Today we begin Ecumenism Month, speaking to Lewis fans from diverse religious traditions. We begin by speaking to an Eastern Orthodox Christian, Dr. Edith M. Humphrey.
Show Notes
Introduction
Quote-of-the-week
“What pleased me most about a Greek Orthodox mass I once attended was that there seemed to be no prescribed behaviour for the congregation. Some stood, some knelt, some sat, some walked; one crawled about the floor like a caterpillar. And the beauty of it was that nobody took the slightest notice of what anyone else was doing. I wish we Anglicans would follow their example.”
C.S. Lewis, Letters To Malcolm (Letter #2)
Biographical Information
Edith M. Humphrey is the William F. Orr Professor Emerita of New Testament at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Prior to emigrating, she taught at several colleges and universities in Canada, and was professor of Scripture at Augustine College, Ottawa, Canada.
She is the author of numerous articles on the literary and rhetorical study of the Bible, she has also written seven books, on subjects as varied as ancient apocalypses and Trinitarian spirituality.
In her popular writing she has addressed the Jesus Seminar, the Trinity, sexuality and the human person, the authority of Scripture within the Great Tradition, and Christian spirituality. She is also a contributor to Ancient Faith Ministries. Last year she also published a children’s book, called Beyond the White Fence (Sept. 2021).
An active member of the Orthodox Church, she retains strong ties with friends in various denominations, and is well known as a popular speaker at church retreats, ecumenical conferences, and seminary events. She enjoys singing in two choirs, plays oboe in a symphonic band and practices piano concerti with a friend. She and her husband Chris, who is an artist, have three married daughters, and have 20 grandchildren…and she’s here today to talk to us about C.S. Lewis from an Eastern Orthodox perspective, which she discusses in her 2018 book, Further Up and Further In: Orthodox Conversations with C.S. Lewis on Scripture & Theology.
Biographical details of Dr. Edith M. Humphrey
Chit-Chat
Beverage and Toast
- David
- Black tea with oat milk (because of the Great Fast/Lent)
- Dr. Humphrey
- Coffee in a mug from her Ulster Irish grandmother.
Discussion
1. “Background”
Q. Please tell us a little bit about yourself and your faith journey?
2. “Encountering Lewis”
Q. When did you first encounter C.S. Lewis and what role has he played in your formation?
Q. Do you have a favourites among his works?
3. “What is Eastern Orthodoxy?”
Q. We have listeners from across the denominational spectrum. For those who haven’t come across Eastern Orthodoxy before, would you mind giving an outline of it, together with any particular distinctives?
4. “Lewis’ privileged place?”
Q. In my experience, the Orthodox tend to be a little suspicious of non-Orthodox writers, but I keep encountering Orthodox Christians and clergy who LOVE Lewis. Would you say that’s generally true within Orthodoxy and, if so, why is it that Lewis seems to have this privileged status?
5. “Further Up and Further In”
Q. You wrote Further Up and Further In: Orthodox Conversations with C.S. Lewis on Scripture & Theology. What motivated you to write such a book?
6. “Compatibilities and Incompatibilities”
Q. I’d like to use the remaining time we have together to talk through the major areas of your book, looking at areas where Lewis’ articulation of the faith reflects the Orthodox perspective, as well as some areas where he might be deemed incompatible. So, could you please talk us through your book?
