C. S. Lewis and the Inklings Conference
April 1-2, 2005
Oral Roberts University
Friday, April 1, 2005
Registration
8:00-8:45 a.m.
Opening Session
9:00-10:00 a.m.
Ralph Wood
“C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien: Companions and
Combatants about Ultimate Things”
Session One
10:15-11:30 a.m.
A. Science, Truth, and the Imagination According to Lewis
1. “Science and the Lewisian Imagination: Superstring Theory and the Great Dance,” Mark Hall, Oral Roberts University
2. “Working with the Tao: A Response to Our Post-Human Future,” Ken Weed, Oral Roberts University
3. “The Views of C. S. Lewis about Science and the Laws of the Doctrine of Objective Truth in the Modern World,” Peter Hoheisel, Lon Morris College
B. The Hero’s Journey in Lewis and Tolkien
1. “The Journey as a Vehicle of Transformation: The Movement of the Hobbits in the Lord of the Rings from Innocence to Experience,” Michelle Reining, Oral Roberts University
2. “Ransom’s Journey as a Monomyth Hero in C. S. Lewis’ Space Trilogy,” Stephanie Lamb, Hardin-Simmons University
3. “The ‘Ordinary’ Epic Hero in C. S. Lewis's Vision,” Bettie Jo Knight, University of Central Oklahoma
Session 2
11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
A. The Dance of Good and Evil According to the Inklings
1. “Free Will Takes a Turn for the Worse: The Portrayal of Evil in the Lord of the Rings,” Jared Snider, Oral Roberts University
2. “Apocalyptic Mechanisms in Tolkien, Lewis, and Williams,” Peter Jackson, Oral Roberts University
3. “The Great Dance: Good and Evil in Tolkien and Lewis,” Aimee Raille, Oral Roberts University
B. George MacDonald: His Work and Influence
1. “Sanctified by a Fairy-Tale: The Journey of Transformation in the Fantasies of George MacDonald,” Rebecca Jackson, Oral Roberts University
2. “‘I learned that he that will be a hero, will barely be a man’: Baptism by Fantasy in George MacDonald and C. S. Lewis’s Spiritual Journeys,” Jonathan B. Himes, John Brown University
3. “George MacDonald's Unpublished Annotated Manuscript of Shakespeare's Hamlet,” Pam Jordan, Taylor University
Lunch Break
12:30-1:30 p.m.
Business Meeting
1:30-2:00 p.m.
Session 3
2:00-3:15 p.m.
A. Lewis’ Christian Vision
1. “Fine Nets and Stratagems in the Life of C. S. Lewis,” Martin Batts, LeTourneau University
2. “The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: The Pastoral Epistles and the Screwtape Letters,” Linda Gray, Oral Roberts University
3. “The Confession, Call and Commitment of C. S. Lewis: A Study of His Works in Light of Their Value to Parochial Universities,” Sheba Kulothungan, Southwestern Assemblies of God University
B. A Visit to Narnia
1. “Understanding Biblical Genesis and C. S. Lewis’ The Magician's Nephew,” Giselle Bourgeois, University of Central Oklahoma
2. “The Wood and the Garden,” Salwa Khaddam, Oklahoma City University
3. “The Way to Aslan's Country: Allusions in The Voyage of the Dawn Treader,” Marv Hinten, Friends University
Break
3:15-3:45 p.m.
Session 4
3:45-5:00 p.m.
A. Narnian Theology and Sources
1. “Using Fantastic Concepts from Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia to Reconcile Problems Involving Science and Theology,” Andy Lang and Dominic Halsmer, Oral Roberts University
2. “Behind the Wardrobe: C. S. Lewis' Narnian Theology,” Cary Balzer, John Brown University
3. “A Hermeneutical Approach to the ‘Chronicles’ of Narnia and Their Sources,” Joe Christopher, Tarleton State University
B. Orthodoxy and Influences: Tolkien, Lewis, and Williams
1. “Northernness: The Influence of the Kalevala on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings,” Beth Pitts, Oral Roberts University
2. “Augustinian Influences in C. S. Lewis and Charles Williams: Of Time and Eternity,” Doreen Anderson Wood, Tulsa Community College
3. “Orthodoxy: The Undiscovered Country from whose Bourne Chesterton and Lewis Returned,” Seth Wright, John Brown University
ORU Campus Tour
5:15-6:00 p.m.
An Evening with Christopher Mitchell
“Eucatastrophe in Theological Perspective”
6:15-9:00 p.m.
Citiplex Towers, 60th Floor
Saturday, April 2, 2005
Breakfast with Ralph Wood
"J. R. R. Tolkien: Our Postmodern Contemporary"
8:00-9:15 a.m.
Regents Dining Room, GC 6th floor
Session 5
9:15-10:30 a.m.
A. Medieval Connections in the Work of the Inklings
1. “‘Divine’ Journeys: Discovering Dante in Charles Williams’ Descent into Hell,” Jana Swartwood, Oral Roberts University
2. “Inventing Fairyland: How Spenser's Faerie Queene Inspired Middle-earth,” Nicole Davis, Oral Roberts University
3. “C. S. Lewis’ Canterbury Tale: Till We Have Faces,” Larry Fink, Hardin-Simmons University
B. Tolkien’s Themes and Methodologies
1. “C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien: A Linguistic Comparison of Their Writings,” Chanel Wall, Oral Roberts University
2. “The Fountain of Youthful Corruption: The Ring’s Influence of Immaturity in Tolkien's Fiction,” Evelyn Baldwin, John Brown University
3. “Tolkien's Portrayal of the Hero in The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings: Savior or Warrior?” Lauren Edwards, Oral Roberts University
Break
10:30-10:45 a.m.
Concluding Session
10:45 a.m.-12:00 p.m.
Christopher Mitchell
“Wellness and the Art of Reading”