Hidden Story of Narnia in Wheaton

What a wonderful time I've had in Wheaton, Illinois this week! Having the better part of the week to sit and soak in the Wade Center (a worldwide repository of materials about C. S. Lewis and six other authors) has been fabulous.

Then today I had the honor of addressing parents and young people visiting Wheaton College for Family Weekend. One of the delights of my lecture was having the Honorable David Beasley, former Governor of South Carolina in attendance (see picture above). I had met Mr. Beasley previously during the years I served as pastor of a church in South Carolina. David was on campus with his family and also giving lectures during his time at the college.

With so many other fine lectures and activities on offer for Family Weekend at Wheaton I was delighted and humbled to speak to a lecture-room packed with Lewis and Narnia devotees. My lecture this afternoon was on the spiritual themes in C. S. Lewis' children's book, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader. Since Wheaton is a mecca for Lewis studies I had the very intimidating job of speaking before a group extremely knowledgeable about Lewis and Narnia. However, that made for a very exciting time of question and answer as well. Some of the young people in attendance at my lecture today were very impressive in the knowledge they displayed of both biblical and other literary allusions in The Chronicles of Narnia.

After a most enjoyable time of Q&A I signed copies of my new book, The Hidden Story of Narnia, for many enthusiastic Narnia fans like the one below.

As good as today was, I am anticipating that tomorrow morning at 11:15 will be the highlight of my week. That's when I will be speaking to children and youth about The Voyage of the Dawn Treader while sitting right next to the real wardrobe in the museum of the Wade Center. What a treat! For more information click here: http://www.wheaton.edu/news/releases/10-11_releases/11.05.10_WadeCtr_Vaus.html.

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Will Vaus

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