Wade Center

"The Way of Dante" w/ Dr. Richard Gibson

If you want to understand the writings of C.S. Lewis, Dorothy L. Sayers, and Charles Williams, you need to read Dante Alighieri's, The Divine Comedy. In this week's episode co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill sit down with Dr. Richard Hughes Gibson, Professor of English at Wheaton College, to discuss his recent book called The Way of Dante [https://www.ivpress.com/the-way-of-dante?srsltid=AfmBOopoluW-XRF-2DNQrTccuKGDFCCW0WzWjGOzmjzrihhtbpbfNT02] that details the medieval Italian poet's influence on three of the Wade Center's authors. Journey with us through hell, purgatory, and paradise as we ask Rick about how Lewis, Sayers, and Williams read, reflected on, and debated Dante's allegorical work and why all of this matters for our lives today.

Tish Harrison Warren on "What Grows in Weary Lands"

How can we trust a God that let's bad things happen to us? How can we worship in the ordinary and in the difficult times in life, even when we are suffering? In this week's episode, co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill sit down with author and Anglican priest, Tish Harrison Warren, to discuss her recent books and her newest forthcoming book "What Grows in Weary Lands: On Christian Resilience" about how can we continue to worship and pray when we are weary and our spiritual lives feel arid. Books/Talks by Tish Harrison Warren * Prayer in the Night: For Those Who Work or Watch or Weep [https://tishharrisonwarren.com/prayer-in-the-night] * Liturgy of the Ordinary: Sacred Practices in Everyday Life [https://tishharrisonwarren.com/liturgy-of-the-ordinary] * Wade Center Lecture: "Waiting on the Slow Work of God: How the Habit of Hope Transforms Us [https://www.youtube.com/live/j_Tr9pINfJI?si=tbGIbVbrJErLSoxc]" Songs/Artists Mentioned * "Show the Way [https://youtu.be/SBmIIDiN57E?si=7BsQP5icTVFZt6XK]" by David Wilcox * "Your Labor is not in Vain [https://youtu.be/033NObTvslc?si=d_lPtIlNY_aUkpSS]" by Wendell Kimbrough * Jon Guerra [https://youtu.be/zWQ_m_UckNI?si=XDKxCEW6nINR8gqm]

Bonus: Tolkien's Films w/ Dr. Holly Ordway

Would J.R.R. Tolkien have approved of the recent Rings of Power series or Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy? We couldn't resist asking Dr. Holly Ordway her opinion on Tolkien's films and how she thinks Tolkien would have reacted. Don't forget to check out out main episode this week with Dr. Holly Ordway [https://hollyordway.com/] about her recent book on Tolkien's Faith: A Spiritual Biography [https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/tolkiens-faith?srsltid=AfmBOoqjou3MRBoGjRMogMTaG931vfa9ZqEtaxlc-aeh1tdHXyggAB9R] (2023) and the truth about whether the friendship between Tolkien and C.S. Lewis fell apart (or not) at the end of their lives.

"Tolkien's Faith" w/ Dr. Holly Ordway

Millions explore and live inside of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy novels on a regular basis, but few study and examine his faith. Join co-hosts Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill as they discuss sit down with Dr. Holly Ordway [https://hollyordway.com], author of Tolkien's Faith: A Spiritual Biography [https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/tolkiens-faith?srsltid=AfmBOoqjou3MRBoGjRMogMTaG931vfa9ZqEtaxlc-aeh1tdHXyggAB9R] (2023), to discuss Tolkien's faith, his friendship with C.S. Lewis, his opinion of The Chronicles of Narnia, why his novels weren't more spiritually explicit with their content and themes, and how Tolkien read Scripture—including his work on translating the book of Jonah.

The Downing's Return to Discuss "The Wages of Cinema"

Crystal L. and David C. Downing, former co-hosts of the podcast, return to discuss Crystal's latest book, The Wages of Cinema (IVP, 2025). Join Dr. Jim Beitler and Aaron Hill as they sit down to discuss the intersection of film theory with Dorothy L. Sayers and Christian theology. If you want to dig in more make sure to watch Crystal's lecture [https://www.youtube.com/live/hLsGBJv3ABw?si=RXY8x4DKAUbb1qHF] at The Wade Center on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/live/hLsGBJv3ABw?si=RXY8x4DKAUbb1qHF] this past summer and grab a copy of her book over at InterVarsity Press [https://www.ivpress.com/the-wages-of-cinema?srsltid=AfmBOoolI-B6Akr8WG0MMt4kbmvTU7Zz_njLUrTmQxe3YFWfKctBmk7F].