The Thinklings Podcast – Episode 63 – Special Guest, David Downing, All things Narnia and ‘The Wade Center’

The Thinklings Podcast — Episode 063C.S. Lewis, Narnia, and the Wade Center (with Dr. David Downing)Welcome to Episode 63 of The Thinklings Podcast!In this special episode, the Thinklings welcome Dr. David Downing, co-director of the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton College and one of the foremost scholars on C.S. Lewis. The conversation explores Lewis’s life, the Chronicles of Narnia, the Ransom Trilogy, literary imagination, Christian education, and the work of preserving Lewis’s legacy through the Wade Center. Along the way, Dr. Downing shares insights from decades of Lewis scholarship and offers a glimpse into some remarkable artifacts housed at the Wade Center.📚 Books & BusinessThinkling CarterRedwall — Brian JacquesThinkling LittleContributions of Selected Rhetorical Devices to a Biblical Theology of the Song of Songs — Mark McGinnisThinkling StearnsC.S. Lewis: A Life — Eccentric Genius, Reluctant Prophet — Alister McGrathDr. David DowningThe Pilgrim’s Progress — John BunyanDiscussion of Lewis’s Pilgrim’s Regress and the Wade Center Annotated Edition🦁 Main ConversationDr. Downing discusses:His journey to becoming a Lewis scholarDiscovering Lewis through Perelandra and later reading the entire Narnia series twice in a single monthThe history and mission of the Marion E. Wade CenterLewis’s personal library, annotations, and manuscriptsThe famous Lewis wardrobe housed at the Wade CenterWhy The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe should be read first, despite modern editions often placing The Magician’s Nephew firstChanges Lewis made between British and American editions of NarniaThe theological depth of characters like Edmund and EustaceChristian imagination, moral formation, and sanctification in Lewis’s fictionThe distinction between the “Ransom Trilogy” and the commonly used term “Space Trilogy”The future of Narnia adaptations and concerns surrounding modern reinterpretations of Lewis’s workClassical Christian education, Dorothy Sayers, and The Lost Tools of Learning🏛️ The Wade CenterDr. Downing shares fascinating details about the Wade Center, including:Lewis’s wardrobe from his childhood home in BelfastLewis’s desk and personal libraryTolkien’s desk and writing penThousands of books owned and marked by LewisExtensive archives devoted to Lewis, Tolkien, Dorothy Sayers, and other major Christian writersThe Wade Center serves both as a research archive and a museum, preserving the literary and spiritual legacy of these influential authors.🎭 Special AnnouncementThe Thinklings discuss the Fellowship for Performing Arts production of The Most Reluctant Convert, based on Dr. Downing’s book about Lewis’s conversion. They also explore efforts to bring the production to Iowa and the continuing influence of Lewis on students and younger generations.🌿 Final MeditationDr. Downing closes with a reflection on 2 Kings 6:15–17, where Elisha prays that his servant’s eyes would be opened to see the heavenly army surrounding them.He reminds listeners that Christians often become overwhelmed when they focus only on material realities. Christian writers, artists, and storytellers help open our eyes to the deeper spiritual realities that surround us. Like Elisha’s servant, we need God to help us see that reality is far greater than what is immediately visible.🎧 Listen & SubscribeFollow The Thinklings Podcast for weekly conversations on books, theology, education, literature, and the Christian life! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit thethinklingspodcast.substack.com