| Narnia
Posted: 12/10/2005 2:25:28 AM | The Cronicles of Narnia and The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in particular were a favorite story of mine when I was a child. If you have been living under a rock or just not been paying attention lately, the first book has been made into a movie by the same name.
Tonight was opening night and it was awesome. Now, to the relevence to religion. It is no secret that the writer of the original books, CS Lewis, was a devout Christian. If you have read any of the books you would have likely noticed heavy religious symbolism.
I have read more recently that CS Lewis was a friend of Tolkien and the original point of the novels was to explore the possibility that there are multiple realities or worlds and the idea that if that were the case that God would naturally send his son to each of them.
I invite discussion about the movie, the books, the symbolism, and the possiblities the ideas behind them would open up theologically speaking.
To be fair I will provide a spoiler warning right now. It would be difficult to discuss much of the contents of the movie, books, or background without dropping spoilers left and right so if you decide to participate in this thread, consider this your warning. Though you really should have read at least the first book by now anyway. | |
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Posted: 12/10/2005 9:22:45 AM | | I am a big C.S. Lewis fan and read the Narnia books nearly 30 years ago. I am looking forward to seeing the film. The multiple realities idea is interesting and sounds like Lewis. He also wrote a science fiction trilogy based on life on other planets where man did not fall into sin like Adam did. I always assumed that the books were an allegory, but I was listening to David Gresham, Lewis' stepson in a radio interview who stated that Lewis did not set out to write a Christian book, he set out to write a good book. I do find that hard to believe as the similarity between Aslan and God/Jesus is undeniable. | |
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Posted: 12/10/2005 10:09:51 AM | | This thread was already in the "Off Topic" section. I already forayed too far into pedantry on that thread discussing allegory and parable, so I'll just say- I love the Narnia Chronicles- truly classic children's literature, and I'm looking forward to seeing the movie. I'll be so disappointed if they don't do it justice. Looks like Infornography's giving it a good review. | |
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Posted: 12/10/2005 5:27:15 PM | I saw the movie today and it's spectacular, gorgeous, amazing, and very moving. I cried a couple of times during the movie. I think that CS Lewis, being the sort of person he was, couldn't help but write The Chronicles of Narnia with Christian themes. I know that he and Tolkein were friends and they, and some others, would get together over a pint and talk about what they were writing, share what they'd written, and critique each other. I read that Tolkein's goal was to create a mythology that was uniquely British. And I read that Lewis started his Narnia writing at a very dark and difficult time in his life as a way to help himself stay even keeled. Both Tolkein and Lewis were devout Christians and when that sort of thing is so deep within it will, as a matter of course, come out in whatever they might write otherwise there would be a lack of...oh, I guess the best word to use here is "integrity", or maybe "authenticity". For them to be true to their art form they have to be true to themselves, so naturally their deep Christian faith would show up.
I hope everyone sees "The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe". I hope it's a smash hit, it's very, very good!!!  | |
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Posted: 12/10/2005 5:51:01 PM | Yeah, I am definitely giving it my two thumbs up. Admittedly it has been over a decade since I last read the book, but what I could remember of it was dead on faithful.
The graphics are phenomenal and the acting was excellent. If you loved the book you should not be disappointed.
I was worried before going to the theatre as well but that did not stop me from being there opening night to watch it on the DLP. | |
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Posted: 12/10/2005 7:26:57 PM | | I heard that it's yesterday's top grossing movie. It'll be interesing to see how it does over the long haul. | |
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Posted: 12/10/2005 11:17:17 PM | Glad to hear the good reviews. Both daily newspapers here in Detroit rated it as so-so, but I rarely agree with either of those reviewers.
Interesting that brilliantlysassy mentioned Lewis and Tolkien meeting for a "pint". (Just love that expression). Lewis' writings are about as fully Christian as you can get yet he never had a problem with having a pint at the local pub. Here in the States a Christian would be viewed as a hypocrite for entering a bar. | |
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Posted: 12/10/2005 11:35:56 PM | I never knew this, Tolken and Lewis friends? Gues I do not read enough, i usually play darts now, by the by, I like the meeting for a pint also!
I just may have to go and see this showing, is it not a continued book? Of the Lion,witch and wardrobe?
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Posted: 12/10/2005 11:39:13 PM | | I am a big fan. I did not discover the books until ten years ago. I wished I had read them earlier, they are fantastic. Very inspiring to the Christian person. I had seen some other movies, done in Britain, I think, based on Narnia. I liked the title book, and another in the series, Voyage of the Dawn Treader. | |
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Posted: 12/10/2005 11:53:41 PM | Dei, Lewis and Tolkien were very good friends. Tokien was a Roman Catholic and Lewis was an Anglican.
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe was the first in a series of 7 books that Lewis wrote about Narnia. If you go in chronological order "the Magicians Nephew" would be first. They are an easy and rewarding read. | |
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Posted: 12/11/2005 12:29:09 AM | Even as a non-Christian the Narnia books are great. They are symbolic of the Christian faith without being overly preachy.
I would literally reccomend them to anyone, especially the first three in the series. | |
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Posted: 12/11/2005 8:29:24 AM | | I read the book years ago and loved it.Just saw the movie last night,my youngest daughter has now discovered CS Lewis and wants the books now.It made the adaptation to screen very well. | |
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Posted: 12/11/2005 2:34:53 PM | As I understand it, and I could be mistaken, the length of a movie's run is determined by how well it does during it's opening week(end). Hopefully this will be a long run, and maybe Walden Media will make movies from the other books too.
This is part of a Q & A interview that Lewis' stepson, Douglas Gresham, gave to Christianity today. I love it!! 
"Americans have latched on to C. S. Lewis, and yet here's a guy who was a chain smoker, who liked his pints, who told ribald jokes, and in general, wouldn't fit what we think of as the "typical evangelical." And yet we've all wrapped our arms around him. Why is that?
Gresham: One of the reasons is that through the—if you can excuse the expression—the bulls--- that has come to be taken so seriously in American Christianity, through all of that, they can still see the essential truth that Jack represented. The problem with evangelical Christianity in America today, a large majority of you have sacrificed the essential for the sake of the trivial. You concentrate on the trivialities—not smoking, not drinking, not using bad language, not dressing inappropriately in church, and so on. Jesus doesn't give two hoots for that sort of bulls---. If you go out and DO Christianity, you can smoke if you want, you can drink if you want—though not to excess, in either case." | |
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Posted: 12/11/2005 3:27:34 PM | | That is really an interesting take on the state of Christianity in America and probably dead on accurate. | |
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Posted: 12/11/2005 3:36:20 PM | | I think the US has always had that prohibition type of mentality..very strange, something in the genes?? | |
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Posted: 12/11/2005 4:13:44 PM | | Hi everyone ,my teacher used to read it to us in class,grade 4 and 5. I remember some of it ,,,just curious as to what age range would be ok to view it? younger children that is. | |
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Posted: 12/11/2005 5:42:56 PM | | My favorite character is Aslan, who is symbolic of the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Aslan is the hero of this movie, and should inspire us all. | |
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Posted: 12/11/2005 6:14:13 PM | RD - I think Douglas Gresham has a great sense of the reality of evangelical Christianity. Much of the Church in America is evangelical, but not all. Roman Catholics don't have a problem with drinking and smoking, but there are definitely problems in other areas. Please don't misunderstand, I'm not casting stones, I know people of various denominations, and I think all we need to do to see that is look at how the media portrays Christians and Christianity to see that there are problems in the whole of the Church. I also think that if we're wise we'll consider that there may be validity to the perspective the media has and it is in our best interests to evaluate ourselves and, rather than arguing with our "enemy", we should agree and deal with the issues that are brought to our attention. Like the kid shoveling the manure in the barn because, even though all that manure stinks mightily, surely there's a horse in there somewhere. 
Ent - Maybe it's the grape juice used during Communion. Oh...did I say that? LOL  Actually, I think that the problem is one where something that is intended to bring joy and freedom into people's lives is instead turned into a matter of being overly focused on the externals instead of addressing the condition of the heart. It's easier to try to change things from the outside, and focus on behavior, than it is to change things on the inside and let what's going on inside shine through. It's another matter of trying to keep the law to be righteous than letting the Spirit work on the inside and make us what scripture says we are - the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
In Your Dreams - I think it's wonderful how throughout the Narnia Chronicles the relationship the characters develop with Aslan transforms them. I think that's the way it's supposed to work with us. | |
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Posted: 12/11/2005 6:23:04 PM | | Wonka - I hope you do enjoy the movie as much as the books. They're for kids of all ages! | |
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Posted: 12/11/2005 10:12:47 PM | Sassy, I heard Gresham on a local radio show being interviewed. He had quite a bit to say about how political correctness is out of control in the USA as well. He was very accurate with his comments on that too.
I think if anyone is trying to follow Christ and focusing on what they should not do rather than what they should do, there will be problems. I am under the impression that if you do the things you know you should do, the things you should not do will take care of themselves for the most part. | |
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Posted: 12/11/2005 10:25:49 PM |
I think if anyone is trying to follow Christ and focusing on what they should not do rather than what they should do, there will be problems. I am under the impression that if you do the things you know you should do, the things you should not do will take care of themselves for the most part.
very well said RDtoo. I agree completely. | |
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Posted: 12/12/2005 4:14:01 PM |
Sassy, I heard Gresham on a local radio show being interviewed. He had quite a bit to say about how political correctness is out of control in the USA as well. He was very accurate with his comments on that too.
I think if anyone is trying to follow Christ and focusing on what they should not do rather than what they should do, there will be problems. I am under the impression that if you do the things you know you should do, the things you should not do will take care of themselves for the most part.
I'm not terribly surprised by how insightful Gresham seems to be, if only because of the relationship with CS Lewis. Goodness...imagine what kind of influence being around someone that brilliant and creative had to have on a young mind? Have you ever read Mere Christianity ? It's so incredibly logical and simple!
I agree that we are best served by focusing on what we should do instead of what we shouldn't. I mean, it's all about being conformed to the character of Christ. So, when that's the focus, learning to live and relate like Jesus did when He walked the earth, we'll learn to do what's right instead of being so afraid of doing what's wrong. I think that simplifies things and helps with having a good attitude too.  | |
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Posted: 12/12/2005 6:30:31 PM | Rarely do I see a movie that outshines the book. I just re-read the book last week and saw the movie Saturday. I knew the movie would expound upon things the book could only uncover. Like the theatrics of the battle.
It was great! My 12 year old date (girl) also loved it.
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Posted: 12/12/2005 10:05:27 PM | Mere Christianity is one of my favorite books. I Have owned most everything that Lewis wrote at one time or another, excepting some of his books on Medieval and Renaissance Literature. I did skim those at one time.
Sassy, have you ever read "True Spirituality" by Dr. Francis Schaeffer? I think you would enjoy it alot. | |
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Posted: 12/12/2005 10:30:35 PM | | I dig Cs Lewis's Screwtape letters...very amusing... | |
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