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From Shakespeare to the Inklings

The Bible's Impact on Creative Imagination

March 16–18, 2022  Adult
This event is hosted by the Presbyterian Heritage Center.

This unique Inklings (C.S. Lewis, Tolkien, etc.) conference highlights the Bible’s impact on Western Civilization, affecting authors, musicians and artists from the 15th century through today. It will change your world view – from the medieval society lit only by fire to the incandescent musings and works of the Oxford-based Inklings of the 20th century.

Come learn from world-renowned scholars, who will reveal the Bible’s influence on the:
* the greatest English Playwright (William Shakespeare);
* the greatest English Epic Poet (John Milton);
* the greatest English Novelist & Allegorical work of the 17th – 19th centuries (John Bunyan);
* the most popular legend – King Arthur and the Round Table – and its treatment through the centuries, especially by the Inklings;
* leading 20th Century Christian writers from the Inklings (C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Charles Williams, et al) to Dorothy Sayers.

Plus there will be a limited museum display during the conference of illuminated manuscripts, the Saint John’s Bible – the first calligraphy and illuminated art Bible in 500 years, an original Folio of Shakespeare Plays from the early 1600s, and much more!

Limited attendance. First come, first served.
Act now to reserve your attendance at this conference with a unique perspective on Christian faith affecting the literary and art culture for the past 750 years.

Books visible in the event photo:

top row – 13th century choir introit, Second Folio 1632 of Shakespeare plays, 1st American edition of Tokien’s The Hobbit,
bottom row – Illuminated drawing from St. John’s Bible, Geneva Bible mid-1500s, first American edition of C.S. Lewis’ Pilgrim’s Regress. All these items and more will be displayed during the March 2022 conference.

Leadership

Registration

Registration covers the program lectures and panels, plus it includes two (2) dinners, one (1) lunch; refreshments at the plenary session breaks, as well as helping to cover general meeting expenses (equipment, audio-visuals, meeting room charges, speaker expenses, etc.). Rooms at the Assembly Inn are also available.

Note: If you attended the November 2019 C.S. Lewis conference in Montreat that was created by the Presbyterian Heritage Center, you are eligible for a $20 additional savings on any rate. (2019 Lewis Conference Savings)

Individual Group Discount 10 or more
Pricing from April 19 to July 31, 2021 $225/person $195/person
Pricing from August 1 to December 31, 2021 $260/person $230/person
Before Nov. 15
Pricing from January 1, 2022 to March 17, 2022 $300/person $300/person

To register a group, please contact the registrar at barrye@montreat.org with a list of who you are registering as well as any dietary requirements. The registrar will contact you shortly afterwards to confirm your group registration.

Rates are subject to North Carolina sales tax where applicable, as well as a $2 community services fee per person for public services provided by the Town and the fire district.

Accommodations

Package rates below include the conference registration fee, two room nights in Assembly Inn (March 16 & 17), meals in the Galax Dining Room (Wednesday dinner through Friday breakfast), plus a community services fee per adult for public services provided by the Town and the fire district. Rooms are assigned on a first come, first served basis. Some rooms have private baths, and some rooms have connecting baths. Additional meals are available during this conference, if you need to make any adjustments to this package please contact the registrar at barrye@montreat.org or call 828.419.9815. Room check-in AFTER 3:00 pm. Room check-out BEFORE 11:00 am.

On or Before July 31, 2021

Single Occupancy, Private Bath $417.00
Double Occupancy, Private Bath $664.00
Single Occupancy, Shared Bath $387.00
Double Occupancy, Shared Bath $317.00 per person ($634.00 total)

Between August 1 and December 31, 2021

Single Occupancy, Private Bath $452.00
Double Occupancy, Private Bath $734
Single Occupancy, Shared Bath $422.00
Double Occupancy, Shared Bath $352 per person ($639.00 total)

After January 1, 2022

Single Occupancy, Private Bath $492.00
Double Occupancy, Private Bath $814.00
Single Occupancy, Shared Bath $462.00
Double Occupancy, Shared Bath $392.00 per person ($784.00 total)

Rates are subject to North Carolina sales tax where applicable, as well as a $2 community services fee per person for public services provided by the Town and the fire district.

Presentations

From Inspiration to Illumination: Telling the Story of Creative Illuminated Manuscript

This will graphically change your view of medieval religious artistry. It will cover medieval art and processes to modern illumination.
Led by Tim Ternes

The Bible's Impact on Shakespeare & Early Renaissance Writers

This will unveil the deeply rooted religious impact on the greatest English playwright and other writers (Donne, Sidney, Herbert, etc.).
Led by Dr. Hannibal Hamlin

Pilgrim's Progress/Pilgrim's Regress: From John Bunyan to C.S. Lewis

Led by Dr. David Downing

Shattering the Stained Glass: Dorothy L. Sayers & the Bible

In the talk Crystal will note how Lewis, Sayers, and George MacDonald all used “stained glass” as a metaphor describing one-dimensional views of the Bible and Church doctrine.
Led by Dr. Crystal Downing

The Soul & the Soil: Tending King Arthur's Lands From Medieval Devotion to Modern Magic

In Biblical narratives and Arthurian legends, the health of the land is intimately intertwined with the health of the human soul. Although there have been many ecological readings of the “waste land” phenomenon in Arthurian literature, this presentation offers a close look at creation care as spiritual discipline in these legends from medieval times through the works of the Inklings and their contemporaries in the Modern Occult Revival.
Led by Sorina Higgins

Imperishable Flame: J. R. R. Tolkien and the Bible

Diana will talk about scriptural influences in The Lord of the Rings and The Silmarillion, as well as Tolkien's work on the translation team of The Jerusalem Bible.
Led by Diana Glyer

Soldier, Writer, Inkling: A Life of Warren Hamilton Lewis

Learn about C.S. Lewis’ brother Warren and his works and influences on C.S. Lewis. Dr. King’s new book on this subject being published 2022.
Led by Dr. Don King

Questions

  • If you have any questions about registration, housing, or meals, please email the registrar at barrye@montreat.org or call 828.419.9815.
  • If you have questions about the event, please contact the Presbyterian Heritage Center at info@phcmontreat.org or call 828.669.6556.