Dr. Jason Lepojärvi: A Champion of C.S. Lewis and the Humanities

Reported by Jaden Forsyth

Photographed by Allison Martinet

Dr. Jason Lepojärvi, a professor of theology and literature, an Honors professor, a former contestant on Survivor, and a dedicated scholar of C.S. Lewis, shared his deep appreciation for the celebrated author and a glimpse into his teaching journey at George Fox University.

Now in his third year of teaching at George Fox, Dr. Lepojärvi brings a wealth of global teaching experience, having spent six years in Canada, four years in England, and additional time teaching in his home country of Finland. His academic appointments have included esteemed institutions such as the University of Oxford, Regent College, Thorneloe University, Davenant Hall, and the University of Helsinki. This extensive background allows him to skillfully weave his love for C.S. Lewis into the curriculum at George Fox.

Dr. Lepojärvi’s admiration for Lewis began at the age of nineteen. “I wasn’t brought up a Narnian,” he recalls. The first Lewis book he read was The Problem of Pain, a philosophical exploration of faith amidst suffering. At the time, Dr. Lepojärvi was serving in the Finnish military, and the book profoundly impacted him. “It helped me return to the faith, as well as to get over some intellectual hurdles with the faith,” he said.

Lewis’s prose and profound insights left a lasting impression. “He has depth and style,” Dr. Lepojärvi shared. “Lewis is a combination of both a good thinker and a good writer, which is rare to find.” Among Lewis’s works, Till We Have Faces holds a special place in his heart, particularly when read alongside The Four Loves.

At George Fox, Dr. Lepojärvi’s passion for Lewis and “The Inklings” (a literary group including Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and their peers) permeates his teaching. He alternates yearly between courses focused on Lewis or Tolkien, with last year’s offering titled Lewis’s Theories of Love. His classes, typically capped at 20 students, attract not only humanities majors but also nursing and engineering students. “Lewis and Tolkien are a gateway drug into the humanities,” he joked.

Beyond the classroom, Dr. Lepojärvi serves as the faculty representative for the Lewis/Tolkien Student Society at George Fox. The society gathers weekly to read and discuss works by the Inklings, often accompanied by refreshments. “We meet in the Penn seminar room on Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. for one hour,” he explained, encouraging students to contact Colton Kirby for more information about joining.

Dr. Lepojärvi’s role also extends to the C.S. Lewis Initiative at George Fox, which supports student-led projects, develops courses on the Inklings, and collaborates with organizations like the Portland C.S. Lewis Society. Founded in 1972, the Portland society is the second oldest in existence and the oldest that continues to meet in person. “There’s a new chapter in Newberg that meets in a pub,” Dr. Lepojärvi quipped. “Unfortunately, students can’t attend those meetings.”

One of Dr. Lepojärvi’s most significant contributions to George Fox is the Undiscovered C.S. Lewis Conference. The inaugural event drew international attention and exceeded expectations. “It went incredibly well,” he said. The conference featured six keynote lectures, including two from Oxford scholars (one of whom holds Lewis’s former academic position), over 100 presentations from global scholars, two plays, a pre-screening of a documentary on Tolkien and Lewis’s friendship, and a rare books exhibit.

“We had 250 attendees from countries like Turkey, Japan, Finland, Romania, Australia, Canada, Ireland, and France,” Dr. Lepojärvi recounted. “Survey feedback rated satisfaction at 9.52 out of 10. It was worked on for a year by a huge team, and we’re planning to host it every other year.”

Dr. Lepojärvi credited fellow George Fox faculty member and Lewis scholar Dr. Gary Tandy for his contributions to the conference. “Dr. Tandy has published on Lewis’s rhetorical skills and literary strategies,” he said. “I’m not the only one interested in C.S. Lewis.”

For Dr. Lepojärvi, teaching at George Fox is the perfect blend of his two great passions: educating students and exploring the timeless works of C.S. Lewis. His dedication ensures that Lewis’s legacy continues to inspire new generations of readers and thinkers.