A Family Guide to Narnia: Biblical Truths in C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia

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Editorial Reviews:

Product Description
Do you read The Chronicles of Narnia sensing that the stories are full of biblical parallels, even if you re not always sure what they are or where to find them? This user-friendly companion to The Chronicles of Narnia is written for C. S. Lewis readers like you who want to discover the books biblical and Christian roots.

Customer Reviews: Read 16 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Christ in the Chronicles November 29, 2005
76 out of 85 found this review helpful

As soon as it was announced that a new, Hollywood version of "The Chronicles of Narnia" would be released, I said to myself, "I should write a book called, 'Christ in the Chronicles.'" Well, Christin Ditchfield beat me to it, and I'm glad that she did. As her main title suggests ("A Family Guide to Narnia"), Ditchfield focuses her insights on a level that will "make sense" to Narnia fans of all ages--especially children and young teens.

Whereas some reviewers, therefore, interpret her interpretations as shallow, I find them appropriate given her focus--a family-friendly reading of "The Chronicles." Other reviewers find her interpretations a tad parochial. Again, the subtitle and the publisher of choice, easily explain that "feel." Ditchfield is writing an Evangelical analysis of "Biblical Truth in C. S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia." Yes, the truths could have been deeper, and yes, some of the interpretations may stretch Lewis' original intent, but none are outside the bounds of Lewis' own belief system.

Others may debate how much Christian imagery Lewis intended. He and his fellow "Inklings" writer, J. R. R. Tolkien, both wrote from a Christian world-view--Tolkien's being Catholic and Lewis' being Protestant. Tolkien, in several places, emphasized that he was not trying to make theological comments in every character and every event. Rather, he was writing a broad morality tale about good and evil and the ongoing battle between them. And an entertaining, captivating one, at that.

Lewis also, being a true linguist, tended to downplay plot-by-plot and character-by-character spiritualization. However, it is clear from his own writings and from any fair read of "The Chronicles of Narnia," that his Christian world-view flowed through every word he wrote.

Christin Ditchfield has beautifully, if simply (but not at all simplistically), drawn out the spiritual messages as she sees them through her Evangelical grid. She's done so in such a way that families can discuss them together, forming their own opinions and drawing their own conclusions, while enjoying the story and the message and meaning behind it.

Reviewer: Bob Kellemen, Ph.D., is the author of "Beyond the Suffering: Embracing the Legacy of African American Soul Care and Spiritual Direction", "Soul Physicians," and "Spiritual Friends."

5 out of 5 stars

AWESOME Bible STudy! September 28, 2004
71 out of 112 found this review helpful

THIS BOOK IS AWESOME! My suggestion would be to have evening "story time" and read a chapter of the Narnia book and then the bible study that goes with it. I promise that your kids will LOVE it!

If you have younger kids, they may fall asleep during it, but that's ok, it's a bit over their heads, and what's sweeter than a child falling asleep while you're reading to them? If you have older kids, you can let them read or look up the scriptures.

What we do, in our family, is have a family prayer journal also. We write our cares and concerns down in black or blue ink, and the answers or praises in red ink. This way, you can flip back through the pages and see the awesome answers to prayer! The other cool thing about this is that you will get to hear the concerns that are on your children's hearts, as they bring them to God.

When we pray with the family, I concentrate a LOT of my prayers on my children. I pray for them and I praise them, and I thank God for them a LOT. This way I am sure that they are listening to the prayers... What kid's ears don't perk up when they hear their parents praising them? The other thing that I try and do is to quote scripture in my prayers, because God says in His word that His Word when spoken DOES NOT RETURN VOID, that when His word is spoken that it GOES out and ACCOMPLISHES what HE has it to ACCOMPLISH. This is a promise. So, EVERY TIME SCRIPTURE is quoted, God is using it to Accomplish something. That's pretty AWESOME when you think about it!

My Prayer and Hope is to somehow turn this book into a ministry for the older elementary and mid-high kids in my neighborhood. Please, as you read through this book, as you lift your family up in prayer, lift this book up and ask God that the paths are made straight to accomplish what He desires through it!

When I think of you, I bow my knees to God in Heaven and Thank God for you! I ask that He grounds you in Love, that you may, with all the saints and other Christians that dot this planet know length, the width, the height, and the depth of His awesome wonderful Love for you! (Ephesians 3:14-21)

5 out of 5 stars

A wonderful guide for adults and children November 8, 2003
41 out of 47 found this review helpful

As a repeated reader of The Chronicles of Narnia, and one who took a class on the series, I was delighted with this work. It succinctly breaks down each chapter into biblical parallels and insights that are subtly woven into Lewis's stories. I gained such insight and found so many new things in each of the books. This is a great guide for teachers or parents reading the series to children.

5 out of 5 stars

Biblical references to a classic bedtime stories November 9, 2003
41 out of 50 found this review helpful

I recently heard the author speak on a Christian radio station. I was enlightened by the insight she provided as she explained the relevance of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe to scripture. Wow! Was it interesting! The book appears to be well researched. I bought the book to help me draw a connection for my 8 and 12 year olds (and me) of the Biblical references to The Chronicles of Narnia.

5 out of 5 stars

A fascinating insight into Narnia and its Christian message, but also a great cultural tool December 12, 2005
37 out of 41 found this review helpful

I was fascinated to read this book, the chronicles of Narnia are clearly a reflection in so many ways of the bible - and given Lewis's background this is an indisputable fact. How far this goes is debatable of course.

The stories are excellent reading and children and adults can read them on different levels, as a simple children's story, or in its deeper meaning as a parable reflecting the bible. Certainly some aspects are obvious - the presence of Aslan, the 'crucifxion' scene and the unbelievers vs the 'disciples' but there are some aspects which may escape the general reader like myself.

I will say here, that even for agnostics such as myself, this book provides a fascinating insight. The simple fact of not being christian does not mean you cannot support the values which are inherent in it - nor does it mean that you can ignore the 2,000 years of culture. So from both those points of view I found this book fascinating.

I strongly believe that for whatever your reason this book provides a much deeper understanding of the works and of the author. These are great points to discuss and debate as well.

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