Not so smart questions about C.S.Lewis and the "Chronicles of Narnia"

Lik3 · Feb 15, 2014

I have a dumb question. Are the Narnia Books really Christian-based? I was watching "The Witch, the Lion, and the Wardrobe" and I wonder how much of it is based on Christian text and how much it is based on myths? Was C.S. Lewis really a true born-again believer?

I am leary of who I watch on tv, who I listen to on the radio, who I watch online, and what I read. I guess I have been weaned from most entertainment, but I am not sure which source. Anyways, back to the topic at hand. Was he like Edgar Cayce, who I am leary of. He was supposed to be a Christian, but I don't think that he was. Does it matter if I have this belief that C.S. Lewis was truly born-again? My point is, I want to glorify God in everything, but I am also struggling in that area because I also have issues with avoiding things because I have OCD.

yeshuaslavejeff · Feb 15, 2014

I watched it, and enjoyed it (I guess that's 'feelings').
I think there were (often) better things to do - much better than watching anything like television or movies for entertainment.
I feel 'bad' , but not condemned, for not having used the time (maybe A LOT of time) more wisely for meditating on Scripture, seeking and praying to God and His Will.....
and perhaps do or will feel worse when /if I find out that some one or more persons that I was in a position to help but didn't (because I was being 'entertained' and willingly or not didn't see or actually ignored their need... )

that's my thoughts anyway, and I hope and pray that daily I may more fully 'immerse' my whole self, heart and soul and body, in God's Purpose and Plan instead of mine own in any other way.

(p.s. for another thread on health if possible - ocd can be overcome or helped or even cured many times.)

shalom in Yeshua!

Legionwrex · Feb 15, 2014

C.S. Lewis was definitely a Christian. While it is true he held a belief in Theistic Evolution, it is important to understand that he lived in a period where no one was intelligently challenging evolution, rather using a Faith without reason argument. However as anyone who has read his books can say, he speaks with the wisdom of a born again believer.

Freakconformist · Feb 15, 2014

Honey, even God took some time off.

I'm just joking with you, kind of. My point is worrying is useless, God tells me to stop doing it all the time.

Unfortunately, you're not going to find anything of this world that is truly God centered except the Bible. That's why my suggestion is if you're really worried that the movie or books will mislead you in some ways, ask God and listen to His prompting. He might just suggest something else you wouldn't have otherwise watched or read.

However, I do consider C.S. Lewis a Christian author. I think some of the theology in his books was a little off key, (most notable in the last book: The Last Battle) Whether the message he wrote in his books is devoutly related in the recent CoN movies; that's iffy. They aren't bad or negative, it's just not as overt.

If you don't think the movies are for you, I highly recommend the books. As I said, the theology is a little wonky, but that is the great thing about fiction; you can shake your head and tell yourself, "That's a real load."

NannaNae · Feb 15, 2014

when you get through all 7 books we will talk about if it is a christian allegory .
and what a christian allegory is , ok?
but ps I wish I could read them for the first time again..
they are so great.
another great allegory is "Hinds feet on high places.."

Keachian · Feb 17, 2014

Lik3 said:
I have a dumb question. Are the Narnia Books really Christian-based? I was watching "The Witch, the Lion, and the Wardrobe" and I wonder how much of it is based on Christian text and how much it is based on myths? Was C.S. Lewis really a true born-again believer?

I am leary of who I watch on tv, who I listen to on the radio, who I watch online, and what I read. I guess I have been weaned from most entertainment, but I am not sure which source. Anyways, back to the topic at hand. Was he like Edgar Cayce, who I am leary of. He was supposed to be a Christian, but I don't think that he was. Does it matter if I have this belief that C.S. Lewis was truly born-again? My point is, I want to glorify God in everything, but I am also struggling in that area because I also have issues with avoiding things because I have OCD.

Lewis' fiction draws on mythological themes to discuss through allegory Christian truths, the central figure of Aslan the "safe" Lion is a picture of Christ esp. in his self-sacrifice to save the Pevensie children, there are other elements in tLtWatW but I'll leave it there for the moment.

His other work is in some ways a bit more open with Christian themes; with The Great Divorce, Screwtape Letters and the Cosmic Trilogy being exemplars of his Speculative Theological fiction works, The Pilgrim's Regress is an allegory of his own testimony and such popular theological works as Mere Christianity and The Problem of Pain rounding out a good selection of his work outside of the Narnia series.

98cwitr · Feb 17, 2014

Screwtape Letters was an awesome book. Definitely a good read if you havent read it before.

Bluelion · Feb 17, 2014

Look at the books or movies. The Lion, gives His life to save the world and is resurrected. This is the story of Jesus, Jesus is also the lion, the lion in the stories is Jesus. Yes He was a Christian. He said this about Jesus, Either Jesus was a fool, a demon, or the Son of God, He did to much good to be a demon, He was far to wise to be a fool, so you are left with He is the Son of God. This was how Lewis reasoned it.

graciesings · Feb 17, 2014

Yes, CS Lewis was a Christian author.

No, he was not a Southern Baptist author.

So, unless you believe that only people from your church go to heaven, he was a Christian author. There are a lot of people who have small theological disagreements with him, but that isn't really an issue to me!

nick garai · Feb 18, 2014

Yes CS Lewis was a Christian author.

Wearecommandedtojudge · Mar 1, 2014

Try this study of his book Mere Christianity. This is only the first part of the study.

Lecture 1-A: Mere Christianity Study - YouTube

Awaken4Christ · Mar 1, 2014

Whether C.S Lewis was "Born Again" or not can only be absolutely determined by God himself.

Now Lewis did have Christian Themes in "The Chronicles of Narnia". As some have pointed out the sacrifice of Aslan which is supposed to be somewhat representative of Christ. You can see Lewis using themes kind of like parables in the bible. To call the entire chronicles "Christian based" is somewhat an inappropriate term i think. Christians themes are there but I do not believe every word he wrote in the book was based on Christianity.

Of course there is no replacement for scripture, but you can tell in certain areas of his books the influence of Christianity on him.

The Chronicles of Narnia were never intended to be Christian, however Christian ideas began to push themselves in...

"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. 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."

-Quote by C.S.Lewis

Bluelion · Mar 2, 2014

Awaken4Christ said:
Whether C.S Lewis was "Born Again" or not can only be absolutely determined by God himself.

Now Lewis did have Christian Themes in "The Chronicles of Narnia". As some have pointed out the sacrifice of Aslan which is supposed to be somewhat representative of Christ. You can see Lewis using themes kind of like parables in the bible. To call the entire chronicles "Christian based" is somewhat an inappropriate term i think. Christians themes are there but I do not believe every word he wrote in the book was based on Christianity.

Of course there is no replacement for scripture, but you can tell in certain areas of his books the influence of Christianity on him.

The Chronicles of Narnia were never intended to be Christian, however Christian ideas began to push themselves in...

"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. 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."

-Quote by C.S.Lewis

Maybe he just wanted to do what every other book does, which is put suggestion in our mind based on what the author is into. Maybe he wanted to also put suggestion which spoke to the subconsciousness but in a way the world would accept, but the suggestion he put in were Christian. maybe it was not him at all but Jesus in his heart.

Wearecommandedtojudge · Mar 2, 2014

Why would you people try to figure out whether or not Clive Staples Lewis was a Christian by looking at The Chronicles of Narnia???

Why not look at the Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, A Grief Observed, The Abolition of Man or the many apologetic talks he gave? YES HE WAS A CHRISTIAN!!! A pretty effective apologist to!!!!!!! He kicked some serious atheist butt!

Speaking of Narnia, you guys can get a really nice collection of the Narnia books in one fabulous silver gilted, faux leather tome from Barnes and Noble. Got mine for $25 a couple years ago.

Bluelion · Mar 2, 2014

Wearecommandedtojudge said:
Why would you people try to figure out whether or not Clive Staples Lewis was a Christian by looking at The Chronicles of Narnia???

Why not look at the Screwtape Letters, Mere Christianity, The Great Divorce, The Problem of Pain, Miracles, A Grief Observed, The Abolition of Man or the many apologetic talks he gave? YES HE WAS A CHRISTIAN!!! A pretty effective apologist to!!!!!!! He kicked some serious atheist butt!

Speaking of Narnia, you guys can get a really nice collection of the Narnia books in one fabulous silver gilted, faux leather tome from Barnes and Noble. Got mine for $25 a couple years ago.

I like the movies

Wearecommandedtojudge · Mar 3, 2014

Bluelion said:
I like the movies

You know what the arguments we had about judging are one thing but this is one step to far. The books are better! Now we must Kung Fu Fight!

Bluelion · Mar 3, 2014

Wearecommandedtojudge said:
You know what the arguments we had about judging are one thing but this is one step to far. The books are better! Now we must Kung Fu Fight!

so happens I know how to kung fu fight. My kung fu is strong it will defeat you Would you like some tea before we engage in combat?

Wearecommandedtojudge · Mar 3, 2014

Bluelion said:
so happens I know how to kung fu fight. My kung fu is strong it will defeat you Would you like some tea before we engage in combat?

What style? What kind of Tea?

I'll bring my AR-15 and we can go target shooting after you kick my butt. Do you have any bowling pins. Or a junk car you want to get rid of? You can set it up in your backyard. If it irks off your neighbors you can tell them not to judge.

Wow that was weird how the forum automatically censored me. So you cant use the p word even though God used it in the Bible? I have an idea, I'm going to quote a bible verse to test the censor.

1 Samuel 25:22 So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]eth against the wall.

1 Kings 14:10 Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]eth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.

I guess it's not ok to say it in middle English. This forum censored the Bible. A word God himself spoke to. Wow!

Bluelion · Mar 3, 2014

Wearecommandedtojudge said:
What style? What kind of Tea?

I'll bring my AR-15 and we can go target shooting after you kick my butt. Do you have any bowling pins. Or a junk car you want to get rid of? You can set it up in your backyard. If it irks off your neighbors you can tell them not to judge.

Wow that was weird how the forum automatically censored me. So you cant use the p word even though God used it in the Bible? I have an idea, I'm going to quote a bible verse to test the censor.

1 Samuel 25:22 So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]eth against the wall.

1 Kings 14:10 Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse]eth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.

I guess it's not ok to say it in middle English. This forum censored the Bible. A word God himself spoke to. Wow!

thinking Ginseng tea, good for energy. Howe about tiger style

That is messed up the sensor thing.

Not so smart questions about C.S.Lewis and the "Chronicles of Narnia"

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