Perhaps I can save Narnia

by Michael G. Mickey

(12-10-05)

As the war on Christmas (and Christianity) continues ad nauseum during this 'holiday' season, Disney, maker of the blockbuster movie “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”, is risking "its film becoming labeled a niche, “Christian” movie and losing the mainstream audience", according to a Fox News story. That'll do it every time, won't it? Just ask Mel Gibson!

Last night my family and I, being the "Jesus Freaks" that we are, went to see Disney's "Christian" movie and found it to be quite entertaining. It was a nice family outing for us, filled with good, wholesome fun for the most part.

Even though Disney's movie is being labeled "Christian", I think, having now seen the film, a good portion of the "mainstream audience" is going to find the film's content safe enough to go see it, in spite of the doom and gloom being projected by some who despise anything that may be connected, in any manner whatsoever, to a Christian theme.

If that's not the case, there is a chance that I can, perhaps, save Disney from at least some of the loss the godless think the company is going to potentially experience, presuming for a moment "Narnia" actually needs my (or anyone else's) help. Let me explain.

Controversy regarding the film is swirling, as alluded to earlier, because rumor has it that the story's heroic lion, Aslan, the protector of all that is good in the fictional land of Narnia, is patterned after the Lion of the tribe of Judah, my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Having now seen the movie and spent quite a bit of time in the Word of God, there are definite parallels that can be drawn between the fictional character Aslan and the risen, non-fictional Savior of the world, Jesus Christ - so many that one who has ever heard the gospel of Jesus Christ may actually find himself thinking of Christ while watching portions of the movie. Even though this was true of my experience, seeing Aslan on screen didn't overwhelm my senses to the point I forgot that Narnia is a fictional place and Aslan is a fictional lion.

While it's true that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery, very rarely does an imitation of anything match the quality of the original item it was designed to share similar qualities with.

Bearing that thought in mind, one of the most memorable exchanges I have ever heard between two debating political candidates took place between Democratic Senator Lloyd Bentsen of Texas and Senator Dan Quayle of Indiana on October 5, 1988.

Responding to the question of whether he had the experience and leadership qualities necessary to fill in should then presidential candidate George H. W. Bush become president and Quayle be required to act in the capacity of president during a national emergency or other crisis, Quayle said the following, which led to what I believe was one of the most decisive blows ever delivered in response to a debating party's words:

Quayle: "I have as much experience in the Congress as Jack Kennedy did when he sought the presidency."

Bentsen: "Senator, I served with Jack Kennedy. I knew Jack Kennedy. Jack Kennedy was a friend of mine. Senator, you're no Jack Kennedy."

Where Aslan the lion is concerned, he's a magnificent fictional hero, but I've served the Lord Jesus Christ. I know Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is a friend of mine. Aslan is no Jesus Christ!

Revelation 19:11-16: And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself. And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean. And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

Revelation 1:7: Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.

Despite what the critics may think, no one who truly knows Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior thinks any writer, even the great C.S. Lewis, can write onto paper a fictional character who comes even close to being what Jesus Christ is to those who trust in Him and know He is coming again to bring justice and peace to the earth - the real earth, not the fictional land of Narnia!

If you're not a Christian and you're finding yourself reluctant to go see Disney's “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” because you think you'll be led to Christ there, head on down to the theater and relax because you won't be seeing Christ on the big screen! There won't be an altar call held at the end of the film or anything! You'll be seeing a fun fictional story brought to life on the big screen which features a fictional lion that a great writer, C.S. Lewis, patterned somewhat after the greatest Lion there is, was, or ever will be --- the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

In fairness to the godless who may read this commentary, I must report that the offensive 'C word' (Christmas) is uttered numerous times during the film which may cause some momentary discomfort --- or not. In spite of Christmas being brought up repeatedly, I saw no one had been rendered incapable of walking out of the theater under their own power when the film ended. In fact, if I didn't know better, I'd be left with the impression, even in this goofy, politically correct world, that the word 'Christmas' hadn't offended even one person in the theater!

Perhaps there's hope for "Narnia" after all.

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