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Religion

Faithful find familiar themes in a movie

By GAIL HOLLENBECK
Published December 10, 2005

At a time when moviegoers have been flocking to see the exploits of the mystical Harry Potter, another magical tale has come to the big screen. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe opened in theaters Friday.

Unlike Potter, which has been shunned by some Christians because of its favorable portrayal of witchcraft, the Narnia story, based on one of a series of novels by C.S. Lewis, is being embraced by a large portion of the Christian community.

Some local churches are encouraging congregations to see the film.

Ryan Shipp, minister of music and youth for the First Baptist Church of Inverness, accompanied a group of about 300 students to see the film at a private showing Thursday night.

"I've been a fan of The Chronicles of Narnia and C.S. Lewis for a long time," Shipp said. "I was thrilled when I found out that Disney was making a series of movies on the books. Not only did I feel like this movie would bring to life the imaginations of my youth, but I felt like many of the students in Inverness would benefit from this story."

Shipp said the movie is a Christian allegory.

""The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a classic story of good vs. evil, much like The Lord of the Rings trilogy," Shipp said. "What sets this movie apart from a Christian perspective is the allegorical depth that Lewis brings out in this story as it relates to the Bible. The central character of the story is Aslan, a lion whose character parallels the biblical portrayal of Jesus, ultimately to the point of self-sacrifice. There are many other biblical perspectives that can be easily distinguished in the book: personal failures, unconditional love, redemption and freedom."

Seven Rivers Presbyterian Church has bought a block of more than 100 tickets for the 1 p.m. showing of the film in Crystal River today.

"We're going because it's an opportunity for us to fellowship together," said Rachel de Beer, who organized the event. "My hope for the venture is just to fellowship with other members of our church, enjoying each other's company and watching a good movie."

Ray Cortese, senior pastor at Seven Rivers, talked about why he sees Aslan as a type of Christ.

"Aslan is the Christ figure of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," he said. "All of Narnia is under a curse - where it is always winter, but never Christmas. Then, Aslan comes and with his sacrificial death he bears the judgment of the curse and the curse is lifted and Narnia is healed, restored and set free. This is the biblical story. The Bible prophesied that out of the Jewish people, specifically the tribe of Judah, a lion would come to set the world right. Jesus was that Lion of Judah who came to set our world free. "

Cortese shared his hopes for the story.

"I would hope anyone who reads or views (it) will be awakened by this fictional story to the grander story, that there is someone with the heart of a lion who is our rescuer."

The pastor used a scene from another book in the Narnia series to show how Aslan is used in the books as a Christ figure and the only means of salvation.

"My favorite scene in the Narnia series is from The Silver Chair, when one of the children, Jill, encounters Aslan," he said.

The scene goes like this:

"Are you not thirsty?" said the Lion.

"I'm dying of thirst," said Jill.

"Then drink," said the Lion.

"May I, could I, would you mind going away while I do?" said Jill.

The Lion answered this only by a look and a very low growl. And as Jill gazed at its motionless bulk, she realized that she might as well have asked the whole mountain to move aside for her convenience.

The delicious rippling noise of the stream was driving her nearly frantic.

"Will you promise not to - do anything to me, if I do come?" said Jill.

"I make no promise," said the Lion.

Jill was so thirsty now that, without noticing it, she had come a step nearer.

"Do you eat girls?" she said.

"I have swallowed up girls and boys, women and men, kings and emperors, cities and realms," said the Lion.

It didn't say this as if it were boasting, nor as if it were sorry, nor as if it were angry. It just said it.

"I daren't come and drink," said Jill.

"Then you will die of thirst," said the Lion.

"Oh dear!" said Jill, coming another step nearer. "I suppose I must go and look for another stream then."

"There is no other stream," said the Lion.

[Last modified December 10, 2005, 00:51:18]