Description
With deepest respect and genuine appreciation for our colleges and universities and their unique and important contributions to culture, the C.S. Lewis Foundation is dedicated to restoring a vital and constructive Christian intellectual and artistic presence throughout the mainstream of contemporary higher education. Further, in the belief that the very survival of a vibrant democratic society depends upon the integrity of its commitment to a genuine pluralism, the Foundation is determined to do its utmost to ensure that the intended free "marketplace of ideas," the modern secular pluralistic university, lives up to its stated high ideals. In an age in danger of becoming increasingly polarized by strident voices on both sides of the debate over a secular vs religious view of life, the Foundation finds it all the more imperative that dialogue and informed discourse replace anger and growing alienation. To borrow sociologist Peter Berger's felicitous phrase, we need to learn, and teach others, "to live with our deepest differences." To this end, the C.S. Lewis Foundation offers programs that include, but are not limited to, the following: THE C.S. LEWIS STUDY CENTRE, OXFORD, ENGALDN The Foundation owns, and is in the final stages of restoring, "The Kilns," C.S. Lewis' long-time home in Oxford. Upon completing the work of restoration in the summer of 2000, "The Kilns" will be dedicated as an international Christian study center serving both day visitors, by appointment, and a small household of resident visiting scholars, including writers and artists whose interests correspond closely with those reflected in Lewis' own life and work. THE C.S. LEWIS SUMMER INSTITUTES Oxford and Cambridge Universities, England Since 1988, the C.S. Lewis Foundation has conducted a major two-week Summer Institute convening every third year within the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge Universities. The Institute offers a rare opportunity for Christian study, worship, and cultural renewal within the historic setting of two of the world's finest universities, both of which figured so prominently in the emergence of a vigorous Christian intellectual tradition. To date, a diverse body of more than 2000 participants, drawn from many academic disciplines, institutions, professions, nations, and Christian communions, have reaped the fruit of this singularly unique offering. Oxbridge 2002 will mark the fifth such gathering. It's theme - "Time and Eternity." THE FACULTY FORUM As part of its on-going effort to encourage a renaissance of Christian scholarly and artistic expression within the mainstream of contemporary higher education, the C.S. Lewis Foundation recognizes the strategic importance of supporting Christian professionals working within the academy. To this end, The Faculty Forum serves as the facilitator of a growing network of college and university faculty of historic Christian faith, including Catholics, Protestants and Orthodox, drawn from across the academic disciplines, from the political left and right, and from many nations. It is grounded in a genuine academic agenda that it is shaped and directed by members of the academy who have a serious track record of experience in higher education. The Faculty Forum seeks to encourage increased contact, interaction, and collaborative work on joint research projects between Christians serving on the same or on different campuses, whether locally, regionally, nationally or internationally. CENTER FOR LIFE-LONG LEARNING In the tradition of C.S. Lewis, the Foundation recognizes the importance of engaging people from all walks of life on issues that concern the relationship of Christ and culture. To this end, the Foundation is committed to providing life-long educational programming that will foster deeper understanding on a wide range of subjects on the part of both Christians and non-Christians alike. These may take any one of several forms, including those of university, college, church, club, or Foundation sponsored programs (e.g. lectures, teachings, readings, discussions, day and weekend retreats and conferences) featuring one or more of the Foundation's primary or adjunct faculty speaking upon subjects relating to the life and legacy of C.S. Lewis and/or the broader issues encompassed by the mission of the Foundation. C.S. LEWIS COLLEGE At the appropriate time, the Foundation looks forward to establishing a fully accredited four-year Great Books college with a school of visual and performing arts. Inspired by the "cluster college" concept of Oxford and Cambridge Universities (each of which is made up of many small and semi-autonomous colleges), the Foundation is prayerfully seeking an appropriate location and substantial benefactors of vision who can enable the establishment of an excellent undergraduate institution which is rooted in the historic Christian faith and yet which, in the spirit of C.S. Lewis, welcomes the opportunity to discover the larger meaning of that faith by openly and constructively engaging others of different persuasion within the larger pluralistic setting of a major secular university.
