Comments on: Discovering the Narnia Code http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/ Academic insights for the thinking world. Fri, 24 May 2013 18:48:58 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Sherryton http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150741 Sherryton Tue, 19 May 2009 21:54:58 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150741 Andy, we live in a society which ridicules people for having a faith. The BBC in this context gave a fair view to the ideas expressed in this documentary, by inviting comment from scientists and scholars who share a Christian belief. These days Intellectuals are often seen as people without a faith of any kind, but this documentary showed quite clearly that science and the belief in the Divine need not be at odds. Just because a person is a scientist does not mean they cannot have faith! The fact that the faith in question was Christian was totally in keeping with the work being discussed and the Author of the subsequent book relating to it. If C.S.Lewis had been Muslim or Jewish (and the contributors had also been of the same faith) would you have felt so comfortable spewing forth such vitriol? People of faith are expected to practice tolerance of Secularism, which is fine-but they also deserve some reciprocity. Andy, we live in a society which ridicules people for having a faith.
The BBC in this context gave a fair view to the ideas expressed in this documentary, by inviting comment from scientists and scholars who share a Christian belief.
These days Intellectuals are often seen as people without a faith of any kind, but this documentary showed quite clearly that science and the belief in the Divine need not be at odds.
Just because a person is a scientist does not mean they cannot have faith!
The fact that the faith in question was Christian was totally in keeping with the work being discussed and the Author of the subsequent book relating to it.
If C.S.Lewis had been Muslim or Jewish (and the contributors had also been of the same faith) would you have felt so comfortable spewing forth such vitriol?
People of faith are expected to practice tolerance of Secularism, which is fine-but they also deserve some reciprocity.

]]> By: Andy http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150683 Andy Tue, 19 May 2009 10:47:58 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150683 I love the theory, but ... ... as for the documentary, I strongly object to the idea being hijacked by those that want to push a Christian world view. The point is made (by the author of the book), of a 'cosmic god' that transcends 'tribal' religions. Unfortunately this idea is completely swamped by a series of self-important, opinionated, Christian theologians in the concluding part of the documentary. Furthermore, the juxtaposition of 'The God Delusion' with a couple of scientists with religious leanings, is manipulative (and frankly shameful BBC!) and stokes up drama with no real justification. To me, a mature perspective on religion - and one that would bring much peace into the world - is one, that would reject the current organised 'tribal' religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism etc), and replace their silly rituals, laws and theo-political hierarchy, with : (a) the notion of a cosmic god that gives meaning/purpose to the world (if you need it) (b) shared human values, responsibilities freedoms and rights (c) a deep and profound respect for Nature, Consciousness and the Cosmos. I love the theory, but …

… as for the documentary, I strongly object to the idea being hijacked by those that want to push a Christian world view.

The point is made (by the author of the book), of a ‘cosmic god’ that transcends ‘tribal’ religions. Unfortunately this idea is completely swamped by a series of self-important, opinionated, Christian theologians in the concluding part of the documentary.

Furthermore, the juxtaposition of ‘The God Delusion’ with a couple of scientists with religious leanings, is manipulative (and frankly shameful BBC!) and stokes up drama with no real justification.

To me, a mature perspective on religion – and one that would bring much peace into the world – is one, that would reject the current organised ‘tribal’ religions (Christianity, Islam, Judaism etc), and replace their silly rituals, laws and theo-political hierarchy, with :

(a) the notion of a cosmic god that gives meaning/purpose to the world (if you need it)
(b) shared human values, responsibilities freedoms and rights
(c) a deep and profound respect for Nature, Consciousness and the Cosmos.

]]> By: PD http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150382 PD Wed, 29 Apr 2009 12:08:02 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150382 Regarding Bacchus, I suggest seeing the chapter "Miracles of the Old Creation" in Lewis' Miracles. Lewis discusses Christ's miracle of turning water into wine and states "He is the reality behind the false god Bacchus. Every year, as part of the Natural order, God makes wine." Regarding Bacchus, I suggest seeing the chapter “Miracles of the Old Creation” in Lewis’ Miracles. Lewis discusses Christ’s miracle of turning water into wine and states “He is the reality behind the false god Bacchus. Every year, as part of the Natural order, God makes wine.”

]]> By: Stephen. J. Hepburn http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150360 Stephen. J. Hepburn Mon, 27 Apr 2009 14:16:58 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150360 I remember as a youngster the bright and vivid images that such books evoked, sadly in my adult life I have found reading for pleasure and discovery less easy and been contaminated by much of the harshness and brashness of contemporary society. However since veiwing the documentary regarding the deeper meaning beneath the works of C.S Lewis, my passion for such literature has been rekindled and though I don't fully understand yet, I feel the key to the wardrobe of my own imagination being jiggled excitedly, Stephen. I remember as a youngster the bright and vivid images that such books evoked, sadly in my adult life I have found reading for pleasure and discovery less easy and been contaminated by much of the harshness and brashness of contemporary society. However since veiwing the documentary regarding the deeper meaning beneath the works of C.S Lewis, my passion for such literature has been rekindled and though I don’t fully understand yet, I feel the key to the wardrobe of my own imagination being jiggled excitedly, Stephen.

]]> By: Planet Narnia: A Fully Worked Out Idea : OUPblog http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150284 Planet Narnia: A Fully Worked Out Idea : OUPblog Wed, 22 Apr 2009 07:28:24 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150284 [...] iPlayer (until the end of this Wednesday) and you can read Michael’s previous OUPblog posts here and [...] [...] iPlayer (until the end of this Wednesday) and you can read Michael’s previous OUPblog posts here and [...]

]]> By: Mark Sommer http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150256 Mark Sommer Sun, 19 Apr 2009 03:03:11 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150256 Thank you Dr. Ward for talking about the "three layers," which I understand is also in the documentary. This is a critical part of your theory which I don't think most of your (negative) critics understand. If I understand it correctly, the Planets are the structure underneath, or the hidden bones, of the Chronicles, which is why they are not immediately apparent. It is good to see all the positive response. Unfortunately, there are those like Andrew Dunford (above) who give knee-jerk reactions without (apparently) trying to understand the concepts involved. There are always those who criticize anything new. Unfortunately, I live in the U.S., and have not seen The Narnia Code. I hope that it will be made available to us soon. I do have a friend who has seen it. You can read his review here: http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=3811 Thank you Dr. Ward for talking about the “three layers,” which I understand is also in the documentary. This is a critical part of your theory which I don’t think most of your (negative) critics understand. If I understand it correctly, the Planets are the structure underneath, or the hidden bones, of the Chronicles, which is why they are not immediately apparent.

It is good to see all the positive response. Unfortunately, there are those like Andrew Dunford (above) who give knee-jerk reactions without (apparently) trying to understand the concepts involved. There are always those who criticize anything new.

Unfortunately, I live in the U.S., and have not seen The Narnia Code. I hope that it will be made available to us soon. I do have a friend who has seen it. You can read his review here: http://live.hollywoodjesus.com/?p=3811

]]> By: Jon http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150247 Jon Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:44:32 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150247 Well done !! A great step forward in the understanding of the energies of the universe. Who says imiginary things don't have a reality in their own right ! Everything contained within the Narnia stories is just as REAL as everything contained within this world. Doors to other worlds DO exsist ! -and the key to unlocking those doors lays within one self. And each and every planet is just as alive as this one !! There ARE doorways. There ARE different time realities ! And the law of SEVEN is EVERYWHERE. How many colours are there in a rainbow for example ? So go on ! Dream a dream -then enter it !! Well done !!
A great step forward in the understanding of the energies of the universe.
Who says imiginary things don’t have a reality in their own right ! Everything contained within the Narnia stories is just as REAL as everything contained within this world.
Doors to other worlds DO exsist ! -and the key to unlocking those doors lays within one self.
And each and every planet is just as alive as this one !! There ARE doorways. There ARE different time realities !
And the law of SEVEN is EVERYWHERE. How many colours are there in a rainbow for example ?
So go on ! Dream a dream -then enter it !!

]]> By: Moo http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150237 Moo Fri, 17 Apr 2009 22:28:42 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150237 Please excuse my spelling....and grammer...:0) "The theory sounds interesting, I must say, though would it make any difference to our appreciation of the books if it were true, I wonder?" A great book with a great story is that, and just that. To realise the thought behind that creation and appreciate the effort and thinking that goes behind that particular story can only enhance its appeal. A book should also be appreciated for the author and all of their personality/creation/thinking they put in to that particular piece. Only those who are truely touched by a book will bother to find out more about the person that made them stop and think for a moment. Please excuse my spelling….and grammer…:0)

“The theory sounds interesting, I must say, though would it make any difference to our appreciation of the books if it were true, I wonder?”

A great book with a great story is that, and just that. To realise the thought behind that creation and appreciate the effort and thinking that goes behind that particular story can only enhance its appeal. A book should also be appreciated for the author and all of their personality/creation/thinking they put in to that particular piece.

Only those who are truely touched by a book will bother to find out more about the person that made them stop and think for a moment.

]]> By: Steve Luxford http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150234 Steve Luxford Fri, 17 Apr 2009 19:29:48 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150234 Absolutely brilliant! Well done. Absolutely brilliant! Well done.

]]> By: annie http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150228 annie Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:59:12 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150228 Congratulations to M Ward.I am relativley illiterate.The BBC programme however,left me wanting to read more.and with a need to attempt a better understanding of his discoveries,much appreciated thankyou. Congratulations to M Ward.I am relativley illiterate.The BBC programme however,left me wanting to read more.and with a need to attempt a better understanding of his discoveries,much appreciated thankyou.

]]> By: The Narnia Code (?!) | Targuman http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150222 The Narnia Code (?!) | Targuman Fri, 17 Apr 2009 15:08:36 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150222 [...] have to say, this sounds pretty convincing. You can also read a blog post at OUP’s blog from Michael Ward. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is written to embody the qualities associated with Jupiter [...] [...] have to say, this sounds pretty convincing. You can also read a blog post at OUP’s blog from Michael Ward. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is written to embody the qualities associated with Jupiter [...]

]]> By: mac http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150220 mac Fri, 17 Apr 2009 13:41:47 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150220 I wish the documentary could have shown less of the dramatized scenes because they came over as 'reaching' deliberately trying to tug at the viewers heartstrings. But the concept still sounds interesting. In regards to Jojo's comment-why such a hostile response? We use language to communicate, yes it could have been more eloquent but everyone understood what the Jojo meant. So much unnecessary hate. I wish the documentary could have shown less of the dramatized scenes because they came over as ‘reaching’ deliberately trying to tug at the viewers heartstrings. But the concept still sounds interesting. In regards to Jojo’s comment-why such a hostile response? We use language to communicate, yes it could have been more eloquent but everyone understood what the Jojo meant. So much unnecessary hate.

]]> By: Elizabeth McL http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150217 Elizabeth McL Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:48:07 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150217 Just three things - “I don’t understand what he means, i guess i’ll just have 2 read the books 2 find out@ ” Jojo, please don't be discouraged by negitative criticism. Yes! Do read the books. You sound like a young person and you will love them. I think you should be encouraged for taking the time to find out about Lewis and as for your poor grasp of written English, don't be ashamed. Read more, write more and it will improve. Lewis would approve of your efforts. Secondly - "I am almost sure that Tolkien and Lewis must have been discussing their stories with each other". Sitabhra, you are right of course. Find out about The Inklings and you will understand about the 'cross pollination' of these stories.(Try to get a copy of Amanda Ross's terrible alliterative books that they used to read to each other for a laugh). Lastly, I think these latest Narnia relevations are facinating. Of course there is the Christian sub-text of Narnia, given Lewis's love of the George Macdonald stories and the precedent of tales such as 'The Water Babies' by Rev. Kingsley, but I am delighted to find out there is even more to discover below the surface of these wonderful books. Well done to Michael Ward! I hope Jojo does read the books. Me? I'm off to re-read them, again! Just three things -

“I don’t understand what he means, i guess i’ll just have 2 read the books 2 find out@ ”

Jojo, please don’t be discouraged by negitative criticism. Yes! Do read the books. You sound like a young person and you will love them. I think you should be encouraged for taking the time to find out about Lewis and as for your poor grasp of written English, don’t be ashamed. Read more, write more and it will improve. Lewis would approve of your efforts.

Secondly -

“I am almost sure that Tolkien and Lewis must have been discussing their stories with each other”.

Sitabhra, you are right of course. Find out about The Inklings and you will understand about the ‘cross pollination’ of these stories.(Try to get a copy of Amanda Ross’s terrible alliterative books that they used to read to each other for a laugh).

Lastly, I think these latest Narnia relevations are facinating. Of course there is the Christian sub-text of Narnia, given Lewis’s love of the George Macdonald stories and the precedent of tales such as ‘The Water Babies’ by Rev. Kingsley, but I am delighted to find out there is even more to discover below the surface of these wonderful books. Well done to Michael Ward!

I hope Jojo does read the books. Me? I’m off to re-read them, again!

]]> By: BRC http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150216 BRC Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:18:13 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150216 "In Prince Caspian, for example, Aslan is one minute romping with Bacchus and getting everyone tipsy while the next he is giving an earth-shaking war-cry, summoning his troops to battle. How does this relate to scripture?" King David, anyone? And the Horse & his Boy has elements of the Apocyraph book of Tobit. Although have to admit I'm hard pressed with the other two :) “In Prince Caspian, for example, Aslan is one minute romping with Bacchus and getting everyone tipsy while the next he is giving an earth-shaking war-cry, summoning his troops to battle. How does this relate to scripture?”

King David, anyone? And the Horse & his Boy has elements of the Apocyraph book of Tobit. Although have to admit I’m hard pressed with the other two :)

]]> By: Michael Irwin http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150214 Michael Irwin Fri, 17 Apr 2009 06:43:22 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150214 Brillant documentary. i though the interviews were excellent. i have only ever read The Lon, the Witch and the Wardrobe, when i was young. Thought then what a brillant book. Not encouraged to read when i was young. I thought Michael Ward came across really well, i felt sad that i did not really have an education. I have been searching for the meaning of life for so very long, as many other's i expect. By the end of the documentary, i felt much more faith than i have felt for about five years. It really was brillantly put together. I feel a great a great need to read! Thank You. I hope at 41 i am not to late to educate myself! Michael Brillant documentary. i though the interviews were excellent. i have only ever read The Lon, the Witch and the Wardrobe, when i was young. Thought then what a brillant book. Not encouraged to read when i was young. I thought Michael Ward came across really well, i felt sad that i did not really have an education. I have been searching for the meaning of life for so very long, as many other’s i expect. By the end of the documentary, i felt much more faith than i have felt for about five years. It really was brillantly put together. I feel a great a great need to read! Thank You. I hope at 41 i am not to late to educate myself! Michael

]]> By: Sharon O'Connor http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150205 Sharon O'Connor Thu, 16 Apr 2009 23:27:10 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150205 I liked the simpleness of the idea of the medieval cosmology linking the seven planets of that time to the seven Narnia tales. Seventh heaven!! SharonO I liked the simpleness of the idea of the medieval cosmology linking the seven planets of that time to the seven Narnia tales.

Seventh heaven!!

SharonO

]]> By: Andrew Dunford http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150204 Andrew Dunford Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:45:14 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150204 I'm sorry but I have yet to come across a bigger pile of horse shit in all my 48 years! I’m sorry but I have yet to come across a bigger pile of horse shit in all my 48 years!

]]> By: Laurence http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150198 Laurence Thu, 16 Apr 2009 17:31:50 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150198 "I don’t understand what he means, i guess i’ll just have 2 read the books 2 find out@ " Read the books - goodness me, what a challenging idea! And while you're about it, perhaps you could learn to write proper, non-'text' English, as well? Lewis would turn in his grave at this sort of illiterate twaddle! The theory sounds interesting, I must say, though would it make any difference to our appreciation of the books if it were true, I wonder? “I don’t understand what he means, i guess i’ll just have 2 read the books 2 find out@ ”

Read the books – goodness me, what a challenging idea! And while you’re about it, perhaps you could learn to write proper, non-’text’ English, as well? Lewis would turn in his grave at this sort of illiterate twaddle!

The theory sounds interesting, I must say, though would it make any difference to our appreciation of the books if it were true, I wonder?

]]> By: Sitabhra Sinha http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150148 Sitabhra Sinha Tue, 14 Apr 2009 11:36:07 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150148 Very interesting - especially given that C S Lewis' other series, The Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength) written for much older readers, is quite consciously and openly based on the three planets Mars, Venus and Earth (respectively). Was the explicit astronomical connection in this series prefiguring the more subtle connection (if Michael Ward is indeed correct) in the Narnia series written later ? As an aside, it is probably more interesting to compare Tolkien's "Lord of the Rings" trilogy with Lewis' Space trilogy - they were written almost at the same time, and there are so many plot parallels, I am almost sure that Tolkien and Lewis must have been discussing their stories with each other :-) Very interesting – especially given that C S Lewis’ other series, The Space Trilogy (Out of the Silent Planet, Perelandra and That Hideous Strength) written for much older readers, is quite consciously and openly based on the three planets Mars, Venus and Earth (respectively). Was the explicit astronomical connection in this series prefiguring the more subtle connection (if Michael Ward is indeed correct) in the Narnia series written later ? As an aside, it is probably more interesting to compare Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” trilogy with Lewis’ Space trilogy – they were written almost at the same time, and there are so many plot parallels, I am almost sure that Tolkien and Lewis must have been discussing their stories with each other :-)

]]> By: jojo http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150141 jojo Tue, 14 Apr 2009 05:03:34 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150141 i don't understand what he means, i guess i'll just have 2 read the books 2 find out@ i don’t understand what he means, i guess i’ll just have 2 read the books 2 find out@

]]> By: Taylor J. Beisler http://blog.oup.com/2009/04/narnia-code/#comment-150076 Taylor J. Beisler Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:05:25 +0000 http://blog.oup.com/?p=3967#comment-150076 Way to crack the code! C.S. Lewis was a literary genius, as well as Tolkien, and I love that Tolkien didn't like C.S. Lewis's writing...it was said that Tolkien took longer to write as it was harder for him to do! God bless, Taylor J. Beisler www.taylorbeisler.com http://www.eloquentbooks.com/ArintSaratir-WarriorsLight.html Way to crack the code! C.S. Lewis was a literary genius, as well as Tolkien, and I love that Tolkien didn’t like C.S. Lewis’s writing…it was said that Tolkien took longer to write as it was harder for him to do!

God bless,
Taylor J. Beisler
http://www.taylorbeisler.com
http://www.eloquentbooks.com/ArintSaratir-WarriorsLight.html

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