Out of the two books, The Chronicles of Narnia connect to the Bible more accurately. The four Pevensie children wander through their wardrobe into the world of Narnia only to meet many creatures, one being Aslan (God). Edmund has already met the White Witch (the devil) who tricked him into eating an enchanted dessert. His gluttony (our sin) proved to make more trouble for them on their journey, but Aslan promised to save him. In the end, Aslan was killed to appease the wrath of the Witch and to save Edmund's life. But he comes back once again to defeat the Witch and those she turned to stone.
This story is much like the beginning of the Bible where Eve was tempted with the forbidden fruit which she then gave to Adam. Then it jumps forward to the time of Jesus and his disciples; some of the Pevensie kids were loyal while Edmund sided with the Witch. But God still went through the horrible death that saved all our lives. The book and film were great metaphors for showing the kindness and purity of Jesus Christ and how when we get caught up in our sin we don't want to stop. The next books show some progression in the Biblical relm, even to the point where Aslan tells one brave creature that he shall be in his kingdom one day. The Narnia movies have caught the attention of thousands or millions in our country, that is why I believe it is crucial to portray the Bible correctly to people who may not know God.
The Shack on the other hand is not as much hidden in a metaphor. It clearly shows the Trinity as an African American woman, a Jewish man, and an Asian woman as God The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. In this book, Mack's daughter was kidnapped on a camping trip by a serial killer. They could only find her bloody clothes laying in a shack in the woods. Mack's life spirals downhill after he cannot cope with his daughter's death. He receives a letter from "Papa" who says to come visit him in the shack. That is where he meets the Trinity. Much like people now, Mack has problems without the answers to find the solution. But his growing relationship with "Papa" and the other two allow him to come to terms with what happened and he matures in his spiritual well-being.
Of course the Trinity is not an African American woman, a Jewish man, or an Asian woman. They are all one person, that is God. But each one played a specific role in Mack's visit at the shack, just like they should be in our lives. The overall message of this story is to get closer to God because He will not leave you in times of trouble, He is there all the time ready for you to come to Him.
Some of the twists on the spiritual aspects in this book/ movie might confuse people or question what the Bible is about. Can it not lead to someone wanting to know more? Movies and media have so much influence on our world it's insane; The Shack might put a positive perspective on Christ just like it did in Narnia. But Christian movies can make a bold change in our lives, it all depends how we see it.
This story is much like the beginning of the Bible where Eve was tempted with the forbidden fruit which she then gave to Adam. Then it jumps forward to the time of Jesus and his disciples; some of the Pevensie kids were loyal while Edmund sided with the Witch. But God still went through the horrible death that saved all our lives. The book and film were great metaphors for showing the kindness and purity of Jesus Christ and how when we get caught up in our sin we don't want to stop. The next books show some progression in the Biblical relm, even to the point where Aslan tells one brave creature that he shall be in his kingdom one day. The Narnia movies have caught the attention of thousands or millions in our country, that is why I believe it is crucial to portray the Bible correctly to people who may not know God.
The Shack on the other hand is not as much hidden in a metaphor. It clearly shows the Trinity as an African American woman, a Jewish man, and an Asian woman as God The Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. In this book, Mack's daughter was kidnapped on a camping trip by a serial killer. They could only find her bloody clothes laying in a shack in the woods. Mack's life spirals downhill after he cannot cope with his daughter's death. He receives a letter from "Papa" who says to come visit him in the shack. That is where he meets the Trinity. Much like people now, Mack has problems without the answers to find the solution. But his growing relationship with "Papa" and the other two allow him to come to terms with what happened and he matures in his spiritual well-being.
Of course the Trinity is not an African American woman, a Jewish man, or an Asian woman. They are all one person, that is God. But each one played a specific role in Mack's visit at the shack, just like they should be in our lives. The overall message of this story is to get closer to God because He will not leave you in times of trouble, He is there all the time ready for you to come to Him.
Some of the twists on the spiritual aspects in this book/ movie might confuse people or question what the Bible is about. Can it not lead to someone wanting to know more? Movies and media have so much influence on our world it's insane; The Shack might put a positive perspective on Christ just like it did in Narnia. But Christian movies can make a bold change in our lives, it all depends how we see it.
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