C.S. Lewis Event to Feature 'Three Day Feast of Faith, Intellect and Imagination'

By Alex Murashko, CP Contributor Thursday, June 20, 2013

The C.S. Lewis Foundation kicks off its summer events program during its 50th anniversary celebration of the Christian author's legacy with a three-day conference at the University of San Diego starting this Friday. Nearly 50 years after his death, the popularity and relevance of Lewis continues to increase, the foundation says.

The foundation's president, Stanley Mattson, calls the event "an extraordinary three day feast of faith, intellect and imagination."

Lewis' books are published in dozens of languages and inspire every new generation, says the foundation. "The Chronicles of Narnia" films have generated billions in ticket sales and continuous theatre performances of his works "certify to the enduring imaginative power and wonder of Lewis' world."

One of several breakout sessions during the event in San Diego is called, C.S. Lewis 101, and is for those feeling "a little intimidated surrounded by scholars, yet Lewis has made a profound difference" in their lives.

Speakers at the event include: Dr. Peter Kreeft, a professor of Philosophy at Boston College and author of more than 55 books including: Back to Virtue; The God Who Loves You; Heaven, The Heart's Deepest Longing; Everything You wanted to Know About Heaven; Your Questions – God's Answers; and How To Win The Culture War.

Also, scheduled to speak is Dr. Paul Ford, who studied for the priesthood and was formerly a Benedictine monk at St. Andrew's Abbey, Valyermo. He was the first Roman Catholic in the doctoral program at Fuller Theological Seminary and an internationally recognized authority on the life and writings of C.S. Lewis. His award-winning book, Companion to Narnia (HarperCollins), is now in its fourth edition.

Communication consultant, Dr. James Como, who is a writer and teacher, is another speaker at the event. Como holds advanced degrees in medieval English literature, Public and Group Communication, and in Literature and Rhetoric. He is best known for his book C.S. Lewis at the Breakfast Table and Other Reminisces. A founding member of the New York C. S. Lewis Society, his latest book is, Why I Believe Narnia: Thirty-three Essays and Reviews on the Life and Work of C. S. Lewis.

The C.S. Lewis Foundation was established in 1986 as a non-profit organization with a mission: "Inspired by the life and legacy of C.S. Lewis, the C.S. Lewis Foundation is dedicated to advancing the renewal of Christian thought and creative expression throughout the world of learning and the culture at large."

The foundation states, "Throughout the years, our goal has been singular: to encourage Christian faculty, students, clergy, lay persons, and seekers to actively, openly, and creatively integrate the life of the mind, the life of the imagination, and the life of the spirit in order to live a fully developed and mature life in Christ."

The organization believes that Christians, especially those called to serve as professors at mainstream university and college campuses, must be adequately prepared and supported in order to engage secular culture in healthy debate and dialogue.

"Good philosophy must exist, if for no other reason, because bad philosophy needs to be answered," Lewis declared. But, the C.S. Lewis Foundation added, he also aptly observed that "A man can't be always defending the truth; there must be a time for him to feed on it."

On the Web: http://www.cslewis.org.