FANS OF NARNIA BEWARE, THE WORST IS YET TO COME

Let me begin by stating that this column is not about the faithfulness of the cinematic release of Prince Caspian to the book. Neither is it a review about the movie’s theatrical merits, or lackings, whatever they may be. Rather, it is concerned with where The Chronicles of Narnia theologically leads. While applicable to the written stories it is more concerned with the most probable outcome of Hollywood’s take on them.

To be sure, the first of the Narnia books, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe was pleasingly faithful to the original story. The special effects animation of the animal characters was of such quality that C.S. Lewis’ own concerns, about animating the Narnia stories, may even have been countered had he lived to see what has become possible with computer graphics.

Nevertheless, my concern at the time of the first movie, as now, is not with the quality of the movies but their impact.  Lewis’s own testimony was "At first there wasn't anything Christian about them. That element pushed itself in of its own accord." The reality, however, is that unless you know where to look any overt Christian elements are all but invisible.

My own testimony is having read the books prior to conversion, I was absolutely clueless of any Christian message within them. How could I, as one who grew up completely unchurched, even begin to recognize Christian themes when such thinking was wholly alien to my mind? Yet, having now walked with Christ some 19 years, earning an MDiv from what has become Trinity International University, and making theology a regular study, I would argue that the very few explicitly Christian themes play second fiddle, at best, to the much more easily recognizable fantasy adventure tale.

If you recall, in 2005 many churches got caught up in promoting this Hollywood fare under the guise of evangelism. As such, a fair question now is “How many people came to Christ by watching The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe?” Even if there are any, it is only because of the exceeding grace of Christ and has nothing to do with any evangelical quality of the film or story.

In the same manner, no matter how well Prince Caspian parallels the book, it will only be adventure fare for the vast majority of viewers. I am not saying we cannot go see Prince Caspian and enjoy it. Nor am I saying there will not be some undercurrent of true Biblical themes, but please don’t try to make it something it is not. Any topic can be turned to evangelism with a little consideration, but that does not mean we should so quickly promote something just because it is associated with a well known Christian author. As such, I sincerely hope we do not see churches becomingly unequally yoked with Hollywood, this time around, thinking they will somehow have more witnessing opportunities because of the film.

THE WORSE IS YET TO COME.

Here I will make a not-so-bold prediction about the forthcoming Chronicle of Narnia story, The Last Battle, currently scheduled for release in May 2014. Unlike those who are concerned the current films are not true enough to the original stories, my concern is that Hollywood will be delighted to make this true to the original. My basis for saying this is Lewis’ documented theology of universalism. Unfortunately, it boldly raises its ugly heretical head in the closing scenes of The Last Battle, in a chapter titled “Further Up and Further In.”

Here a character named Emeth has happily come to faith in Aslan. Heretofore he had worshipped Narnia’s equivalent of Satan, a false god called Tash. This might be wonderful news apart from the hair-raising account of the conversation he reports he had with Aslan.[i] Upon encountering Aslan for the first time Emeth “fell at his feet and thought, ‘Surely this is the hour of death; for the Lion… will know that I have served Tash all my days and not him.’” When Aslan inexplicably says to Emeth “Son, thou art welcome,” he replies “Alas Lord I am no son of Thine but the servant of Tash." To which Aslan answers, "Child all the service thou hast done to Tash, I account as service done to me.”  Huh??

Are we to ever imagine that Jesus at the Judgment of the world would ever say to a Satanist, whatever service you have done unto Satan, (like child sacrifice, rape, murder, pedophilia, etc) I account as service done to me? Any such thinking is entirely blasphemous and the worst form of heresy. Yet, for all the good thinking which can be accredited to C.S. Lewis it is this thinking which Hollywood will most rejoice in promoting.

Therefore, it is no great leap of deduction to conclude that Emeth’s acceptance into Aslan’s fold will be the most heralded scene of The Last Battle when it comes to the silver screen. You can bet that it will be meticulously crafted in its imagery, emotional pull, and done for the greatest dramatic effect. And you can bet that the enemy’s lies will accomplish the only evangelism that will be successfully conducted around this film.

At that point will any churches which so quickly glommed onto the first Narnia film have the courage to denounce this one as wholly unbiblical in outlook? Or will they shrivel up in silence as Hollywood gloats in victory over its faithful reproduction of C.S.Lewis’ work.

As 2 Corinthians 6:14asks: “For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?  May God give us the strength to stand fast now, so that we may not be found wanting at the real last battle.”