Saturday, December 10, 2005
The Chronicles and Over-critical Christians
It's been a while since I've last posted, but the stresses of the end of the semester have been in full force. I just recently finished a 10-page exegetical paper on James 5:1-6 along with a 30 minute presentation on it. Now, all I have left in my undergraduate college career are three finals, which really are no big deal after finishing my exegesis project on James. To celebrate my last college class and no homework, Melissa and I went to see The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe last night. I thought the film was very well-done and quite accurate to the classic book by C.S. Lewis. I really enjoyed the film overall and would definitely recommend it to anyone. Unfortunately, earlier in the day I read a review of the movie in the Wheaton College newspaper that bothered me. The reviewer gave the movie an overall good rating except when he reviewed the movie "theologically." The reviewer said the movie didn't quite live up to its theological potential because it didn't emphasize heavily enough some of the "symbolism" in the story, especially the symbolism of turkish delight and sin. I almost gagged when I read this. I understand that there is subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) symbolism and metaphor throughout all of the Chronicles of Narnia, but why do some Christians feel like this is an automatic ticket to criticize a non-theological work theologically? Why can't we just enjoy and ponder Lewis' magical world apart from how it stands up theologically? I love the Chronicles of Narnia, and I appreciate its value as fantasy literature written by a Christian man who didn't separate his worldview from his work. I also loved the movie because it portrayed well the important themes from the book. I just don't understand why some Christians, especially many of the students at Wheaton College, have to theologically criticize a magical work of art that needs no "theological" framework to have merit in itself. Anyways, that's enough of my soap box. Go out and see the movie everyone, it is really good.
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5 comments:
I LOVED THIS MOVIE! It was hands down, the best adaptation from book to movie I have ever seen!
But yes, that article would have made me sick too. I said it earlier, Christians always jump on the band wagon, claim something as their own, and then bash it later. It's like politics. Just watch the Fing movie. It's Spectacular! Spectacular!
Best book to movie? What about Lord of the Rings. I don't think Chronicals comes even close to the greatnes of L.o.T.R.
This movie in my opinion was good better than ok but I definatly wasn't walking out thinking when I am going to see this again. When L.o.t.r. came out I was in awe and telling everyone to go see it.
Not that it was a better movie...
That it was a better adaptation. Half of LOTR was missing. Granted, The Wardrobe was only 150 pages and LOTR was 9000. But they almost did Narnia page by page from the book.
oh... well o.k. then.
*Adam cheers at Lucas*
I just finally saw it on video. I loved it. And Jason, I too squirm and get annoyed with such antics. I have a friend at Moody who is the same way and it makes me crazy!
Most recently is the Da Vinci Code hype. Granted, I'm a New Hampshirite now and thus a bit more protective of Brown, but he clearly communicates on the cover and in every meeting that his books are FICTION. Yes, he incorporates some fact into his novels - which is what intrigues me in the first place - but if someone is going to base all of their theological beliefs on a single fictional novel, they have some issues. The only Christian radio station here is holding a series called "Demolishing the Da Vinci Code." Christians, You can explain it without killing it.
Brown spoke on Sunday (4/23) in Portsmouth. He shared, during his trials, he met a British priest who said, "Christian Theology has survived the writings of Galileo and the writings of Darwin. Surely it will survive the writings of some novelist from New Hampshire."
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