Narnia- A postmodern path to faith and salvation?

NARNIA - A POSTMODERN PATH TO FAITH AND SALVATION?By Berit KjosDecember 25, 2005NewsWithViews.com An argument between evangelical and secular Narnia fans has been raging for decades: Are The Chronicles of Narnia supposed to be Christian? The release of the Disney movie has added fuel to this debate. Its director, Andrew Adamson denies the connection to Christianity and says its spiritual themes are common to the fantasy genre. Nor does the producer, Mark Johnson see a Christian message. "When I read the book as a child," he said, "I accepted it as a pure adventure story. It never occurred to me Aslan was anything more than a great lion."[1] Even Douglas Gresham, Lewis' stepson, said recently: “Churches in Britain and America are promoting the film as a Christian film, but it’s not... and the Narnia books aren’t Christian novels.”[1] Evangelicals disagree. "We believe that God will speak the gospel of Jesus Christ through this film,"[1] said Lon Allison, director of Illinois' Billy Graham Center. A letter C.S. Lewis wrote to one of his many young fans back in 1961 may close that debate: “Supposing there really was a world like Narnia... and supposing Christ wanted to go into that world and save it (as He did ours) what might have happened? The stories are my answer. Since Narnia is a world of talking beasts, I thought he would become a talking beast there as he became a man here. I pictured him becoming a lion there because a) the lion is supposed to be the king of beasts; b) Christ is called ‘the lion of Judah’ in the Bible.... The whole Narnian story is about Christ.”[2] Narnia's lion really is Jesus That letter, sent from Magdalene College at Cambridge, brings us back to another question: Are his "supposal" (a word coined by Lewis) stories true to the Bible? Are they even compatible with Biblical thinking, which is based on God's absolutes? "Lewis was anything but a classic evangelical, socially or theologically," wrote Bob Smietana in a Christianity Today article titled "C. S. Lewis Superstar." "Though he shared basic Christian beliefs with evangelicals, he didn't subscribe to biblical inerrancy or penal substitution.... Part of Lewis's current appeal... is a postmodern interest in 'thin places'—places where the physical world and the spiritual world meet.... Fantasy allows you to explain and grasp and integrate into your life things that are not logical.... It is to say that we can tell each other truth in story."[3] But when you communicate "truth in story," the truth can be stretched like a rubber band. That's why He warns us repeatedly against any meddling with His message! He will not let us add or delete anything. His certainty must not be tainted with our uncertainties. [See God's unchanging Word] The last book written by C. S. Lewis (published in 1964) shows the author's view of social change and ambiguity. In "The Discarded Image," he tells us that when people no longer like the old Paradigm or cultural "Model" with its beliefs and values, they will simply discard it: "...phenomena to support that new one will obediently turn up." Nothing is permanent; everything changes along with human thought, wants, and speculations. Even "ultimate realities" must change: "We must recognize that what has been called 'a taste in universes' is not only pardonable but inevitable. We can no longer dismiss the change of Models as a simple progress from error to truth. No Model is a catalogue of ultimate realities, and none is a mere fantasy.... But also, no less surely, each reflects the prevalent psychology of an age almost as much as it reflects the state of that age's knowledge...."[4] Lewis ends his book with this prediction: "It is not impossible that our own Model [including the Biblical worldview] will die a violent death, ruthlessly smashed by an unprovoked assault of new facts -- unprovoked as the nova of 1572. But I think it is more likely to change when, and because, far-reaching changes in the mental temper of our descendents demand that it should. The new Model will not be set up without evidence, but the evidence will turn up when the inner need for it becomes sufficiently great. It will be true evidence.'[4] "What Lewis imagined to be 'not impossible' some generations away -- the death of the modern model or worldview -- turns out to be happening," wrote the leading postmodern Pastor Brian McLaren, who has indeed discarded absolute truth. That's not surprising. And gifted authors like Lewis and Tolkien have helped that process. Their remarkable ability to bring Christian readers into new worlds and make them feel at home in the midst of pagan rituals, occult mysteries and magical forces have taught unbiblical versions of the most important gifts God has given us: His peace in the midst of turmoil, His unwavering faith, and His eternal gift of salvation. First, God's peace is based on certainty: absolute confidence that God will be and do what He has promised in His Word -- no matter how difficult our circumstance. This peace is incompatible with the postmodern belief that everything must change and nothing is absolute. Likewise, it clashes with the dialectic process, which is driving the transformation of churches as well as schools, corporations, government and homes. In other words, there can be no peace when truth (thesis) and myth or opposing opinions (antithesis) continually merge together (synthesis) into an evolving consensus. In this context, everything becomes uncertain -- even truth itself. Everything is subject to change with each new thought, feeling or group input. Jesus never marketed his message with entertaining thrills or dialectic compromise. Nor should we! Like Him, we must bring true light "into the world," even though "men [have always] loved darkness rather than light." [John 3:19] Second, our FAITH must be based on God's Word, not man's changing philosophies. When C.S. Lewis wrote about Narnia half a century ago, the actual practice of witchcraft and ancient occultism was generally out of reach. In an era of politically correct cultural Christianity, few knew the Bible well and even fewer knew much about other religions. The stories seemed safe, yet exciting and far from reality. People enjoyed them but didn't believe them. This is a different era. Magical powers are now both real and tantalizing. Among teens, witchcraft is said to be the fastest growing religion, accessible to all through the Internet. And children in public schools are trained to view all religions through a pluralistic filter that rules out any claim that one "God" is better than any others. "Faith is in the eye of the beholder," declared Tilda Swinton who played the part of the Witch. "Lewis' original book is more 'spiritual' than religious.... You can make a religious allegory out of anything if that's what you're interested in."[1] Like many today, Lewis had, early in his life, been captivated by the mythical worlds that filled his mind and heart. As he wrote in "Surprised by Joy," the possibility that "the visible world" might conceal huge "'uncharted realms' started in me something with which, on and off, I have had plenty of trouble since—the desire for the preternatural, simply as such, the passion for the Occult. Not everyone has this disease; those who have will know what I mean. ... It is a spiritual lust; and like the lust of the body it has the fatal power of making everything else in the world seem uninteresting while it lasts. It is probably this passion, more even than the desire for power, which makes magicians.... "The vagueness, the merely speculative character, of all this Occultism began to spread--yes, and to spread deliciously -- to the stern truths of the creed. The whole thing became a matter of speculation: I was soon (in the famous worlds) altering 'I believe' to 'one does feel.' And oh, the relief of it!... From the tyrannous noon of revelation I passed into the cool evening of Higher Thought, where there was nothing to be obeyed, and nothing to be believed except what was either comforting or exciting.”[5] It may be tempting to let fantasies confuse magic with the mighty power of God, but the two are incomparable. God reigns over all! He alone is worthy of our faith. "I was with you in weakness, in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, that your faith should not be in the wisdom of men but in the power of God." 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 Third, Biblical SALVATION is based on God's victory, not human effort. "The Last Battle," the final book in the Narnia series, gives us a glimpse of Lewis' view of salvation and eternal life. The idol of the neighboring nation is Tash, a large, frightening creature who walked like a man but had a head like a vulture. After the final destruction of the worlds, the evil characters have all died. But Emeth, one of evil Tash' faithful servants, ends up in the new heavenly Narnia along with Aslan's loyal subjects. "Do tell us who you are and what's happened to you," begs Jill, a "saved" human who has been reunited with King Peter, King Edmund and Queen Lucy. So Emeth begins his long story: "...always since I was a boy I have served Tash, and my great desire was to know more of him.... But the name of Aslan was hateful to me." He then describes the events of the final battle between the evil forces of Tash and the faithful followers of Aslan. Finally he shares his surprise at finding himself in the new world -- face to face with Aslan: "...the glorious One bent down his golden head and touched my forehead with his tongue and said, 'Son, thou art welcome.' But I said, 'Alas, Lord, I am no son of thine but the servant of Tash.' He answered, 'Child, all the service thou hast done to Tash [representing Satan], I account as service done to me.' ... I take to me the services which thou hast done to him. For I and he are of such different kinds that no service which is vile can be done to me, and none which is not vile can be done to him. Therefore if any man swear by Tash and keep his oath for the oath sake, it is by me that he has truly sworn, though he know it not, and it is I who reward him.'"[6] What does this passage suggest? That a person who serves Satan faithfully will reap eternal blessings if he does some "good" things? That those "good deeds" will save you, even if you trust in a false god and reject the true gospel? That Rick Warren is right and those who resist his "Second Reformation" are wrong? Remember, his Reformation calls for a change in Christian focus from doctrine and beliefs to deeds and behavior.[7] But God's Word tells us the opposite: “...by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9 Never have our children been surrounded by so many spiritual counterfeits, seductive suggestions and occult images. And seldom has the Christian community been less prepared to resist such temptations. But God is more than sufficient to guide and guard those who trust and follow Him. "Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ." Colossians 2:6 Footnotes: 1, Disney's 'Narnia': Christ Need Not Apply2, Narnia's Lion really is Jesus3, C. S. Lewis Superstar4, C. S. Lewis, The Discarded Image (Cambridge University Press, 1964), pages 221-223.5, C. S. Lewis, Surprised by Joy (C.S. Lewis PTE limited, 1955), pages 60-61.6, C.S. Lewis, The Complete Chronicles of Narnia (Harper/Collin Publishers), page 517.7, The Emerging Global Church

Brother, this is quite remarkable and telling...The last book written by C. S. Lewis (published in 1964) shows the author's view of social change and ambiguity. In "The Discarded Image," he tells us that when people no longer like the old Paradigm or cultural "Model" with its beliefs and values, they will simply discard it: "...phenomena to support that new one will obediently turn up." Nothing is permanent; everything changes along with human thought, wants, and speculations. Even "ultimate realities" must change: "We must recognize that what has been called 'a taste in universes' is not only pardonable but inevitable. We can no longer dismiss the change of Models as a simple progress from error to truth. No Model is a catalogue of ultimate realities, and none is a mere fantasy.... But also, no less surely, each reflects the prevalent psychology of an age almost as much as it reflects the state of that age's knowledge...."[4] Lewis ends his book with this prediction: "It is not impossible that our own Model [including the Biblical worldview] will die a violent death, ruthlessly smashed by an unprovoked assault of new facts -- unprovoked as the nova of 1572. But I think it is more likely to change when, and because, far-reaching changes in the mental temper of our descendents demand that it should. The new Model will not be set up without evidence, but the evidence will turn up when the inner need for it becomes sufficiently great. It will be true evidence.'[4] "What Lewis imagined to be 'not impossible' some generations away -- the death of the modern model or worldview -- turns out to be happening," wrote the leading postmodern Pastor Brian McLaren, who has indeed discarded absolute truth.Beginning to see where some have had problems with Lewis's 'underpinnings' perhaps, had the same reaction as this author goes on to draw out;Likewise, it clashes with the dialectic process, which is driving the transformation of churches as well as schools, corporations, government and homes. In other words, there can be no peace when truth (thesis) and myth or opposing opinions (antithesis) continually merge together (synthesis) into an evolving consensus. In this context, everything becomes uncertain -- even truth itself. Everything is subject to change with each new thought, feeling or group input. "transformation of churches" How true and notice how well the criticism is taken even if given without the "spirit of" criticism. Everything is subject to change ..." The mantra of the age?Second, our FAITH must be based on God's Word, not man's changing philosophies. When C.S. Lewis wrote about Narnia half a century ago, the actual practice of witchcraft and ancient occultism was generally out of reach. In an era of politically correct cultural Christianity, few knew the Bible well and even fewer knew much about other religions. The stories seemed safe, yet exciting and far from reality. People enjoyed them but didn't believe them. Interesting to stop and think about the use of these things as evangelism. Why not then? When they were first written? If 'few' knew the bible well then...Like many today, Lewis had, early in his life, been captivated by the mythical worlds that filled his mind and heart. As he wrote in "Surprised by Joy," the possibility that "the visible world" might conceal huge "'uncharted realms' started in me something with which, on and off, I have had plenty of trouble since—the desire for the preternatural, simply as such, the passion for the Occult. Not everyone has this disease; those who have will know what I mean. ... It is a spiritual lust; and like the lust of the body it has the fatal power of making everything else in the world seem uninteresting while it lasts. It is probably this passion, more even than the desire for power, which makes magicians.... "The vagueness, the merely speculative character, of all this Occultism began to spread--yes, and to spread deliciously -- to the stern truths of the creed. The whole thing became a matter of speculation: I was soon (in the famous worlds) altering 'I believe' to 'one does feel.' And oh, the relief of it!... From the tyrannous noon of revelation I passed into the cool evening of Higher Thought, where there was nothing to be obeyed, and nothing to be believed except what was either comforting or exciting.”[5]Telling. Would like to hear the whole context of that, in fact I believe I have that around here somewhere, never did read it. The point though is how much of all of this is infiltrating churches, much, (most?) of the charismatic models, the seeker sensitive etc. It can be a subtle and difficult line to address with accusations of 'extremes', but just how much of this whole imaginary mindset is creeping in? Maybe, he gets what many have attempted to address right here; That Rick Warren is right and those who resist his "Second Reformation" are wrong? Remember, his Reformation calls for a change in Christian focus from doctrine and beliefs to deeds and behavior.[7] CompartmentalizingNever have our children been surrounded by so many spiritual counterfeits, seductive suggestions and occult images. And seldom has the Christian community been less prepared to resist such temptations. But God is more than sufficient to guide and guard those who trust and follow Him. Not only the children.Jer 14:16 And the people to whom they prophesy shall be cast out in the streets of Jerusalem because of the famine and the sword; and they shall have none to bury them, them, their wives, nor their sons, nor their daughters: for I will pour their wickedness upon them. Jer 14:17 Therefore thou shalt say this word unto them; Let mine eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease: for the virgin daughter of my people is broken with a great breach, with a very grievous blow. Jer 14:18 If I go forth into the field, then behold the slain with the sword! and if I enter into the city, then behold them that are sick with famine! yea, both the prophet and the priest go about into a land that they know not.

"The vagueness, the merely speculative character, of all this Occultism began to spread--yes, and to spread deliciously -- to the stern truths of the creed. The whole thing became a matter of speculation: I was soon (in the famous worlds) altering 'I believe' to 'one does feel.' And oh, the relief of it!... From the tyrannous noon of revelation I passed into the cool evening of Higher Thought, where there was nothing to be obeyed, and nothing to be believed except what was either comforting or exciting.”[5]--------------------------------------------------------------------------------Telling. Would like to hear the whole context of that,...Though he did make mention of Lewis's "early life" there, it is a unfinished sentiment and really a bit unfair in using this to mean more without the remaining context, the completion of the paragraph and the next is..."...except that which was either comforting or exciting. I do not mean that Miss C. (The Matron of he school he attendedItalics mine) did this; better say that the Enemy did this in me, taking occasion from things she innocently said.One reason why the Enemy found this so easy was that, without knowing it, I was already desperately anxious to get rid of my religion; and that for a reason worth recording. By a sheer mistake - and I still believe it to have been an honest mistake - in spiritual technique I had rendered my private practice of that religion a quite intolerable burden."It's even more difficult to cut off here as he goes on to describe the struggles with what his conscience was accusing him of in prayer ("Like everyone else I had been told as a child that one must not only say one's prayers but think about what one was saying") and that which he couldn't live up to by sheer will power... He went on to apostasy (His words) which I could only imagine was for a time having not read all this. Think the author here may have been a bit to hasty in drawing to much of a conclusion from just this and I was just as well. That it might have some particular bearing at some point later on perhaps, but this out take was from an early time and a bit of a reach making it stand on it's own two legs, while in the midst of his honesty in retelling it.

Sometimes they come wielding discernment.Grace and Peace...

I don't know Lewis' theology. I know that one one hand he has a collection of books designed for a deeper Christian life. On the other, he has what might seem to be fiction novels. Some people swear by Lewis, and some hate him. I don't know enough either way to allign my endorsement or condemnation, but this article seemed to share a very stern viewpoint. If you have a debate with this article, then debate it, please. That's why it's posted. I, among others I'm sure, would like to know more about this subject from those who know more themselves.Grace and Peace...

Quote:that if a person has come to know God and now worships Him, the worship which you mention will not turn towards being acclaimed, or towards self, but will be all the more tuned towards Him, in defiance of the previous lifestyle.Hmmmmm.What saith the Scriptures?Deuteronomy 12:29-32 KJV 29 When the LORD thy God shall cut off the nations from before thee, whither thou goest to possess them, and thou succeedest them, and dwellest in their land; 30 Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. 31 Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods. 32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.And Again;Haggai 2:11-14 KJV Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Ask now the priests concerning the law, saying, 12 If one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment, and with his skirt do touch bread, or pottage, or wine, or oil, or any meat, shall it be holy? And the priests answered and said, No. 13 Then said Haggai, If one that is unclean by a dead body touch any of these, shall it be unclean? And the priests answered and said, It shall be unclean. 14 Then answered Haggai, and said, So is this people, and so is this nation before me, saith the LORD; and so is every work of their hands; and that which they offer there is unclean.Simply stamping the name of Jesus on our own corrupt practices does not sanctify them. Everything about us must be crucified. Christian Art is an oxymoron.P.S. before i was saved i was a fantasy fanatic and loved tolkien. I know exactly what he was worshiping when he wrote LOTR. I wasn't JESUS!

I think there are analogies that can be used to demonstrtate harder to understand things. Some are expressed in the area of "art", also.I look at music. I would like to believe that some of the Christian artists out there do have a genuine relationship with the Lord, and they express such through their song. Some use the Lord as a genre tool to sing about in supporting themselves, but some are genuine. And you can often tell in the music they produce. I myself am a "Relient K" fan. Now, they sing about a lot of stuff. Not every song is a praise or worship song. But some are, and they're awesome.Well, if you listen to their music, you'll find it filled with analogies that are describing something else.Anyway, I think that some things that may be considered "art" can be used by God, but many are just "art". And that's the question here. Are the Chronicles of Narnia just a story, or an allegory to the story of Christ?Grace and Peace...Derek

The stories seemed safe, yet exciting and far from reality. People enjoyed them but didn't believe themIsn't this really the crux of the matter?This really isn't about Lewis or Tolkien when it comes right down to it but just the place right before this;In an era of politically correct cultural Christianity, few knew the Bible well and even fewer knew much about other religions. The stories seemed safe, yet exciting and far from reality. It just seems all the extrapolations are becoming a replacement and where the author of this article with some liberties granted, seems to be expressing, this blurring of the lines and a penchant for having to have all these 'props' for lack of a better word to support what is already a lifetimes worth of study and adventure, the scriptures themselves. As was well noted by Neil;Lewis was talking about the power of myths when Tolkien pointed out that the Gospels had the same power, with the added benefit that they were true myths. Of course a bit of an oxymoron there, the myth part contradicting but...Neil, still am a bit surprised at your making reference to this often;That said Tolkien was a roman catholic, which leads to the same ham handed argument that has been bubbling and boiling in this forum for a while now, an argument that I don't even want to get into. Young in the Lord am I, but one distressing trend I've seen on this forum are the sons of the pharisees wielding their stones, the very article that started this post such an example, with the website, newswithviews dot com just depressing.When you are generally one to bring in a lot of the political bantering, websites and articles that could be construed with the same perception. You have lobbed more than a few there brother...

Mike,You may be an old hand at following US politics, but 'politics' is a significant part of the biblical account of history, and though you may be ready to concentrate on other things, now, in the Lord - as He may be calling you to do - it may be that others have a ministry of interpretation to the Church, which they must exercise - especially if it is a function of the gift of prophecy. (eg Deuteronomy 31:16 - 21) We let such words fall to the ground at our own peril, do we not? Am I making sense here?Hardly an old hand and that wouldn't be the emphasis at all, more to do with this sentiment;Young in the Lord am I, but one distressing trend I've seen on this forum are the sons of the pharisees wielding their stones, the very article that started this post such an example, with the website, newswithviews dot com just depressing.That is some pretty heavy accusations about 'trends' when fuel is being added to the fire from what is often a bitter point of view in some articles that have been posted here, many of which are from the worlds point of view.Maybe a good place to inject this here. What springs our motivations? If anything that is a constant learning experience even in these often times rather 'ugly', sometimes even heated exchanges is the ability to reassess things and see our own shortcomings, that definitive... Ye know not what manner of spirit ye are of. I know it has become like a mantra but it is a constant checking of myself first and foremost. I think it is easy to forget how much things are a progress and just how difficult it can be to not be reactionary. I just met a dear saint by the Lords interesting providence who brought this out recently in discussing the new challenges faced in my particular job which requires a great deal of this. It's both humbling and often convicting to come out at the end of the day and replay things, how I wished I would have ...Kept my mouth shut.Not tried to be so cute."Be anxious for nothing" ... whew....The list could grow exponentially and for all that I could frankly wish to beg off of much of it, the particular mode of doing business isn't really the problem, the problem is with me often enough. Rom 7:21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. Not about to open that up beyond limits, but am becoming more and more assured that while recognizing God is certainly Sovereign over everything, there is very good reason to be thrust into challenging circumstances and just how often are they to prove exactly how we react to them? How much is our great need and dependence not on our selves but on Him?Being this is getting all off track, just another example. If the whole empire of say a Benny Hinn was to come crashing down to the ground and for those who have much problem with the whole of that ministry, what would our reactions be? Would it be a rejoicing? A certain 'smugness' forgetting our own shortcomings? Or a grievousness and prayerfulness that it might be restored to what the Lord would have in mind? And a willingness to go and help out? I pray it is the latter, I pray it is the latter in all these things that we wrestle with here.What can be 'seen' as "Pharisee-ism" can be rightly applied as it has and does come up through many an item here in discussion, would not deny that, but it's a tall order to broad brush, make a hasty comment, throw one more log on the fire and do nothing to be of some help in reconciliation. That is not an indictment on anybody, I can get caught up in it just as well. Being reactionary is often a necessity and just as often it is not, that the Lord might open our eye's to know the difference. Perhaps if we were a bit more prayerful...

Dorcas wrote: it may be that others have a ministry of interpretation to the Church, which they must exercise - especially if it is a function of the gift of prophecy. (eg Deuteronomy 31:16 - 21) We let such words fall to the ground at our own peril, do we not? Am I making sense here? Yes, yes, yes! You make a lot of sense to me. And now, Linn, see if my thoughts make sense to you … I was surprised when I read about CS Lewis’ unbiblical thinking. But then, really, I shouldn’t be, for there is no man who has it all correct. It seems like all my favorite Christian theologians/apologists/ preachers have an Achilles heal. I believe that God allows this. His message to us is this: Trust NO MAN to be your guiding light. But trust God, and trust what HE speaks through the man/movie/nature/newscasts or whatever, to the conscience, heart, and mind. Is that not what the prophetic entails- the message of God speaking clearly in a timely way - pricking consciences, opening eyes, and awakening minds? CS Lewis’ Screwtape Letters had a profound effect on me. God spoke through the book – especially the part where the devil was trying to get the Christian to be content in his church life – hoping to distract him from his facing deeper truths. It was a very timely message to me (where no pastor would dare tread) I will never forget that point, though I forget most of the contents now. God used the book to bring conviction to me. Years later, when I picked up the book, it had no appeal to me. It wasn’t what I needed at the time. Neverthless, in God's time, CS Lewis had a prophetic message to me. Can the movie, Narnia, not have the same effect on others?Narnia is here, and no matter what we discuss about it, nothing will change that. Many will grab it up as a magical “evangelistic tool”, while at the same time they are melting down any defining points of truth. On the other hand, many will slash it to bits, accusing it of being idolatrous, just like the reformers slashed up all the “idols” in the RC Church. Both groups get distracted and fail to hear what God is speaking to them – in a timely, prophetic way. I think that all who like to organize God’s message and methods for him have difficulty understanding the prophetic function in our churches and society. While some are analyzing the flaws of someone/something, they might just be failing to see God's timely truth through that person/thing. Narnia seems to be a flawed allegory, yet…….. LET GOD HAVE HIS WAY!Do I make sense?Diane