Wednesday, December 4, 2024
1:00 –5:40 PM

Join us for a thought-provoking afternoon of exploration into the life, work, and legacy of C.S. Lewis. Scholars and enthusiasts will engage in discussions on Lewis’s imaginative storytelling, spiritual insights, and his ability to bridge the gap between fantasy and faith. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to his work, we hope you will join us to hear fresh perspectives on one of the 20th century’s most influential writers.

 

Call For Papers

We welcome paper proposals for “Faith, Fantasy, and Philosophy: An Afternoon of C.S. Lewis,” to be held at McMaster Divinity College on December 4, 2024. Please submit your proposal including name, title, and abstract (100-150 words) on any topic related to Lewis and his circle by November 1, 2024. Presenters will be notified shortly after the deadline. Select papers may qualify for publication through the MDC Press.

Our call for papers has now closed. Thank you to everyone who submitted paper proposals.

 

Plenary Speakers

Dr. Adam Barkman

Adam Barkman (PhD, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam) is Professor of Philosophy at Redeemer University and the series editor for Lexington Books’ Critical Companion to Contemporary Directors. Barkman is internationally-recognized for his work on the philosophy of C. S. Lewis, world religions and philosophies, and aesthetics (the philosophy of film). Barkman is passionate about “following knowledge like a sinking star,” and spends a lot of his time reading, traveling and questioning.

Cherie Michels

Cherie Michels lives with her husband, David, and three children in Niagara Falls. She received her undergraduate degree in Fine Art and Art History at Brock University, focusing on the various intersections of art and the church. Cherie is currently in her third year of the MDiv program at MDC, specializing in Church and Culture.

Dr. Mark G. McKim

The Rev’d Dr. Mark G. McKim was educated at the University of New Brunswick, Acadia University, and Boston University.  He has more than thirty years of pastoral experience, serving churches in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Saskatchewan, and Ontario. Dr. McKim has taught courses on the Life and Thought of C. S. Lewis several times, published a number of articles and reviews about Lewis and presented papers about him at various academic conferences.

 

Register

This event will be held in-person at McMaster Divinity College in Hamilton, Ontario. There is no cost to attend, but registration is required. Coffee and light refreshments will be provided.

Register Now

  • Schedule

    Time Session
    1:00 PM – 1:40 PM

    Plenary 1

    Dr. Adam Barkman
    “‘Cramped or Terrified? . . . I Prefer Terror’ : C. S. Lewis, Numinous, and a New Suggestion on the Problem of Animal Suffering”

    Hurlburt Hall (Room 136)

    1:50 PM – 2:20 PM

    Parallel 1 Sessions

    Rev. Paul Robinson: “Consider the Narnian Birds: Song as Sacrament in the Chronicles of Narnia”

    Room 141

    Dr. Stanley Porter: “What Kind of a Scholar was C. S. Lewis?”

    Farmer Memorial Board Room

    Dr. David I. Yoon: “Letters to Bradus”

    Cochran Room

    2:30 PM – 3:00 PM

    Parallel 2 Sessions

    Rev. Tanya Yuen: “Imagination, Maturity, and Spiritual Formation: Navigating the Tension Between C.S. Lewis, Paul, and Learning to Listen for God’s Voice”

    Room 141

    Aaron Jung: “C.S. Lewis and the Art of Criticism”

    Farmer Memorial Board Room

    Jason Vander Horst: “The ‘Pick Your Poison’ Problem: A Modern Psychological Critique of Moral Relativism”

    Cochran Room

    3:00 PM – 3:20 PM

    Break

    3:20 PM – 4:00 PM

    Plenary 2

    Cherie Michels
    “Dear God, I’m Not Sure How this Works: An Honest Exploration into the Mystery of Prayer Through the Writings of C. S. Lewis”

    Hurlburt Hall (Room 136)

    4:10 PM – 4:40 PM

    Parallel 3 Sessions

    Dr. Seán McGuire: “Playing with a Lion: Christian Leadership According to the Chronicles of Narnia”

    Room 141

    Dawn Berkelaar: “Doings, Readings, Thinkings: C.S. Lewis on the Discipline and Reward of Personal Correspondence”

    Farmer Memorial Board Room

    4:50 PM – 5:30 PM

    Plenary 3

    Dr. Mark McKim
    “Myth, Morals – and – Joy:  C. S. Lewis, the Consensus Gentium, and Post-Modern Thought

    Hurlburt Hall (Room 136)

     

  • Directions & Parking

    Getting to McMaster Divinity College

    We are located on the campus of McMaster University, just off the ON-403 highway. The McMaster Divinity College building is the second building on the left when entering via the Sterling Street entrance to campus. As parking options are limited and to reduce your carbon footprint, we recommend carpooling or making use of public transit where possible. Both GO buses and HSR transit drop off on campus often. If you do wish to park on campus, more information is below.

    McMaster Divinity College
    1280 Main St W
    Hamilton, ON  L8S 4K1

    Download a Campus Map

    Parking

    There are multiple parking options on campus, varying in availability and cost. You can find more information at parking.mcmaster.ca, including:

    Please note, there is very limited parking in the McMaster Divinity College lot (A) for guests. The next closest lot is L.R. Wilson Underground, directly adjacent to our building. If you require accessible parking, please contact divevent@mcmaster.ca.