May 20 2008
Prince Caspian, Part 1: The Power of the Natural Man
Go watch the movie Prince Caspian, and do it quickly! If you watch it knowing that C.S. Lewis was not only a Christian, but someone deeply in love with God’s Kingdom, it helps explains the “The Deep Magic” that governs the movie.
Prince Caspian is the study of a Christian’s greatest weakness: “the Natural Man”, as Paul calls it, or “Carnal Christianity.” We’ve all struggled with this handicap, and we get so confused by it, mostly because we feel so much strength in the Natural Man…
Until the “fog of war” descends.
That’s when Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy reappear and take turns thrashing, fighting and scheming in a series of brilliant failures, until they reach utter despair and the end of their brilliant plans.
To those familiar with Christian leadership, it’s a familiar task these brave souls undertake. They must lead a strange, motley crew of Narnians out of their snug habitats in the deep, dark woods and into a bloody crusade. On unfamiliar ground the gentle Narnians clash with a savage dark lord who is the epitome of “The Father of Lies.” Christians in the modern era face a tidal wave of spiritual hostility, and these Narnians likewise take such a pathetic stand against hoards of rabid, advancing enemies rising out of “the pit of darkness.”
Pathetically Isolated
The Narnians become surrounded and isolated even in the safety of their wooded homeland. Like the Narnians, so many loving, Christian families discover there is no safe-haven in the Kosmos. The Narnians had hidden in the woods for centuries, but were still hunted almost to extinction.
Narnians are exterminated for no good reason. Why hate Reepacheep, the chivalrous little Musketeer-mouse? “He’s so cute!” Lucy exclaimed, and the proud little guy drew his tiny sword and squeaked his protests: “Who said that!?” (Do we seem this way when we squeak our little demands and expectations?)
These Narnians are no threat, but are still targeted for extermination simply because they are outsiders in the dark lord’s domain.
This dark lord is truly evil, too. He is not royalty by nature, but still craves the throne, so he is a usurper, liar, and murderer just like one we know: “the thief who comes only to steal and kill and destroy.” John 10:10
Bold, Immature Leadership
The real story is how mere teenagers undertake such bold leadership roles. With admirable competence they presume to reverse a long history of dark defeat for the demoralized Narnians. Their courage and energy was so infectious, the Narnians followed and emerged from the safety of their familiar woods.
Unlike the more-experienced Narnians, these younger leaders knew their only chance for survival was a preemptive strike against the dark lord, so they lead an army to storm his fortress with brilliant, clear-headed incisiveness. Younger minds often face real-world threats better than parents imagine.
They approach victory, just as Jesus told his small band of followers: “The gates of hell won’t prevail against you!” (Matt. 16:18) But when they brush aside the gates, they enter hell itself! Victory is close, and then they meet their real enemy: the scars of unformed character. Their leadership is stolen by uncontrolled rage.
How do explain immaturity to an immature person? Go see Prince Caspian, then talk about the movie at Starbucks.
The Realm of Hate
It was Prince Caspian who cracked first, at the most vital moment. He was truly a lifelong victim of the dark lord, his uncle. His scars were hidden, but suddenly erupted at the worst possible moment and nearly destroyed all his friends. However, the dark lord never suffered. Hatred only scars the owner.
Hatred also brought him close to domination by the White Witch — the same one who used hatred to imprison Edmund.
Nobody could stop Prince Caspian from destroying the brilliant offensive once he surrendered to a tidal wave of immature emotional demands. The prince was a teenager. How tragic it is when adults much older are still blinded by irrational demands of the heart!
Prince Caspian puts a delicate topic in an understandable framework. It is a most difficult message for youth to hear: what matters foremost is character, not willpower or gifts.
Look at the lethal power of cracks in a dam: so inconsequential except for the tremendous pressures building behind the dam! Youth is the time when vast stores of vitality and potential builds dangerous pressures which must not overpower the awareness of those small but growing fissures.
But God’s Word lovingly exposes those “tiny faults” of immaturity which can blast apart a life. God also offers real solutions, readily available and delightful when discovered. Prince Caspian captures the great tussle between God’s urgent message about flaws (or sin) and our urgent but immature demands.
In one scene the young leader watches his friends get systematically slaughtered because he led them into battle, but he did not have the character to stand and fight. He ran away at the most crucial moment, when victory was within reach. The last cry as each friend died will echo in his ears forever.
So goes the Natural Man.
Next up: Lucy’s “Prophetic Leadership”
[…] It’s out and it’s an irresistible tale about Christians in a world of hurt. Prince Caspian is like so many young leaders facing the “fog of war.” Read about Prince Caspian: The Power of the Natural Man. […]
Wow, a really great write-up, Keith. I had little interest in seeing this movie before reading this, but now will probably go out and watch it.
Was Lewis intentionally dealing with these issues of spiritual immaturity when he wrote this? If so, very amazing!
Also, you are so right about teens. Often times we bash them for being ignorant and naive (which they are), but there is something very exciting about youthful zeal that’s honest and real. “Why can’t we just march up to Hell’s gate?!?!” I wonder if our church knows it is so blessed to have these high-schoolers running around rampant!
Character is funny like that - we aren’t really born with it like talents or gifts. Strange too that to make the most of our talents we have to learn character or we end up wasting the gifts we were given away. Our culture tries to sell us on the fact that character or being a man this mystical John Wanye cowboy thing, but it is really only learned through hardships in the heat of battle. There’s no easy way/ shortcut to get it! We must fight, fail, and be broken to learn it.
Man Keith, I wish I was at your house when you guys decided to go see it. I saw it at the drive-in but with the blistering cold I had a hard time focusing on the big picture of what was going on in the movie, plus I have a hard time seeing the big picture anyways…
I did make connections to some parts of the movies though, like when Peter lead his friends into battle, using their own power. I knew from the moment Peter said, “We don’t need Asland” that they were going to fail. Lewis really had some insight from the Lord when he wrote these books. I should pick some up and read them! You guys have any copies?
Their failure attempt ended up costing great numbers, and it goes to show actions do have consequences, not just for you but for those around you and those you’re leading. Leading is no easy business! It takes the Lord’s hope and love to be a victorious leader for the Lord. I find myself getting very negative and bitter over arbitrary issues like girls and little annoyances. It take’s a willing step in faith to turn to the Lord for a real vision of his awesome plan to build co-rulers in Christ! I find myself having to be reminded a lot that their are many greater things to invest in… It’s because I find myself in Prince Caspian’s position. I face immature feelings and immature character. I really want to see it again now, can’t wait to read the next article!
Very scary!! this fall when i come up it will be my new battle ground and its definitely helpful to feel that Lewis has confidence in the young. That gives me hope for my survival in the dorms and on new turf. :)
Very insightful, but I do have a question. What is the final battle supposed to represent? The nature defending the Narninans, and also that huge pit they create where the force blindly falls into?
I’ve got a very cool sequel to post, Mr. Jon. You will soon get the answers you seek, young Paddiwan!
This sounds like a must-see-movie not only for the young, but also for those who have been battleworn throughout the years. Some of us women are going tonight to partake in this astounding adventure.
Alas, I too fell to rage and to anger at a young age - so full of myself, my will and determination, my plans, and my hurts. It is so easy to be fooled by pride and to be devoured by it.
I thought I was fleeing from the “gates of hell” as I entered into college. Blinded by my rage, I ran into the arms of an unyielding dark lord, only to be controlled by his deceptions. I was nearly eaten up and consumed, but God is so merciful.
Oh the needless scars we earn in our youth, all because we did not see our immature flaws, all because we did not seek the counsel of the Lord and act with courage.
Praise be to God and His abundant mercy that even these hurts can be healed.
Character developement is so important! Peter, Paul and the Gang all wrote so much on this. What a privilege to have such free access to God’s counsel through His Word.
Chomping at the bit for the next installment!
You “ran into the arms of an evil dark lord…” Boy, I hope Steve doesn’t read this, Lisa!
Thanks, Lisa!
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I saw the Narnia movie last sunday with my kids. The name Ishmael kept coming to mind as I watched the movie. All I could think about the whole time was Abraham, sitting outside his tent, proudly cradling his son Ishmael. Happy, yes, but with a nagging sense of disappointment - is this what God wanted all along? Why didn’t I do it sooner? Referring to Ishmael as the promised one, but only with half his heart. Disappointed that God had gone silent for so long, hadn’t fulfilled on the scale Abraham expected, and in the final analysis needed Abraham’s help. Silently recalibrating the hope deep in his heart to fit this very human fulfillment.
The plight of the natural man. Eternity calling in his heart but no idea how to answer it. Like Moses at age 40.