source: http://www.cslewis.org

by Elanorelle

Have you ever wanted to to visit the same great cities where ‘Jack’ Lewis once studied and later taught? The C.S. Lewis Summer Institute held in Oxford and Cambridge, England from July 21-31, 2014 can provide you with that once-in-a-lifetime opportunity you will never be able to forget. The C.S. Lewis Summer Institute at Oxbridge (or Oxbridge for short) only comes around every three years and this year will be the 50^th year celebration of the legacy of C.S. Lewis. What are you waiting for?

The conference will be held in Oxford, England from July 21-26 and Cambridge, England from July 27-31. Rooms in Keble College (Oxford) and Robinson College (Cambridge) have been reserved for the attendees and are are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis.

During your stay your schedule will be filled with numerous activities from lectures to performances pertaining to the theme Reclaiming the Virtues: Human Flourishing in the 21st Century. As you learn about the theme you will be will also be in the company of various well known speakers and artists.

Revd Dr. Jeanette Sears, a writer, speaker and specialist on C.S. Lewis,  has attended this conference in the past and I had the honour to interview her :

1. When did you attend the Oxbridge CS Lewis Conference(s)?

 

2008 and 2011.

 

2. What were the themes those years and how were they interwoven into the programmes/curriculum?

 

I can’t remember the specific titles but they were to do with humans in the image of God and relating to culture, usually general enough to be able to include any academic or artistic discipline.

 

3. What were some of your highlights in this conference?

 

In 2008 I really valued lectures from those who were big names in philosophical and theological anthropology – people whose books I was using in my teaching, such as Profs John Cooper, Nancey Murphy, Paul Vitz, Francis Collins, and John Polkinghorne.  It was great to be able to interact with them.  I also valued hearing Stan Mattson speak about his faith journey, and seeing Francis Collins, the head of the Genome Project, lead worship.  There was also a very enjoyable drama about Lewis’ conversion.  And I enjoyed the chance to chat with fellow scholars on similar subjects. 

 

In 2011 I participated on the Academic Roundtable in the afternoons, which meant I got to know more of the conference participants and had interesting exchange and discussion on research topics.

 

4. Did your experience at Oxbridge CS Lewis Conference(s) influence your life afterwards?

 

It made me feel more connected to the movers and shakers in the subjects I was teaching.

 

5. To whom would you recommend the CS Lewis Summer Institute at Oxbridge?

 

Any students or college lecturers or any Christian with an interest in a particular discipline or art who wants stimulation from the big names in the subject and to think more Christianly about it.

 

6. Would this be an experience you’d like to have again? Why?

 

Yes, although it was easier when my college was paying for me!  

 

7. Is there anything more you would like to add?

 

I was the only Brit at most of the events I attended, as far as I could tell.  The whole thing is very much geared for Americans in Higher Education and American culture wars, so it wasn’t always relevant for me.  I would have liked more talks on C S Lewis himself or the other Inklings.  I already know Oxford and Cambridge well but of course this was a huge plus for Americans and other non-Brits, to experience the places Lewis knew.

To attend this year’s Oxbridge conference be sure to register and make the proper arrangements for your ten day stay that will certainly last a lifetime.

For more information please visit the official site for Oxbridge 2014.

You can also visit Revd. Dr Jeanette Sears’ personal web site where you will find blog posts on Lewis and Narnia among other interesting things.