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The Lion's World
168 pages, 2013
Former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams offers a fascinating insight into The Chronicles of Narnia, the popular series of novels by one of the most influential Christian authors of the modern era, C. S. Lewis.
Lewis once referred to certain kinds of books as a "mouthwash for the imagination." This is what he attempted to provide in the Narnia stories, argues Williams: an unfamiliar world in which we could rinse out what is stale in our thinking about Christianity--"which is almost everything," says Williams--and rediscover what it might mean to meet the holy.
Indeed, Lewis's outstanding achievement in the Narnia books is just that-he enables readers to encounter the Christian story "as if for the first time." So how does Lewis make fresh and strange the familiar themes of Christian doctrine? First, Williams points out that Narnia is a strange place: a parallel universe, if you like. There is no "church" in Narnia, no religion even.
The interaction between Aslan as a "divine" figure and the inhabitants of this world is worked out in the routines of life itself. But, moreover, we are made to see humanity in a fresh perspective; the pride or arrogance of the human spirit is
chastened by the revelation that, in Narnia, you may be on precisely the same spiritual level as a badger or a mouse. Through these imaginative dislocations, Lewis can communicate--to a world that thinks it knows what faith is--the character, the feel, of an authentic experience of surrender in the face of absolute incarnate love.
This lucid, learned, humane, and beautifully written book opens a new window onto Lewis's beloved stories, revealing the moral wisdom and passionate faith beneath their perennial appeal.
Rowan Williams invites us to explore the magical world of Narnia. He shows us how C.S. Lewis's beloved series isn't just a collection of children's stories, but a profound exploration of faith, morality, and the human condition.
Williams helps us understand the vision of C.S. Lewis. He shows us how Lewis used the Narnia series to express his own spiritual journey and his struggles with faith. This book will help you see Narnia in a whole new light.
The Lion's World shows us the power of storytelling. Williams demonstrates how Lewis used stories to convey complex ideas about faith and morality in a way that's accessible to everyone. You'll find yourself looking at the Narnia series - and storytelling in general - in a whole new way.
Williams takes a deep look into the role of faith in the Narnia series. He shows us how Lewis used the characters and events in Narnia to explore his own beliefs about God, faith, and the nature of good and evil. This book will give you a deeper understanding of the spiritual themes in Narnia.
Finally, Williams shows us why the Narnia series is still relevant today. He argues that the themes Lewis explores - faith, morality, the struggle between good and evil - are just as important now as they were when Lewis wrote the books. The Lion's World will make you see the timeless relevance of the Narnia series.
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