On November 10, Dr. James E. Beitler presented “The Wholehearted Reader: C.S. Lewis on How to Read for Life.” Beitler guided the audience through Lewis’ published and unpublished writings, offering practical lessons on reading with joy, with others, and as an act of Christian discipleship. As part of the Lewis House Lecture Series, on November 11, at the Lewis House, Beitler presented “Virtue Not Vitriol: C.S. Lewis on How to Argue in a Time of Hate-Fueled Rhetoric.”
“Jim did a masterful job of reminding us, through referencing the work and ideas of C.S. Lewis, of the need to experience a text through the eyes of the author if we wish to become, or return to being, a wholehearted reader,” said Honors Program Director Dr. Paul Nesselroade. “The interweaving of scholarship and faith was seamless and beautiful; a confirmation of the transcendental benefits that come from quality Christian scholarship.”
As Director of the Marion E. Wade Center and Professor of English at Wheaton College, Beitler is a respected scholar of rhetoric and Christian witness, as well as the author of multiple books. He also teaches courses on C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and co-hosts the Wade Center Podcast. His lecture will explore how thoughtful reading can shape faithful living in a complex world.
From childhood, when his mother read him The Chronicles of Narnia, Beitler fell in love with the writings of C. S. Lewis. Since then, his love has expanded to other fantasy literature, particularly that of J. R. R. Tolkien and Susanna Clarke. Beitler took this passion to his directorship of the Marion E. Wade Center at Wheaton, which keeps more than 2,500 volumes from Lewis’ personal library.
From his study of these volumes and Lewis’ writings, Beitler presented an argument for whole-hearted reading. He described Lewis’ practice of deep engagement with a text, which involves contemplation, captivation, communion, and transformation. Beitler contrasted this deep engagement with the quick bits of information that our culture consumes and said: “One of the things that we’ve lost is the ability to lose ourselves in a book, for long, long periods of time. And that is a gift.”
Beitler describes himself as on a journey towards wholehearted reading, aspiring to the confrontation and conviction that comes from exposure to ideas outside of himself. As he journeys, he plans to work on a new series of lectures on fantasy literature. He invites students to visit the Wade Center so that he can show them the things about which he talked.
The AUHP allows students to pursue the spiritual, moral, social, and ethical dimensions of the human experience; to explore human problem solving, ethical dilemmas, identity, and self; and to relate these human questions to the areas of work, career, family, and society. For more information on upcoming events, visit asbury.edu/honors.