Aslan the lion the witch and the wardrobe is a book written by C.S. Lewis. It is the first novel in The Chronicles of Narnia series. The story follows four siblings, Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy, who stumble upon a magical wardrobe that leads them to the enchanted land of Narnia. In Narnia, they discover that the land is under the rule of the wicked White Witch, Jadis.
"When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death, and when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again." ―Golden Age Prophecy [src]
He asked where Edmund was, yet appeared emotionless when told of Edmund s betrayal to the White Witch, though he did say, All shall be done to save their brother. These intelligent beasts then formed the first council of Narnia, which eventually spawned the races of talking beasts that populated Narnia for centuries afterwards.
In Narnia, they discover that the land is under the rule of the wicked White Witch, Jadis. She has plunged Narnia into an eternal winter with no hope of Christmas. The children soon learn that they have been prophesied to play a crucial role in the downfall of the Witch and the restoration of Narnia.
“there is no need to talk to him about the past.”- Aslan.
We all must know the wonderful stories of Narnia! Lions, talking beavers, magical creatures, a white witch, battles, never ending winters, an amazing sacrifice, and four children who get thrust into the mix of it all! The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a fantastic story for children and adults a like, but it is also one that shows us great meaning and inspiration from the Bible. Do we truly see this through our excitement?There are so many different comparisons between Jesus and Aslan, the White Witch and Satan, and the children and us as a human race.
But the most important comparison is the sacrifice that Aslan makes in Edmunds place compared to the great sacrifice Jesus made in the place of a sinful human race like us.
The relationship between Edmund and Aslan is one that sparks the most interest to myself. How could Aslan, whom Edmund has spent most of his time trying to run away from, take his place against the White Witch? And after all Edmund had done; running away from his siblings, joining the White Witch in hope of becoming a King on his own, and ending up just being her captive slave. How could Aslan just forgive his as easily as that? In the story, after Edmund is rescued from the White Witch, he has a talk with Aslan. C.S Lewis tells us that “there is no need to tell you (and no one ever heard) what Aslan was saying, but it was a conversation which Edmund never forgot.” I guess we are left to our own interpretation. So what do you think Aslan was saying? Was he telling him off for being an idiot? Or was he telling him that the past is done, that there is no need for Edmund to hate himself for what he had done?
I personally think that the conversation between Aslan and Edmund represents a very similar one Christians go through when they’re converted. A cry out to God for redemption as we see God’s compassion, love and forgiveness flow into our lives. Aslan tells the children to not talk about it to Edmund ever again, for it is gone, it’s in the past and wiped away. And Aslan take Edmunds place in punishment.
Just like Aslan, Jesus died in the place of sinners. He died in the place for us, who run from him and have done wrong all our lives. But also like Aslan, Jesus forgives. He forgives those who call upon him, he shows grace, compassion and love on those who do not deserve. We deserve eternal punishment for our sinful nature and disobedience against God, yet because of his love God sent his only son to come down and take our place on the cross. Our sins are washed clean by his love, and we are called to live like him for the rest of our days.
So what does it mean to live like him?
We must live our lives like he did, to witness, to show love and compassion, to be hospitable, to show forgiveness.. The list is endless.
But what about this whole forgiveness thing? Why should I have to forgive those who have wrong me? Surely I should try and seek justice instead? But no, I am called to forgive.
Google definition says that to forgive means to “stop feeling angry or resentful towards (someone) for an offence, flaw, or mistake.”
But is it really as easy and simple as that? Someone once said that “to be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God forgave the inexcusable in us.” I have learnt very recently that to forgive is one of the hardest things to give away, but it is one of the best things we can give. To actually stand before someone, and God, and say that it’s okay, you love them, it’s time to move on and leave it to the past. Just as the children listen to Aslan and embrace Edmund as their brother in happiness, so should we with the ones who have wronged us.
It may not be the easiest or fastest thing to do, or it may be very simple. But we must remember Ephesians 4:32 “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”
No matter what someone has done to you, whether you seen it as inexcusable or not, we are called to be like Christ. The world may not deserve our forgiveness, but neither did we deserve God’s forgiveness and yet he still showed us mercy.
So what I am saying is, don’t let your anger cloud your judgement, don’t let your pain take over what you know to be true, and don’t let the moment to forgive pass you by. Showing forgiveness shows God’s love which is what our lives are called to do. There is only one person who brings justice and judgement, and that is God. Leave it to him and turn your heart to forgiveness. He’ll show you how to “love the unloveable, reach the unreachable and do the impossible” (Listen to Forgiveness- Matthew West).
I’ll be very honest with you, at the moment forgiveness is one of the hardest things for me. I struggle very much with anger and not being able to let go of many things. But one thing I am certain of is that God will lead my stone heart to soften, he will lead my hate to love, and he will turn my anger into forgiveness. It may take time, but I know he will show me the way to forgive and leave things in the past.
One day I will be able to move on and love just like the Pevensie children did with their brother. I will learn to love my brothers and sisters once again.
I can guaranteed that.
"But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason you were brought into Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you might know me better there." ―Aslan as he's about to send Edmund, Lucy and Eustace home (Chapter 16) [src]
As the children journey through Narnia, they encounter talking animals, mythical creatures, and a diverse cast of characters. One of the most significant characters they meet is Aslan, a wise and powerful lion who embodies goodness and represents the Messiah figure in the story. Throughout the book, Aslan guides and protects the children, teaching them valuable lessons about bravery, sacrifice, and loyalty. His presence brings hope and light to Narnia, and he ultimately sacrifices himself to save one of the siblings from a traitor. Aslan's resurrection marks the triumph of good over evil and leads to the defeat of the White Witch. With her defeat, Narnia is restored to its former glory, and the children are crowned as kings and queens, ruling alongside Aslan. Aslan the lion the witch and the wardrobe explores themes of redemption, forgiveness, sacrifice, and the battle between good and evil. It is a timeless tale that captivates readers with its rich world-building, relatable characters, and profound messages..
Reviews for "Revisiting 'The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe': The Spectacular Return of Aslan"
1. John - 2 stars - I really wanted to enjoy "Aslan the lion the witch and the wardrobe" as it is a beloved classic, but I found it to be quite disappointing. The writing was dry and lacked depth, leaving me feeling detached from the characters. The storyline also felt rushed and underdeveloped, with events unfolding haphazardly without much explanation or exploration. Overall, I couldn't connect with the story or its characters, making it a forgettable read for me.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I struggled to understand the hype surrounding "Aslan the lion the witch and the wardrobe." The book failed to captivate me from the start, with its bland and unimaginative prose. The characters, particularly the children, felt one-dimensional and lacked any real depth or growth throughout the story. Additionally, I found the plot to be predictable and lacking in nuance, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, "Aslan the lion the witch and the wardrobe" left me completely underwhelmed and uninterested in continuing the series.
3. Mark - 2 stars - I was really looking forward to reading "Aslan the lion the witch and the wardrobe," but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The writing style felt outdated and overly simplistic, making it difficult for me to fully immerse myself in the story. The religious allegories were heavy-handed and took away from the overall narrative, making it feel preachy rather than entertaining. Additionally, I found the pacing to be uneven, with slow sections that dragged on and moments of quick resolution that left me wanting more. Overall, I was left feeling unsatisfied and unimpressed with "Aslan the lion the witch and the wardrobe."
4. Emily - 3 stars - While "Aslan the lion the witch and the wardrobe" had its moments, I found it to be a bit overrated. The story started off intriguingly enough, but I felt that it quickly lost its momentum and became repetitive. The allegorical elements, although unique, often overshadowed the actual plot and character development. I also found some of the characters, particularly some of the creatures in Narnia, to be more annoying than endearing. Overall, I can appreciate the impact it has had on the fantasy genre, but it personally didn't wow me as much as I had hoped.