Well, the characterization of Liam Neeson’s quote in Britain’s MailOnline isn’t going to help matters much. According to a report posted by the website earlier today, Neeson was
Aslan symbolises a Christ-like figure but he also symbolises for me Mohammed, Buddha and all the great spiritual leaders and prophets over the centuries. That’s who Aslan stands for as well as a mentor figure for kids – that’s what he means for me. [Emphasis added. To hear Neeson’s statements in their context, watch the video Greg Wright recorded at a roundtable interview in London: Press Conference, Part 1.]
The article goes on to say that Walter Hooper, C S Lewis’s secretary at the end of the Narnia author’s life and literary trustee of Lewis’s estate, “said the author would have been outraged.” Anglo-Catholic author William Oddie is quoted as saying Neeson’s words are
Harsh words from a noted Christian scholar and “lifelong fan of the Chronicles of Narnia.”
While I agree that Lewis definitely had Jesus Christ in mind when he was writing the Chronicles, I do not find Neeson’s words outrageous, nor do I believe Lewis would have responded in such a gruff manner. Nor do I think he would have been nearly so displeased.
Let me try to explain what I mean.
When AslansCountry.com posted an article about Neeson’s quote earlier today, they received a reply from a “TG” who comments that faith is a personal journey, and recommends that Walter Hooper reread The Last Battle. TG’s apparent reference is a passage in Chapter 15 in which Aslan meets Emeth in the stable. Emeth is a Calormene who had served the god Tash all his life. Aslan tells him, “Child, all the service that thou hast done to Tash, I account as service done to me.”
Some have taken Aslan’s words to mean that Lewis was a universalist, believing that all roads lead to the same end. This is untrue. In the same paragraph, Aslan responds to Emeth’s question about whether Aslan and Tash are the same. Letting out a growl “that shook the earth,” (The growl was not directed at Emeth.) he says,
It is false. Not because he and I are one, but because we are opposites, I take to me the services which thou hast done to him. …unless thy desire had been for me thou wouldst not have sought so long and so truly. For all find what they seek.
Lewis was not a universalist, but he did believe that those who follow spiritual leaders other than Christ can end up finding the truth. At Emeth’s death, as it were, he finds he was seeking Aslan all along. Lewis would “growl” at the notion that Christ and other spiritual leaders are essentially the same. He would not “growl” at someone (or call him “stupid”) who was sincerely seeking the truth.
So, I don’t think that Lewis would be shattered because Neeson sees Mohammed and Buddha in Aslan. If Neeson finds other spiritual leaders besides Christ in Aslan, then perhaps it is because he sees something of Christ in them and someday will find what he is truly seeking.
December 5th, 2010 at 12:54 pm
…or, even, be glad that Neeson has ALREADY found Christ and is using the opportunity of playing Aslan to lead followers of Islam or Buddha into the stable with Emeth.
December 5th, 2010 at 1:09 pm
Interesting thought, Greg. Paul Martin of NarniaFans has indicated on Facebook that he has interviewed Liam. Paul was a bit vague on whether they talked about this subject or not. It will be interesting to see the interview when it comes out. Paul’s coverage of the controversy can be found at this link: Liam Neeson attempts to remain Politically Correct on Aslan. There are also some interesting comments posted.
December 5th, 2010 at 2:50 pm
I know that as I sat there and heard Neeson speak, I thought, “Wow. That was pretty stinky.” But as the Apostle Paul says, love expects the best — and until someone follows up with Neeson for some specific elaboration, I’ll take my own opinion with a grain of salt. And I didn’t have that opportunity myself.