James Welch, the Director of Religious Broadcasting for the BBC, read Lewis's "The Problem of Pain" and subsequently wrote to him the following:I write to ask whether you would be willing to help us in our work of religious broadcasting ... The microphone is a limiting, and rather irritating, instrument, but the quality of thinking and depth of conviction which I find in your book ought sure to be shared with a great many other people. Welch suggested two potential subjects. Lewis responded with thanks and observed that modern literature, the first possible subject, did not suit him, choosing instead the latter option, the Christian faith as Lewis understood it.