The Enchanted Mystery of the Gospel Through the Eyes of C.S. Lewis

The Enchanted Mystery of the Gospel Through the Eyes of C.S. Lewis

By: Samantha Kinchen

Clive Staples Lewis, better known as C.S. Lewis, is one of the most renowned and arguably one of the greatest Christian authors this era has ever experienced. His works range in genre from Christian fantasy to science fiction to apologetics and have influenced the lives of people from almost all seasons of the Christian walk. Born on November 29, 1998, in Belfast, Ireland, Lewis began teaching at Oxford University and was quickly recognized for his superior apologist texts as he used philosophy and reason to support his Christian faith. Growing up, Lewis was captivated by whimsical animals and extravagant tales of chivalry. He developed a very close relationship with his older brother, Warren and the two created the imaginary land of Boxen. The two enjoyed many years ruling over their fairytale land of Boxen, fashioning a full, ornate history for this magical place. (Biography.com Editors. “C.S. Lewis Biography.”)

While teaching at Oxford University, Lewis would find himself joining a group called “The Inklings,” along with his brother, Warren. There, he met someone who would become a dear friend and also a renowned Christian author, J.R.R. Tolkien. Lewis had been a self-proclaimed atheist before meeting Tolkien. Through this newfound friendship, Jesus used conversations of faith with Tolkien to pursue His deep desire for a relationship with Lewis. Lewis rededicated himself to his faith after he became disconnected as a child. This sparked a whole new path for Lewis as he began to write some of the most well-known works in the Christian community today such as, The Allegory of Love, Mere Christianity, and Screwtape Letters. Although Lewis covers important spiritual issues in his nonfiction writings, like the ones previously listed, he also addresses spiritual issues in his fictional works as well. This sets Lewis apart from a lot of Christian authors as he has the gift of telling an enchanted story of mythical characters and fantastical lands and then pairing it with its allegoric complement all to unfold the mystery that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. (Biography.com Editors. “C.S. Lewis Biography.”)

One fictional work that he is most recognized for using this gift in is The Chronicles of Narnia. Lewis started writing The Chronicles of Narnia during the 1950s. These chronicles comprise seven books that begin with The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe as the first release. This series of novels is overflowing with the same fantastic imagination and childlike innocence of the boy who ruled over the land of Boxen as a child. In this first book of the chronicles, the story is set in the middle of World War II as a family of four Pevensie children, Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy, are transported from London to the house of a peculiar professor to wait out the remainder of the war there. Lewis must have chosen to develop this setting as he recalled the time he housed children from London during World War II. Here, Lucy, the youngest of the four, discovers a magical wardrobe during a game of hide and seek. She picks the wardrobe as her choice of refuge during the game and then finds herself walking into a mystical, snow-covered land where she runs into a talking faun named Mr. Tumnus. Although frightened at first, the two soon become friends and, over tea, Mr. Tumnus begins to tell Lucy of the land of Narnia that she has just stumbled upon. He explains how the evil White Witch has placed a spell on Narnia, cursing it to forever be in a state of winter with no Christmas. He goes on to inform her how the White Witch has done her best to rid Narnia of all of the good animals, enlisting all of the bad ones to be on her side, thus building an army. Mr. Tumnus knows the White Witch will want to capture Lucy and her siblings as well because of the prophecy foretelling the witch’s death if four children should sit on the thrones at the capital of Narnia. Lucy leaves Mr. Tumnus sad about the future of Narnia and longing to help but also content with the beginning of a new friendship. (Brennan, Matt. "Into the Wardrobe.")

Next to enter Narnia is the youngest brother, Edmund. His first encounter with the residents of this mystical land is not as joyful as his sister Lucy’s. He first approached by the White Witch and enticed by her offering of Turkish Delight. She tells him promises of a crown if he were to only bring her his siblings and with the taste of Turkish Delight still fresh on his tongue, he eagerly heads back home to find his siblings. (Brennan, Matt. "Into the Wardrobe.")

Eventually all four siblings find their way into Narnia, only to be greeted by the news of Mr. Tumnus’ capture by the White Witch for his friendship with Lucy. Lucy convinces her siblings to stay and help save him. On their way to the capital, the four run into many Narnia natives who have been cowering in hiding from the White Witch but who are now overjoyed at the possibility of escape from the Witch’s rule and the return of Aslan, a powerful lion who will prove to be the Savior of Narnia. While Peter, Susan, and Lucy are enjoying meeting enchanting talking animals, Edmund manages to escape to find his way to the White Witch’s castle. No one knows about Edmund’s relationship with the Witch because he is too blinded by his power lust. When he arrives at the castle, he expects a warm welcome followed by more Turkish Delight but instead he gets a reprimand and a piece of stale bread. She is furious with him because he did not bring his siblings to her and she is horrified at the news of Aslan’s return. (Brennan, Matt. "Into the Wardrobe.")

As the other three siblings continue on their journey to the capital of Narnia, they witness the snow melt and flowers begin to bloom because of the arrival of Aslan. Spring has now resumed in Narnia and winter has finally ended. This change in weather not only results in warmer temperatures and beautiful greenery but also troubles for the White Witch. She attempts to drive her reindeer towards the remaining three children to catch them before they meet Aslan, but the melted snow has created a trap for her sledge runners when they get caught in the mud. Because the Witch is so frustrated from these turn of events, she punishes Edmund for it and keeps him hungry while torturing him with a whip. He is now questioning his desire for power and has a new desire to escape out from under the White Witch’s power alive. (Brennan, Matt. "Into the Wardrobe.")

Finally, Peter, Susan, and Lucy are able to meet up with Aslan and are immediately consumed with excitement and hope. Aslan gets all of his faithful followers to come out of hiding. After this heartfelt reunion, he confronts the White Witch where she claims that she has the right to take Edmund’s life because he is a traitor. His siblings are quickly concerned for the livelihood of their brother. Aslan quietly converses with the Witch and she leaves successful as Aslan’s face hangs in sadness. Later on that night, Aslan sneaks away as Lucy and Susan follow behind, unnoticed. They watch as he turns himself over to the White Witch to be beaten, tortured, demeaned, and then killed while tied to a stone table. The White Witch speared him through the heart with a stone knife. Feeling very victorious, she leaves with her army of followers in search of Aslan’s people in order to kill them. (Brennan, Matt. "Into the Wardrobe.")