C.S. Lewis: Christology and Cosmology

By: Michael Ward

Narrated by: Michael Ward

Length: 4 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

Peek into the mesmerizing imagination of C. S. Lewis with the world's leading authority on the beloved author.

With more than 100 million copies printed in 47 languages, The Chronicles of Narnia is one of the best-selling book series ever. Its enduring success is no accident, but rather the result of C.S. Lewis's extraordinary imaginative skill.

Few understand the full cosmological and theological depths of Lewis's world. In Christology, Cosmology, and C. S. Lewis, you will discover new dimensions that will enrich your enjoyment of these classic tales. Your presenter is Oxford University's Dr. Michael Ward, an award-winning author whom The Times called "the foremost living Lewis scholar." Dr. Ward's 12 lectures reveal the secret of The Chronicles: a creative plan that is breathtaking in its ingenuity, humility, and spiritual profundity.

A literary scholar who worked at Oxford and Cambridge, Lewis loved medieval literature that "at first looks planless, though all is planned." In Narnia, he imitates this example, structuring the series to embody the seven planets of the medieval cosmos. Believing in the importance of hiddenness in literature and theology, Lewis kept secret his imaginative blueprint. Once you unearth the mystery of Narnia, you will find new treasures buried in these magical tales.

Looking at Lewis's works with a fresh perspective, you will find their Christian wisdom and brilliant storytelling more intriguing than ever before. Let the creative genius of C. S. Lewis inspire you today.

©2017 Now You Know Media Inc. (P)2017 Now You Know Media Inc.

Critic reviews

"Michael Ward is that rare thing, a meticulous scholar with the gifts of a brilliant communicator. Nobody has done more in recent years to transform our understanding of C. S. Lewis." (Dan Hitchens, Deputy Editor, Catholic Herald)

"Michael Ward is one of the top C. S. Lewis scholars worldwide. His knowledge of Lewis's life and work is exceptional, as is his ability to explain Lewis to students of all ages. His humor makes him a truly enjoyable guide on the journey 'further up and further in' to the thought and imagination of C. S. Lewis." (Cole Matson, PhD, Programming Associate, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Center for Thought & Culture)

Great e

I love all things Lewis so this was a wonderful book. I recommend it to all that love the Narnia books.

Phenomenal review of Lewis’s Narnia and trilogy

I highly recommend this series of lectures by Dr. Ward. He presents compelling evidence that some might argue should have been obvious to avoid Lewis reader, but which have escaped the public conversation about The Chronicles of Narnia. The enlightenment he offers here will change your reading of the books in a welcomed way. You won’t regret listening.

Concise and Comprehensible Lectures by Dr Ward

The advantage of *this book* (C.S. Lewis: Christology and Cosmology) over the excellent Planet Narnia, also by Dr Michael Ward, is that here Dr Ward delivers the series of twelve lectures (each about 20-22 minutes in length) in his own inimitable and delightful voice _and_ he provides a condensed version of his extensive and well-footnoted thesis detailed in Planet Narnia. Many people who would be interested in the subject matter of Planet Narnia but have perhaps been daunted by its scholarship will find his core argument presented in C.S. Lewis: Christology and Cosmology very accessible and in a concise manner.

A fantastic summary of Planet Narnia

If you have heard of Planet Narnia, but find it difficult, this is the way to go.

Great insight into Lewis' Narnia

This audio book is a great insight into C.S. Leeis' Chronicles of Narnia. I highly recommend this author, Dr. Ward.

Brilliant Assessment of the Narnia Series

Where does Christology, Cosmology, and C. S. Lewis rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

I heard Dr. Ward lecture on Lewis' cosmology and the Narnia series at a C.S. Lewis seminar in Oxford in 2013. I was mesmerized both by his extensive knowledge of the Lewis corpus and his obvious love for the Narnian stories. This short course is an overview of Lewis' theory that each book in the series follows the "values" of a planet in the Medieval pre-Copernican cosmology. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is based on Jupiter, Prince Caspian is based on Mars, etc. The famously secretive Lewis never expressed that this was his strategy in writing the books. However, Ward, in his doctoral studies, gleaned this in a flash of insight. He published his theory in his outstanding books, Planet Narnia and The Narnia Code. His theory has gained nearly universal acclaim. Lewis spells out this Medieval cosmology in several of his works including his more popular book, The Discarded Image and in his academic work English Literature in the 16th century. Ward is a fantastic lecturer, and each chapter is packed with fresh insights. Anyone who loves The Chronicles of Narnia will love this audio course. And any parent or grandparent who reads the Chronicles of Narnia to his children will glean new understandings even in the simple out-loud reading of Lewis' books.You'll love this course!

What other book might you compare Christology, Cosmology, and C. S. Lewis to and why?

The Narnia Code and Planet Narnia, also by Michael Ward, PhD

What does Dr. Michael Ward PhD bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

A voice that is easy to listen to.

Into the mind of Lewis

Dr. Ward does a good job considering the mind of C. S. Lewis as the Lewis novels are written. Dr. Ward guesses at the symbolism Lewis uses. And, for the Narnia series, he shows a relationship between the solar system mythology and Lewis' stories. This book could also be used as a primer in Greek mythology.