Theology for Children

Pauline Baynes, Lewis' original illustrator, beautifully captured the essence of his stories, but I really love the more-recent, lush illustrations which Deborah Maze created for an adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (I'm not crazy about the adaptation itself...although it is not badly done, I simply view it as superfluous. Any child who can hear and understand the adaptation, can hear and understand the original in all its depth and delight.)

Here are a few of Maze's illustrations, paired with passages from the book and from Scripture. I continue to be amazed at the extensive theology which Lewis incorporated into all his fictional works. Even though he often downplayed the intentionality of it, the fact remains that nearly every detail is saturated with biblical truth.

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The evil Queen of Narnia, clothed in white garments, is disguised as an angel of light, who tempts Edmund through food, flattery and the promise to rule. Echoes of the serpent in the Garden as well as Solomon's portrayal of Lady Folly are inescapable.

"It is a lovely place, my house," said the Queen. "I am sure you would like it. There are whole rooms full of Turkish Delight, and what's more, I have no children of my own. I want a nice boy whom I could bring up as a Prince and who would be King of Narnia when I am gone. While he was Prince he would wear a gold crown and eat Turkish Delight all day long; and you are much the cleverest and handsomest young man I've ever met. I think I would like to make you Prince - some day, when you bring the others to visit me." (Chapter 4, Turkish Delight) 

With her many persuasions she entices him, with her flattering lips she seduces him. He follows her as an ox to the slaughter, until an arrow pierces through his liver; so he does not know that it will cost him his life. (Proverbs 7:21-23) 

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In this section, we see what happens when a new king comes to rule...he sends gifts to his loyal subjects...that's what kings do! Father Christmas, as Aslan's ambassador, distributes gifts "to each one individually just as He wills." He equips each of them to fulfill their purpose in restoring the kingdom. "When Christ ascended on high, he led captivity captive and gave gifts to men." Upon his ascension to the throne, Christ, by his Spirit, distributes various gifts: "...to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good." (I Corinthians 12)

"Come on!" cried Mr Beaver, who was almost dancing with delight. "Come and see! This is a nasty knock for the Witch! It looks as if her power is already crumbling. Didn't I tell you that she'd made it always winter and never Christmas? Well, just come and see!"

And then they did see.

It was a sledge, and it was reindeer with bells on their harness...and on the sledge sat...a huge man in a bright red robe...Father Christmas.

"I've come at last,' said he. "She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last. Aslan is on the move. The Witch's magic is weakening." (Chapter 10)

Father Christmas gives the children their gifts, instructs them in their proper use, and advises them to "Bear them well."

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(This illustration is Baynes')

"Every moment the patches of green grew bigger and the patches of snow grew smaller. Every moment more and more of the trees shook off their robes of snow. Soon, wherever you looked, instead of white shapes you saw the dark green of firs or the black prickly branches of bare oaks and beeches and elms. Then the mist turned from white to gold and presently cleared away altogether. Shafts of delicious sunlight struck down onto the forest floor and overhead you could see a blue sky between the tree tops. The sky became bluer and bluer, and now there were white clouds hurrying across it from time to time. In the wide glade were primroses. A light breeze sprang up and carried cool, delicious scents. A bee buzzed across their path. "This is not a thaw," said the dwarf, suddenly stopping. "This is Spring!" (Chapter 11)

He changes a wilderness into a pool of water and a desolate land into springs of water...give thanks to Yahweh for His lovingkindness. Psalm 107:35

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Edmund, through his treachery and betrayal, has become the Queen's "lawful prey" whom she has a "right to kill." "His life is forfeit to me. His blood is my property." Aslan offers his blood and life as a substitute...the Queen is filled with fierce joy.

"And now who has won? Fool! Did you think by all of this that you would save the human traitor? Now I will kill you instead of him. But when you are dead, what will prevent me from killing him as well? And who will take him out of my hand then? You have lost your own life and you have not saved his. In that knowledge, despair and die." (The White Witch in Chapter 14)

And while being reviled, he did not revile in return; while suffering, he uttered no threats, but kept entrusting himself to the One who judges righteously...by his wounds you were healed. (I Peter 2:23-25)

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[Aslan] bounded up to the stone lion and breathed on him...Everywhere statues were coming to life. The courtyard no longer looked like a museum; it looked more like a zoo...and instead of the deadly silence, the whole place rang with the sound of happy roarings...songs and laughter. (Chapter 16)

Behold, I will cause breath to enter you that you may come to life. And I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, cover you with skin, and put breath in you that you may come alive; and you will know that I am Yahweh." (Ezekiel 37:5-6)

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When Adam's flesh and Adam's bone

Sits at Cair Paravel in throne,

The evil time will be over and done.

Once a king or queen in Narnia, always a king or queen.

Bear it well, Sons of Adam!

Bear it well, Daughters of Eve!

And there shall no longer be any curse...and they shall not have need of the light of a lamp not the light of the sun, because the Lord God shall illumine them; and they shall reign with him forever and ever. (Revelation 22: 3-5)