Author of the “C.S Lewis Top Ten” book, Will Vaus, spoke at the university this past Wednesday about his new book and the C.S Lewis. Dadrienne Thompson Photo.
The Southern California C.S. Lewis Society, made up of approximately 20 people, met Oct. 15 at Azusa Pacific University with author and speaker Will Vaus to discuss Lewis and G.K. Chesterton.
Vaus spoke about his book, “C.S. Lewis Top Ten,” and G.K. Chesterton. He began by giving Lewis’ perspective on Chesterton’s writings, which was not always positive. He then went into describing the Catholic writer and thinker’s influence on Lewis. Vaus proceeded with the explanation of Chesterton’s life and compared his accomplishments and different moments with those of Lewis, such as the importance of male friendship and the period of time each took to look into the religion he would follow.
Vaus concluded with information on his three-volume book, containing the top 10 influences on C.S. Lewis. This was the first time public eyes have seen the book, as he debuted it and sold signed copies after the meeting.
“I believe the most important thing is to communicate God’s love to others,” Vaus said. “As a writer, I hope to communicate God’s love.”
The society was founded in 1975 by Dr. Paul Ford. Edie Dougherty, Southern California C. S. Lewis secretary, said Ford called it “the ordeal.” The founder worked at Fuller Seminary, which is one of the places the society had its meetings. It has had meetings at Hollywood Presbyterian and USC as well. The society has kept the same meeting time but moved its location to Azusa Pacific University because of close relations with Dr. Diana Glyer, an APU English professor, according to Doughtery. Glyer’s familiarity with the society comes from her studies of “the inkilings,” a society of writers Lewis was a part of.
“I heard Dr. Ford on a Christian radio interview,” Dougherty said. “There was a meeting where my friend’s husband worked at Fuller Seminary. She found out about the time and date for me.”
The meetings have been at Azusa Pacific for about 3-4 years now, according to Vaus. The society brings in guest speakers to speak about Lewis, his writings and influences. A meeting begins with introduction of one another and the current book members are reading.
“I think [the meeting] was very enlightening,” freshman Lillian Romney said. “It’s like looking up to a sibling, and being around people who are older and that are continuing to learn is enlightening.”
Romney is the one student who came to the meeting by recommendation of her independent studies professor, who also attended. The attendees’ love for C.S. Lewis has brought them together from all over Southern California, according to Dougherty. Some travel from Oxnard, San Bernardino and Riverside. The speaker himself is from Virginia and comes to Azusa about once a year.
The society meets every third Wednesday from 7:30-9:30 p.m., excluding December, July and August. Snacks and coffee are provided.
For more information about The C.S Lewis Society visit cslewis.org or its Facebook page.