-Calvinistic under¬standing of redemption. McInnis's chapter on "The Chivalry of God" finds an indispensable key to this great, but out-of-time conversation between two lay theologians of enduring interest and literary power." David Lyle Jeffrey, Distinguished Professor of Literature and the Humanities, Baylor University Author of Christianity and Literature: Philosophical Foundations and Critical Practice Jeff McInnis (PhD, University of St. Andrews) is Professor of English at Panola College in Carthage, Texas.
What made bestselling author C. S. Lewis such a great writer with so many admirers? One answer to that question is Lewis' vast reading across the entire canon of Western literature, from Homer and the Bible to some lesser-known works of the early twentieth century. Before one can become a great writer, one must be a great reader. In 1962, an interviewer asked Lewis: "What books did most to shape your vocational attitude and your philosophy of life?" In response, Lewis offered the following top ten list: 1. Phantastes by George MacDonald 2. The Everlasting Man by G. K. Chesterton 3. The Aeneid by Virgil 4. The Temple by George Herbert 5. The Prelude by William Wordsworth 6. The Idea of the Holy by Rudolf Otto 7. The Consolation of Philosophy by Boethius 8. Life of Samuel Johnson by James Boswell 9. Descent into Hell by Charles Williams 10. Theism and Humanism by A.J. Balfour Based on his books, marginal notes, and personal letters, Lewis' reading of these books is thoroughly documented. Volume One of this series covers the first three books on his list. Will Vaus offers a brief biography of each author with a helpful summary of their book. Lewis' Top Ten goes to the sources of the ideas and ideals reflected in Lewis' own books. With this handy three-volume series, readers can discover new authors and learn what Lewis believed was most important in his own life and writings. "A great help in understanding C.S. Lewis is to understand the books that were most influential in shaping his thought. Will Vaus has undertaken the task of examining those books which Lewis himself said were the top ten. His work is thorough, comprehensive, and illuminating." Rolland Hein, Emeritus Professor of English, Wheaton College Author of George MacDonald: Victorian Mythmaker "Many studies of C.S. Lewis are being published and this book will certainly be among those of real importance to readers of Lewis." Aidan Mackey Senior fellow of the G.K. Chesterton Institute and Library in Oxford Will Vaus is a popular speaker on C.S. Lewis and the author of many books, including Speaking of Jack: A C.S. Lewis Discussion Guide and The Hidden Story of Narnia: A Book-by-Book Guide to C.S. Lewis' Spiritual Themes.
Philosophers and psychologists have explored the Harry Potter stories through the lenses of their disciplines, now it's time for sociologists. In the twenty-two chapters of The Sociology of Harry Potter, social scientists from eight countries cast their imaginations on the wizarding world. From standard topics such as inequality and identity to more contemporary topics such as technology and trauma memory, this essay collection analyzes, not J. K. Rowling's books as fiction, but her wizarding world as a "real" society. The Hogwarts house system, Quidditch, internet fan fiction and the lives of our favorite witches and wizards are explored in reference to sociological theories and concepts. Fans of these bestselling books will gain insights into the world of Harry Potter as well as sociology. Sociologists and their students will be intrigued to see everyday tools of the trade working magic in another universe. "Even after so much scholarship on Harry Potter, this collection offers something delightfully new, plunging us into the inner workings of the wizarding world as if we're truly a part of it. By letting the experts loose, The Sociology of Harry Potter reveals the cause of Snape's antagonism, Voldemort's secret sexual shame, the reason our world needs Death Eaters, the true power of pets, and so much more. A brilliant anthology not to be missed!" Valerie Estelle Frankel editor of Teaching with Harry Potter and Harry Potter, Still Recruiting
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