From scholars and students.

“Dr. Jason Lepojärvi’s teaching and lecturing style is engaging and effective. He has just the right balance in his manner: dispassionately assessing the material on the one hand while sensitively remembering the complex humanity (of Lewis, of himself, of his students) on the other hand. Too few scholars achieve this balance, but Jason is one of its most admirable exemplars that I have ever encountered in this respect—either in the field of Lewis studies or, for that matter, in the field of literary-theological study generally. I have lectured on C. S. Lewis and related matters all round the world, and I am in constant contact with scholars of his work from every corner of the globe. In my opinion, Jason is without doubt one of the most able and promising figures currently operating in this area of research. I heartily commend his tutorials to you.”

“Dr. Jason Lepojärvi has a rare and valuable combination of skills: keen intelligence, deep knowledge of his field, the ability to communicate effectively, and the gift of drawing insights from others in discussion. His students will benefit greatly from sessions with him, where all these gifts come into play. Having myself designed and taught many online courses, I know firsthand that online instruction, done well and with a dedicated and skillful teacher such as Jason, is a valuable and enriching experience. As a scholar of Tolkien and Lewis, I know and admire Jason’s scholarship; I am delighted that he will be helping students to delve more deeply into the work of these important authors. I highly recommend his tutorials.”

“I have known Jason Lepojärvi as a friend, as an eloquent and deeply insightful fellow Inklings scholar, and as a superb President of the Oxford University C. S. Lewis Society, which throve under his tenure. His knowledge of his subject is deep, his understanding deeper still; and he elucidates complex ideas with clarity, immediacy, and a kind of calm passion. It doesn’t take long in his company to realise he is going to go a long way. Students will benefit richly from his tutorials.”

“Dr. Lepojärvi has worked as an Adjunct Instructor of Theology at Abilene Christian University’s study abroad program in Oxford, UK, teaching C. S. Lewis and the nature of love. In this capacity, he has taught over 100 of our students. He is an engaging instructor; extremely knowledgeable yet always open to learning from his students. His lectures are lively and informative with room for in-depth exploration. Dr. Lepojärvi had our students do ‘mini-tutorials’ in the middle of their semester and every student reported that the experience was the highlight of the course. The tutorials deepened the knowledge gained in his lectures, gave them the confidence to debate with an instructor, and encouraged the students to take ownership of their studies.”

“Dr. Lepojärvi’s work on the theology of love broke new ground in studies related to C. S. Lewis, setting a high standard for others to follow. He possesses that rare talent among theologians of communicating in ways which non-specialists will not find boring. Surely he is one of the rising stars of his generation.”

“Given his extensive knowledge of Lewis and his thought, Jason Lepojärvi is one of the leading interpreters of Lewis in his generation.”

“I enrolled in Jason’s courses for several reasons: in addition to delving deeper into C.S. Lewis’s writings, was the desire to grow in receiving constructive criticism. I knew after my first tutorial that I had hit the jackpot! Not only was Jason adept at providing valuable feedback, but he was also skilled at being able to help me defend my positions. (Jason: ‘When I asked you about this, I noticed that you defended your position in this way. Let me suggest two other ways you could have given a defense.’) As I have been a practitioner for many years, far removed from academia, Jason was patient in helping me find my writing skills once again. After studying with Jason for 5 years not only have I grown in apprehending what C.S. Lewis was pointing toward, but I also grew in my confidence in tackling hard books. When I look back on my life my classes with Jason will be numbered among some of my life’s most shaping events.”

“I cannot recommend studying under Dr. Jason Lepojärvi highly enough. As someone who usually writes in dot points and has never studied anything remotely resembling an arts or humanities subject, I was very daunted to be throwing myself into a field completely outside my usual comfort zone. Jason was so patient with my novice state, encouraged my very poor writing and took the time to pull out of me what I was trying to say. Although his credentials in the field are immense he made the lessons very accessible and tailored to my level and displayed a level of humility that is rarely seen in high profile academics, listening and giving weight to my arguments almost like I was an equal rather than a student. As Lewis puts it best: ‘The student is half afraid to meet one of the great philosophers face to face. He feels himself inadequate and thinks he will not understand him. But if he only knew, the great man, just because of his greatness, is much more intelligible than his modern commentator.’ If you would like to develop your understanding of Lewis this is one of the best ways to go about it.”

“The first course I took with Jason was C.S. Lewis on Love and Its Limits which I enjoyed so much that I dove into Tolkien and Philosophy directly following. The one-on-one, Oxford tutorial format created space for engagement with the texts and authors in a way that simply isn’t possible in a typical classroom setting. Jason brings a rare combination of intellectual rigor, humility, and humor to every conversation. His dialectical approach often takes the form of friendly intellectual sparring—asking probing questions, challenging assumptions, and drawing you out in ways that provoke deeper understanding. He doesn’t just teach; he invites you into a shared search for truth and meaning. I’ve had the blessing of studying with excellent professors in the past, but these two courses with Jason clearly stand out as the most formative learning experiences I’ve had. I carry the insights from those discussions with me every day.”

“Jason Lepojärvi’s scholarly verve augments his enthusiastic teaching style and his rare capacity to make comprehensible complex, philosophical concepts. Throughout our tutorial discussions, his passion for C. S. Lewis facilitated my progression from a rudimentary knowledge to a more developed understanding of Lewis’s works and intellectual thought. Jason’s criticisms were candid and charitable, encouraging me to dig deeper and pursue unanswered questions. He patiently probed my vague analyses with perceptive queries. An engaging tutor, Jason’s authoritative knowledge of Lewis, theology, and love induces lively conversions during tutorials, bolstering an eagerness to move beyond theoretical abstractions. Indeed, studying under Jason stands out as one of the most intellectually and spiritually formative periods of my life.”

“Professor Jason Lepojärvi’s course on Lewis and Christianity should not be taken lightly. The content is enlightening and thought provoking but requires a great deal of discipline and hard work. Each week focuses on a particular theme with an open-ended prompt that can be answered using the appropriate reading. All the hard work will pay off in the end for a personally rewarding course. You will learn to question your own convictions, play the Devil’s Advocate to your own arguments, and discussions with Jason will strengthen your critical thinking skills.”

“I highly recommend a course with Dr. Jason Lepojärvi for all interested in a well-directed and stimulating exploration of C. S. Lewis’s work. He has a deeply empathetic nature that makes conversation with him both accessible and gratifying. He presents his coursework with a keen sense of organization and clarity of student goals, eliminating wearisome ambiguities regarding assignments and expectations. Perhaps one of Jason’s most extraordinary quality, though, is his passion to study and learn alongside you, an attitude that empowers his students and inspires joy and respect in all who meet him.”

“Jason is one of those intellectual giants I thought only existed in fairy takes and history books. He possesses expansive knowledge, an esteemed history of study, and most importantly, a unique method of tutelage that manages to engage and inspire. He didn’t teach at me like so many of my previous teachers. Instead, he invited me to join him on an intellectual journey, leaving me amazed at the depth of the comprehension I had gained. He will pull an intellect out of you which you didn’t know existed.”

“Before taking Jason’s course on C. S. Lewis’s understanding of love, Lewis was just an idea to me. I only knew him in the context of Narnia and hadn’t been brave enough to tackle some of his more challenging writings. In the months I spent in Oxford studying Lewis with Jason, I got to experience just a drop of the richness of Lewis’s thought and writings. Jason came alongside our class and pushed us to think harder and challenge our views on what love really is. He immersed us in Lewis’s Oxford and brought the words off the pages and into our lives tangibly. With Jason’s mentoring and intent on students grasping the content, I walked away from the semester feeling like I had climbed Mount Everest. I found joy in the challenge Lewis presents a fellow intellectual and found a friend in the professor who helped me learn what it means to love God, love people and love the world around me.”

“When I began Jason’s class, ‘The Philosophy of Love,’ I was not well acquainted with the topic, nor was I particularly excited about it. However, my feelings could not have been more misguided. By the end of the first week, I found myself spending most of my free time reading for this class. By the end of the semester, it was my favorite class, by far. The authors and texts that Jason selected were an utter delight. Jason’s conversation and guidance was poignant and enriching. But my favorite part of all was the questions which arose throughout the course. ‘Does and should love seek happiness?’ ‘What is love’s connection with emotions?’ ‘What is the relationship between Agape and Eros?’ These questions and others haunted me in the best sense possible, and they continue to haunt me. This class will change the way that you think about love.”

“Growing up reading Narnia and having C. S. Lewis’s stories shape my young and adult life, never has his work and life become more alive to me than taking a class with Jason. The class content, ranging from friendship love and vulnerability to the problem of evil and love’s perversion, always led to discussion that was engaging, real, thoughtful and provoking. I can honestly say that both the class and professor will go down as among the best that I have had the privilege to take in my life. I left the class equipped to be a better writer, a more thoughtful student, and overall a more holistic human.”

“It would be fair to describe Dr. Lepojärvi as someone who thinks outside of the box every time he teaches. But as a true master of ‘Lewisology’, perhaps he actually thinks inside the wardrobe. He took me by the hand into the wonderful world of Lewis’s writings, soundly presenting his case, not unlike the ‘thunderstorm and kitten’ of Narnia. In Dr. Lepojärvi’s classes, it is hard to hide our misconceptions about God and ourselves; but there you will also find yourself profoundly transformed by the softness of Lewis’s words. His tutorial courses are for everyone—for friends, lovers, widows, parents, writers, philosophers, and theologians. Everyone. Get ready for a grand adventure!”

“You would be a fool to miss out on having Jason as a tutor. Jason was my tutor for a five-week summer program in Oxford. Since then, I have had many tutorials with various Oxford professors. Jason is, by far, the best tutor I have had. He is an engaging and dynamic teacher who balances critique and encouragement effortlessly. Do not miss a chance to learn from him. He gives the greatest gift of the tutorial system: he teaches you how to think.”

“Dr. Jason Lepojärvi is a first class lecturer with an unparalleled knowledge of the works of C.S. Lewis as well as other members of the Inklings. I have taken his course on love and can confirm that his lectures are always well informed and riveting. His undoubted intellectual powers certainly stretch the student’s intellect but the affections are also engaged in his classes. Beyond his lectures, Jason is a very fine human being, down to earth and approachable as a person. He cares for students as persons. I recommend him highly. He is certainly one of the best lecturers I have ever encountered.”

“Jason Lepojärvi is an excellent tutor who set the bar higher than I would have set it myself, which challenged me to achieve more than I thought possible. In addition, Dr. Lepojärvi proved to be an expert in both primary and supplementary materials, helping me to traverse the difficult terrain of my topic: C. S. Lewis on suffering. Dr. Lepojärvi went above and beyond to adapt to my learning style and invest in me as an individual—not simply as a student.”

“Having taken his class on C. S. Lewis and love, I can easily recommend Dr. Jason Lepojärvi and his tutorials in ‘Lewisology’. As a life-long fan of Lewis and Tolkien, I find his teaching to be engaging, challenging, and formative. Lepojärvi has a wealth of knowledge in this subject area; he is passionate about the material and is capable of facilitating captivating discussions.”

“I was refreshed by Jason’s new ‘tutorial style’ class. It helped me to sharpen and deepen my thought. His course had a direct impact on my writing and analytical skills. I’m very grateful to Jason for his guidance and company in this challenging and enjoyable process.”

“Jason gave me the philosophical and contextual tools to uncover the scholarly rigour of Lewis’s work, while lovingly critiquing Lewis when appropriate. I soon discovered that the writer I had so long admired for his universal appeal was also a scholarly force for his time and ours. Similarly, both academically and personally, Jason’s teaching was masterful. Academically, Jason pushed me to new standards of rigor, while responding generously to critique and question. He balanced respect for his students’ opinions, openness to his own potential blind spots, and confidence in his subject. But Jason’s role as professor extended beyond just delivering knowledge; he also became a mentor and advisor. I am as grateful for our conversations outside of class as I am for those inside the class, and his wisdom and guidance in areas both related and unrelated to course material has been invaluable.”

“Jason Lepojärvi perfectly blends together scholarship and approachability in his courses that both academics and casual C. S. Lewis fans will find intriguing and educational. I was originally nervous about taking Jason’s class on Lewis’s theology of love. As a Chemistry major, I wasn’t sure if I had what it takes to participate in discussions involving theology, let alone write my own essay about it. However, Jason was an incredibly gracious and helpful teacher, and as a result, I finished the class feeling confident in my knowledge. To this day, it is easily one of my favorite classes that I have ever taken.”

“During a Study Abroad excursion to Oxford, I had the privilege of studying C. S. Lewis under the tutelage of Professor Jason Lepojärvi. His outstanding course on love provided an avenue of study that was at once passionately interesting, inspired, and meticulously planned out.  I can attest to his depth of insight and judicious reader’s eye that enable his students to flourish. There is no academic authority on Lewis today that I would be more willing to endorse than him.”

“After studying with Dr. Lepojärvi in one-on-one tutorials and ‘friend’-ing him on Facebook, I can assure prospective students they need not worry about an impersonal or unorganized online experience. No other syllabus I’ve ever received has been so carefully constructed, and he was always willing to answer any clarifying questions I had. I also know from his many statuses that his good cheer exists as brightly online as it does in person! Spiritual and academic growth are on the prospective students’ horizons, and I highly recommend his tutelage.”

“There are few speakers who can match Dr. Lepojärvi’s combination of intelligence, charisma, and speaking skills. I’ve not met a fellow student who has not talked of how much they’ve enjoyed and learned from his lectures. My own experience of his class on Lewis and love no exception. I’m finishing my third degree in theological studies, and Jason’s course ranks among the best I’ve ever taken. Anyone looking for an engaging and brilliant professor on evangelicalism’s most beloved novelist need look no further.”

“Under Jason’s leadership, I spent two months reading, writing about, and discussing many of C. S. Lewis’ works. I had never before learned so much in such a short time, and it is thanks to Jason. He put together reading lists and crafted essay prompts in a way that challenged me to think deeply, and he structured the course so that each week built on the last. During our tutorial sessions Jason asked wise questions that exposed me to new perspectives, while at the same time affirming that I, too, have valuable insights to share. In addition, he always provided me with timely feedback on my essays, and he answered any questions I had quickly and willingly. My time in Oxford was full of wonderful experiences that I will not soon forget, but my tutorials with Jason tops them all. Because of Jason’s teaching and support, I am now better able to read thoughtfully, write clearly, and think critically.”

“I had the opportunity to experience the Socratic method of dialectic learning with Dr. Lepojärvi at Oxford University. His course ‘C. S. Lewis: Intellect and Imagination’ included one-on-one tutorials in defense of my argumentative essays. The opportunity to discuss perennial questions with an expert is both amazing and daunting. I will never forget Dr. Lepojärvi’s explanation of the dynamic of the tutor relationship. He explained it not as a vertical hierarchy but a horizontal, life-long journey. We learn from each other in our pursuit of truth. This experience transformed my perspective on education and the pursuit of knowledge.”

“Jason’s introductory course on Philosophy and Ethics was one of the first university-level courses I ever took, and it definitely set the tone of my studies for years to come. It remains one of my favorite courses to this day. Jason’s good humor and approachable personality made the whole course an enjoyable experience. His approach to philosophy is hands-on and refreshing, not the sort of thing you’d think of a typical philosophy teacher. The most memorable thing about Jason was a one-to-one conversation I had with him on career choices. That conversation has stayed with me all these years, helping my own path in life.”

“Jason has the finest Finnish humour, which helped me enter Lewis’ works softly and joyfully. The idea of one-on-one tutorials felt very intimidating at first, but in hindsight these were precisely what made the course so precious. This professor helped me to desacralise ‘Saint’ Lewis when needed, but also to appreciate the works of one of the most prolific Christian thinkers of the 20th century, with continuing influence into the 21st.”