GWWL10 – C.S. Lewis – Pilgrim’s Regress – Great Works in Western Literature with Joseph Pearce – Discerning Hearts Podcasts

In this episode of 'Great Works in Western Literature,' host Chris McGregor and guest Joseph Pearce delve into C.S. Lewis's lesser-known but profoundly significant work, *Pilgrim's Regress* (1933). The discussion centers on the book’s allegorical structure, its role as a spiritual autobiography of Lewis’s journey from atheism and intellectual rebellion to Christian conversion, and its enduring relevance in understanding the modern spiritual crisis. Pearce highlights how the narrative follows John—a stand-in for Lewis—as he escapes the rigid, Calvinist 'Puritania' of his youth and embarks on a quest for truth, encountering personified abstractions representing the spirit of the age: Mr. Enlightenment, Mr. Halfways (romanticism), and others. Through these encounters, Lewis critiques modern ideologies while affirming the harmony of faith and reason, culminating in a vision of Mother Church (Mother Kirk) as the true guide to truth. Pearce emphasizes the book’s power as a conversion story, comparable to Augustine’s *Confessions* or Chesterton’s autobiography, and laments its neglect despite its clarity, literary brilliance, and deep theological insight. He calls for greater recognition and scholarly annotation of the work to unlock its full richness, especially its satirical references to 20th-century literary and cultural figures. The episode concludes with a strong advocacy for *Pilgrim’s Regress* as essential reading for anyone seeking to understand Lewis’s intellectual and spiritual development. Pearce argues that the book’s 'regress'—the necessary unlearning of false ideologies—is a vital metaphor for authentic conversion. He also underscores the importance of history in forming identity and direction, warning against the modern 'progressive' dismissal of the past. The conversation is both deeply theological and accessible, blending literary analysis with spiritual formation. Listeners are encouraged to engage with the text not only for its historical and philosophical depth but also for its enduring call to humility, truth, and the integration of head and heart in the pursuit of God.