The lordship of Christ
Close scrutiny reveals that today’s gospel message does not match up with the gospel Jesus taught.…
Don’t just watch it, start gospel conversations!
Southern Cross | 28 November 2005
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Classified: PG
Set during WWII, this marvellous tale is layered with meaning and symbolism. Taking refuge in a country house during the war, the four Pevensie children discover a wondrous world called Narnia through a wardrobe. Ruled by a wicked witch, Narnia awaits her destruction and the coming of Aslan.
Beloved by believers and non-believers alike, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a story of atonement (substitutionary atonement no less!).
Directed by Andrew Adamson, who made the irreverent Shrek films, how will CS Lewis’ magical tale fare on the big screen? Like you, I have to wait until Boxing Day to find out! Check out our reviews for my verdict.
Sarah Barnett
Classified: PG
Set during WWII, this marvellous tale is layered with meaning and symbolism. Taking refuge in a country house during the war, the four Pevensie children discover a wondrous world called Narnia through a wardrobe. Ruled by a wicked witch, Narnia awaits her destruction and the coming of Aslan.
Beloved by believers and non-believers alike, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a story of atonement (substitutionary atonement no less!).
Directed by Andrew Adamson, who made the irreverent Shrek films, how will CS Lewis’ magical tale fare on the big screen? Like you, I have to wait until Boxing Day to find out! Check out our reviews for my verdict.
Sarah Barnett
How can The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe help us to talk about the gospel with friends and family? GREG CLARKE, Director of New College’s apologetics centre, CASE, offers a few starters.
1 There is another world!
The children have no trouble finding Narnia but a bit of a struggle believing it is real. Is there another world? If there is, how would we make contact with it?
2 The qualities of a lion/lamb.
Aslan is not tame, but he is good. In his blend of power, kindness, righteous anger and humility, we glimpse what it means to be divine.
3 Atonement.
Purists may complain that Lewis prefers the sub-biblical ransom theory, but in the death of Aslan we see what it means for one innocent being to die for a guilty one.
4 Kings and queens.
LWW gets human nature just right – our petty desires and temptations exist alongside our magnificent potential to be rulers and nurturers.
5 Santa.
I love the fact that Father Christmas arrives in Narnia to give gifts to the children. His gifts aren’t for the children’s amusement: they prepare them to serve Aslan.
* Reality check for fantasy lovers: this movie won’t bring people to Christ. But it might provide some of the concepts and experiences people—young and old—need to understand the gospel of Jesus.
* Fantasy check for hothead evangelists: if you try too hard to ‘use’ the movie for evangelism, it will backfire! Let the imagination do its work.
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