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Knowing Aslan: An Encounter With the Lion of Narnia
In addition to being one of the best-loved books of all time, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is sure to set box-office records when it releases Christmas 2005. Distributed by Disney, with special effects by WETA Workshop (The Lord of the Rings), and backed by a $150MM budget, The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe will draw millions of viewers, both Christian and non-Christian.
In the same way that Christians walked away from viewing Mel Gibson's The Passion of the Christ with a hunger to share Christ with their neighbors, Christians will leave The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe wanting to share the Christ depicted by Aslan in the movie. Aslan, killed by the White Witch and raised to life three days later, is a shadow of the One who was crucified and raised to life for our sins.
Using biblical parallels, this small, easy-to-read book will lead readers to an understanding of Christ and what He did for them by drawing lessons from The C.S. Lewis book and movie. Christians will want to buy this book in bulk as a non-threatening, warm-hearted evangelistic tool.
- GenresChristianNonfictionFaith
30 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 24, 2015
First off, I'd like to stress the fact that I am a Christian. I read the Chronicles of Narnia as a child and loved the series. I'm not a bitter atheist who read the books as an adult and then quickly developed the following opinions: (a) the Narnia series is REALLY AWFUL and if you want to partake in literature that is actually good you should look into Madeleine L'Engle's Time Quintet series, (b) C.S. Lewis hates all women cuz Susan, and/or (c) Lewis should try to shove religion down my throat more subtly, like, say, Tolkien??
Okay, so I'm exaggerating a little, but you get the point. I'm not saying Narnia doesn't have its problems, I'm just stressing the fact that I love this series and fit all the criteria for someone who would naturally enjoy this series.
....and while I love the Chronicles of Narnia, my opinion on THIS book is a completely different matter.
This book sucks. For a couple of different reasons.
1. This book is very obviously written for an adult audience, yet the writing is painfully juvenile. I say that this book is obviously written for an adult audience because of lines like these: "Maybe you're a workaholic who has vowed to spend more time with your family, but soon your job sucks you back into endless nights at the office. Maybe you have vowed never to look at porn again, but you still sneak out to the triple-X arcade. Maybe your boss...." and so on and so forth. If you're a little kid suffering from these kinds of problems, I don't know what to tell ya.
It's a little difficult to pinpoint exactly what it is that makes this book so painfully juvenile, so I'll just give you a passage from the book that will hopefully illustrate what I'm talking about:
Yeah, good riddance, Adam and Eve! Oh man, this book really did make me laugh though, I'll give it that. But in all seriousness, the language in this book is far too simple for a mature audience. There are some pretty mature topics briefly mentioned in the book (alcoholism, adultery, porn addiction), yet the childish writing makes this book inaccessible to its intended audience. This begs the question - who on earth is this book written for?
2. Inaccurate title. From the title, I (surprise surprise) actually expected this book to be about Aslan. I thought I might get a new take on him, or a more in-depth exploration on this prominent (yet mysterious) character. But nope, I just got the same ol' Aslan-is-really-Jesus schtick for 60 pages. When this book wasn't busy rehashing storylines from the Bible and the Chronicles of Narnia, it was spending its time showing how Aslan is actually Jesus and then not-so-subtly trying to convert the reader to Christianity. If you've got beef with Narnia over its lack of subtlety, this book is especially not for you. I'm sure the author did not mean for his message to come across so poorly, but honestly, I felt constantly patronized by the oversimplified nature of this book. If the purpose of this book is only to bring people to God, I think it could have done a better job.
I don't want to criticize something without pointing out at least one positive thing, so I'll finish up my review with a line in this book that I found interesting: "If the church seems full of hypocrites, it's because of a common misunderstanding of what church is about. . . . as someone has aptly said, the church is not a showplace for saints; it's a hospital for sinners."
(Unfortunately, most of this quote isn't even the author's own words).
Oops.
Okay, so I'm exaggerating a little, but you get the point. I'm not saying Narnia doesn't have its problems, I'm just stressing the fact that I love this series and fit all the criteria for someone who would naturally enjoy this series.
....and while I love the Chronicles of Narnia, my opinion on THIS book is a completely different matter.
This book sucks. For a couple of different reasons.
1. This book is very obviously written for an adult audience, yet the writing is painfully juvenile. I say that this book is obviously written for an adult audience because of lines like these: "Maybe you're a workaholic who has vowed to spend more time with your family, but soon your job sucks you back into endless nights at the office. Maybe you have vowed never to look at porn again, but you still sneak out to the triple-X arcade. Maybe your boss...." and so on and so forth. If you're a little kid suffering from these kinds of problems, I don't know what to tell ya.
It's a little difficult to pinpoint exactly what it is that makes this book so painfully juvenile, so I'll just give you a passage from the book that will hopefully illustrate what I'm talking about:
They might have remained in the blissful Garden of Eden forever had not the malicious enemy Satan tempted them into eating the fruit. Their first bite signaled that they were rejecting God and choosing to go it alone. How did God react? If I had been God, I know what I would have said: 'Those ungrateful wretches! After all I've done for them, they turn their backs on me. If that's the way they're going to act, good riddance!' But God's response was nothing like that. He was heartbroken. He felt the way you feel when a beloved mate or child rejects you. But he sadly honored their choice. He got out of their lives and let them go their own way."
Yeah, good riddance, Adam and Eve! Oh man, this book really did make me laugh though, I'll give it that. But in all seriousness, the language in this book is far too simple for a mature audience. There are some pretty mature topics briefly mentioned in the book (alcoholism, adultery, porn addiction), yet the childish writing makes this book inaccessible to its intended audience. This begs the question - who on earth is this book written for?
2. Inaccurate title. From the title, I (surprise surprise) actually expected this book to be about Aslan. I thought I might get a new take on him, or a more in-depth exploration on this prominent (yet mysterious) character. But nope, I just got the same ol' Aslan-is-really-Jesus schtick for 60 pages. When this book wasn't busy rehashing storylines from the Bible and the Chronicles of Narnia, it was spending its time showing how Aslan is actually Jesus and then not-so-subtly trying to convert the reader to Christianity. If you've got beef with Narnia over its lack of subtlety, this book is especially not for you. I'm sure the author did not mean for his message to come across so poorly, but honestly, I felt constantly patronized by the oversimplified nature of this book. If the purpose of this book is only to bring people to God, I think it could have done a better job.
I don't want to criticize something without pointing out at least one positive thing, so I'll finish up my review with a line in this book that I found interesting: "If the church seems full of hypocrites, it's because of a common misunderstanding of what church is about. . . . as someone has aptly said, the church is not a showplace for saints; it's a hospital for sinners."
(Unfortunately, most of this quote isn't even the author's own words).
Oops.
December 5, 2018
It has been a long time since I read this book, so I do not remember all of the content or what I thought of some of it. So keep in mind this rating and review are based on that somewhat limited memory. I mainly remember this book (the title and that description that were available to me before reading the book at that time) were misleading.
There was unfortunately very little about Aslan, comparing Aslan and Narnia to Christian elements, or discussing such comparable elements. It was mainly a slightly long tract for people who are not yet Christians. At least, that it was I remember it really feeling like to me. And a good message should not be presented in a misleading manner as that can hurt its potency.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the message. It is a good, Christian message (from what I remember). But it is not what I was expecting at all, and not exactly what I needed in my stage of Christian walk at that time.
There was unfortunately very little about Aslan, comparing Aslan and Narnia to Christian elements, or discussing such comparable elements. It was mainly a slightly long tract for people who are not yet Christians. At least, that it was I remember it really feeling like to me. And a good message should not be presented in a misleading manner as that can hurt its potency.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with the message. It is a good, Christian message (from what I remember). But it is not what I was expecting at all, and not exactly what I needed in my stage of Christian walk at that time.
October 14, 2023
Everyone has got to read this!! It’s so short and so good!! Obviously showing how the Narnia stories display who Jesus is for us. So simple, so pure, and so true!
January 6, 2018
In clear, concise words, Thomas Williams correctly describes the correlation between Aslan and Christ. C.S. Lewis' creation of a magnificent, sacrificial lion as a representation of Jesus and His obedience to God and His giving of His own life for our eternal salvation is told in words for the layman or woman to grasp the meaning of Lewis' intent. A must read.
March 17, 2019
I wish I had read this very quick read in fourth grade, just after I consumed the Chronicles of Narnia. No big revelations here, but nothing I could recommend to improve upon either. It is great for anyone who has little to no idea that Aslan is Jesus in C.S. Lewis' classic childhood series.
May 12, 2021
If you are a fan of Narnia this is a good work.
November 30, 2022
A very short book explaining Aslan as the image or equivalent of God. I was hoping for much more than these 59 pages.
December 2, 2025
Even early steps on the journey can make the difference.
December 28, 2013
Really liked this quick, easy read likening Aslan from the Chronicles of Narnia to God the Father. When I finished reading, I almost wished it was more in-depth, but as it is, it's straight to the point and a good book.
One of my favorite passages is this one, from page 47, "...Every time you snuggle under a warm blanket on a cold night, God is loving you. Every time your daughter hugs you, she is passing on God's love. You find his love in the taste of a hot breakfast, the caress of a breeze, the tingling thrill of great music, the breathtaking beauty of a mountain, or in the devotion and affection of a pet. In spite of the blight and decay that Saran inflicted on the earth, all nature, all good relationships, all pleasurable experiences shout the message: God loves you and wants you to experience joy."
Yes, this is truth.
One of my favorite passages is this one, from page 47, "...Every time you snuggle under a warm blanket on a cold night, God is loving you. Every time your daughter hugs you, she is passing on God's love. You find his love in the taste of a hot breakfast, the caress of a breeze, the tingling thrill of great music, the breathtaking beauty of a mountain, or in the devotion and affection of a pet. In spite of the blight and decay that Saran inflicted on the earth, all nature, all good relationships, all pleasurable experiences shout the message: God loves you and wants you to experience joy."
Yes, this is truth.
March 31, 2014
I was not expecting such a tiny book but at the same time, it was perfect for me to slip into my travel bags just before a journey. Read through it waiting for my flight and found it precious and something I am proud to own. God's love is so real through the depiction of Aslan. Absolutely beautiful.
June 1, 2012
I loved this book! It's pocket size and easy to read, plus it compares Aslan to God in plain terms. It tackles hard questions, like "What is God?" and is a great pass along book to anyone searching for religious answers.
December 31, 2011
Interesting read and quite inspiring. For someone who is not familiar with the Bible, this answered a lot of questions and put things into perspective.
April 8, 2016
It is an interesting book and it tells you about our God and how Aslan is like our God.
March 7, 2022
Typical, predictable fare. Pretty much preaching to the choir type little tiny tract that is purely for those its aimed at and typically (myself not included) will only be read by those.
March 17, 2018
Knowing Aslan is a short book, I guess it's really an essay, about Aslan and how he is the perfect fictional embodiment of Christ. This is a religious book but it's also nothing that Sunday School kids don't already know.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews