The Other Name of Aslan...Letters of C.S. Lewis
"In The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Book 5), the great Lion Aslan tells the two Pevensie children that their adventures in Narnia have come to an end. They will not be returning to this country again. Edmund and Lucy are horribly upset.
"It isn't Narnia, you know", sobbed Lucy. "It's you. We shan't meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?"
"But you shall meet me, dear one," said Aslan.
"Are-are you there too, Sir?" said Edmund.
"I am," said Aslan. "But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."
Years ago, after reading this passage in Dawn Treader, a little girl named Hila wrote to C.S. Lewis, asking him to tell her Aslan's other name. Lewis responded,
"Well, I want you to guess. Has there ever been anyone in this world who:
1) arrived at the same time as Father Christmas,
2) Said he was the son of the Great Emperor,
3) Gave himself up for someone else's fault to be jeered at and killed by wicked people,
4) Came to life again,
5) Is sometimes spoken of as a lamb (see the end of Dawn Treader).
Don't you really know His name in this world? Think it over and let me know your answer."
Edmund and Lucy's adventures in Narnia helped them come to know Aslan (Jesus) better, and our adventures in Narnia can do the same for us. But sometimes, like little Hila, we may miss the deeper truths behind the stories.
It is my hope and prayer that this book will help those who want to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of The Chronicles of Narnia, and that having read this book, you will love the original series all the more. Ultimately, may you find yourself developing an even deeper love for the source of Lewis's inspiration: The Word of God. (Christin Ditchfield)
"It isn't Narnia, you know", sobbed Lucy. "It's you. We shan't meet you there. And how can we live, never meeting you?"
"But you shall meet me, dear one," said Aslan.
"Are-are you there too, Sir?" said Edmund.
"I am," said Aslan. "But there I have another name. You must learn to know me by that name. This was the very reason why you were brought to Narnia, that by knowing me here for a little, you may know me better there."
Years ago, after reading this passage in Dawn Treader, a little girl named Hila wrote to C.S. Lewis, asking him to tell her Aslan's other name. Lewis responded,
"Well, I want you to guess. Has there ever been anyone in this world who:
1) arrived at the same time as Father Christmas,
2) Said he was the son of the Great Emperor,
3) Gave himself up for someone else's fault to be jeered at and killed by wicked people,
4) Came to life again,
5) Is sometimes spoken of as a lamb (see the end of Dawn Treader).
Don't you really know His name in this world? Think it over and let me know your answer."
Edmund and Lucy's adventures in Narnia helped them come to know Aslan (Jesus) better, and our adventures in Narnia can do the same for us. But sometimes, like little Hila, we may miss the deeper truths behind the stories.
It is my hope and prayer that this book will help those who want to gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of The Chronicles of Narnia, and that having read this book, you will love the original series all the more. Ultimately, may you find yourself developing an even deeper love for the source of Lewis's inspiration: The Word of God. (Christin Ditchfield)
posted by Andrew Brown at 6:02 PM
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