I loved it!  It was like a mini-version of the 12-hour “Lord of the Rings” trilogy (which I have watched in its entirety four times!).  C. S. Lewis (Narnia author) and J. R. R. Tolkein (LOTR author) were good friends and colleagues who shared a Christian world and life view as well as a love for fantasy literature.

More than one person from LOPC who went to see “Prince Caspian” told me they didn’t get the message.  They thought it was just another movie about people killing one another.  Let me summarize some of the main themes that made this such a powerful portrayal of this Christian “World and Life View” that we talk about so much.

First, the characters …

1. The obvious – Aslan (the Lion) is Jesus.  He is the King of all Narnia, even of those who don’t believe in Him. 
2. The four children – Peter, Edmund, Susan, and Lucy are believers who have been called by God to rule the earth in His name as kings and queens.
3. The “bad guys” – the Telmarines, led by the power-hungry Miraz, are those who seek to dominate this world out of the sinful, self-centered godlessness of their hearts.
4. The “good guys” – the Narnians (all the talking animals) are God’s people in this world who are persecuted and driven into hiding by the wicked.
5. The “hero” – Prince Caspian, who is the rightful ruler of Narnia, is every one of us, as evil seeks to drive us from our rightful position as heirs of the kingdom of God.
6. The “villain” – the White Witch, Jadis, even though slain, is still able to exert influence, just as Satan does today.

Second, the plot …

1. Like our own day, the movie occurs at a time when the idea of God (Aslan) has been rejected as a myth, and those who believe it are ridiculed and sidelined.
2. Like our own day, God’s people (the Narnians) are in need of those who will lead them to rise up and oppose the forces of godlessness and wickedness.
3. Like our own day, we are called to a life of battle as soldiers of the cross, not a life of ease and laziness.
4. Like our own day, we are to call on and rely on Christ, not ourselves.  When Peter led them into battle prematurely apart from Aslan’s help, they suffered defeat.
5. Like our own day, we must follow Jesus (Aslan), even when we can’t see Him with our eyes (as the children failed to do after Lucy saw Him, but they didn’t believe her).
6. Like our own day, battles for godliness will be (figuratively, at least) bloody, as we resist the world, the flesh, and the devil; but Christ’s ultimate victory is sure.

Don’t merely enjoy the powerful cinematology and phenomenal computer generated images (they are spectacular!).  Enjoy the message.  And then head out into our own Narnia with the banner of Aslan.

One more thing ... Reepicheep, the valiant little mouse captain, is a model of courage for believers.  And how touching that when he was humiliated by the loss of his tail in battle, the other mice were prepared to cut off their tails as a compassionate act of comradeship with him.  Do you see the message of comradeship among fellow soldiers of the cross for today?