News Release

Tabernacle Choir Broadcasts the Spoken Word from Oxford

C.S. Lewis: The Reluctant Convert

World-famous British author C.S. Lewis was one of the most influential men of his time and his influence is still felt today. Lloyd Newell visited his home, “The Kilns” in Headington just outside of Oxford to film an episode of Music & the Spoken Word. He and the film crew also visited Holy Trinity Church Headington where there is a “Narnia window” and a plaque on the pew where Lewis sat to worship. 

C.S. Lewis home, The Kilns
C.S. Lewis home, The Kilns
© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

C.S. Lewis' Church Plaque at Holy Trinity
C.S. Lewis' Church Plaque at Holy Trinity
© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

CS. Lewis was the beloved author of the Chronicles of Narnia, but his greatest impact on the world is through his religious writings such as The Screwtape Letters, The Great Divorce (from God), and Mere Christianity. Newell reminds us that Lewis was “an atheist whose faith was rekindled with the help of his close friend and fellow professor J.R.R. Tolkien.”

Narnia Windows at Holy Trinity Church
Narnia Windows at Holy Trinity Church
© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Lewis called himself a “most reluctant convert to faith”. Newell reminds us that, once Lewis was converted, “he believed with his whole heart, mind and soul.”

He then spent the rest of his life teaching about God and His love. “The great thing to remember,” said Lewis,” is that, though our feelings come and go, [God’s] love for us does not.”

Lewis wrote: “Any patch of sunlight in a wood will show you something about the sun which you could never get from reading books on astronomy. These pure and spontaneous pleasures are ‘patches of Godlight’ in the woods of our experience.”  He reminds us that “you can’t always predict when a patch of ‘Godlight’ will shine into your life, but you can put yourself in a position to receive that light.

London Live, Sunday at 6:30 PM

Beverly FM Radio

Shoreline FM Radio

The Tabernacle Choir & C.S. Lewis (at 1:16:45)

Invite your local stations to play Music & the Spoken Word free of charge.

C.S. People still leave tributes at his grave
C.S. People still leave tributes at his grave
© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Holy Trinity Church Headington
Holy Trinity Church Headington
© 2022 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.

Style Guide Note:When reporting about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in the first reference. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go to our online Style Guide.