REDLANDS, CA (CSLF) -- The International Centennial Celebration of C.S. Lewis' birth will be held two consecutive weeks, July 19 - August 1, at Oxford University and Cambridge Universities in England. Oxbridge '98, a conference sponsored by the C.S. Lewis Summer Institute (a program of the C.S. Lewis Foundation), will host hundreds of C. S. Lewis "friends" from every segment of society. Attendees will explore the larger significance of Lewis' life, particularly with regard to the challenge of living faithfully as Christians, within their respective vocations at the dawn of the 21st century.

An international faculty will preside over two consecutive weeks at Oxford and Cambridge universities, includes Charles Colson, Thomas Howard, Dallas Willard, Michael Cassidy, Richard John Neuhaus, Philip Yancey, Tony Campolo, Madeleine L'Engle, Jack Kemp, James J. Packer, Luci Shaw, Earl Palmer, and others. A wide array of seminars and workshops will be offered on topics including: C.S. Lewis, Visual and Performing Arts, Literary Arts, Apologetics, Healthcare, Politics, and Science. College credit is available.

This forum will provide a unique experience and opportunity for interaction between Christians and non-Christians of different faiths. Under the theme "Loose in the Fire," the International Centennial Speakers will present the challenge of imaginative and courageous actions in contemporary society.

"Religion is a significant part of human life," says Dr. Stanley Mattson, Founder and President of the C. S. Lewis Foundation. "When it comes to the 'R' word we tend to choke up," Mattson continued, "but there tends to be a strong incentive to pursue policies that privatize Christian faith. C. S. Lewis was a Christian who celebrated the life and mind and counted among his friends atheists and agnostics."

"The Foundation seeks to encourage forward looking vitality among people of faith everywhere. Approximately 80 percent of the nation's 14 million college students claim to be Christian, and a 'very substantial' number of the nations' 380,000 professors are Christian. Breaking down negative stereotypes associated with Christianity will be one of the International Centenary goals," says Dr. J. Stanley Mattson, President of the C.S. Lewis Foundation and Director of the Summer Institute.

The impetus generated by the Centennial Celebration will continue through three weekend events in the United States. Area coordinators are already at work preparing for these weekends. More detailed information will be available following Oxbridge '98.

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