Christianity in Popular Culture
In the novel/ motion picture : The Chronicles of Narnia, During World War II, Four children- Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, are evacuated from London due to bombing from Germany, and move to a large old country house in the North. While there, Lucy climbs into a wardrobe that leads to the world of "Narnia". Eventually all four children enter the wardrobe and discover a world where it's "Always winter and never Christmas; They meet a witch named Jadis and a lion named Aslan, two of the storys major figures, and their adventures begin.
Aslan = Jesus Christ
(which means lion in Turkish) is the creator of Narnia. He symbolizes Jesus Christ and the power of good. • Queen Jadis, the White Witch = Lucifer who rules Narnia for 100 years, represents the power of Satan or evil in the world. • Peter = The Apostle Peter A strong leader who becomes the High King of Narnia. most closely would represent the Apostle Peter, who in reality is the first Leader of the Christian church after Christ ascended • Susan = Mary Is the second largest human figure in the story, standing as the courageous queen in Narnia, and though very important is likewise very human. • Edmund = Man He is tempted by the White Witch, her Turkish Delights and the promise of power. He represents all mankind who has betrayed Christ from birth, and who Jesus died for on the cross. Man is led away by the enticements of this world and becomes selfish and fallen from the standards of Christ. Because of his betrayal, he has also been compared to Judas of the New Testament and Adam in the Garden of Eden. • Lucy, = the faithful youngest child, is the strongest believer in Aslan. she most closely resembles and represents children in general, and their simple innocent faith- which we should all have. Susan and Lucy also represent the two Marys who beheld Christ's death and came to His tomb early in the morning. Mr. Tumnus, the Faun = Judas, who at first betrays Aslan and wants to kidnap Lucy, until Aslan appears out of the fire and he repents, however loses his life as a result, and is also similar to the "Doubting THOMAS" of the gospels. However, Mr Tumnus could also signify the apostle Paul, who first worked against Christianity, and then became a Christian.("However" comment thanks to: Micah-Leah Woolley) |
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• The Stone Table is primarily the Narnian equivalent to the cross Jesus was crucified on, however it goes beyond this and resembles strongly the end of the "Law" also, or the stone tablets, and the breaking of the temple curtain at Christ's death, (which brought salvation by grace through faith as opposed to the keeping of the old "Law" or what was also referred to in the story as the "Deep Magic" that satan does not fully understand.
Lucy's Healing Potion = Christ's blood, which heals our infirmities Aslan's Breath = the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit, Demontrated on several occasions, Aslands breaths onto frozen characters (Those killed by the witch) and they are restored to life. Helmet = Salvation Shield = Faith Sword = The Spirit within us Susan's horn = Prayer The beavers = Faithful disciples of Christ who try to show others the way through.this world = (The frozen lake) St Nick = The Spirit of Giving, which is a gift of the Spirit and gifts of the weapons of our warfare (see Eph 6) The Fox = People who might generally be considered, or do not appear to be Christians, and yet if they had to, would give their life for Him. Wolves = Satan's helpers |
Also in popular culture, Christianity has taken many avenues in today's society, below are a few examples.
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Sources Derived:
http://www.jonathanselby.com/Narnia.html
http://www.jonathanselby.com/Narnia.html