Chronicles of Narnia

[Christ's Free Servant]

I went to see Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, Witch & The Wardrobe today. I was wondering how close the film is to the original story. What bothered me was the role of Santa Claus in the movie. He is the one who gave the kids the tools for fighting the enemy. I find that offensive, since Santa Claus is an imaginary "false christ." Santa is given all the attributes of God, and people celebrate him a whole lot more than they do Jesus this time of year, including most Christians. The type of Christ (the Lion) should have been the one to give the kids the tools for fighting the enemy, not Santa. I just find that so sacriligious. Is that really what C.S. Lewis intended? Or, was that Disney's interpretation? I've never read the story.

[jamie]

I went to see Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, Witch & The Wardrobe today. I was wondering how close the film is to the original story. What bothered me was the role of Santa Claus in the movie. He is the one who gave the kids the tools for fighting the enemy. I find that offensive, since Santa Claus is an imaginary "false christ." Santa is given all the attributes of God, and people celebrate him a whole lot more than they do Jesus this time of year, including most Christians. The type of Christ (the Lion) should have been the one to give the kids the tools for fighting the enemy, not Santa. I just find that so sacriligious. Is that really what C.S. Lewis intended? Or, was that Disney's interpretation? I've never read the story.

You would have to be knowledgable and familier with the real story of Jesus' life before you would be able to catch it in this movie. Aside from a little symbolism, this movie was far from reality.

It wouldn't be a good evangelism tool because most of the unsaved aren't going to get it.

But, I still thought it was a really good movie although I somehow missed the santa thing.

(If this movie really glorified Christ in a significate way...it probably wouldn't have aired) IMO

[Guest Madie]

The movie was about good vs evil and the old man who gave the kids the tools represented good, in a world that was evil. The kids were innocent, trying to find safety. And the old man (father christmas..or whatever he was called in the movie) provided the tools they would need to endure a difficult situation. God will always provide a way to endure lifes difficulties, even in the face of evil, even when you are surrounded and cant seem to find your way out.

You can make a mountain out of a mole hill if one wanted to, but this movie was very religeous.

If you noticed, the lion went into the tent with the white witch to make a deal. The witch was going to take Peter's life. The lion chose to die in his place. Sounds like Christ to me and thats what CS Lewis intended. Also, when the lion gets killed, did u notice all the mocking and name calling? The lion arose on the 3rd day, back to life.

I think anyone who knows anything about Christ and the crucifiction will enjoy this movie. It was beautiful, and did follow the book, just as CS Lewis wanted.

[Christ's Free Servant]

Actually, I'm quite familiar with the life of Jesus. I've been teaching the Bible for 40 years. That is why the Santa thing bothered me so much. Yes, it was obviously Santa Claus with his sleigh, reindeer, and large bag of gifts, and then it was solidified when the little girl mentioned something to the effect that the older children had told her he was not real but she told them he was. She said she believed in him. And, Santa knows all, sees all and can be everywhere all at once and is all powerful since he is able to deliver presents to every household in one day and he can grant the wishes of children. So, he is a false god. And, this false god is the one who gave the children the sword, medicine, arrows with which to win the battle against the evil one. Jesus is the only one who can give us that when we put on the armor of God with which to fight the enemy (Ephesians 6).

I got all the religious symbolism. That is not my issue. My issue is with a false god being the one to give the children the armor to fight the enemy (a figure or type of Satan). There is a danger when we see Santa as just a nice man. The antichrist is going to come as an angel of light. He will be liked. People will see him as their "Santa" who will be their "Savior." The fact that you did not see the Santa or that you did not recognize him as Santa is also what concerns me, because that is how the antichrist is going to deceive people, because they won't see him for what he is. They won't see the danger. They'll see him as a nice man. They won't see the mark as a big deal, either. I have already had Christians say to me that they don't think all this biometric purchasing is a big deal, but it is.

Sorry, I don't mean to be too heavy here. I take my Lord very seriously - always have. I take his word seriously - always have. I have always been extremely sensitized to the subtle lies of Satan that have even infiltrated the Church. For instance, the movie "Pleasantville" is the only movie I have ever walked out of the theatre during because it upset me so much how they were representing good and evil and Christians and conservatives, but you know that many Christians watched it and did not even see it. I am sensitized to so many subtle lies of the enemy that others have become desensitized to. Jesus is so much a part of me and my life and his word so lives in me that I literally hurt inside when I see these things and realize that other people don't see it or recognize it at all. So many people are so blinded.

[jamie]

I understand what you are saying Sue, the movie was a disney movie so i'm sure it had some things in it that wasn't kosher. I have BIG problems with 'santa' myself, I discern within my own spirit that that the imaginary version of 'good ole st. nick', is strait from the pit.

[Prodigalson123]

I liked the movie and didn't like the santa thing. As to the story and evangelism, I think LOTR was a better tool. The whole idea that the powerful can't win, that the hero isn't who you think it is, and that a greater power is working through the characters and that self sacrifice is the key to serving others. Just my opinion

[Iryssa]

"Father Christmas" is a symbolic picture of the spirit of goodwill and gifts willingly given. If you pay attention to the story in the books, you'll find that Father Christmas is a servant of Aslan. Therefore, a servant of God.

Now, I know what you're thinking: "Well if he's just a servant, how come he was able to give those weapons which were symbolic of spiritual gifts and armor?"

Well, I'll tell you.

*whispers* Even the best writers make imperfect analogies.

Yup, it's true! They do!

These books were written for children...not older people who would pick apart the analogies until they're mangled and overexaggerated. You know what kids see when they read the part about Father Christmas coming? "That's GREAT! That means that evil's power is failing and good things are starting to happen again!" How do I know? Because this was my favourite book as a child, and my favourite part is when you can see the Jadis' power failing...Father Christmas comes, winter gives way to spring, etc.

I know, I know..."BUT THEY SHOULDN'T BE TEACHING KIDS ABOUT COMMERCIALISM! CHRISTMAS ISN'T ABOUT GIFTS! AGGGGGGGHHHHHHH!!"

Christmas is a time to celebrate the Greatest Gift of All...Christ's Birth.

Don't you think showing love to one another (and therefore to Him, because He commanded us to love one another) is a nice way to show our appreciation for God's gift? Don't you think this can be done through gift-giving? Of course, I don't agree with the "more more more" attitude that a lot of people have at Christmas...I DO, however, believe in heartfelt giving between those who love eachother and wish to show their appreciation for one another. It doesn't mean that gift-giving is the ONLY way to do that, or that is should be the only way and time you show love to someone...it just happens to be one nice way to do that. I think giving out of love is the attitude that gave birth to the idea of Father Christmas. Honestly, his story is what you make of it. Choose to take good things out of the symbols we see daily, and you will find that there is a lot of encouragement to be found in this world.

Now, if you really must stay on the analogy interpreting track, here's one for you:

Father Christmas could also be a way of showing how God works through His servants to help His children realize and use their gifts.

If you've ever been told "you have a gift of hospitality" or "you have a gift for teaching" (etc.), and had not really realized it until that point, you will know what I mean. You probably looked back and saw that your gift for hospitality had ALWAYS been there, given by God, in things like making coffee for your friends, inviting people to stay at your house, etc. The fact that you might not have realized you've always had this gift of hospitality means you probably weren't using it the same way you would after you found out. In a sense, your friendly observer has given you a tool to do the work Christ set out for you, since, now that you are aware of your gift, you can pay attention and use it more effectively for the Kingdom. You always had this gift, given to you by God, who ordained that you should hear the words of that observer at just the right time, therefore receiving a tool (knowledge) for using that gift more effectively.

Now, let me put this in Narnia's Father Christmas terms:

Here are the Pevensie kids, going to meet Aslan to do the work he has set out for them. Along the way, they meet this kind-hearted man, who gives them just the right tools that they will need to do that work Aslan has for them. Peter has a valiant heart, quick to try to end conflict, with strong words if he must. Now, he must get involved in a larger conflict, in which blood will be shed, and though his heart has the capabilities to face the conflict, he lacks only the tools to help him end it. He got the heart for it from God (Aslan, in the books), and he got the tools (sword and shield) from God through His servant. Let's focus on Lucy here...she's not tall or strong, like her older siblings...her temperament is one like most sweet little girls; she cares deeply for people, and does not like seeing people suffer harm. She is given a vial of a powerful healing liquid. This liquid could symbolize the knowledge and proper use of her already-present gift of healing...For who has not known the healing power in a child's tender looks, smiles, and impressively honest words? I know I have felt the heart-healing gift of a child's love...I might have committed suicide long before I became a Christian if I did not first have my baby cousin's love to think of and treasure.

*sigh* and now I'm getting maudlin. See what happens when you over-interpret children's stories? *laugh*

Now, one last point:

I've also heard that Father Christmas is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, which I think could be true...but I'm gonna have to do a thorough re-read of his scene to know for sure whether that is a defensible position.

[Guest NewPilgrim]

wouldnt it be wise for us all to read the appropriate passage of the Novel in context before we start pulling it apart?

[Christ's Free Servant]

wouldnt it be wise for us all to read the appropriate passage of the Novel in context before we start pulling it apart?

The question posed to those who have read the novel was, "Does Disney correctly interpret the role of Father Christmas in the novel?" - basically that is the question. I don't have an issue at all with a Father Christmas if he is a servant of Christ or an angelic being of some sort. I don't have an issue with God using his servants to deliver messages or tools. My question posed was basically to ask if C.S. Lewis had intended Santa Claus or if he intended another figure? Santa Claus is not a servant of God. He takes the place of God in the minds and hearts of children. They go to him with their requests. They expect him to meet their needs. He has all the attributes of God. Lucy believed in Santa Claus. The focus was on him. Even the Holy Spirit says that he gives glory back to God. If they did not make it to look like Santa Claus and if it was clear he was a servant of the lion and if Lucy had not proclaimed her faith in Santa, I could have handled it better. If he had been in an ordinary sleigh or something in a different shape from Santa's and if the bag was not a Santa bag and if it were more clear he was one of the Lord's messengers and Lucy's faith was not in him... so, my issue is not with C.S. Lewis' tale if he did not intend Santa Claus. My issue is if Disney interpreted him to be Santa. In the original story, did Lucy proclaim her faith in Father Christmas? Was it clear in the original story that Father Christmas and Santa were the same person?

[Matthitjah]

Grace to you,

I just saw the Movie last night with my children. My son marvelled at the paralells to the Bible. He even got the Armour of God thing with the Sword and the Shield. He is only 6 years old. We both teared up when they shaved Aslan and bound and gagged Him as he looked on at little Lucy with a tear in His Magnificient eye.

His mane bristled with Glory and spoke of our Lord.

When the Table of the Law was broken I cried yet again.

As far as the Christmas thing and Lucy.

My take on it was this. And a Little Child shall lead them. It was only through the innocence of this Child Lucy that they ever found Narnia. The older children had a problem with belief. Father Christmas represented belief. The Blind Faith and wonderment of a child. Edmund was just old enough and yet young enough to believe, Still tainted enough though to get it skewed. However Aslan redeemed Edmund and he was the one who shattered the White Witchs Scepter. He also told his brother that he could no longer leave. That they must now go back and SAVE all these people who were relying on them.

This is a wonderfuil Movie that speaks of Redemtion and Grace. I believe that Edmund is us.

Another thing was the fact that Peter had to find his courage. In the beginning when they were Boarding the Trains to leave London. He was sore afarid when he saw boys just slightly older than he. Going off to war. yet he found Courage in Christ or Aslan and was found to be made of something more than just the Physical fleshy boy he thought he was. He was indeed a Prince and King. Highly honored and Loved of God.

All of Creation Groans in expectation of the manifestation of the Sons and Daughters of God.

Ro