[NEohioPAL] Symbol or Substance? Performance Release

[James McGuire]

Symbol or Substance: A Dialogue on the Eucharist with C.S. Lewis, Billy Graham, and J.R.R. Tolkien
A live dramatic reading of Peter Kreeft's imaginative gathering of these three great Christian personalities will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, November 3 and 4, 2023, St. Hilary Church, 2750 W. Market St., Fairlawn, OH  44333.  Tickets are not reserved, but may be purchased for $5 (cash or check made out to “St. Hilary”) in the St. Hilary Church office, 2750 W. Market St., Fairlawn, OH 44333 or on performance nights.  NOTE: Seating is limited to 100, so get your tickets early!  Inquiries: 330-612-5969

In this imaginary conversation, author Peter Kreeft gives credible voices to C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Billy Graham as they discuss one of the most contentious questions in the history of Christianity: Is Jesus symbolically or substantially present in the Eucharist?  These three widely respected modern Christian witnesses represent three important Western theological traditions. Graham, an ordained Southern Baptist minister who traversed the world and the airwaves to spread the Good News of salvation represents evangelical Protestantism. Lewis, an Oxford professor, a prolific Christian apologist, and the author of The Chronicles of Narnia among many other works, was a member of the Church of England. Also, an Oxford don and a widely celebrated author of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Tolkien was a friend of Lewis and a Roman Catholic.  While Lewis and Tolkien likely discussed the Eucharist during their long friendship, the dialogue in Symbol or Substance? never actually took place –but it could have, says Kreeft, who faithfully presents the views of these three impressive contemporary men.