Here is a little guidance to get you started.
First, the menu names.
If you are familiar with the Narnian Chronicles by C.S. Lewis, some of the menu headings may sound familiar. If you haven’t read The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe, etc., (or not in a long time), these descriptions of the headings may be helpful.
Further Up and Further In
This is the repeated exuberant cry from Aslan (the Great Lion) and those following him. There is always more to learn, more joy to experience, more awe to savor. In Aslan’s words, “You do not yet look so happy as I mean you to be.”[1]
Articles under this heading relate to growing deeper into the reality of the God who made us in His image.
Not A Tame Lion
When the adventures in Narnia begin, Aslan is a mysterious name. Then the children are shocked to find that rather than a man, he is a lion. And not a domesticated, tame lion. As Mr. Beaver admonishes them, “Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King I tell you.”[2]
Articles in this section consider how we finite humans relate to an infinite, holy, Creator God, yet who literally loves us to death, and who desires our everlasting joy.
Logic! Why Don’t They Teach Logic?
When two siblings return from initial visits to Narnia, their older brother and sister doubt their truthfulness about what they claimed to have experienced. An older professor asks a few simple questions. He shows them the fallacy of superficially dismissing evidence of the supernatural. He said the last thing either of them expected: “How do you know,” he asked, “that your sister’s story is not true?”[3]
This brief section focuses on the intellectual credibility of the Christian faith.
Remember the Signs
During later visits to Narnia, other children are sent on an assignment by Aslan. The details of the mission are summarized in four signs the travelers should watch for. Much of the story is about the consequences of missing or ignoring those signs. “But, first, remember, remember, remember the signs. Say them to yourself when you wake in the morning and when you lie down at night, and when you wake in the middle of the night. And whatever strange things may happen to you, let nothing turn your mind from following the signs.”[4]
This is currently the longest section of Good Not Safe (reflecting my own passion) and offers various recommendations about the study and application of the Bible.
The Term is Over
Throughout their adventures in Narnia the children wonder at its beauty and enchantment. That delight serves to awaken their deeper desire for something more, for Aslan’s own country. That longing, that unquenchable desire, was for something beyond description, only glanced momentarily. ‘It lasted only a second or so but what it brought them in that second none of those three children will ever forget. It brought both a smell and a sound, a musical sound. Edmund and Eustace would never talk about it afterward. Lucy could only say, “It would break your heart.” ‘Why,” said I, “was it so sad?” “Sad!! No,” said Lucy.’[5]
This section focuses on various attempts, all inadequate, to explore that momentary but unforgettable glimpse of eternal beatitude.
And, of course, there are a few headings that I wasn’t imaginative enough to link into a Narnia theme.
Blogs
Most of the entries in this section are notes from various discussion groups exploring books or themes from the Bible. These entries often illustrate the suggestions included in “Remember the Signs.” One part of that section consists of numerous guides to the various studies. If you have subscribed, you should be receiving a notification whenever a new blog entry is published.
Sermons
This is a collection of a few sermons – some mine, others by people who have influenced my life significantly.
About
Me.
I hope you will take advantage of the various “Comment” opportunities throughout GoodNotSafe. I enjoy the feedback, criticism, suggestions, differing opinions, etc., that enable iron to sharpen iron.
And if you have not read the Narnia books, I hope my brief hints about some of the themes of the books will arouse your appetite to explore the stories.[6]
[1] C. S. Lewis, The Last Battle (Chronicles of Narnia Book 7) (New York: Collier Books, 1973), 183.
[2] C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia Book 1) (New York: Collier Books, 1973), 75-76.
[3] C. S. Lewis, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia Book 1) (New York: Collier Books, 1973), 43.
[4] C. S. Lewis, The Silver Chair (Chronicles of Narnia Book 4) (New York: Collier Books, 1973), 21.
[5] C. S. Lewis, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader” (Chronicles of Narnia Book 3) (New York: Collier Books, 1973), 212.
[6] The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe
. Prince Caspian
. The Voyage of the ‘Dawn Treader’
. The Silver Chair
. The Horse and His Boy
. The Magician’s Nephew
. The Last Battle