C. S. Lewis: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia)

By Elder John Mabry, II 

Have you ever heard of C. S. Lewis?  He was a British writer and lay theologian who held academic positions in English literature at both Oxford University and Cambridge University.  He is best known for his work of fiction, especially The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia). 

The Chronicles of Narnia is about four children who evacuated London in 1940 to escape the blitz and are sent to live in a large house in the English countryside where they will be safe.  On a rainy day, the children explore the house, and Lucy finds a wardrobe that transports her to a magical world called Narnia.  After coming back, she soon returns to Narnia with her brothers, Peter and Edmund, and her sister, Susan.  There they join the magical lion, Aslan, in the fight against the evil White Witch, Jadis. 

The White Witch deceives Edmund, promising him tasty treats and holds him hostage after getting valuable information from him concerning the location of his siblings.  Her plan is to kill Edmund because she wants to avoid an ancient prophecy that says that four humans will someday reign over Narnia and overthrow her evil regime.  

When Lucy, Peter, and Susan meet Aslan, they are awed by him, but they quickly grow more comfortable in his presence.  They love him immediately despite their fear.  Aslan promises to do all that he can to save Edmund. 

The White Witch prepares to kill Edmund.  The only way to save Edmund is for Aslan to offer himself instead.  The White Witch agrees and releases Edmund.  Aslan voluntarily offers himself on the Stone Table to be sacrificed.  The White Witch kills Aslan.  Lucy, Peter, Edmund, Susan, and all the good creatures of Narnia are heartbroken. 

But the story doesn’t end there.  There was a law in the land that provided for the release of the accused if an innocent one is sacrificed for the disobedience of another.  Early the next day, the grounds shake, and the Stone Table breaks.  Aslan is raised from the dead.  The land or Narnia is saved as Lucy, Peter, Edmund, Susan, and all the good creatures of Narnia wage a tremendous war against the White Witch and her army and destroy them. 

C. S. Lewis made it easy to grasp the gospel: the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  He made it easy to understand for children and adults.  This movie was so impactful that my children and I watched it over and over and always discovered something new and interesting to talk about.