When I was a kid I definitely underrated Prince Caspian. The narrative and pacing feel all over the place. The main hero spotlight is divided between the Pevensies and Caspian. I have always felt impatient with the Caspian flashback. Compared to all the other books, the Pevensies don’t seem to do much (except Peter’s fighting Miraz). But don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed it. And there was that one scene with Lucy and Aslan in the woods that has always been my favorite in the whole series. As an adult, the whole book has been growing on me. I think it is one of the most complex books in the series (if not the most complex). Theologically, it is now one of my favorites because of the way it depicts the following four theological concepts:

One of the absolute best parts of the story is watching the children live out the eschatological reality of “already not yet.” They have already been to Narnia, have already ruled as kings and queens, have already been adults in this world. Yet, they children again and have to live with that reality. It’s like they have two natures: the children from England nature, and the Narnian royalty nature which they have fully experienced, but they have to grow into again. It’s such a striking picture of our lives as Christians, living in the “already not yet” of the kingdom having come and yet not fully established, and of our being justified and working out the realities of sanctification. Lucy, who could swim as a queen, has to accept the reality that her child’s body cannot swim very well. Peter has to very intentionally step back into the formal language he used to use as king to write his letter. Susan struggles with fear and lashes out at her brothers and sister. It feels like Edmund has to relearn how to own up to his mistakes, first in not blaming Peter for his own ideas and then in supporting Lucy.

Everything about this journey is so profound. Edmund and Peter use their knowledge from 1000 years ago to take a “shortcut” to get to Caspian. Suddenly they think they’ve made a huge mistake because the geography has radically changed. And that’s when Lucy sees Aslan. He knew the way they would go and was ready to meet them there and lead them to Caspian, though the way seemed impossible. Here their lack of faith causes them to turn and go down the gorge, losing time and risking their lives. Still, it is not too late, and through Lucy’s faith, the journey is redeemed. There is so much going on here. The children are doing the best they can with the knowledge that they have. Even though that knowledge is faulty, Aslan meets them there. Though it feels like they are blundering around in the woods, none of it is real blundering until they refuse to believe that Lucy saw Aslan. 

Lucy’s reunion with Aslan in the woods is one of the most beautiful and poignant in the whole series. It is the struggle of sanctification: learning obedience, learning not to dwell on past mistakes, learning you are accountable to God and not other people, learning how much he loves you even when you don’t listen the first time, learning that your journey with God is different than anyone else’s.

There is a very real sense that as soon as they get to Aslan, the victory is won. Yes, Aslan sends the boys off to help Caspian and they have to face a fight with Nickabrik and his evil friends as well as a duel with Miraz. Peter himself says, “Aslan is nearby and has a plan, but in the meantime he expects us to do what we can.” But even as Aslan sends the boys off, he begins the victory celebrations. All of Narnia is awakened and come rushing to him in pure joy. They sweep in right at the moment of ultimate treachery and easily defeat the Telmarines. Yet, this does not in any way minimize the work that Edmund and Peter do. They come and show Caspian they are on his side. They help establish Caspian as king. Peter gives Caspian a positive example of how a king should rule (the only example he’s had up to that point has been his wicked uncle). Peter’s challenge to Miraz on Caspian’s behalf is a passing of the torch in a way. And in a few short hours we see Peter reinstating old traditions and returning a sense of pride to the Narnians. It’s also incredibly meaningful when you remember that this is Peter’s last time in Narnia. Edmund will get to return, Peter won’t. We know vaguely that Peter fought several wars and faced danger as a king in the Golden Age. But this is different. This is not his kingdom in the way it used to be. He is putting his life on the line for Narnia and for Caspian in a way he never has before. We know in LWW that the Pevensies forgot about England after a while. But this time Peter is very aware of his life in England, and the fact that he may never go back to it. He does it all the same because he knows it is his duty. And in the process, he looks so much like Aslan—stepping in between Caspian and his greatest enemy. Laying his life down, if necessary, for Narnia. I think that fight with Miraz would be important to Peter in the years to come. 

The final act in Prince Caspian feels very eschatological: Aslan and his followers rush through the land setting captives free, making the sick well, turning water into wine and beating-sticks into budding branches. And yet Narnia still has hundreds, if not thousands, of years of history ahead. It is a foreshadowing of what will come in The Last Battle and yet the world is not destroyed, only made new. It is true eucatastrophe. The book has been full of sorrow for what has been lost. It seems like Narnia could never be restored to what it was in the Golden Age. The Old Narnians have all been driven into hiding. Then, in only a couple of hours Aslan radically reverses the system of oppression and restores a state of freedom and joy. It is such a beautiful reminder of the power of God to bring life out of death, even out of the bleakest political situations. Caspian doesn’t inherit a dead or broken kingdom, but one full of life and hope. The long defeat that Narnia has been suffering is reversed in a single day. In my own life, I have found that when I live in expectation that Narnia can be restored, only then can I fully use the gifts that God has given me. Resignation contracts the soul. 

What elements about Prince Caspian do you find most intriguing or encouraging? Is there another Narnia book you’d like to hear my theological thoughts on?