I've posted in the past about the Narnia craze that has swept movie goers. I have not jumped head first into the Christian pep rally. Not because I have anything against the film. It's more out of caution.
Christopher Morgan in the The Sunday Times along with others in secular media declared "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" is not a Christian allegory. We could right this off to a few who will cringe at anything Christian, but then C.S. Lewis’ stepson, Douglas Gresham stated on CNN’s Friday, December 2, 2005 broadcast that “Lewis wasn’t a born again believer”. That will raise some eyebrows.
Worldview Weekend (a self described "Christian Worldview Network") columnist Berit Kjos wrote: “The enticing pagan worlds nurtured by C.S. Lewis and his myth-making friends were not inspired by God's Word or Spirit. Their stories grew out of lifelong immersion in the beliefs, values, rituals, languages and lifestyles of former pagan cultures.” Kjos went on to color Lewis’ work in her three-part, online critique as : “mental gymnastics”, “deceptive story”, “gross distortions”, and “twisted Gospel”.
I'm not sure I would go that far, but when you wrap the gospel in a computer generated lion and the voice of actor Liam Neeson you are bound to have some confusion. There plenty of confusion already without Hollywood chiming in.
Lewis’ goal with Narnina was to repackage the Good News. To make it more attractive to those who would otherwise reject it. Much like the mega church movement of today. He sought to tell Christ’s Passion in such a parable that stereotypes, barriers, and skeptics could not argue against it.
So is this a good thing? It can be, and that's where the caution is drawn from the well. It is honorable to use the arts or whatever talent God has provided us to share the Message in order to reach the the lost. Yet that must be our underlying goal.
The original intention of Lewis has been bought, sold, produced, directed, recorded, edited, promoted, marketed and taken to the bank. What has happened to that intention along the way is anyone's guess.
Tolken wrote of his work: “The Lord of the Rings is a fundamentally religious and Catholic work, unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision. It is about God, and his sole right to divine honor…” How many would have rejected the work outright if that was known?
I suggest we all enjoy the movie and take Christ from his word, not from Hollywood. Who wants some popcorn?
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