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Meaning, his stories got me thinking about such details. Both Narnia and the other ones. I only trusted Tolkien and Chesterton a bit more. As for CSL, I trusted him more in Letters to Malcolm, say, than in Reflexions on the Psalms.
Statistics: Posted by hansgeorg — Sun Dec 06, 2015 2:22 pm
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Statistics: Posted by Benisse — Sat Dec 05, 2015 5:53 am
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He explains Creation in the most wonderful way that you cannot help but stand in awe of it when going back and reading about it Genesis.
When he told about Aslan first creating beasts and then making some of these already created as dumb beast into talking beasts, it is probably the only way Narnia could have been created, but it is also a theological difficulty when it comes applied to creation of man as man in our world.Meaning, his stories got me thinking about such details.
Both Narnia and the other ones.
I only trusted Tolkien and Chesterton a bit more. As for CSL, I trusted him more in Letters to Malcolm, say, than in Reflexions on the Psalms.I trusted him, almost more than any other adult in my life.
Statistics: Posted by hansgeorg — Tue Oct 06, 2015 10:14 am
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And while I don't think I have the same writing style, I do have a thing for using parentheses (and I can't tell if it was his use of them that made me like them or if it was his use of them that taught me it was okay). And I think somewhere around reading Narnia was where I realised the ideas and characters populating my mind could be put into writing...
Statistics: Posted by marmota-b — Mon Jun 22, 2015 3:38 pm
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(This link was approved by Swan White, but this is not a general endorsement of YouTube by any means.)
Statistics: Posted by Benisse — Wed Jan 28, 2015 10:28 am
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I was introduced to Narnia early--second grade actually--when my friend and I had a competition to see who could read through the series fastest. Truthfully, however, I didn't need the incentive of a competition to keep me enamored with the relatable and honestly capable characters of the Pevensies, and the rich context of faith that surrounded them.
I think it would be as impossible to separate the respect Lewis had for the virtue of childhood from Narnia, as it would be to separate Narnia from my childhood.
Narnia was Middle Earth for a child. It was all the moral teachings, depth of character, and world-building that Tolkein developed in the Lord of the Rings, without such a stuffy academic and historical tone.
Don't get me wrong, I love Tolkein now, but it was pretty overwhelming at that age.
The significance that Narnia had on my childhood, by providing hope through some difficult times, Lewis' specific brand of humor, and seeming confidence that he had in the capabilities of children, produced a soulful bond between myself and C.S. Lewis. I trusted him, almost more than any other adult in my life. So, Narnia certainly, is what drew me back to his apologetics when I began to question my faith.
For a rational thinker, I couldn't be disappointed with Lewis' honest and intellectual, but nevertheless biblical views, laid out in text accessible to the pre-teen layman. They reassured, and reaffirmed, that faith is as Lewis says, "the art of holding on to something in spite of changing moods and circumstances;" rather than holding onto something you have no reason to believe other than tradition or expectation.
In this way, Narnia was not only precious to me because I loved the characters and the stories, but because it strengthened my faith later in my life. It ended up being the most poignant gift the Lord could give me.
Statistics: Posted by exTarkheena — Fri Jan 24, 2014 3:48 pm
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Another thing Lewis's writings taught me and showed me was how much words can come alive. Narnia and his other works like Till We Have Faces showed me that stories are not one diminutional but three. The words fly off the pages into our hearts and minds. They show us how to figure out life problems by bringing us close to the Characters and themes of the books. The words are forever engraved upon our memories if we let them. They open up worlds, they transport us to places we've never dreamed of until then. I believe Lewis had that gift and ability to do so, leading us into our own imagination and showing us that life is so much more bigger than what we preserve it to be.
Lastly, the great thing about Narnia in itself is this: Lewis placed the mystery of God into books that are commonly meant for Children. He placed God's great wonder, power, love and might into books that were written in the mind's eye of a Child. He explains Creation in the most wonderful way that you cannot help but stand in awe of it when going back and reading about it Genesis. He wrote about God in such a child like way that it is hard not for it to impact your life. God gave Lewis a wonderful gift and it is still impacting the world, 50 years later.
Statistics: Posted by aslie — Sat Nov 23, 2013 2:42 am
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Narnia:
"[In your world,] I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there." ~ Aslan
"The value of myth is that it takes all the things you know and restores to them the rich significance which has been hidden by the veil of familiarity." ~ C.S. Lewis
Need I really say more? 'cause really, those quotes nutshell everything I can say of his Narnian legacy. Through the Chronicles, I got a fresh view of our great God. And with every re-read, I still get something out of it on the spiritual level.
Screwtape:
Seriously, that's one insightful book. And so convicting! His devil's advocate approach to the struggles we face not only puts a new spin on such topics, but also makes you think about it. I never mark up my books, but there were a couple lines in there I really wanted to take a highlighter to.
Till We Have Faces:
Not only is it a great story written beautifully (and with a good, strong female lead I can relate to), but it also makes you think. It really is a brilliant theodicy, regardless of whether or not you are conscious of how the book makes you process and think over God's workings in our lives. Some friends and I have had some discussions recently and I've gained so much insight from them as a result.
The Four Loves:
I don't remember a whole lot from this book, but I distinctly remember enjoying it as I read it and appreciating all the thought and work Lewis put into defining the four loves.
The Space Trilogy:
Technically, I had read this after I'd read Narnia, but I didn't fully appreciate them (especially That Hideous Strength) until I read them again this summer. (I didn't really understand a lot of what was going on the first time, especially when characters would engage in lengthy discourse; now I have no idea how I'd missed all that and I also now have a greater appreciation for literary sci-fi.) Like Narnia (though not to such a high degree), I found that they still had things to say about God and life.
And then there's the totally unrelated side note about how Lewis is one of my writing heroes.
Statistics: Posted by Ariel.of.Narnia — Fri Nov 22, 2013 9:43 pm
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I was a 4th grader when I first entered the Wardrobe, thanks to Mrs. Blue, who read through the chronicles in publication order to my class after lunch recess. She was a wonderful reader, changing her voice for the various characters, and making the "Aslan/Us lions" pun really stand out clearly in the unfreezing of the statues scene. The story drew me in and the imagery made the truth of my faith come alive for me. I remember discussing the biblical parallels in LWW after school with my teacher, and staying in for recess sometimes to draw scenes from the chronicles with a classmate -- she did the animals and mythological creatures, and I did the humanoids. My piano teacher and her daughter were also Narniac friends and I remember attending book club meetings with them, including one on The Last Battle.
Lewis taught me that imagination and critical thinking could be friends. And love of Lewis gave me my first kindred spirit friendships.
Years later I had the pleasure of introducing my husband to Narnia, and he introduced me to Lewis' apologetic works... (one of many ways we complement one another). And when I was a camp counselor, I delighted in reading LWW to my cabin after lights out (never had a problem with getting them to quiet down at night because of that!)
When we started our family we had the joy of listening to Focus on the Family dramatizations of the Chronicles during our road trips, or introducing the books in read alouds. One of my parenting highlights is when my youngest was able to sit in the kitchen reading Horse and His Boy aloud to me while I cooked or cleaned... And of course when my husband had sabbatical one year in the UK we made a pilgrimmage to Oxford to see Jack's old haunts. I loved the quiet, overgrown green pond surrounded by trees by the Kilns. It reminded me of the Woods between the Worlds.
When caring for my mother in 2005 in Texas, my homeschooling daughter and I helped create a room-sized Narnia for a Lion the Witch and The Wardrobe book study at my mom's church http://www.narniafans.com/forum/album.php?albumid=433. And in 2008 my children and I got to attend LionCon, a meeting of fans from various Narnia sites, and a whole new world of friends opened up for me: i.e., "What--You too?!" friends... Friends to play with and pray for.
Thank you Jack for the thoughts to think, the dreams to dream and for the friends along the way.
Statistics: Posted by Benisse — Fri Nov 22, 2013 7:08 pm
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