Author Archives: Rick D. Williams

About Rick D. Williams

Teaching and writing have been my life's work for over two decades as a journalist and educator. My degrees in History were earned at Illinois State University, and I've done additional graduate work at Lincoln Christian Seminary and Urbana Theological Seminary. Over the years I’ve led conference workshops and authored articles and book chapters on topics ranging from religious education and international student ministry to state and local history.

The Presidential Election of 2017 (?)

Posted on March 17, 2016 by Rick D. Williams

Donald Trump appears to be on his way to the Republican nomination, but fear not; this may wind up being, if nothing else, an excellent chance for a Civics lesson! Welcome to class. Most folks have forgotten (or never knew) … Continue reading →

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Becoming Captain America (part 1)

Posted on March 16, 2016 by Rick D. Williams

Captain America’s initial origin story is told in his first published appearance in Captain America Comics #1 (March 1941; hereafter CAC). Over the years numerous Timely/Marvel writers have enhanced, embellished (and sometimes confused!) his story. Two significant “modern” story arcs … Continue reading →

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Glory and Stone

Posted on May 28, 2014 by Rick D. Williams

What follows is the text of the Commencement Address given to the class of 2014 at Judah Christian School, Champaign, Illinois.  These graduating Seniors were all in my Worldviews class, and I sincerely thank them for the opportunity to spend … Continue reading →

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Another Christmas . . .

Posted on December 30, 2013 by Rick D. Williams

“But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.  Because you are his sons, God sent … Continue reading →

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Lewis’s “Leap in the Dark”

Posted on August 9, 2013 by Rick D. Williams

C. S. Lewis was brought up in the Church of England but left any childhood faith behind as soon as his independent circumstances and the demands of compulsory church attendance allowed, and in response to what he felt his intellectual … Continue reading →

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Pain & Sorrow: Human Suffering and “The Good God”

Posted on July 25, 2013 by Rick D. Williams

In The Problem of Pain, C. S. Lewis brings all of his philosophical and critical skill to bear in responding to this classic contra Deum claim:  “If God were good, He would wish to make his creatures perfectly happy, and … Continue reading →

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The Weight of Story: Marvels and “What Really Matters”

Posted on July 18, 2013 by Rick D. Williams

In his essay, “On Stories,” C. S. Lewis employs the marvelous word “Redskinnery” to describe “what really mattered to him” when he read stories set in the western American frontier.  “Take away the feathers, the high cheek-bones, the whiskered trousers, … Continue reading →

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The End of Man: Lewis on Humanity Sacrificed

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Rick D. Williams

In the Abolition of Man, C. S. Lewis examines the problems with “modern” education by taking to task the authors of “a book on English intended for  . . . the upper forms of schools.’”  Lewis’s concerns run far deeper … Continue reading →

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Sons and Daughters: the Children of Narnia

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Rick D. Williams

The four Pevensie children at the center of The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe are referred to in Narnia as “Sons of Adam” and “Daughters of Eve.”  No doubt C. S. Lewis intends for readers to see in these … Continue reading →

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Images of Joy in Lewis’s “Surprised” and “Pilgrim’s Regress”

Posted on June 21, 2013 by Rick D. Williams

The idea of “Joy” is among C. S. Lewis’s most famous and familiar contributions to Christian literature.  Its influence on “the shape of his early life” is the central theme of Surprised by Joy (SJ), and its attainment is the … Continue reading →

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