Narnias Univers

Some people seem to think that I began by asking myself how I could say something about Christianity to children; then fixed on the fairy tale as an instrument, then collected information about child psychology and decided what age group I'd write for; then drew up a list of basic Christian truths and hammered out 'allegories' to embody them.

Narnias Univers This is all pure moonshine. I couldn't write in that way. It all began with images; a faun carrying an umbrella, a queen on a sledge, a magnificent lion. At first there wasn't anything Christian about them; that element pushed itself in of its own accord. CS Lewis Of Other Worlds

Narnias Univers Not an allegory ‘Suppose there was a world where… and suppose there was a lion who… and suppose four children went…’ Aslan is Christ-like figure Aslan is Turkish for lion Allegory Parable Picture Language

Narnias Univers Parable of Good Samaritan About expectation, religious correctness, but mostly about mercy wrong to explore the psyche of the typical Samaritan - discriminatory! hollow nature of religious observance contrasted with righteousness Allegory: Revelation

Narnias Univers Between the lamp post and Cair Paravel on the Western Sea lies Narnia, a mystical land where animals hold the power of speech … woodland fauns conspire with men … dark forces, bent on conquest, gather at the world's rim to wage war against the realm's rightful king … and the Great Lion Aslan is the only hope. Into this enchanted world comes a group of unlikely travellers. These ordinary boys and girls, when faced with peril, learn extraordinary lessons in courage, self- sacrifice, friendship and honour.

Narnias Univers Problem areas: Fur coats are anathema Evil character is female Melting Ice is a bad thing these days Relationship of the Professor to the children is suspicious Lucy unwisely ignores Stranger Danger with Mr Tumnus Animal Rights issues

Narnias Univers Is Aslan Jesus? Similarities between Aslan & Jesus

Narnias Univers Mysterious Frightening Royal Subject of prophecy Tender-hearted Worthy of respect Powerful Behaves as a substitute Forgives Bearded Controlled strength

Narnias Univers Arrives over halfway through book Brings new life Good & terrible simultaneously Humble Provides followers with weapons Does a restoring work Speaks of a faraway dwelling place Honours a higher authority Sheds blood Keeps his promises Loves the company of his followers

Narnias Univers Submits to humiliation: mocked, jeered at Could have stopped the execution anytime Observed by followers Dies Alive again soon afterwards Discovered alive with the dawn Different appearance afterwards Dead are raised Battle is fought Gives followers royal status Once saved (made a Prince), always saved Will return some day

Narnias Univers Is Aslan Jesus? Important differences between Aslan & Jesus 1. Alsan is like this, Jesus isn’t

Narnias Univers Shines with the sunrise & arrives with fanfare Mysterious, secretive discipleship Powerless when physically absent Emotionally distant Content that characters swear by his name Helped greatly by a sheep-dog Destroys enemy immediately after rising Restores the sinner to his previous state Wanders off at the end; we know not where Has ‘other things to do’

Narnias Univers Is Aslan Jesus? Important differences between Aslan & Jesus 2. Jesus is like this, Aslan isn’t

Narnias Univers Performs many miracles Gives lots of time to teaching & storytelling Salvation personalised through repentance Raised to life by Father Constantly reveals & honours a higher authority Death is part of the prophetic heritage Has a different, resurrection body Is supernatural Is the creator

Narnias Univers For Consideration God or an impersonal Deep Magic Aslan is subject to Lore of Deep Magic While Jesus spoke a word, galaxies came into existence. Questions about CS Lewis Hebrews 9:22 – forgiveness? Maximise benefits; but be wise!