C. S. Lewis was one of the most profound and influential Christian thinkers in the 20th Century. Both his fiction and non-fiction books continue to be bestsellers, and believers across the West still frequently credit him as one of their favorites. However, what made C. S. Lewis C. S. Lewis? What people and books shaped the mind of this legendary intellectual? My guest on today’s show argues that medieval literature played a primary role in forming Lewis’s mind. He helps us to see how they impacted Lewis and where we can see their influence in his writing.
His name is Jason Baxter and we discussed his new book The Medieval Mind of C. S. Lewis: How Great Books Shaped a Great Mind. Jason M. Baxter (Ph.D., University of Notre Dame) is associate professor of fine arts and humanities at Wyoming Catholic College. He is the author of several books including The Infinite Beauty of the World: Dante's Encyclopedia and the Names of God, and A Beginner’s Guide to Dante's Divine Comedy.
Show Highlights
Jason tells us about medieval cosmologies and how they influenced Lewis.
We learn about the major works of medieval literature that produced effects in Lewis’s books.
Jason explains Lewis’s concept of “transposition.”
Resources
Get a copy of Jason’s book from Amazon or at his website.
Purchase a copy directly from Jason and get a signed copy here.
Visit Jason’s website to learn more about his work.
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