The Huntington Apologetics Team

the HAT: Protect Your Head

Tuesday, December 20, 2005

How Aslan Challenges Popular Assumptions About God

The evangelical Christian community has been in a furor over the release of The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Whether you love C.S. Lewis or hate him, these days he's probably on your mind. Though I do disagree with him on a number of issues, I do consider myself a bit of a fan of his. There is one thing that I particularly enjoy about Lewis, and that is that he challenges popular conceptions about the nature of God.

This past Sunday I eagerly chatted with some fellow Christians about our favorite parts of Chronicles. I don't think that mine was a common choice, but everyone I talked to recognized the power of my scene. If you have seen the movie you will probably remember the scene I have in mind.

Just after the White Witch and Aslan struck their deal for Edmund's life they emerge from Aslan's tent. The Witch confidently walks to the throne she was carried in on and turns toward him. "How do I know you'll keep your promise?" she asks. Aslan's response was a single, mighty ROAR that sat the queen down in her seat and prompted cheers from his followers. The moment brought tears to my eyes.

This may seem very strange to those of you who read it, but the reason is simple. In that moment C.S. Lewis demonstrated something that is missing from today's popular concept of God. It is in the Bible to be sure, but not in many passages that people like to preach from today. In that moment the character of God (Aslan) was challenged. He did not respond with a tender, tearful discourse on how his love makes him trustworthy, though God is tender toward those He loves. Aslan responded to the White Witch in a manner not entirely unlike the way God responded to Job's challenge.

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: "Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his? Job 40:6-9 (ESV)


In essence, God's response to the challenge of Job was like Aslan's response to the White Witch: Sit down and be silent. God did go further in Job and demonstrate the fact that Job did not have the right to challenge Him, but the result was the same.

What possible apologetic impact does this have? In a way, the Job passage can be considered a "problem passage" in that the content is generally unpalatable to our non-Christian friends. The point of this essay is to remind everyone that the God we worship is not the same God that our unsaved friends have pictured in their heads. In an age where postmodern tolerance is promoted as the highest good the God of Job, and Aslan as a picture of that God, do not fit into the zeitgeist. It is incumbent upon us to acquaint ourselves and our friends with this side of the God of the Bible. It may not make them comfortable, but the truth can be hard. And do not worry about the impact these passages will have on evangelism. You may risk your popularity, but the results of evangelism are up to the Holy Spirit. Share the truth and trust in His power to save.

What's That I Hear!?!?

Ah, it's the click-clack of fingers dancing across a keyboard. We have returned to the internet with the goal of putting out more helpful apologetic content for popular consumption. We all apologize for the the long silence, but we're back. Hopefully this has been last of such silences. Meaningful content is coming soon.