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'Narnia' reaches churches for Lent

Local ministers are drawing parallels between a novel from C.S. Lewis' famous series and Christ's death and resurrection.

By NICOLE JOHNSON
Published March 30, 2006

CLEARWATER - As if being a blockbuster movie, bestselling book and Academy Award winner weren't enough, The Chronicles of Narnia can now add spiritual study guide to its achievements.

Across the country and locally, churches are turning to C.S. Lewis' famous tale about a lion, witch and wardrobe to lead Christian congregations through this year's Lenten season.

"The people come as a journey of faith, and it (Narnia) takes them through betrayal, the beating, to the resurrection," said the Rev. W. Joseph Schularick Jr., who is senior pastor at St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Clearwater.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe movie was released in December. The movie, adapted from Lewis' epic story written in the 1950s, revolves around four children who visit their uncle in London during World War II. One of the children finds her way into a wardrobe which leads them on a great adventure hinged on the battle between good and evil. The lion being good. The witch, evil.

Lent, a somber 40-day period between Ash Wednesday and Easter, is a time used by Christians to reflect on faith and life's journey. Historically, it was a time of fasting and a period of preparation.

"It was time to prepare new converts to be received at Easter," said Father Bob Schneider of Espiritu Santo Catholic Church in Safety Harbor. "The whole community would prepare, so it was like a retreat."

These days, Lent is traditionally celebrated by giving up an indulgence such as chocolate or soft drinks. Churches bring congregations together on a designated day to study the Bible or other spiritual text.

This year many churches are studying The Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren.

"We look at the traditional practices that have been used," Schneider said. "But when a new idea comes up from the staff, a book or article, you would try it, especially if it applies more to the modern world."

After Narnia's movie release, many of the Christian magazines coming to the Schularickhome featured author C.S. Lewis on the cover. The church started a Bible study for children using the books. Using Narnia during Lent felt natural.

"The Gospel could be the same story week after week," Schularick said. "But what you've got to find is a creative way to reach people without cheapening it."

On Wednesday in St. Paul's sanctuary, a crowd of about 30 listens as Schularik makes his voice loud and commanding while reading from Chapter 8 of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. The section details Aslan, the Lion, being tied up and dragged to the stone white table where the White Witch character will kill him. Aslan is ultimately resurrected.

New age music chimes in the background while Schularik reads. He gives a short sermon on the parallel between the Lion's murder and the crucifixion of Christ.

"On that place it wasn't a stone table where a Lion was killed," Schularik said. "It was a cross where the savior hanged."

It's a heavy message cloaking what's considered a children's story. But the melding manages to do the trick in reaching the audience.

"I'm very traditional, so it was kind of hard to break away (from) what I knew of Lent," said Curt Wagner, 83. "But slowly, gradually, I'm learning with this and finding there are other things beyond the tradition that add to our Christian education."

For 9-year-old Elijah Keyes, it's a bit simpler.

"I like Aslan because he's brave and strong," said Keyes, a student at Skycrest Elementary School. "Just like God."

Nicole Johnson can be reached at njohnson@sptimes.com or 727445-4162.

Reflections of Narnia, Wednesdays at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m.

St. Paul's Lutheran Church

407 S Saturn Ave. at Gulf to Bay

For more information, call: 727-446-7718

[Last modified March 30, 2006, 07:14:59]