Back in December I began reading The Chronicles of Narnia by C. S. Lewis. I finally finished the last book in the series on May 20. In a different world it would not have taken me that long. But two jobs and 5 week long courses of study to continue as a local pastor keep me busy and diminish the time I have to read purely for my discretionary pleasure. Following is some commentary regarding my travels to the land of Narnia:
- A part of me is ashamed that it took me into my mid-50s to read these books. They should have been marked off my To Be Read list way earlier in life. That is a purely personal matter to me and no one should think I am judging whether or not you have read the books at whatever age you are. However, if you have been considering reading them, I suggest that you do so.
- Despite the personal shame I am placing on myself, there is a voice within me that is trying to convince me that I encountered these books at the time in my life I was supposed to read them. The allegorical Christian themes that were woven throughout the novels impacted my faith and my theological thinking in a way that it would probably would not have earlier in my life. These books intersected my life journey at a very opportune time.
- I wish that I had the time to go back and do a close reading of each book with a marker in hand to highlight, take notes, and write a true review and/or essay on each one. Especially, to share more in depth how the books impacted me theologically. Alas, that opportunity is not one that is open to me with my life journey at this time. Until then, here are a few quick examples.
- In The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The death and return to life of Aslan shed a new light and perspective on the Easter story. Not that it changed the essentials, but it helped me see and experience it with new and fresh eyes.
- In The Horse and His Boy: There is a part of Shasta’s (the boy’s) adventure that renewed and reminded me of how God walks along beside us and protects us from danger even when we can’t see the danger or even see or know that the protective presence is God himself.
- In The Last Battle: The way that the end of Narnia reflects a theological understanding of the new heaven and earth also breathed a new sense of hope and faith in my eschatological beliefs. It brought a new perspective on how to view on the final culmination of God’s kingdom here on earth being joined with the kingdom of heaven.
I could say more if time would allow it. And maybe someday the time will be there to do so. Until then, I will have to leave it at that. For now, I’m looking forward to delving into and finishing the Signature Classics volume by Lewis that I have on my shelf that includes:
- Mere Christianity (which I have already read)
- The Screwtape Letters (also already read)
- Miracles
- The Great Divorce
- The Problem of Pain
- A Grief Observed
- The Abolition of Man (this is the one I’m looking forward to the most at this time)
- The Four Loves
Notes from a Book Nerd 