Christians Reading Classics

Great American Sermons with John Wilsey and Daniel K. Williams [FULL EPISODE]

Fri, 01 May 2026 15:03:00 -0400

What does it mean for a nation to read its own sermons? This America 250 conversation takes up four of them — Winthrop's A Model of Christian Charity, Edwards's Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, Lincoln's Second Inaugural, and King's Mountaintop Sermon — tracing covenant and city-on-a-hill exceptionalism, the personal terror of revival preaching, Lincoln's strange theological restraint amid civil war, and King's prescient final words. The episode closes on what it means to read the dead with charity, and on John Wilsey's new book, God and Country. With host Nadya Williams, John Wilsey (SBTS), and Daniel Williams (Ashland University).

—

Get the free ebook Spiritual Formation for the Family at http://mereorthodoxy.com/family.

Christians Reading Classics is a podcast from Mere Orthodoxy and is listener-supported. If you would like to support this work, become a Mere Orthodoxy Member today at http://mereorthodoxy.com/membership.

Apply for fall 2026 admission to Beeson Divinity School's MDiv (or M.Div., your choice) and be considered for a full-tuition scholarship.: https://bit.ly/OurRisenLord

—

Chapters

00:00 - Reading Winthrop
02:12 - Welcome and Introductions
04:11 - Why Read Classic Sermons?
06:54 - Winthrop and the Puritan Errand
12:12 - City on a Hill: Promise and Warning
16:37 - Edwards and the Great Awakening
25:18 - Reading the Room in 1741
35:40 - Lincoln's Second Inaugural
43:31 - The Passive Voice and Providence
46:33 - King's Mountaintop Sermon
55:27 - Loving Our Historical Neighbors
1:03:06 - Why History Is Who We Are

Thomas Aquinas For Protestants with Miles Smith

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 20:54:00 -0400

Can a Protestant read Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae without converting to Catholicism? Nadya Williams welcomes Miles Smith IV (Hillsdale College) to take up the question currently churning on social media. Miles argues yes — and that the more interesting question lies upstream: what do Christians do with Aristotle? Along the way, they consider the Summa's 13th-century context, its reception alongside Dante and through the Black Death, the Socratic shape of Aquinas's method, and why certain books (the Summa, Willa Cather's My Ántonia, Lewis's Till We Have Faces) break us open while others simply don't.

—

Apply for fall 2026 admission to Beeson Divinity School's MDiv (or M.Div., your choice) and be considered for a full-tuition scholarship.: https://bit.ly/OurRisenLord

—

00:00 - Aquinas's Prologue and Welcome
02:18 - Introducing Miles Smith IV
03:11 - What Makes a Classic?
04:18 - Reading Aquinas as a Protestant
08:34 - The Social Media Debate Behind This Episode
09:26 - Who Was Thomas Aquinas?
11:46 - Reason, Revelation, and What Evangelicals Already Assume
12:47 - The Aristotle Question
15:20 - Virtue, Flourishing, and the Knowledge of God
18:04 - How to Begin Reading the Summa
20:52 - The Socratic Method and Aquinas's Contemporaries
24:25 - The Summa, Dante, and the Black Death
29:02 - Theology, Philosophy, and Devotion
31:03 - Books That Break Us (and Till We Have Faces)
33:10 - The Classic Miles Wishes He Had Written

The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne with Jeff Bilbro | American 250

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and Jeff Bilbro discuss Nathaniel Hawthorne's The Scarlet Letter — its Puritan setting, Hawthorne's fraught ancestry, and the novel's three responses to sin: moralistic judgment, escapist relativism, and Hester's redemptive middle path. They also touch on Hawthorne's friendships with the Transcendentalists, the dangers of cancel culture, and Jeff's forthcoming book on AI and creaturely intelligence.

——

Get the free ebook Spiritual Formation for the Family at http://mereorthodoxy.com/family.

Apply for fall 2026 admission to Beeson Divinity School's MDiv (or M.Div., your choice) and be considered for a full-tuition scholarship.: https://bit.ly/OurRisenLord

—

00:00 - Introduction & What Is a Classic?
05:10 - American Classics & the Year 250
07:15 - Short Books vs. Long Books
09:33 - Hawthorne: Life & Context
14:11 - The Plot: Hester, Dimmesdale, Chillingworth, Pearl
17:23 - Three Responses to Sin
25:08 - Dimmesdale & Self-Deception
29:10 - Pearl & Spiritual Formation
33:43 - Chillingworth: Truth-Hunting for Power
36:17 - What Christians Should Notice
42:16 - Creaturely Intelligence (Jeff's Forthcoming Book)
47:31 - What Classic Would You Have Written?

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain with Ivana Greco and Dixie Dillon Lane

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 17:37:00 -0400

div]:bg-bg-000/50 [&_pre>div]:border-0.5 [&_pre>div]:border-border-400 [&_.ignore-pre-bg>div]:bg-transparent [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.standard-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pl-2 [&_.progressive-markdown_:is(p,blockquote,ul,ol,h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6)]:pr-8"> _*]:min-w-0 gap-3 standard-markdown">

Nadya Williams, Ivana Greco, and Dixie Dillon Lane discuss Mark Twain's The Adventures of Tom Sawyer — 150 years old this year — as a window into antebellum American childhood, the timeless challenge of raising boys, and what it means to read classics across generations. Why does Twain's rapscallion hero outlast Sid in the cultural imagination? What does Aunt Polly's long-suffering love reveal about providence and parenting? And which American classics deserve a second look in the year of America 250?

—

Get the ebook Spiritual Formation for the Family for free at http://mereorthodoxy.com/family

Apply for Beeson Divinity School's Ph.D program by April 1 for Fall 2026 admission here: https://bit.ly/BeesonDivinityPhD

—

Chapter

00:00 - Introduction & what makes an American classic
03:00 - Favorite American classics for children
04:15 - Can you hate a classic? What parents look for
06:52 - Books build culture
08:45 - How parenting changes reading habits
11:58 - Entering Tom Sawyer: the world of the novel
13:51 - Tom's misadventures (and Ivana's canoe confession)
18:06 - The cast of characters: Tom, Huck, Becky, Aunt Polly
24:12 - Reading Tom Sawyer historically: slavery, race, and context
26:50 - Who is really raising Tom Sawyer?
31:16 - What would you do if you were raising Tom?
34:51 - Tom, women, and the civilizing impulse
38:44 - How a book about mischief became a great American novel
43:52 - Tom vs. Sid: not all children are the same
48:52 - The American spirit of adventure and its literary legacy
53:34 - Reading recommendations for America 250

Moby Dick by Herman Melville with Christina Bieber Lake

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and Christina Bieber Lake discuss Moby Dick — why Americans should read it, what Melville understood about arrogance and the uncontrollable, and how the novel's humor, sprawling cetology chapters, and the famous doubloon scene all serve a single theme: the tragedy of trying to master what cannot be mastered.

—

Get the free ebook Spiritual Formation for the Family by going to http://mereorthodoxy.com/family.

Apply for fall 2026 admission to Beeson Divinity School's MDiv (or M.Div., your choice) and be considered for a full-tuition scholarship: https://bit.ly/OurRisenLord

—

00:00 - Introduction & Opening Reading
01:58 - Christina Bieber Lake's Background
05:17 - What Makes a Classic?
10:01 - Why Americans Should Read Moby Dick
14:02 - Melville: Who He Was and What He Believed
18:08 - Approaching a 625-Page Novel
21:54 - Plot, Characters, and the Ship's Crew
25:51 - The Doubloon Chapter: Melville's Theme of Reading
28:39 - Humor in Moby Dick
31:50 - The Cetology Chapters and Language
34:43 - Ahab, Job, and the Desire for Control
36:00 - Ishmael as Survivor and Narrator
39:39 - The Masculinity of the Novel
49:01 - Reception and Why It Flopped
50:15 - Long Books and the Muscle of Attention
54:30 - Closing Question: A Classic You Wish You'd Written

Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand with David Kee

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and David Kee discuss Ayn Rand's Atlas Shrugged — its origins, philosophy, and enduring relevance for American Christians. Kee, a business professor at Harding University who teaches the novel, traces Rand's objectivism, the tension between individualism and collectivism, and what a Christian engagement with her work requires.

—

Apply for Beeson Divinity School's Ph.D program by April 1 for Fall 2026 admission here: https://bit.ly/BeesonDivinityPhD

—

Chapters

00:00 - Introduction and Reading from Atlas Shrugged
01:10 - Guest Introduction: David Key
02:00 - David's Background: From Geneva to Entrepreneurship to Academia
08:10 - Defining a Classic
10:56 - How David First Encountered Atlas Shrugged
13:04 - Who Was Ayn Rand?
25:03 - Teaching Atlas Shrugged to Business Students
32:27 - Individualism, Collectivism, and the Christian Worldview
39:11 - The Mystery of John Galt
44:10 - Elevating the Entrepreneur
52:35 - Why Christians in America Should Read This Book
53:25 - What Classic David Wishes He Had Written

Mansfield Park by Jane Austen with Beatrice Scudeler

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 19:53:00 -0400

Jane Austen's most underrated novel is also her most serious. In this conversation, books editor Nadya Williams and essayist Beatrice Scudeler explore what Mansfield Park has to say about virtue, vocation, wealth, and the formation of character -- and why Fanny Price, the novel's quiet, overlooked heroine, may be Austen's most carefully drawn moral portrait.

—

Get the ebook Spiritual Formation for the Family at http://mereorthodoxy.com/family.

Apply for Beeson Divinity School's Ph.D program by April 1 for Fall 2026 admission here: https://bit.ly/BeesonDivinityPhD

—

Chapters

00:03 -- Opening: Austen reads the opening lines of Mansfield Park; Nadya introduces the episode and season premise
01:48 -- Defining a classic: what makes a work speak across centuries without losing its rootedness in its own time
05:29 -- Why Mansfield Park for America's 250th: Austen, evangelical Christianity, and the values that crossed the Atlantic
08:48 -- The plot: Fanny Price, the Bertrams, and what happens when the Crawfords arrive from London
13:35 -- The problem of Fanny Price: why modern readers resist her, and why Lionel Trilling diagnosed the real issue in the 1960s
19:57 -- Fanny as a sympathetic character: what it means to be 10 years old, sent away from your family, and expected to be grateful
25:09 -- The absent adults: Sir Thomas, Lady Bertram, and the novel's indictment of parenting by principle without presence
27:09 -- Was Fanny autobiographical? The case for Jane Austen as observer, introvert, and moral compass
33:15 -- What money buys: education, time, space for contemplation -- and what it cannot buy
39:07 -- Marriage as formation: why Austen's vision of marriage is still revolutionary, and what we've lost by privatizing it
41:16 -- Why Mansfield Park may be Austen's best: constancy, prudence, and the virtue of being the quiet center that holds everything together
48:45 -- Closing question: what classic would Beatrice have written? Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall

The Nichomachean Ethics by Aristotle with Sabrina Little | America 250

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 11:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and Sabrina Little explore Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics — its account of virtue as habit, the teleological shape of a good life, and how athletics and daily practice form character. Little connects Aristotle to Aquinas, parenting, and her own work as an elite ultramarathoner and philosopher.

—

Apply for fall 2026 admission to Beeson Divinity School's MDiv (or M.Div., your choice) and be considered for a full-tuition scholarship.: https://bit.ly/OurRisenLord — Chapters

00:00 - Introduction
02:35 - What is a classic?
03:51 - Why the Nicomachean Ethics for American Christians?
07:19 - Aristotle's aims: eudaimonia and virtue
10:24 - The contemplative life vs. the practical life
13:38 - How college life trains students in virtue
18:13 - Advice for first-time readers of Aristotle
22:27 - The Examined Run: athletics and moral formation
28:29 - Teaching virtue to young children
32:03 - Would Aristotle recognize our struggles today?
34:57 - Aristotle and women
36:07 - What classic do you wish you had written?

Wuthering Heights with Evie Solheim

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and Evie Solheim discuss Wuthering Heights, what makes it a gothic classic, why Emily Brontë's moral ambiguity still provokes, how the novel speaks to a generation starved for romance, and why the new film adaptation trades subtlety for TikTok-style spectacle. Also: Anna Karenina, Virginia Woolf, and Greta Gerwig's Narnia.

—

Get the Mere Orthodoxy ebook, Spiritual Formation for the Family, at http://mereorthodoxy.com/family

Mere Fidelity is a podcast from Mere Orthodoxy and is listener-supported. If you would like to support this work, become a Mere Orthodoxy Member today at http://mereorthodoxy.com/membership.

Get 30% of the Baker Book of the Month, R30 Key Moments in the History of Christianity: Inspiring True Stories from the Early Church Around the World, by going to: http://bakerbookhouse.com/pages/mere-fidelity

Apply for Beeson Divinity School's Ph.D program by April 1 for Fall 2026 admission here: https://bit.ly/BeesonPhD

—

Chapters

00:11 – Opening reading from Wuthering Heights and intro to the Brontë sisters
01:54 – Welcome to Season 2 of Christians Reading Classics; introducing Evie Solheim
03:25 – What makes a classic? Timelessness, breaking the mold, and the canon
06:35 – Plot summary: key characters, places, and the structure of the novel
08:43 – The gothic genre: origins, elements, and its American descendants
10:22 – Southern Gothic: Flannery O'Connor, Faulkner, and True Detective
13:12 – How we first meet Cathy — and the unreliable narrators telling her story
16:28 – Advice for first-time readers: Emily Brontë's biography and creative world
19:43 – Virginia Woolf's essay on Wuthering Heights and what it means to write like that
22:56 – Why Wuthering Heights resonates with Americans today: romance, apps, and longing
27:21 – The new film adaptation: competing with TikTok, not other movies
31:43 – Comparing Wuthering Heights to Gone with the Wind: land, love, and star-crossed tropes
36:28 – Good cinematic adaptations: Greta Gerwig's Little Women vs. Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights
41:10 – Is Wuthering Heights amoral? Reading Heathcliff's fate through a biblical lens
47:29 – Closing question: the classic Evie wishes she had written — Anna Karenina

Uncle Toms Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe with Obbie Tyler Todd | America 250

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and Obbie Tyler Todd explore Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin as part of season two's focus on classics American Christians should read for America's 250th. They discuss the Beecher family's influence, the Fugitive Slave Law as the book's impetus, Stowe's deeply scriptural approach to critiquing slavery, the Christ-likeness of Uncle Tom, and why the novel's theological vision — not merely its abolitionism — gave it such enduring power.

—

Get your copy of Mere Orthodoxy's ebook, Spiritual Formation for the Family, by going to http://mereorthodoxy.com/family

Apply for fall 2026 admission to Beeson Divinity School's MDiv (or M.Div., your choice) and be considered for a full-tuition scholarship.: https://bit.ly/OurRisenLord

—

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Uncle Tom's Cabin 02:21 Defining a Classic 06:57 The Importance of Uncle Tom's Cabin for Christians 12:06 The Beecher Family Legacy 20:45 Harriet Beecher Stowe's Impact on American Sentiment 27:43 Introducing Uncle Tom's Cabin to New Readers 29:59 Moral Complexity of Slavery 32:17 The Christian Perspective on Slavery 35:32 Character Development and Redemption 38:50 Contrasting Narratives of Slavery 46:01 Evangelical Reception of Uncle Tom's Cabin 50:45 International Reception and Impact

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley with Katelyn Walls Shelton | America 250

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and Katelyn Walls Shelton discuss Aldous Huxley's Brave New World — its haunting parallels to embryo selection, reproductive biotechnology, and pleasure-maximizing culture — and what Christians should make of a novel that reads less like dystopian fiction and more like this morning's news.

Apply for a full-tuition scholarship for Beeson Divinity School's M.Div program that begins Fall 2026 here: https://bit.ly/OurRisenLord

Chapters

00:00 — Introduction & what makes a classic
05:00 — Brave New World mirrors our world: embryo selection, Orchid, Gattaca
07:16 — Why Christians in America should read this book
14:19 — Plot overview: hatcheries, Bernard, Lenina, John the Savage
23:40 — Life in the World State: conditioning, sexuality, soma, death
35:40 — Huxley's own contradictions: Doors of Perception and his LSD death
39:17 — Current reproductive biotechnologies: embryo grading, gene editing, artificial wombs
49:43 — Closing: The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas by Ursula Le Guin

The Education of Henry Adams with Leah Libresco Sargeant | America 250

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams, Books Editor for Mere Orthodoxy, talks with Leah Libresco Sargeant, author of The Dignity of Dependence, about Henry Adams's The Education of Henry Adams—specifically the chapter "The Dynamo and the Virgin." They explore Adams's experience of the sublime at the 1900 Paris World Fair, his unresolved spiritual longings, what his Unitarian background reveals about American Christianity, and how Leah's work on embodiment and dependence offers a striking counterpoint to Adams's life of the mind. Plus: Leah's classic pick, Flatland.

—

Mere Fidelity is a podcast from Mere Orthodoxy and is listener-supported. If you would like to support this work, become a Mere Orthodoxy Member today at http://mereorthodoxy.com/membership.

Get 30% of the Baker Book of the Month, 30 Key Moments In Church History: Inspiring True Stories from the Early Church Around the World by Mark W. Graham, by going to: http://bakerbookhouse.com/pages/mere-fidelity

Apply for a full-tuition scholarship for Beeson Divinity School's M.Div program that begins Fall 2026 here: https://bit.ly/beesonscholarships

Chapters

00:00 – Introduction & Background on Henry Adams
03:44 – Memoir as a Genre
06:27 – Why Read Adams for America's 250th
09:21 – The Dynamo and the Virgin Explained
13:18 – Adams's Faith and Spiritual Longings
20:34 – Technology, Awe, and False Worship
26:45 – Tips for First-Time Readers
28:24 – The Dignity of Dependence
37:31 – Classic You Wish You'd Written

Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass with Shilo Brooks | America 250

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 12:00:00 -0400

Dr. Shilo Brooks joins Nadia Williams to explore Frederick Douglass's Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass (1845), examining how this 60-page masterwork remains profoundly relevant for understanding liberty, education, and authentic Christianity. Brooks illuminates how Douglass's self-taught literacy became an act of spiritual and intellectual liberation—proving that "education and slavery are incompatible." The conversation traces Douglass's journey from Maryland plantation to becoming America's greatest orator, while addressing his critique of slaveholding Christianity versus genuine faith and the enduring lessons on what liberal education requires for sustaining free citizenship.

Chapters:

00:05 Opening: Douglass's Unknown Birthday
04:14 Why This Book Is a Classic
09:49 Target Audiences: Then and Now
13:47 Adjusting to Freedom
16:32 Teaching Himself to Read (Illegally)
19:51 Education and Slavery Are Incompatible
23:04 Convincing Students That Reading Changes Lives
27:36 The Cast of Characters: Slaveholders and Fellow Slaves
33:11 The Wrestling Match with Covey
37:15 Teaching Bible School to Fellow Slaves
40:18 How Did He Become Such a Beautiful Writer?
42:21 Douglass's Theology and Providence
45:48 Noble Ambition: Brooks's Forthcoming Book
50:25 Classic Books I Wish I'd Written

America 250: Books American Christians Should Read | Season 2 Preview

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 12:00:00 -0400

In this preview episode for Season 2 of Christians Reading Classics, host Nadya Williams sets the stage for an ambitious exploration of books that American Christians should read in honor of America's 250th birthday in 2026.

Opening with Thomas Jefferson's 1771 letter to Robert Skipwith about building his Monticello library, Williams frames the season around a central question: What role do books play in forming the American Christian imagination? Jefferson argued that fiction and classical works are "useful" because they "fix us in the principles and practice of virtue"—exercising our moral dispositions like muscles until they become habits.

This season examines how classic books—both American and those that shaped American thought—enrich our imagination while alleviating modern anxiety. As Williams puts it, "reading classic books really is the intellectual equivalent of touching grass."

Upcoming episodes include:

Frederick Douglass's Narrative with Dr. Shiloh Brooks
Henry Adams's The Education of Henry Adams with Leah Libresco Sargent
Aldous Huxley's Brave New World with Caitlin Walls Shelton
Harriet Beecher Stowe's Uncle Tom's Cabin with Obie Tyler Todd
Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics with ultra-marathoner and virtue philosopher Sabrina B. Little (including discussion on teaching virtues to children)

Key Themes

How classic books form a "library of the mind" that shapes souls and affections
The timeless, good, true, and beautiful qualities that define a classic
How books grow with us, revealing new insights with each reading
The relationship between reading and virtue formation

About the Host

Nadya Williams is Books Editor at Mere Orthodoxy and author of Christians Reading Classics (Zondervan Academic).

Reading Ancient Pagans As Modern Christians

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 12:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams explores the myth of Tantalus and its implications on the nature of success and temptation. She delves into how Tantalus' horrific actions reflect the seductive nature of victory and the potential consequences of testing divine powers. Nadya highlights the duality of success as both a reward and a burden, emphasizing the need for caution in the pursuit of greatness.

The Scandal of the Christian Imagination

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0400

As we wrap up season 1 of Christians Reading Classics, Nadya reflects on the scandal of the Christian imagination and the role of reading classic books in forming a nourished imagination.

T.S. Eliot - The Hollow Men with Eric Hutchinson

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 10:50:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and Eric Hutchinson delve into T.S. Eliot's poem 'The Hollow Men', exploring its themes, complexities, and the nature of classic literature. They discuss what defines a classic, the challenges of appreciating poetry today, and how to cultivate an appreciation for it. The conversation also touches on the role of poets in society and the importance of art and poetry in the human experience, concluding with reflections on the necessity of literature and the interconnectedness of past and present works.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to T.S. Eliot and The Hollow Men 03:09 Defining a Classic: What Makes Literature Timeless? 05:56 The Challenges of Appreciating Classics in Modern Times 09:03 Training Ourselves to Read and Appreciate Poetry 11:54 The Complexity of The Hollow Men: Analyzing the Poem 14:54 Imagery and Themes in The Hollow Men 17:51 Understanding the Spiritual Disease in The Hollow Men 21:01 The Role of Community in Appreciating Poetry 23:51 The Lasting Impact of T.S. Eliot's Work 33:32 Aeneas and the Underworld: Literary Connections 39:13 Intertextuality: Virgil, Dante, and Conrad 45:04 The Role of Tradition in Literature 49:51 The Poet's Purpose: Creation and Connection 57:51 The Necessity of Poetry in Human Experience

C.S. Lewis - The Great Divorce with Dr. Leslie Baynes

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 11:02:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and Dr. Leslie Baynes explore the works of C.S. Lewis, particularly focusing on 'The Great Divorce.' They discuss the definition of a classic, the significance of free will, and the themes of choice and divine grace in Lewis's writing. The conversation also touches on Lewis's influences, his relationships with women, and the timeless messages found in his works that resonate with modern readers. Additionally, Dr. Baynes shares insights about her upcoming book on Lewis and the Bible.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to C.S. Lewis and His Works 02:47 Defining a Classic: The Enduring Nature of Literature 05:51 The Impact of C.S. Lewis's Works on Readers 08:46 C.S. Lewis's Life and Influences During WWII 11:57 The Great Divorce: Themes and Symbolism 14:51 Understanding Theosis and Its Significance 17:34 The Role of Language and Beauty in Lewis's Writing 20:48 The Evolution of Lewis's Poetry and Literary Style 22:47 The Lasting Legacy of C.S. Lewis 31:24 Theosis and Divine Reality 34:08 The Vignettes of The Great Divorce 37:26 Free Will and Self-Reflection 42:11 Universalism vs. Predestination 44:23 Timeless Lessons from The Great Divorce 47:11 Exploring Lewis's New Book 56:05 Literary Influences and Personal Connections

Dorothy L. Sayers - Gaudy Night with Carolyn Weber

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and Carolyn Weber explore the literary significance of Dorothy L. Sayers' 'Gaudy Night', discussing its themes of women's roles in academia, the intersection of murder mysteries and theology, and the nature of what constitutes a classic. They look into Sayers' complex character, her contributions to literature, and the broader implications of her work in the context of 20th-century society.

Chapters

00:00 The Literary Landscape of 1935 03:15 Defining a Classic 04:53 Dorothy L. Sayers: A Complex Figure 09:42 Murder Mysteries and Theology 11:42 Exploring Gaudy Night 19:12 Oxford as a Character 22:37 Women in Academia 30:07 The Pursuit of Meaningful Work 32:47 The Unusual Mystery of Gaudy Night 40:04 Reading Murder Mysteries as a Christian

Flannery O'Connor - A Good Man Is Hard To Find with Jon Parrish Peede

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and Jon Parrish Peede discuss the literary legacy of Flannery O'Connor, exploring her impact on American literature and the theological themes present in her work. They highlight the Southern Gothic genre, O'Connor's unique storytelling style, and the reader's engagement with her stories. It also touches on her reception over the years and personal reflections on her most significant works.

Sinclair Lewis - It Couldn't Happen Here with Daniel K. Williams

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and historian Daniel K. Williams examine Sinclair Lewis's 1935 novel "It Can't Happen Here," analyzing its treatment of democracy, authoritarianism, and religion's political role. Their discussion covers what qualifies a work as a literary classic, the historical circumstances surrounding Lewis's writing, and how his observations about democratic institutions' vulnerability and the manipulation of religious sentiment for political ends continue to resonate with contemporary American political debates and concerns about authoritarianism.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Sinclair Lewis and His Work 02:54 Defining a Classic: What Makes Literature Enduring? 05:56 Sinclair Lewis: The Man Behind the Novels 11:44 Exploring the Themes of It Can't Happen Here 20:34 The Role of Religion in American Politics 28:29 Reflections on Mainstream America in the 1930s 31:56 The Spiritual Crisis Behind Authoritarianism 33:59 Literary Merits and Critiques of Sinclair Lewis 36:04 Public Reception and Political Context of the Novel 39:37 Huey Long and the Threat of Authoritarianism 43:00 Reading the Novel as Christians in 2025 47:06 The Attraction to Authoritarianism and Hyper Patriotism 50:20 Preserving Democracy: A Call for Self-Critical Patriotism 52:03I nfluential Classics and Historical Understanding

The Heart of a Dog - Mikhail Bulgakov with Vika Pechersky

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and Vika Pichersky delve into Mikhail Bulgakov's 'Heart of a Dog,' exploring its themes, characters, and the critique of Soviet society. They discuss the nature of classics, the challenges of translation, and the moral questions raised by the transformation of a dog into a human. The conversation highlights the relevance of Bulgakov's work in contemporary discussions about humanity, morality, and the role of fiction in conveying complex truths. Chapters 00:00 Exploring the Context of Bulgakov's Work 02:37 Defining Literary Classics 05:34 Navigating Russian Literature in Translation 08:51 Understanding Heart of a Dog 11:38 Character Analysis and Themes in Heart of a Dog 17:34 The Role of Science and Morality 23:28 Bulgakov's Critique of Soviet Society 29:33 The Purpose of Fiction and Its Relevance Today Links Vika Pechersky, "Dostoevsky: Prophet and Radical Visionary for an Apocalyptic Future" Vika Pechersky, "What Dostoevsky Taught Me About Sending My Son to College" Vika Pechersky, "Dostoevsky and Euthanasia"

C. S. Lewis - That Hideous Strength with Philip D. Bunn and Ronni Kurtz

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams discusses C.S. Lewis's novel 'That Hideous Strength' with experts Philip Bunn and Ronni Kurtz. They explore the themes of the book, its place in Lewis's Space Trilogy, and the significance of literary classics. The theological implications of Lewis's work, character analysis, the role of academia, and the ethical considerations surrounding technology are discussed as well. The conversation highlights the relevance of Lewis's ideas in today's context, particularly regarding the nature of humanity and the purpose of fiction.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to C.S. Lewis and 'That Hideous Strength' 02:55 Defining a Classic: What Makes Literature Timeless? 05:55 Exploring C.S. Lewis's Space Trilogy: Themes and Structure 09:01 Theological Underpinnings in 'That Hideous Strength' 11:52 Character Dynamics: Mark and Jane's Journey 15:09 Academic Settings and Their Critique in Lewis's Work 17:59 Technology and Education: A Modern Reflection 21:07 The Dangers of AI and Its Philosophical Implications 24:08 Corruption of Thought: The Impact of Misrepresentation 27:09 Philosophical Questions: The NICE and Its Convictions 28:45 Exploring the NICE Mentality 31:28 The Role of Finitude in Humanity 34:18 Ransom: The Unremarkable Hero 40:09 C.S. Lewis: A Reflection of His Character 42:31 Resonance of Lewis's Work Today 48:40 The Purpose of Fiction 55:13 Classic Literature Aspirations

Alexis de Tocqueville - Democracy in America with John Wilsey

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Nadia Williams speaks with church historian John Wilsey about Alexis de Tocqueville's "Democracy in America," marking its 190th anniversary. They explore what makes this political work a classic, Tocqueville's aristocratic background and surprising observations about American equality, religion's central role in preserving democratic freedom, and why American conservatives should appreciate his insights about the balance between individual liberty and community responsibility.

Chapters

0:00 - What Makes a Classic
7:30 - Tocqueville's Aristocratic Background
23:17 - The Prison Reform Pretext
26:16 - Structure of Democracy in America
39:56 - Religion's Surprising Role in Democracy
55:24 - The Book's Reception Then and Now
57:53 - Why Conservatives Should Read Tocqueville
1:06:19 - Freedom Requires Responsibility
1:09:20 - The Book John Wishes He'd Written

Links 1. John D. Wilsey's abridgment of Democracy in America 2. George Wilson Pierson, Tocqueville in America 3. Gustave de Beaumont, Marie, Or Slavery in the United States 4. Year-long Vital Remnants season on Democracy in America 5. Robert Tracy McKenzie, We the Fallen People 6. This podcast is based on this edition of Democracy in America--it is the Liberty Fund edition translated by James T. Schleifer and edited by Eduardo Nolla. 7. John D. Wilsey, Religious Freedom: A Conservative Primer

The Nicene Creed with Shawn Wilhite and Coleman Ford

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams talks with theologians Coleman Ford and Shawn Wilhite about the Nicene Creed, marking its 1700th anniversary. They explore what makes a theological work a "classic," the historical background of the Council of Nicaea, the meaning of key Christological terms, and how to "think Nicenely" in the Christian life. The discussion blends history, theology, and practical discipleship, showing how the Creed shapes Christian identity and worship.

Chapters 00:04 – Introduction and Reading of the Nicene Creed 02:18 – Guests' Backgrounds and Book Collaboration 02:57 – What Makes a Theological Classic? 07:19 – Defining the Work of Theologians as "Doctors of the Soul" 17:18 – Historical Background of the Council of Nicaea 22:47 – Why the Debate over Christ's Relationship to the Father Mattered 28:21 – Constantine's Role and Political Context 32:23 – Structure of the Creed and Differences Between 325 and 381 Versions 38:25 – Christology in the Creed: Begottenness, Substance, and "Light from Light" 49:50 – Visual Imagery and Theological Language 54:32 – Thinking "Nicenely" and Why It Matters Today 01:00:18 – Writing Together as Friends 01:04:21 – Classics the Guests Wish They Had Written

Links

Coleman Ford and Shawn Wilhite, Nicaea for Today: Why an Ancient Creed (Still) Matters Coleman Ford and Shawn Wilhite, Ancient Wisdom for the Care of Souls

J.R.R. Tolkien - The Return of the King with Kirsten Sanders

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 11:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams talks with theologian Kirsten Sanders about J.R.R. Tolkien's The Return of the King, exploring its vision of good and evil, the tragic imagination, and the "faith of hobbits." They discuss why classics endure, the theological depth of Tolkien's world, the moral resonance of small acts of faithfulness, and the book's bittersweet ending.

Chapters 00:03 – Tolkien's life, The Hobbit, and the birth of The Lord of the Rings 02:44 – What makes a book a classic? 05:19 – A reluctant Tolkien reader finds unexpected resonance 10:53 – The quest, the ring, and the nature of evil 14:11 – Evil's hunger and the metaphors of light and darkness 17:56 – Frodo's smallness and the anthropology of humble creatures 20:49 – The tragic tone of The Return of the King 23:02 – Denethor's despair and Gandalf's call to do good 28:30 – The faith of hobbits and resisting nihilism 30:38 – Tolkien's gift for character and detail 31:42 – Gandalf, Tom Bombadil, and the mystery of the unaffected 34:27 – Elves, tradition, and the long memory of history 36:46 – Everything is theological: why the story works 39:03 – Sanders' current and future book projects 41:21 – The faith of hobbits in daily life 42:40 – The power of tangible care and the visible good 44:06 – The devastating beauty of Kristin Lavransdatter 44:59 – Rethinking feminist novels and facing "big books"

Links

Kirsten Sanders, "For Eowyn" Jake Meador, "What I Saw in the Shire--JRR Tolkien and the Love of Little Things" Holly Ordway, "Hobbits and Empire: Geography and the Life of Nations in Tolkien's Writings"

Lewis Carroll - Alice in Wonderland with John Shelton

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 16:00:00 -0400

Nadya Williams and guest John Shelton explore Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland on its 160th anniversary. They discuss what makes a book a "classic," the balance between whimsy and seriousness, Carroll's satirical brilliance, and the enduring cultural impact of Alice. The conversation highlights themes of logic, absurdity, moral imagination, and the shaping of children's literature.

Chapters 00:03 – Introduction to Lewis Carroll and Alice's enduring appeal 03:00 – What makes a literary work a "classic"? 06:16 – Why Alice's humor still works 07:43 – Iconic phrases and cultural influence 09:19 – Whimsy as serious work 11:42 – The sacredness of delight 13:38 – Influence on later works and pop culture 14:58 – The importance of the written form and illustrations 24:30 – The challenge of adapting Alice to other media 25:08 – Children's classics and parental reading traditions 27:27 – Violence, absurdity, and what's "too scary" for kids 31:16 – The rise of children's literature in Carroll's time 36:49 – Logic, madness, and education 37:18 – Carroll's faith and the spiritual dimension of whimsy 39:14 – The purpose of children's literature 41:20 – Selecting books for children and moral lessons from stories 45:13 – Learning the right use of force and justice 46:34 – Recognizing and mocking true absurdity 50:27 – Subtle moral norms in Alice 52:17 – Books the guest wishes he had written 54:56 – The relational nature of children's books 57:27 – Stories as moral frameworks for life

Links

John Shelton, "Stories After Virtue: Reading As A Moral Enterprise" Tara Thieke, "Cats and Sixty Foot Whales: Reflections on Children's Literature" Lewis Carroll, An Easter Greeting to every child who loves Alice - Alice-in-Wonderland.net

Laura Ingalls Wilder - Little House on the Prairie with John Fry and LuElla D'Amico

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 15:58:00 -0400

In this episode of Christians Reading Classics, Nadya Williams talks with historian John Fry and children's literature scholar LuElla D'Amico about Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House on the Prairie. They explore what makes a children's book a classic, Wilder's life and historical context, the collaboration with her daughter Rose, and the enduring moral and cultural resonance of the series. The conversation touches on themes of virtue, nostalgia, cross-cultural appeal, and the complexities of reading historical works through modern eyes.

Chapters: 00:00 – Introduction to Little House on the Prairie and Guests 02:18 – What Makes a Classic in Children's Literature? 07:54 – Personal Connections to the Little House Books 12:02 – Laura Ingalls Wilder's Life and Historical Context 22:02 – Story Overview and Thematic Highlights 31:38 – Advice for First-Time Readers 37:17 – Why Wilder Wrote the Books and the Role of Rose Wilder Lane 48:32 – Wilder's Faith and Its Influence in the Series 52:02 – Reading with a Theological Imagination 55:19 – Closing Thoughts and Books the Guests Wish They Had Written

Links

John Fry, A Prairie Faith: The Religious Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder LuElla D'Amico, "The Art of Good Gossip: Unexpected Lessons About Virtue and Community from Little Women" LuElla D'Amico, "Wondrous Reading"

Ignazio Silone - Bread and Wine with Geoffrey Kurtz

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 15:55:00 -0400

Nadya Williams talks with Geoffrey Kurtz about Ignazio Silone's Bread and Wine, exploring its political, spiritual, and literary significance. They discuss what makes a classic, Silone's shift from communism to a more open-ended moral vision, the novel's blend of politics and clandestine faith, and the transformation of its protagonist, Pietro Spina, through solitude and friendship.

Chapters 00:02 – Silone's author's note and the idea of rewriting one's "soul book" 02:29 – Defining a classic: resonance across time and place 04:24 – Silone's life, politics, and exile 08:54 – From political collapse to becoming a novelist 11:00 – The 1936 and 1955 editions: from didactic to subtle 13:13 – Setting and premise of Bread and Wine 14:35 – Disguise, solitude, and unexpected friendships 17:45 – Growth in character and writing craft 18:10 – How much is Spina autobiographical? 21:51 – Political and religious dimensions rooted in the same moral impulse 24:53 – Don Benedetto as a bridge between action and contemplation 29:33 – God's clandestine presence in the novel 31:08 – Solitude as the seed of transformation 35:48 – Loneliness, community, and the longing for safe relationships 36:30 – Reception in Italy, the U.S., and among leftists and Catholics 43:50 – Politics bounded by love and human dignity 47:26 – Kurtz's intellectual journey and democratic socialism 50:55 – On "democratic socialist" vs. "social democrat" 51:38 – Current reading: Wendell Berry and parallels to Silone 54:21 – A classic Kurtz wishes he'd written

Links

Geoffrey Kurtz, "How to Be a Liberal-Socialist-Conservative" Geoffrey Kurtz, Jean Jaurès: The Inner Life of Social Democracy

A. A. Milne - Winnie the Pooh with Ivana D. Greco and Dixie Dillon Lane

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 15:52:00 -0400

Nadya Williams is joined by Ivana Greco and Dixie Dillon-Lane to explore Winnie-the-Pooh as a children's classic. They discuss what makes a book timeless, how Milne's humor and characterization capture the child's mind, the role of family lore and shared cultural touchstones, and how to navigate classics that don't click with every child.

Chapters 00:03 – Origins of Winnie-the-Pooh and its enduring appeal 03:19 – Defining a "classic" in children's literature 07:11 – Story plots, character development, and the child's perspective 09:16 – Humor, literal thinking, and being "in on the joke" 13:10 – Power dynamics, Christopher Robin, and imaginative escape 15:32 – Re-reading classics through different life stages 17:05 – Songs, riddles, and the child's interior life 21:25 – The instinctive music of childhood 24:55 – Character archetypes: Eeyore, Tigger, and self-recognition 29:46 – Literary touchstones in family culture 33:43 – When classics don't click with your kids 41:22 – Encouraging literacy in homeschooling 47:12 – Adapting teaching methods to your child and yourself 49:51 – Avoiding power struggles in reading instruction 54:20 – Recognizing slow, steady progress 58:00 – Classics the guests wish they had written 01:07:18 – Books that become part of who we are

Links

Alexander Lenard, Winnie Ille Pu (the Latin translation) Ivana D. Greco, "The Home Front" Dixie Dillon Lane, "The Hollow"

G.K. Chesterton - The Everlasting Man with Timothy Larsen

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 14:10:00 -0400

Nadya Williams interviews Dr. Timothy Larsen on G.K. Chesterton's The Everlasting Man, exploring its enduring insights on humanity, Christ, and the joy of Christian apologetics. They discuss what makes a "classic," Chesterton's playful paradoxes, his cultural context after WWI, and how to approach the book today.

Key Idea: Chesterton re-narrates the human story and the gospel with wit, joy, and surprise, inviting readers to see faith anew.

Chapters: 00:00 – Chesterton's Introduction: Seeing Home for the First Time 02:20 – What Makes a Classic Book? 05:15 – Chesterton's Life and Many Roles 07:30 – Why The Everlasting Man Was Written 10:05 – Part One: The Creature Called Man 12:30 – Part Two: The Man Called Christ 14:40 – Paradox and Wit in Apologetics 19:00 – Chesterton as an "Earthy" Christian 21:30 – Reception and Legacy 26:30 – Advice for First-Time Readers 29:40 – Larsen's Upcoming Book on WWI Clergy 33:15 – The Classic Larsen Wishes He'd Written 35:20 – Nadia's Choice of a Classic

Links:

Timothy Larsen, "The Full-Bodied Apologist" Timothy Larsen, "When H. G. Wells Found God" Forthcoming book: The Fires of Moloch: Anglican Clergymen in the Furnace of World War One

Introducing: Christians Reading Classics

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 18:24:00 -0400

Welcome to Christians Reading Classics! A new Mere Orthodoxy podcast hosted Nadya Williams. In this introductory episode, you'll learn what this podcast is all about and what you can look forward to. If you love classic books, or are even interested in learning more about them, you're in the right place.