A few months ago our sixteen year old daughter heard that "Prince Caspian" would soon be released. She asked her dad and I if we could watch it together as a family. Of course we made the commitment. As parents we should take every chance we can to create memories with our children that they will treasure forever. Today there are very few opportunities when a movie can help our children's spiritual journey.
Three years ago when I first heard that Walt Disney Pictures was making a new movie from "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe" I had my two youngest children read "The Chronicles of Narnia". When the movie came out we had a special family time together going to the movies. Our family is large, and we seldom had the money to spend for all of us to go see newly released movies. But when Christian movies like "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", "Facing The Giants", and "Prince Caspian" is released we cease the opportunity to create special family memories and support these wonderful films!
If there is only one movie you take your family to this year --- This is it! "Prince Caspian" shows that the virtuous life is adventurous not dull. This movie can help you teach your children that living the life God has called you to live might have difficult challenges, but it can be full of excitement. You can be victorious, joyful, and have a fun life full of awesome adventures. Living for God is the opposite of what the secular media would have us believe. The movie is not recommended for young children because it is full of battles using swords, however very little blood is shown. If you are familiar with the bible stories you will enjoy the many parallels. The ending was surprising and it is a great reminder of what a mighty God we serve. You will be reminded that God can use anyone and anything that he desires to use. Prince Caspian is one of the best movies that I have ever seen.
In December 2007 we warned and advised parents not to take their children to "The Golden Compass". The story is written by an atheist who wants to lead our children into his beliefs. On the contrary "Prince Caspian" was written by C. S. Lewis, who spent part of his life denying God's existence and claiming he was an atheist. Then he went full circle in his beliefs as he searched for truth and meaning in his life. He became a christian when he discovered that Jesus Christ is the only way to true happiness.
C. S. Lewis once said "Sometimes fairy stories may say best what's to be said." There are a number of moral and spiritual themes in Prince Caspian. "The four Pevensie children do not realize that they are actually on a journey of faith. Each child is exploring what it means to believe in different ways. Ultimately, they all arrive at the conclusion that to live one's life and the many challenges it presents, you can only make it through based on your faith - in their case, belief in Aslan." (1)
After watching the movie together take time to capture the opportunity to discuss some deeper spiritual truths on faith in Jesus Christ with your children. Remind them that when you believe in Jesus they are God's Princesses and the King's Knights. Or as Aslan says - Queens and Kings.
We have filled this web page with links to wonderful articles and resources that we found on Prince Caspian. We hope it will help you get started with your family discussions.
This summer Just 4 Kids Magazine will be adding more adventure stories to our own websites:
King's Knights.org
God's Princesses.com
Rainbow Castle.org and
God's Kingdom.
Mauri Gandy - Just 4 Kids Magazine.com
MOVIE SYNOPSIS
(From Walt Disney Pictures)
The characters of C. S. Lewis's timeless fantasy come to life once again in this newest installment of the "Chronicles of Narnia" series, in which the Pevensie siblings are magically transported back from England to the world of Narnia, where a thrilling, perilous new adventure and an even greater test of their faith and courage awaits them.
One year after the incredible events of The Chronicles of Narnia: the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the Kings and Queens of Narnia find themselves back in that faraway wondrous realm, only to discover that more than 1300 years have passed in Narnian time. During their absence, the Golden Age of Narnia has become extinct. Narnia has been conquered by the Telemarines, and is now under the control of the evil King Miraz, who rules the land without mercy.
The four children will soon meet an intriguing new character: Narnia's rightful heir to the throne, the young Prince Caspian, who has been forced into hiding as his uncle Miraz plots to kill him in order to place his own newborn son on the throne. With the help of the kindly dwarf, Trumpkin, a courageous talking mouse named Reepicheep, a badger named Trufflehunter, and a Black Dwarf named Nikabrik, the Narnians, led by the mighty knights Peter and Caspian, embark on a remarkable journey to find Aslan, rescue Narnia from Miraz's tyrannical rule, and restore magic and glory to the land.
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GETTING STARTED:
Is Narnia an allegory? Quote below from:
www.rapidnet.com
All readers of Narnia must realize that Aslan the Lion, who is the Son of the Great Emperor Across the Sea, who breaks the power of the White Witch by his death and resurrection -- and who, as C.S. Lewis pointed out to one of his young readers "arrived at the same time as Father Christmas" -- is a picture of Jesus Christ. Does it follow that the books as a whole are allegories?
C.S. Lewis used a very strict definition of the word "allegory" -- after all, one of his most important academic books was a study of this subject. He wrote to some Maryland fifth graders in 1954:
"I did not say to myself 'Let us represent Jesus as He really is in our world by a Lion in Narnia'; I said, 'Let us suppose that there were a land like Narnia and that the Son of God, as he became a Man in our world, became a Lion there, and then imagine what would happen.'"
"The whole series" wrote Lewis in another letter
"works out like this:
The Magician's Nephew -
tells the Creation and how evil entered Narnia,
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe -
the Crucifixion and Resurrection,
Prince Caspian -
restoration of the true religion after a corruption,
The Horse and His Boy -
the calling and conversion of the heathen,
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader -
the spiritual life (especially in Reepicheep),
The Silver Chair -
the continuing war against the powers of darkness,
The Last Battle -
the coming of Antichrist (the ape). The end of the world and the last judgement."
So, in today's loose terminology the books can probably be said to be "allegorical." If you want to use that term, then a number of characters might be said to be allegories:
The White Witch represents the Devil, as does Tash.
Peter represents the valiant and wise Christian.
Reepicheep is the very soul of chivalry with both its virtues and its failings.
"Edmund," wrote Lewis "Is, like Judas, a traitor and a sneak. But unlike Judas he repents and is forgiven (as Judas no doubt would have been if he'd repented)."
Father Christmas -- who gives gifts to Aslan's followers to help them fight the powers of darkness -- may be a picture of the Holy Spirit.
Truth in a Make-Believe World by Andrea D. Hedlund
"As Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy scour the land for Prince Caspian, Lewis illustrates some simple but profound biblical truths applicable for all ages."
Read examples of these five spiritual lessons:
EVIL OFTEN COMES IN DISGUISE,
MATURATION IS A LONG PROCESS,
GOD WORKS IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS,
NOTHING HAPPENS BY CHANCE,
and WE ALL LONG FOR HOME.
(1)Faith Through a Child’s Eyes by Chris Carpenter
"Far deeper than the initial premise, Prince Caspian explores the corruption of our modern faith. The second story in Lewis’ seven book children’s series addresses a very modern mind set of people forgetting their belief in Jesus Christ. Little do they know but the Pevensie children are actually on a journey of faith."
The Soul of Prince Caspian
Prince Caspian: A Lesson in Trust
“If you distill the essence of Prince Caspian into just two words,” says Dr. Pamela Jordan, “it all comes down to an examination of faith and trust.
Myth Become Fact: Prince Caspian
What constitutes grounds for belief? For Caspian, his first glimpse of Old Narnians is proof positive that everything he had ever hoped about Aslan is true after all.
“We need a role model of someone who can enter into the marketplace, as Jesus did. For me Lewis became an example of that.”
Exploring the Return to Narnia
Transforming a Literary Masterpiece into Film
CBN.com's The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe Feature
Behind the Scenes of 'Prince Caspian'
Douglas Gresham discusses the challenges involved in creating the latest Narnia film.
To many, C.S. Lewis was a literary genius, but to Douglas Gresham, Lewis was "the finest man and the best Christian" he has ever known.
More Information on C. S. Lewis at www.rapidnet.comThe Final Interview of C.S. Lewis
C.S. Lewis on Heaven, Earth & Outer Space
Chronicles of Narnia Trivia QuizPrince Caspian: Faithfulness in Dark Days
The Great Lion and the Grand Story
Reflections on Lewis with Caspian
Ben Barnes Talks Prince Caspian
The Technical Minds Behind Prince Caspian
The Official Movie Companion Book Review (contains some spoilers)
L.A. Times: Action Speaks Louder in Prince Caspian
Harry Gregson-Williams Returns to Narnia with Prince Caspian
Free Prince Caspian Ministry Resources from Outreach.com
Narnia: A Life Changing Journey
Narnia Film: Just Plain Amazing"Prince Caspian" Character Profiles
Gallery of Pictures from Narnia
