Michael Ward: re-enchanting... Planet Narnia

Justin and Belle talk to Michael about the Narnian universe, the nature of C.S. Lewis’ imagination, and more.

Nick Jones

Nick is the senior editor of Seen & Unseen.

A man sits and speaks into a microphone and gestures with raised hands.

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Dr Michael Ward is a literary critic, theologian, and renowned C.S. Lewis expert – teaching at both the University of Oxford and Houston Christian University, in Texas. He is the author of books including Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis and After Humanity: A guide to C.S. Lewis The Abolition of Man.

Justin and Belle talk to Michael about the inner workings of the Narnian universe, the nature of Lewis’ imagination, and one of his most difficult works – The Abolition of Man.

Visit Michael's web site.

There’s more to life than the world we can see. Re-Enchanting is a podcast from Seen & Unseen recorded at Lambeth Palace Library, the home of the Centre for Cultural Witness. Justin Brierley and Belle Tindall engage faith and spirituality with leading figures in science, history, politics, art and education. Can our culture be re-enchanted by the vision of Christianity?

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Podcast

Culture

Re-enchanting

Space

26 April 2023

1 min read

Re-enchanting... the universe

In this third episode of Re-enchanting, Belle and Justin talk all things space with astronomer, author, and speaker, Dr Jennifer Wiseman.

Belle Tindall

Belle is the staff writer at Seen & Unseen and co-host of its Re-enchanting podcast.

Two scientists talk to each other at console in a space mission control room.

Jennifer Wiseman in the Flight Control Room at NASA's Johnson Space Center during Servicing Mission 4, the final shuttle visit to repair and upgrade the Hubble space telescope.

NASA/Michael Soluri.

"Science is a way of living out an appreciative faith."

Jennifer Wiseman

Jennifer is the Director Emeritus of the program of Dialogue on Science, Ethics, and Religion for the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) and is also a senior astrophysicist at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

As well as speaking about the unique nature of her stellar (literally) career, Jennifer talks through how she became so enchanted with ‘the night sky,’ how her faith informs her perception of the universe (and vice versa), and the often-misunderstood relationship between science and religion.

Jennifer’s passion is evidence that science can, and does, cultivate a wonderfully curious life. This episode is as enchanting as it is mind-blowing.

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