Carl McColman, a popular writer of topics such as mysticism, Celtic Wisdom, and spiritual disciplines has just written a book on spiritual lessons from C.S. Lewis's Narnia. In this book, McColman seeks to mine the riches of the The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, one of Lewis's book in the Narnia series, for spiritual lessons for todays seekers of wisdom. He states early on in the book that, "By contrast, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is not directly related to any stories in the Bible. Even so, it may be the most useful of the seven Narnia books, for it is the one that most directly maps out the contours of the Christian spiritual life" (x). MCColman tries to bring out the succesive stage of the spiritual life which are found in the story of the Voyage.
McColman signals in the first chapter that Eustace, the main character in the story is summoned to Narnia alongside Edmund and Lucy without his liking. Mr. McColman goes on to relate this to the journey of the spiritual life. We are not always excited to go along the path of fellowship with God, and yet it is not us who initiate that call. God is the one who takes the pleasure of calling us to a spiritual journey (5).
In chapter 3 McColman takes on a journey through the story of the Dawn Treader related to captivity to sin. He mentions that Lewis had three great metaphors for sin in the story: "being sold into slavery, being turned into a dragon, using magic to gain power over others" (14). McColman goes onto note that is not just "sinful" Eustace who gets enslaved by the slavers, but the whole bunch including Lucy, Edmund, and Caspian (15). Sin is not just about personal responsiblity, but in many cases affects all things in the wake of its path. Near the end of the story, we find that Eustace being turned into a dragon decides to try and remove his skin but he can't do it by himself. It is only when the lion,(Aslan), the Christ figure, fully takes off the skin can he be truly free.
Near the end of the book, one of the last chapters is very unique to the whole story and to the journey of the CHristian life. McColman writes about Aslan's table where the whole group has a feast after finding the seven missing lords. My favorite line is on page 82 when McColman says, "All those who are nourished at Aslan's table are given a quest in service of those who are in need." Just as the voyagers rejoiced as their conquest was almost finished, those who celebrate the Eucharist are not bound to keep the nourishment of their hearts and souls on the bread and wine to themselves, but are to share the life-giving message and hope of the Christ with others. This sharing is not simply about words, but of caring for those need the grace of God just as much as those who partake of it on Sunday.
Overall, I thought this book was a good glimpse into the characters of the Voyage of the Dawn Treader and the spiritual journey that all Christian travel upon. Yet, I thought the real takeaway from the book was the call to take seriously the disciplines of the Christian life and key teachings of the faith that help restore our relationships with each other and God. C.S. Lewis's wonderful Chronicles of Narnia help us see the themes of the faith within a great narrative. McColman drew out the major themes connecting the Voyage to the actual practices of the Christian life. These practices don't come easy, they can't be taken lightly, and that is the beauty of the spiritual journey, it is a journey for the rest of our life.
McColman signals in the first chapter that Eustace, the main character in the story is summoned to Narnia alongside Edmund and Lucy without his liking. Mr. McColman goes on to relate this to the journey of the spiritual life. We are not always excited to go along the path of fellowship with God, and yet it is not us who initiate that call. God is the one who takes the pleasure of calling us to a spiritual journey (5).
In chapter 3 McColman takes on a journey through the story of the Dawn Treader related to captivity to sin. He mentions that Lewis had three great metaphors for sin in the story: "being sold into slavery, being turned into a dragon, using magic to gain power over others" (14). McColman goes onto note that is not just "sinful" Eustace who gets enslaved by the slavers, but the whole bunch including Lucy, Edmund, and Caspian (15). Sin is not just about personal responsiblity, but in many cases affects all things in the wake of its path. Near the end of the story, we find that Eustace being turned into a dragon decides to try and remove his skin but he can't do it by himself. It is only when the lion,(Aslan), the Christ figure, fully takes off the skin can he be truly free.
Near the end of the book, one of the last chapters is very unique to the whole story and to the journey of the CHristian life. McColman writes about Aslan's table where the whole group has a feast after finding the seven missing lords. My favorite line is on page 82 when McColman says, "All those who are nourished at Aslan's table are given a quest in service of those who are in need." Just as the voyagers rejoiced as their conquest was almost finished, those who celebrate the Eucharist are not bound to keep the nourishment of their hearts and souls on the bread and wine to themselves, but are to share the life-giving message and hope of the Christ with others. This sharing is not simply about words, but of caring for those need the grace of God just as much as those who partake of it on Sunday.
Overall, I thought this book was a good glimpse into the characters of the Voyage of the Dawn Treader and the spiritual journey that all Christian travel upon. Yet, I thought the real takeaway from the book was the call to take seriously the disciplines of the Christian life and key teachings of the faith that help restore our relationships with each other and God. C.S. Lewis's wonderful Chronicles of Narnia help us see the themes of the faith within a great narrative. McColman drew out the major themes connecting the Voyage to the actual practices of the Christian life. These practices don't come easy, they can't be taken lightly, and that is the beauty of the spiritual journey, it is a journey for the rest of our life.
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