Hardin-Simmons University will host the 10th annual “Meeting of the C.S. Lewis & Inklings Society� March 23-24 in the Johnson Building multi-purpose room. The Inklings were a small circle of 20th-century British writers who met informally to discuss ideas and read drafts of their works to each other. C.S. Lewis was a the center of this group of friends which included J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, Hugo Dyson, Humphrey Havard, and Lewis’ brother, Major Warrant Lewis.

The C.S. Lewis & Inklings Society is a professional organization of teachers and scholars with a common interest in these writers. Members meet annually to hear scholarly papers presented about the works, authors, and their contributions to literature and culture.

Given the recent re-awakening of interest in Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia, the theme, “The Inklings and the Spiritual Journey,� and the theological beliefs of the Inklings, the conference should attract more than Lewis scholars, “Pastors, English teachers, and casual readers will all enjoy part or all of this conference,� says Dr. Larry English, “Each of these writers saw life as a journey toward reality, toward truth, and ultimately, toward God and eternal life. In many of their works, characters pursue journeys that take them closer to spiritual reality or self-discovery. We’ve invited papers on this topic, and our key speakers are addressing this theme. I often hear pastors quote (and misquote) Lewis in their sermons. This conference can only deepen their understanding of his thought and lead them to Lewis titles or authors they may not be aware of.�

White Witch of Narnia

Dr. Fink was able to bring a number of leading Inklings scholars to the conference. Dr. Thomas Howard has written several books about the works of Lewis, Williams, and T.S. Eliot, as well as books about his own long in interesting spiritual journey. Dr. Rolland Hein, is America’s foremost George Macdonald scholar. George MadDonald was an early fantasy writer whose books influenced Lewis and Tolkien. Dr. David Neuhouser is the Director of The Center for Study of C.S. Lewis & Friends at Taylor University in Upland, Indiana. Dr. Kerry Dearborn is a theologian at Seattle Pacific University. She recently published an important book on MacDonald’s theology and is a dynamic and poipular speaker at conferences and spiritual retreats.

The conference begins Friday morning and the four main talks, panel discussion, and a play by Charles Williams (performed by the HSU Theatre Department) are

open to the public at no charge. On Friday, Dr. Neuhouser will speak at 9:00 a.m., Dr. Hein will talk at 12:15 p.m., Dr. Howard’s presentation begins at 7:15 p.m., followed by the play, “The House by The Stable� at 8:00 p.m. Saturday morning, Dr. Dearborn will present at 8:30, and the conference will close with a panel discussion at 11:30.