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Born Clive Staples on November 29, 1898, Lewis declared at age four that he wished to be called Jacksie; in his teens, he became Jack. Who was C.S. Lewis? C.S. Lewis with Father Christmas Toy

After the devastating death of his mother when Lewis was only nine, young Jack endured a series of horrible boarding school experiences during which he rejected faith and became an atheist. Later, during his career as an Oxford professor of English language and literature, Lewis met a lifelong friend in writer J.R.R. Tolkien.

Tolkien and Lewis began a writing-and-discussion group called the Inklings. Tolkien and other Inklings played a large role in helping Lewis come face-to-face with the claims of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. J.R.R. Tolkien

As a Christian apologist, Lewis wrote some of the 20th centurys most important books on faith: The Great DivorceThe Screwtape Letters Surprised by Joy Mere Christianity Seven Narnia Chronicles

1898 = Birth 1919 = publishes 1 st work Spirits in Bondage 1929 = Begins to have conversion 1931 = Declares self a Christian 1941 = Begins BBC radio lectures 1950 = Writes The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 1956 = Finishes Narnia series and marries Joy Important dates in the life of Lewis

1960 = Joy dies of cancer 1963 = Lewis dies Same day as JFK assassination Important dates in the life of Lewis

1. Mother died 2. The influence of 2 tutors he had as a child 3. His inability to accept that one religion was true 4. The burden of performing daily devotions Lewis lost his Christian faith because

1. His closest friends were Christians 2. The authors he loved most were Christians 3. His philosophical studies led him to believe in a moral law and a lawgiver 4. He came to view other religions as precursors 5. He came to see romantic longings as yearning for the divine Lewis returned to his Christian faith because …

Summarized in 2 points … 1. As fantasy literature for children 2. To lead people to God Why Did Lewis Write the Chronicles? C.S. Lewis at His Desk

In a letter to a young woman named Anne, Lewis wrote: I asked myself, Supposing that there really was a world like Narnia and supposing it had (like our world) gone wrong and supposing Christ wanted to go into that world and save it (as He did ours) what might have happened? The stories are my answers. 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; (c) Id been having strange dreams about lions when I began writing the work.

Past the Watchful Dragons Such supposals help to sneak past the internal watchful dragons that so thoroughly snuffed the life out of Lewis early experience of faith. Lewis understood that learning begins in the imagination, where thought and experience come together.

Remember your fairy tales. Spells are used for breaking enchantments as well as for inducing them. And you and I have need of the strongest spell that can be found to wake us from the evil enchantment of worldliness…. C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

What the Chronicles do better than much other literature for children is this: They create in us a desire for God. Through the enjoyment and experience of meeting and following a king like Aslan, we can be better prepared to recognize the realities of the Christian faith.

Additionally, the Chronicles are guides to assist us in growing up in Christ. The adventures and challenges faced in Narnia grow in complexity appropriate to a maturing Christian life.

In that same letter to Anne, Lewis explained the whole Narnia series like this: 1. The Magicians Nephew (1955) tells about the Creation and how evil entered Narnia. 2. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (1950) tells about the Crucifixion and Resurrection.

4. Prince Caspian (1951) tells about the restoration of the true religion after corruption. 3. The Horse and His Boy (1954) tells about the calling and conversion of a heathen. 5. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1952) tells about the spiritual life (especially in Reepicheep.

6. The Silver Chair (1953) tells about the continuing war with the powers of darkness. 7. The Last Battle (1956) tells about coming of the Antichrist (the Ape), the end of the world and the Last Judgment.

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Narnia is the wonderful world created out of nothing by the song of Aslan. Its inhabitants include talking beasts, mythical creatures, humans, and one evil witch. All the chronicled events that do not take place in our world (London, England around 1940) take place in Narnia.

Cair Paravel Tumnuss House White Witchs House Beavers Dam Stone Table NARNIA EASTERN SEA ARCHENLAND Western Wild Wild Lands of the North BIGHT OF CALORMEN Beruna Lantern Waste Roll mouse over red dot for more information. Click to continue presentation. The Horse and His Boy tells about the calling and conversion of a heathen.

The Magicians Nephew Important Characters Important Characters Digory Digory Polly Polly Uncle Andrew Uncle Andrew Aunt Letty Aunt Letty Digorys Mother Digorys Mother Queen Jadis Queen Jadis Aslan Aslan Frank the cab driver, his wife Helen and Strawberry his horse Frank the cab driver, his wife Helen and Strawberry his horse

Basic Plot Outline Digory is a young boy living with his aunt and uncle because his mother is dying and needs their care. Digory is a young boy living with his aunt and uncle because his mother is dying and needs their care. Over the neighborhood wall in London he meets Polly. In their explorations, the children accidentally stumble into the forbidden attic of Uncle Andrew. Uncle Andrew uses magical, glowing rings (yellow and green) to tempt Polly, so he can send her into a spatial dimension that he is afraid to explore himself. Over the neighborhood wall in London he meets Polly. In their explorations, the children accidentally stumble into the forbidden attic of Uncle Andrew. Uncle Andrew uses magical, glowing rings (yellow and green) to tempt Polly, so he can send her into a spatial dimension that he is afraid to explore himself.

When Polly disappears as she touches the ring, Digory immediately shows his character by purposefully following her into this unknown and frightening dimension. He chooses to protect and help her, even though he does not know if he will ever return. When Polly disappears as she touches the ring, Digory immediately shows his character by purposefully following her into this unknown and frightening dimension. He chooses to protect and help her, even though he does not know if he will ever return. Digory and Polly see the drastic and horrible consequences of sin in the frozen, world of Charn. Digory gives into the temptation to ring a bell that has a warning inscription, and brings Queen Jadis, the White Witch back to life from her frozen state. The witch follows them back to their own world, creating havoc wherever she goes. Digory and Polly see the drastic and horrible consequences of sin in the frozen, world of Charn. Digory gives into the temptation to ring a bell that has a warning inscription, and brings Queen Jadis, the White Witch back to life from her frozen state. The witch follows them back to their own world, creating havoc wherever she goes.

In their attempts to return the white witch to Charn, they inadvertently bring her to Narnia instead. This introduces evil to Narnia, a new land just being created by Aslan. In their attempts to return the white witch to Charn, they inadvertently bring her to Narnia instead. This introduces evil to Narnia, a new land just being created by Aslan. Digory realizes Aslan has the power to heal his mother. He finds the courage to approach Aslan, but instead of immediately healing Digorys mother, Aslan sends him on a journey to find a seed, which will grow into a tree that will protect Narnia from the White Witch. Digory realizes Aslan has the power to heal his mother. He finds the courage to approach Aslan, but instead of immediately healing Digorys mother, Aslan sends him on a journey to find a seed, which will grow into a tree that will protect Narnia from the White Witch.

Digory faces temptation in the garden that contains the seed, much like Adam and Eve faced temptation in the Garden of Eden. Digory finds the strength and grace to withstand the temptation and returns the fruit to Aslan. Digory faces temptation in the garden that contains the seed, much like Adam and Eve faced temptation in the Garden of Eden. Digory finds the strength and grace to withstand the temptation and returns the fruit to Aslan. The tree is planted in Narnia and when the tree produces fruit, Aslan gives it to Digory to take back to his mother for healing. The tree is planted in Narnia and when the tree produces fruit, Aslan gives it to Digory to take back to his mother for healing. Digory and Polly return to London, and Digory plants the seed in his backyard, which grows into a tree. Eventually he chops it down and with the wood he builds a wardrobe for his house. Digory and Polly return to London, and Digory plants the seed in his backyard, which grows into a tree. Eventually he chops it down and with the wood he builds a wardrobe for his house.