Interview: Paul de Vries on the Theology in Narnia
Prior to the recent opening of the new Disney movie, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, New York Divinity School President Dr. Paul de Vries gave a few examples of how the popular story is rooted in sound theology.
Having grown up reading the seven-book children’s series by C.S. Lewis, he was eager to delve into a discussion on the “basic scriptural truths” that the book is based on, such as the teaching that Jesus is good but not “safe,” he says, just the way Aslan is “not a tame lion” but still has the children’s best interests at heart. De Vries loves the grace of God as revealed by Aslan’s death and then resurrection.
The following are excerpts taken from a Dec. 8 interview with Dr. de Vries:
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How theologically sound is the book?
One would have to recognize that there’s tremendous poetic license that a man like C.S. Lewis was a master of. So I don’t think that we would look for one-to-one parallels. However, the parallels to basic scriptural truths are just huge.
One of my favorite lines with what the children say to the beavers, “Is he dangerous?” And the beavers answer, “He is not safe but he is good.” In other words, Jesus is not just your little buddy, but Jesus is the Almighty God. But he is also good. So he’s not safe, but he’s good.
Can you explain that seeming discrepancy?
Jesus has a standard of holiness and righteousness, so he won’t do just as we want him to do. We can’t just add him to a coffee table, but rather he is the creator and the sovereign Lord Almighty.
The good side is that his love and grace does what is best for us.
Job says, “The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.” He is good but he does taketh away in his sovereignty.
Is the character of Aslan the lion a fitting allegory for Jesus?
Jesus is the “Lion of Judah, but he’s also the “Lamb of God,” so he’s a lion that has the most gentle purposes.
Is there any other scenes you’d like to point out?
Another … is where he dies for the children, and the children think it’s all over just like the apostles did, but then he dies according to the law of Narnia. Then he comes back to life, and the children ask, how did that happen?
Aslan says there is a higher law. That is a tremendous hope to all of us that, however bleak the situation, however tragic, God always has the higher law, which is ultimately God, Himself, God’s own authority over any law, and applying grace that releases us from dangers and disastrous behaviors.
What comes to your mind when Mr. Tumnus says, “It’s always winter and never Christmas” in Narnia?
What would the world be without Christmas? It’s just a reminder that Christmas is the reason for the season, and life without Christmas would be really empty of meaning.
Paul de Vries, Ph.D., is President of New York Divinity School. Visit it online www.nydivinityschool.org. An ordained minister, he has had more than 20 years experience in Christian higher education administration, including at Wheaton College, Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and the Seminary of the East. He earned his Ph.D. and M.A. at the University of Virginia, specializing in the philosophy of applied ethics. He is the lead author of three books: The Taming of the Shrewd (1992, Thomas Nelson), Ethics Applied (1999, Simon and Schuster), and Business Ethics Applied (2001, Pearson) and has contributed to other books. He is founder of the Office of Community Service at the University of Virginia, and founder of the Center for Applied Christian Ethics at Wheaton College in Illinois.
