Dr. Hal Poe returns to the show to talk about the third and final book in his biographical series, “The Completion of C.S. Lewis”.
S6E9: “The Completion of C.S. Lewis” (Download)
If you enjoy this episode, please subscribe on your preferred podcast platform, such as iTunes, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Audible, and many others…
For information about our schedule for Season 5, please see the our season roadmap, containing a list of all the episodes we plan to record together, as well as “After Hours” interviews with special guests.
Finally, if you’d like to support us and get fantastic gifts such as access to our Pints With Jack Slack channel and branded pint glasses, please join us on Patreon for as little as $2 a month.
Show Notes
Introduction
Drop-In
Quote-of-the-week
“Volume 3 goes from the end of WW2 to the end of Lewis’ Life; Lewis is famous; Lewis doesn’t like being famous; and he loves being famous; he’s still dealing with his problem of pride, and he knows it, and it’s a regular problem for him. He fears maybe he’s lost his gift for writing and this book didn’t do very well and it’s good for him that it didn’t do well because He need a little bit of humility.”
Dr. Hal Poe, Pints With Jack (S5E89)
Biographical Information
Harry Lee (Hal) Poe serves as “Charles Colson Professor of Faith and Culture” at Union University in Jackson, Tennessee.
Dr. Poe teaches, lectures, and writes about how the gospel answers the deep questions of every culture.
He has published over 300 articles and reviews, twenty-five chapters in edited volumes, and twenty books, including his latest book, The Completion of C. S. Lewis: From War to Joy.
Guest Biographical Information
Chit-Chat
- Previous Episodes
Discussion
1. “Book Titles”
Q. Let’s start with the titles: “Becoming C.S. Lewis”, “The Making of C.S. Lewis” and “The Completion of C.S. Lewis”. Can you discuss why you chose those specific words for each of the volumes?
Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Psalm 90:12
2. “Key Events and Struggles”
Q. This book goes through from after World War II until his death. What are some of the key events during this period and what were some of the characteristics of Lewis’ life at the time?
3. “Meditations”
Q. You mentioned that his meditations written during this time period show how God was preparing him for the next season of his life. What did you mean by that?
–
4. “Narnia”
Q. I made a note while going through the book on the Narnia Period. You had so many incredible insights on Narnia. First you mentioned high-level it’s about showing the Christian story is rational and reasonable, not meant to be apologetics. Would you please speak to that?
- Formative authors:
- Lewis’ alternative apologetics:
5. “A moment of forgiveness”
Q. I had to draw attention to one brief incident which you mention in your book which really touched me… In 1951, on the Feast of St. Mark, Lewis came to truly believe in God’s forgiveness and, as he came to embrace it, he experienced incredible accompanying joy. What can you tell us about that event?
6. “Confused by Joy”
Q. There are lots of different perspectives on Lewis’ wife, Joy. Biographer George Sayer called her possessive and jealous, saying it strained Jack’s relationship with Tolkien because he didn’t tell his friend about the marriage. What’s your perspective on Lewis’ wife?
–
7. “Lewisian Discoveries”
Q. What were some of the most incredible things you learned about Lewis and his theology while writing this book?
Wrap-Up
More Information
- Shelley and Sons books
- The Completion of C. S. Lewis: From War to Joy (Book)
- The Completion of C. S. Lewis: From War to Joy (Audiobook)
- Inklings Fellowship
- Montreat Retreat