Logos: The C.S. Lewis Society Update (November 2008)

    In This Issue:
    1. Atheism vs. Christianity Debates: Richard Dawkins vs. John Lennox
    2. C.S. Lewis and Government Power
    3. Fall Stage Productions of C.S. Lewis Books
    4. Upcoming C.S. Lewis Society Events
    5. Other Events

1. Atheism vs. Christianity Debates:

Two major debates have now been held between Oxford University scholars, atheist Richard Dawkins and Christian John Lennox. The first, "The God Delusion," was held October 3, 2007, at the University of Alabama and can be viewed here.

The second debate, "Has Science Buried God?", has just been held at Oxford’s Natural History Museum on October 21, 2008, and here is an excellent article by Melanie Phillips in The Spectator that discusses the results. As Ms. Phillips discusses, in the first debate, "Dawkins was badly caught off-balance by Lennox’s argument precisely because, possibly for the first time, he was being challenged on his own chosen scientific ground."

In the second debate, Dawkins is again seriously uprooted. He remarkably admits that "A serious case could be made for a deistic God," agreeing with the former atheist Anthony Flew, author of There Is a God: How the World's Most Notorious Atheist Changed His Mind. In addition, Phillips notes that in keeping with Dawkins's claim in the recent film, Expelled, "Even more jaw-droppingly, Dawkins told me that, rather than believing in God, he was more receptive to the theory that life on earth had indeed been created by a governing intelligence—but one which had resided on another planet. Leave aside the question of where that extra-terrestrial intelligence had itself come from, is it not remarkable that the arch-apostle of reason finds the concept of God more unlikely as an explanation of the universe than the existence and plenipotentiary power of extra-terrestrial little green men?"

2. C.S. Lewis and Government Power:

With the imminent elections in the U.S., a deepening recession, the recent $700 billion Wall Street bailout, and the confusion about the proper role of government in society, the following articles by C.S. Lewis are timely:

In addition, the following are noteworthy:

The following books by Lewis are also highly recommended:

And, the following is a sampling of notable books regarding public issues and government power:

3. Fall Stage Productions Based on C.S. Lewis Books:

  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: The Chattahoochee Shakespeare Company in Columbus, Ohio, will present a stage version of the first book in C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia book series. The program will be held in the Liberty Theatre, 813 8th Avenue, at 7 p.m. on December 13th. According to the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, "Dennis R. Elkins, who is a professor of performing arts at the Savannah College of Art and Design, has adapted Lewis’s book into a one-man play. He will also star as Professor Kirke." Tickets are $15; $12 for students, seniors and military. Call Heard at 702-423-6366 or visit here.
  • “C.S. Lewis on the Stage”: Actor Tom Key will bring the one-man show "C.S. Lewis on Stage" to Alamance County audiences for the first time at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 24, in Calvin Hall, First Presbyterian Church, 508 W. Davis St., Burlington, N.C. Tickets are $10. As reported in the Burlington Times, "Actor Tom Key describes legendary author C.S. Lewis as "one of the top 10 writers who have influenced my life.' . . . Key is currently producing artistic director of Theatrical Outfit, a professional theater company in Atlanta."
  • The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: With a production especially designed for children and with all parts played by the actors Maria Maloney and Nathan Whitmer, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe will be presented onstage October 4th and 11th at the Roxy Regional Theatre, 100 Franklin Street in Clarksville, Tenn. Tickets are $15 adults, $10 ages 13 and younger. Call 931-645-7699 or go online.
  • The Screwtape Letters: The Fellowship for the Performing Arts will present the Chicago stage premiere of the acclaimed hit drama, The Screwtape Letters, at the The Mercury Theater, 3745 N. Southport Avenue. Based on C.S. Lewis's bestselling book The Screwtape Letters, this production is adapted for the stage by Jeffrey Fiske and Max McLean. The production, which recently had sold-out and standing-room only runs in New York and Washington, D.C., riuns through November 23rd for a limited engagement. The Screwtape Letters offers a funny and provocative look into C.S. Lewis’s brilliant novel that explores the theme of spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view. The production stars Max McLean as Screwtape and Karen Eleanor Wight as Toadpipe. Tickets range in price from $29.00 to $48.50. Tickets are available by calling The Mercury Theater Box Office at 773-325-1700 or TicketMaster at 312-902-1500 or go online. Discounted tickets for students and groups of 10 or more are also available.
  • Shadowlands and The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe: The Tony Award-winning theaters The Guthrie and The Children's Theatre Company in Minneapolis, Minn., will be presenting a special Christmas offering at a 35% discount when purchasing tickets for both productions. The Guthrie is located at 818 South 2nd Street, in downtown Minneapolis. To purchase tickets or season subscriptions call the Guthrie Box Office between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m. daily at 612-377-2224 or toll-free 877-44-STAGE. For more information, or to purchase tickets online.
  • The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe: The Chesham Methodist Players of Chesham, England, will present a stage production directed by Jason Hollier. Tickets, priced £5 and £3, are available on the day of the shows. It is curtain up from Thursday, October 30, until Saturday, November 1. Production times are 7 p.m. at the church on Bellingdon Road. There is a matinee on November 1 at 2.30 p.m. Box office phone: 01494 786387.

4. Upcoming C.S. Lewis Society Events:

A. C.S. Lewis Society Bay Area Book and Film Club (See year-long schedule here)
Meets bi-weekly Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m.
The upcoming meeting will be held at:

11990 Skyline Boulevard, Oakland, CA 94619 (atop the Oakland hills)
RSVP: 510-482-2906 phone; info@lewissociety.org
Wine, beer, soft drinks and other refreshments served

    November 12: Discussion:
    Christian Reflections, by C.S. Lewis
    Leader/moderator: Thomas Prince

      Christian Reflections includes fourteen of Lewis's greatest theological articles on subjects such as Christianity and literature, Christianity and culture, moral relativism, futility, church music, modern theology and biblical criticism, the Psalms, and petitionary prayer. Common to all of these varied essays are Lewis's uniquely effective style and his tireless concern to relate basic—or "mere"—Christianity to all areas of life.

      "An excellent introduction to the thought and personality of this engaging Christian writer."
      —Christianity Today

      "One would be challenged to find better companionship that that of C.S. Lewis in exploring the relationship of Christianity and culture from a Christian perspective. . . . Few people will be able to read this book without having to acknowledge that their spiritual and intellectual lives have been enriched."
      —Christian Home and School

      "Christian Reflections is in the style of a truly great scholar with a deep love and understanding of the classics, an extraordinary narrative power and clarity, and a precision in logic that goes to the heart of the matter under discussion. . . . This book is a veritable jewel."
      —The Living Church

      “This volume will be of special interest to people whose philosophy runs to futility, determinism and atheism.”
      —The Chicago Tribune

      Christian Reflections is available in paperback. Or online.

B. "The God I Don't Understand" Open Forum with Christopher J.H. Wright
Sponsored by City Church of San Francisco
Co-sponsored by C.S. Lewis Society of California

Featuring:

    Rev. Dr. Christopher J.H. Wright, International Director, Langham Partnership International; author of numerous books including the new The God I Don't Understand: Reflections on Tough Questions of Faith.

    Host: Rev. Scot Sherman, Teaching Pastor, City Church of San Francisco

When:

    Wednesday, November 5, 2008
    Program: 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Where:

    Russian Cultural Center
    2460 Sutter Street (Divisidero/Broderick)
    San Francisco, CA (free parking at the UCSF parking garage)

Reservations:

    Free

C. "What's So Great About Christianity," with Dinesh D'Souza
Sponsored by Grace Cathedral of San Francisco
Co-sponsored by C.S. Lewis Society of California

Featuring:

    Dinesh D'Souza, author of the bestselling book What's So Great About Christianity

    Host: Very Rev. Alan W. Jones, Dean, Grace Cathedral

When:

    Sunday, December 7, 2008
    Programs: 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Where:

    Grace Cathedral
    1100 California Street
    San Francisco, CA 94108
    (415) 749-6355

Reservations:

    Free

5. Other Events:

A. "Redeeming the Time: Overcoming 'Screwtape' in our Everyday Lives," C.S. Lewis Southwest Regional Retreat
Sponsored by the C.S. Lewis Foundation

Featuring:

    Ralph C. Wood, University Professor of Literature and Theology, Baylor University
    Michael Wyckoff, Rector, St. Lukes on the Lake Episcopal Church
    Louis A. Markos, Professor of English, Houston Baptist University
    George L. Musacchio, Professor Emeritus of English, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
    Andrew Lazo, Jacob K. Javits Fellow in the Humanities
    Ad Deum Dance Company
    Michael Kelly Blanchard, singer/songwriter

When:

    Sunday, October 31 - November 2, 2008
    Program: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.

Where:

    Camp Allen Retreat and Conference Center
    Navasota, Texas

Reservations:

    Phone: 866-334-2267
    Register online

B. "Lewis and the Cosmos," The Northern Michigan C.S. Lewis Festival
Sponsored by C. S. Lewis Festival, Inc.

Featuring:

    Owen Gingerich, Professor Emeritus of Astronomy, Harvard University
    Christopher Mitchell, Director of Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College
    Wayne Martindale, Professor of English, Wheaton College
    Michael Ward, author, Planet Narnia

When:

    November 8, 2008
    9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Where:

    North Central Michigan College Library Conference Center
    1515 Howard Street
    Petoskey, MI 49770

Registration:

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