The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
There have been many outstanding characteristics and allegorical elements in the life and works of C.S. Lewis whose non-fiction prose and use of metaphor abound in his word pictures and ideas. For instance, C.S. Lewis is aware of the frequency and use of the door and its metaphorical meaning relating to the New Testament.
References are made to striving to enter into heaven by the narrow door (Luke 13:24), to the door of faith (Acts 14:27), to a wide door for effective service that has been opened (1 Corinthians 16:9) and to a door being opened for Paul in the Lord (2 Corinthians 2:12) and finally, God opening up to us a door for the Word (Colossians 4:3).
The main themes of doors and bridges through the wardrobe to Narnia (The Kingdom), Aslan’s sacrifice, (which saves Edmunds soul), and the Golden Age of Narnia (likened to the Millennial reign of Christ), will be explored, compared and contrasted to their allegorical content as well as their apologetic nature--building bridges to greater evangelistic and apologetic opportunities.
Part 1
Briefly describe the plot and/or primary theme
With the harrowing London air raids, the main characters of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe--Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are taken to the countryside by train to stay with an eccentric professor. Here they will be safe and sheltered until the horrors of war subside from their neighborhoods. During a game of hide and seek, Lucy finds herself in
one of the myriads of rooms upstairs in the old mansion. As she faces a large armoire, Lucy decides to take refuge. While she enters the wardrobe, she feels cold and puts on one of the fur coats hanging in the closet. The fur coat fits her comfortably. Lucy continues to walk and finds that it is freezing cold and snowing. As she passes a lantern, she sees a faun coming toward her. She learns his name is Mr. Tumnus and he asks her where she is from and what her name is. Once he finds she is a girl and a daughter of Eve from the land of Spare Oom in the Land of Wardrobe, he invites her to his home. He shares his life with Lucy over tea and tells her of the beautiful midnight dances in the forest and feasts, treasure
treasure hunting on long summer days, and forests so green in the land of Narnia. However, now that the White Witch from Cair Paravel has come to Narnia. It has been an endless winter season there. (This in a sense represents the fall of humanity and the sin nature that ensues from the fall).
As Mr. Tumnus plays his pipes for Lucy, she is lulled into a deep sleep. (This is symbolic of the sleep that humanity is in). While she sleeps, she envisions dancing wood nymphs and the everlasting greenery of Narnia. Once she awakens, Mr. Tumnus is in tears and tells her how sorry he is that he reported her to the White Witch.
When Lucy returns through the wardrobe back to the mansion, her brothers and sisters do not believe her. After several days pass, the children find themselves in need of a hiding place. Lucy suggests they go to the Wardrobe to hide. As the children step inside, they are able to enter by the narrow gate inside the Wardrobe to enter into the Kingdom of Narnia (allegorically representing the Kingdom of heaven). While in Narnia, the youngest brother Edmund betrays his brothers and sisters, telling the White Witch they are sons of Adam and daughters of Eve. The White Witch is desperate to have the siblings killed so her reign in Narnia will never end. She fears the prophecy all in Narnia know about. For one day, four rulers will appear in Narnia to sit upon the thrones of Cair Paravel to rule the Kingdom of Narnia.
While in Narnia, the children meet a family of beavers who share with them who the King of Narnia is, the great King Aslan. Mr. Beaver shares that He is fierce and many tremble in his presence. In a classic line Mr. Beaver says, “He is not safe but He is good!”[1] The children know at that point they must find Aslan who (represents Christ). Mr. Beaver agrees to take them to the stone table and to the camp that Aslan resides. Once the children
journey to the stone table, they meet Aslan and all of His subjects. In order to save Edmund from the White Witch, Aslan meets with the witch and agrees to be sacrificed for the sake of saving Edmund’s soul. Once Aslan is sacrificed, there is a tremendous earthquake. Lucy and Susan look up and see a resurrected Aslan! (Symbolizing the death and resurrection of Christ). He is fiercer, nobler, and yet more terrible at the same time. As He roars, His strength, power and might come back in greater measure. A battle ensues against the White Witch and her subjects while Aslan, Lucy,
Susan, Peter and Edmund win the fierce battle against these dark forces (representing Armageddon). The White Witch dies along with the everlasting winter and the greenery returns. All of Narnia is restored and the four children are knighted and inducted into their thrones and priestly reign as Kings and Queens of Narnia. So begins the Golden Age of Narnia (symbolizing the reign of Christ on earth).
Connecting the Gospel to the Human Soul: Doors and Bridges
Entering into the Wardrobe
Just as C.S. Lewis characterizes what it means to draw upon Christianity's rich treasures apologetically, including the importance of using the imagination as a gateway to the soul, refreshing the treasure chest regularly, adding fresh stories and images" [2] C.S. Lewis’ hallway analogy resonates with how I see apologetically his illustrative treasure sharing, which focuses on
bringing people into the hall like an entrance into the Christian faith, which is a place to wait in, a place from which to try the various doors into particular Christian communities or denominations to find an entrance into the heart of the skeptic.[3] “When you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door” (Matthew 24:33). Aslan was near and right on the other side of the door/wardrobe which leads into His Kingdom (Jesus Christ). Where Jesus claims to be the door to communion with God is where the full operation of this metaphor becomes focused. [4] (Into the Wardrobe).
(John 10:1-5) is the parable that Jesus uses of the shepherd whose sheep will only respond to His voice to indicate His relationship to the disciples. Because the disciples didn’t understand this, Jesus goes on to say, “Truly, truly, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep, I am the door. If anyone enters through Me, He shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:7-9). Christ says to Thomas, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (John 14:6).
Aslan’s Sacrifice
Because of the deep magic existing before the dawn of time (representative of the Law), it is based on an eye-for-an-eye and a tooth for a tooth.
Aslan therefore knew he must atone for Edmund’s sin. However, the White Witch is not aware of the deeper magic that existed before the deep magic. While Aslan chooses to access a special power, he can only do this by being a willing and innocent victim. The deeper magic is therefore symbolic of the grace, mercy and sacrifice emphasized in the New
Testament. “He was oppressed and treated harshly, yet he never said a word. He was led like a lamb to the slaughter” (Isaiah 53:7). While Aslan sacrifices himself, Edmund (representative of humanity) receives the second chance of redemption and is granted continued life by Aslan. “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13). There are many parallels between Aslan’s sacrifice and Christ’s crucifixion. Like Jesus, Aslan knows what he must do and is depressed about it. Like Jesus, Aslan is tormented and humiliated before he is killed. Like Jesus, Aslan appears first after his resurrection to some of his faithful female followers. “For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
The Golden Age of Narnia and the Millennial Reign
Cair Paravel was the capital of the Kingdom of Narnia where a spectacular citadel and abode awaited fulfillment of prophecy--to have two sons of Adam and two daughters of Eve rule and reign over Narnia.
Much akin to Christ’s Millennial rule and reign on earth, Cair Paravel becons Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy to rule as High Kings and Queens of Narnia. When the four children sit on the thrones in the Great Hall at Cair Paravel, Narnia enters into its Golden Age.
The children grow up and become beloved rulers who make friends with allies, and leaders from other countries. The parallels between the rule of Kings and Queens in Cair Paravel and the millennial reign of Christ are uncanny. “But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13).
Those who are alive at the start of the millennial reign are the ones who live through the cataclysmic events of the return of Jesus Christ. Their physical lives will continue as the Kingdom of God is established here on earth (Revelation 5:10). Satan will be bound and the first fruits, God’s people will have been transformed at Christ’s return will be actively teaching people God’s ways.
“And though the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your teachers will not be moved into a corner anymore, but your eyes shall see your teachers. Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ whenever you turn to the right hand or whenever you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:20-21).
Effectiveness of doors and bridges for missional or ministerial service
Combined with medieval images and fairy tale elements, which include talking beasts, witches, giants, dwarfs and fauns, all are written and enacted in Christian symbolism and allegory, which command and hold the attention span of the listener. They are perfect devices to draw in an unsuspecting audience. A children’s story is the best art form for anything one has to say.
For instance, the image of the faun was taken from a childhood memory and imagined into carrying an umbrella, adding a lion to the storyline and telling a delightful journey of writing a children’s story that ends up becoming a Christian allegory read by the multitudes.
Part 2
What apologetic methods would you use to effectively communicate the gospel within different cultural settings?
The key elements that Paul utilized to provide a framework for contemporary thinking would involve understanding and having respect for secular culture. It would be important to take the time to understand how non-Christian’s think and act. Looking for conversation partners at the market place or coffee shop would be a great way to meet those willing to listen.
The Gospel should always be argued with a commitment to reason, presenting it in terms of the resonances between the Old Testament and Greek philosophy. Be responsive to context, presenting the Gospel differently from the emphasis on Messiahship and scriptures in Thessolonica and Berea (Acts 17:1-15) and later on the cross in Corinth (1 Corinthians 1:18-25). A clear apologetic approach to proclaim the Gospel should then ensue. [5]
What cultural setting would you feel best suited in looking for doors and bridges and why?
A person has more power than the apologetic argument. It is not the goal of an apologist to triumph or Lord over others. The task is to show the light and love of Christ, having compassion, being able to give and take in a healthy conversation, being able to evoke trust in the person that is present.
In order to do this effectively, I would want to be present in a coffee house or local coffee shop because there is a variety of people and most people are relaxed and approachable. It is not about who the most gifted person might be, it is whether they demonstrate in their personality the relevance and coherence of genuine Christian faith. This is a powerful apologetic Christian witness. The idea of leading a scientist, artist, engineer or politician to Christ means that it is important to stay grounded in who the person of Jesus Christ is and to convey that to our neighbor. We must first demonstrate humanity in order to communicate on a personal level while offering a certain level of vulnerability. Two major characteristics defined the early disciples: a commitment to Christ and weakness in the face of the world. Part of our vulnerability then relates to recognizing that we do not always have all the answers.
Bibliography
[1]. Lewis, C.S. (1950). The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Harper Collins Publishers, New York, NY.
[2]. McGrath, Alister E. 2012. Mere Apologetics: How to Help Seekers and Skeptics Find Faith. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. [3]. PHI-610- (2015) Grand Canyon University Lecture 7 [4]. Symbolism, Imagery, Allegory. Tragic Magic. Retrieved on 11/28/2018: https://shmoop.com/lionwitchwardrobe/aslan-sacrifice-christ-crucifixion-symbol
[5]. Wilkinson, David. The Art of Apologetics in the Twenty-First Century. Retrieved on 11/28/2018: https://biblicalstudies.org.uk/pdf/anvil/19-1_005.pdf
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