The Plunge with Derek Holser

C.S. Lewis's "The Great Divorce" Introductory Episode: All Aboard to Grey Town

This is the introductory episode of our nine-episode series on C.S. Lewis's novel, "The Great Divorce."
 
We will explore and I hope you enjoy, the ideas presented by Lewis in this fantastic tale, a dream vision, written in response (according to Lewis) to William Blake's "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell."
 
Our guests include notable scholars, theologians and friends. In no particular order, they are as follows: Monika Hilder, Brenton Dickieson, Stephen Dunning, David Burnett, Turner Burnett, Elizabeth Hardy, Jess Lederman, Karen Scheffler, and Joel Wentz.
 
This episode includes a reading of the preface, written by C.S. Lewis. It also containst excerpts from many of the conversations, although we have not yet recorded with Elizabeth Hardy or Joel Wentz. I have no doubt their conversation will be as dazzling as all the others. Welcome to the Plunge: All Aboard for Grey Town!
 
 
There is no other day. All days are present now. This moment contains all moments...
 
Heaven is reality itself. All that is fully real is Heavenly. For all that can be shaken will be shaken and only the unshakeable remains...
 
Everything becomes more and more itself. Here is joy that cannot be shaken. Our light can swallow up your darkness; but your darkness cannot now infect our light...

The End of Evil: A LILTH Conversation w/Chris Green and Jordan Daniel Wood

Happy Halloween 2024!
 
Welcome to The End of Evil, the Finale of our 8-part series entitled LILITH: George MacDonald's Tale of Life Through Death.
 
This is the conclusion of our 8-part series on the theology, history and culture through which MacDonald's final great novel was crafted.
This episode features a conversation with Bishop Chris Green and Theologian Jordan Daniel Wood.
Chris is a Bishop in the Continuing Anglican Movement and is Professor of Public Theology at Southeastern University. He is the author of numerous books, most recently The Fire and The Cloud, A Biblical Christology. His podcast and various essays can be found on his Substack, Speakeasy Theology.
Dr. Jordan Daniel Wood is assistant professor of theology at Belmont University in Nashville. Jordan is the author of The Whole Mystery of Christ: Creation as Incarnation in Maximus Confessor (https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Mystery-Christ-Incarnation-Confessor/dp/0268203474) His essays can be found on his Substack, Words in Flesh. He comments frequently on faith, philosophy and the scripture on Twitter/X. Follow him @JordanW41069857 https://twitter.com/JordanW41069857
“Angels can fly because they can take themselves lightly. This has been always the instinct of Christendom, and especially the instinct of Christian art. Seriousness is not a virtue. It would be a heresy, but a much more sensible heresy, to say that seriousness is a vice. It is really a natural trend or lapse into taking one's self gravely, because it is the easiest thing to do.  For solemnity flows out of men naturally; but laughter is a leap. It is easy to be heavy: hard to be light. Satan fell by the force of gravity."
G.K. Chesterton
 

Jesus Is The Multiverse: A LILITH Conversation w/Jordan Daniel Wood

In Christ himself, eternity and time are one, which means that He himself becomes the bridge from one moment to all other moments. So now all moments on the timeline open up to all other ones in a way that, as a timeline, wouldn't be possible. It's barely conceivable.In essence, Jesus is the Multiverse.
This is Part 7 of the 8-part series exploring the themes, theology, history and culture through which MacDonald's final great novel was crafted.
This episode features a conversation with theologian Jordan Daniel Wood, author of The Whole Mystery of Christ: Creation as Incarnation in Maximus Confessor.
(https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Mystery-Christ-Incarnation-Confessor/dp/0268203474)
Dr. Jordan Daniel Wood is assistant professor of theology at Belmont University. His essays can be found on his substack, Words in Flesh. He comments frequently on faith, philosophy and the scripture on Twitter/X. Follow him @JordanW41069857
https://twitter.com/JordanW41069857
He is currently at work on a volume of Maximus’s letters, many translated for the first time in English.
In this episode we discuss the nature of self-delusion, the nothingness of evil, and the work of God in time, and through time, to redeem and restore all time for all eternity.

A LILITH Conversation with Jordan Daniel Wood: Reality & Theosis

This is Part 6 of the 8-part series exploring the themes, theology, history and culture through with Lilith, George MacDonald's final great novel was crafted.
 
 
This episode features a conversation with theologian Jordan Daniel Wood, author of The Whole Mystery of Christ: Creation as Incarnation in Maximus Confessor.https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Mystery-Christ-Incarnation-Confessor/dp/0268203474
 
 
In this episode we discuss the nature of reality, dualistic thinking, metamorphosis and theosis and how George MacDonald illuminates the deepest and truest realities of existence through the journey of Mr. Vane with his intrepid guide, Mr. Raven.
 
 
Dr. Jordan Daniel Wood is assistant professor of theology at Belmont University. His essays can be found on his Substack https://jordandanielwood.substack.com/
 
 
He is active on Twitter/X. Follow him at
https://twitter.com/JordanW41069857
 
 
He is currently at work on a volume of Maximus's letters, many to be translated for the first time in English.

LILITH: The Child Against the Vampire of Fundamentalism - A Conversation with John de Jong

This is Part 5 of the 8-part series exploring the themes, theology, history and culture through which MacDonald's final great novel was crafted.
 
This episode features a conversation with John de Jong, author of The Theology of George MacDonald: The Child Against the Vampire of Fundamentalism. (Available on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/wmp27hpc)
 
John de Jong is from Cambridge, England where he is involved in the Anglican community. After a degree in physics and a career in audio engineering, John studied philosophy and religious studies at the Open University - alongside his church work as a music director - before gaining a PhD in theology and literature from King’s College London. His research focused on George MacDonald.
 
A parallel career as a guitarist, songwriter and lyricist fuels an ongoing interest in the relationship between Christianity and the arts. This is reflected in two recent recordings in collaboration with Czech composer Daniel Kyzlink, one a work written for symphony orchestra and rock and jazz musicians, the latest a more intimate recording of John’s guitar-based songs. John’s lyrics and academic work, like the writing of George MacDonald, challenge conventional Christian ideas about what it means to be a follower of Jesus – especially in a twenty-first century more interested in the person of Jesus than the religion founded in his name.
 
John's music can be found here: https://johndejong.bandcamp.com/album/good

LILIITH: George MacDonald's Tale of Life Through Death, Part IV

This is Part IV of the 8-part series exploring the themes, theology, history and culture through which MacDonald's final great novel was crafted.
This episode features a conversation with Thomas Cannariato and Turner Burnett.
Thomas is a writer, a musician, an academic, and much more; a jack of all trades and a master of one. Originally from Long Island, Thomas currently lives in
Northern California, where he cooks all his favorite Italian meals out of desperation for good food. He is on a pilgrimage to discover the Father’s heart and reveal the heart of the Father to his family first and his community second. Thomas excels at long-distance relationships and deep conversations. Thomas is loved by his wife and three sons and feels most at home over a good meal with friends or family. If you ask nicely and are willing to have a deep conversation, he will make you a pour-over with the skills he garnered from his years living in Portland, OR.
Turner Burnett is a husband, father, writer, music artist and amateur pie-maker. He spends most of his time day-dreaming about seeing artists partner with God to create meaningful beauty that draws people into the Kingdom of Heaven. A Seattle native, Turner currently lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where he works at Sony Music in artist development. His favorite color is blue!

LILITH: George MacDonald's Tale of Life Through Death, Part III

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This is Part III of the latest series from The Plunge, hosted by Derek Holser. This 8-part series will be published weekly and includes exploration of the themes, theology, history and culture through which MacDonald's final great novel was crafted.
This episode features a conversation with Ron Dart, University of the Fraser Valley professor emeritus, who taught in the Department of Political Science, Philosophy, and Religious Studies. Ron has authored over 40 books that deal with the interface between literature, spirituality, and politics.
Ron and Derek discuss the deep connection between Lilith and Dante's Divine Comedy, the journey we all must take to reveal our true self, deification, and the meaningful transformation possible when we take the time to meditate on the concepts of MacDonald's theology over time.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ron_Dart
https://www.amazon.com/Beatitudes-When-Mountain-Meets-Valley/dp/0973358688

LILITH: George MacDonald's Tale of Life Through Death, Part II

This is Part II of the latest series from The Plunge, hosted by Derek Holser. This 8-part series will be published weekly and includes exploration of the themes, theology, history and culture through which MacDonald's final great novel was crafted.
This episode features a conversation with Kirstin Jeffrey Johnson, noted MacDonald scholar who lives on a farm in the Ottawa Valley, Canada. https://www.linlathen.com/about
She writes and lectures internationally on MacDonald, the Inklings, the Nineteenth century, and Faith & the Arts. She is on the Advisory Board of Inklings Journal VII, a founding Board Member of the C.S. Lewis & Kindreds Society of Eastern & Central Europe, and co-chair of the George MacDonald Society.
Kirstin also directs Linlathen, a Theology & Arts conference and lecture series based in rural Ontario. Passionate about integrating ecological care, local community, and academia, she occasionally partners with the environmental network of A Rocha. You can find some of her photography on Instagram: #Mythopoeic_Life
Her essay "George MacDonald & Mythopoesis: One of the Greatest Arts" appears in the following volume:
https://www.amazon.com/Inklings-Culture-Pearson-Monika-Hilder/dp/1527560147

Lilith: George MacDonald's Tale of Life Through Death, Part I

This is the introductory episode for the latest series from The Plunge, hosted by Derek Holser. This 8-part series is entitled Lilith: George MacDonald's Tale of Life Through Death.This episode includes excerpts and highlights from the entire series, featuring the following guests: Kirstin Jeffrey Johnson, Ron Dart, John de Jong, Chris Green, Thomas Cannariato, Turner Burnett, and Jordan Daniel Wood. This episode also includes a reading of the introduction, written by Kirstin Jeffrey Johnson, for Jess Lederman's edition of Lilith, illustrated by Gabrielle Ragusi, https://www.worksofmacdonald.com/lilith
 

C.S. Lewis's Greatest Influence, the Final Chapter

C.S. Lewis's Greatest Influence: The Life & Work of George MacDonald was originally recorded for students of Seapointe College, and is now available through The Plunge with Derek Holser.
This episode features a conversation with Bishop Chris Green and Jordan Daniel Wood. Chris is a Bishop in the Continuing Anglican Movement and is Professor of Public Theology at Southeastern University. He is the author of numerous books, most recently The Fire and The Cloud, A Biblical Christology. His podcast and various essays can be found on his substack, Speakeasy Theology.Dr. Jordan Daniel Wood is associate professor of theology and biblical studies at Belmont University. Jordan is the author of The Whole Mystery of Christ: Creation as Incarnation in Maximus Confessor.
Chris and Jordan join Derek to discuss Imagination, MacDonald's profound legacy, and where C.S. Lewis unfortunately missed the ultimate point of MacDonald's work.