Aslan's Call: Finding Our Way To Narnia

by Mark Eddy Smith

I'm told there is a lion who wants to meet with me. I am told that he is fierce and unpredictable and very large. I have known about him for most of my life, and at times I've believed I caught a glimpse of his shadow, but I have yet to actually meet him face to face. His name is Aslan, and it's possible that you've heard of him. C. S. Lewis has created a wonderful place, a place where anything can happen. Even the stones can talk. In Aslan's Call, Mark Eddy Smith shows you how--in this fanciful world--you can discover the truest reality. In the children who travel to Narnia you can find yourself. In Aslan you can find Christ. And in the place of Narnia you can find the very adventure for which God made you.

Genres: Nonfiction, Religion, Christian Living, Christian

127 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2005

Reviews

[Elizabeth Newton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book to be a great companion to C.S. Lewis' The Chronicles of Narnia. After I read each of the chronicles, I then proceeded to read the corresponding chapter in Aslan's Call by Mark Eddy Smith. And I would recommend this as a good way to read it. (It's the only reason it took me so long to get through it.)

Smith points to several of the parallels between Narnia and the Christian life and gives some really thought-provoking insight into the world of Narnia, into C.S. Lewis, and into our personal relationship and experience with Jesus.

He explains certain moments with a touching warmth that makes The Chronicles of Narnia even more endearing and meaningful than they already are on their own. Thanks to Smith's short, easy-to-read, and obviously-prayerful thoughts on each volume of Lewis' famous chronicles, I have been able to grasp a deeper understanding into the world of Narnia and ponder concepts hidden within that I had not previously picked up on.

I would recommend this book to anyone who has read (or better, currently reading) The Chronicles of Narnia. It's not a thick book at all; each chapter is like just a short appendix/explanation to each chronicle, and there is even a short fictional story at the end that Smith finishes with, to demonstrate just how much Lewis' iconic series can impact a person's life.

[Honeypie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Chronicles of Narnia does not seek to replace the true stories of sacrifice and redemption.

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Lewis and Jesus have collaborated to create Narnia so that those of us who read the Chronicles might have a slightly better chance of loving Jesus when we encounter him, of recognizing that he and Aslan are truly the same, and that although we may be filled with fear and trembling in his presence, we have come to know him too well for fear to overwhelm our love.

[Skylar Waechter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good summary of the Narnia books and a good call to action based off them. The book closes with an idea that impacted me. We know Aslan represents Jesus so then are we ready to accept the adventure he will give us? None Aslan sends on adventures turns them down; neither should we!

[Skye Lauren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some good thoughts and some good reminders, but mostly a summary of the Narnia books, which I am already quite familiar with and wasn’t quite looking for in this read. What I did love though is how sweet the author was. You could tell he really loved the books and had a relationship with Christ which is always beautiful to witness and to read.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This little book introduces some themes from the Chronicles of Narnia that I have not yet explored. A good quote: "He thought he could twist the stories, the very idea of stories, so that instead of following them to the deeper truths they represent, he could take control of them and force others to follow his lies so that everyone would serve him...the result, the greatest evil that one creature can commit upon others: by twisting true stories, he opened up the possibility that the true stories might be lies as well." Think about that.

[Alexis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this. My favorite parts of Narnia were when Aslan showed up. I wish the author dove a little bit deeper into the themes he brought up, but it does leave a lot of room to take what Smith has reflected on and bring it to one’s own prayer & discussions. But really, I love Aslan. What a lion - and he helped me better understand Jesus in my time of quarantine earlier this year.

[Lea Brinkman · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was incredible to discover that grown men can feel the same yearning for Narnia as children do.
Narnia is truly the place where we can all be children, even when we are grown.

[Allison Pennington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this in one day. Could not put it down.

[Luke Deacon · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars, so I rounded it up... it's an interesting book. The writer doesn't seem to be quite sure of his purpose in writing. Sometimes it's a re-telling of the books (which helped me to remember some of the wonderful things I'd forgotten!), and sometimes he drew a few lessons from the stories (which you have to think about for yourself, as he really doesn't make things very clear most of the time). There were one or two gems. He has some dodgy theological views (he doesn't seem to believe in the sovereignty of God), and I think I'll have a lot lower view of the book soon as I'm hoping to now read Doug Wilson's What I Learned in Narnia - and I'm sure he'll bring a lot more out!

[Desiree · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this book! Mark Eddy Smith is a man after my own heart! The only reason I marked it a 4 Star is because the story at the end of it just didn't live up to my expectations (whatever they were) and seemed to end the entire book on a mediocre note. *sad face* But everything else was positively wonderful! I can't wait to start reading Tolkien's Extraordinary Virtues which I'm beginning tonight! #excitement

[Tiffany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good summary of points in the series, but not as much analysis of religious parallels as I'd expected. *Some* analysis and parallels, and how the author (Mark Eddy Smith) relates moments and plots in the Chronicles to his own spiritual life, just not as much as I thought there'd be.

[sergei · Rating 3 out of 5]

actually, i enjoyed the afterword and the additional story much more. it's much more insightful and inspiring and thought-provoking. thank you!

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish there were an option for 3.5 stars. That's what I really feel. To be continued!

[Paul Harding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some good analysis of the parallels between Aslan and Christ and Christian pursuits.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good companion to the Chronicles of Narnia.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Had some insightful moments but mostly was summary.

[Jesse O'reilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rather lightweight and quite short, but an enjoyable analysis of each Narnia book.