What I Learned in Narnia [Paperback]

Douglas Wilson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 23, 2010

"But it ll be a long story," said the Dwarf.
"All the better," said Lucy. "We love stories. "

Douglas Wilson begins this series of meditations on C.S. Lewis The Chronicles of Narnia with the observation, "This is not intended to be an introduction to Narnia at all, but is rather more like a conversation between good friends about some other good friends, talking about what a good time we all had and why." Wilson highlights the practical themes of mature, Christian living that emerge from these classic tales nobility, confession, complete grace a joyful contrast to the thinness of modern life. A must for any Narnia fan, young or old.

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Canon Press (November 23, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591280796
• ISBN-13: 978-1591280798
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #613,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A fine book. Douglas Wilson knows that the best way to learn from the Narnia Chronicles is by approaching them as stories to be read and reread. Only when we freely enjoy them as tales of adventure will they ever truly edify. Love is the great opener of eyes, and this book is full of insights. --Michael Ward, author of Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis and Chaplain of St Peter's College, Oxford

The best reading is the kind that weaves in and out of our own lives, so that it's hard to tell where the books end and we begin. C. S. Lewis wrote books that ask to be read that way, and here Douglas Wilson heeds the call. What I Learned in Narnia is a rich response to stories that hold a world of wisdom. Wilson draws forth that wisdom and shows it to us. --Alan Jacobs, author of The Narnian: The Life and Imagination of C. S. Lewis and professor of English, Wheaton College

For me, Doug Wilson is like his mentor Lewis--even when I disagree I find myself spiritually challenged, thoughtfully provoked, and longing for more child-like wonder and enchantment. I trust this book will do the same for all who read its pages. --Justin Taylor, managing editor, ESV Study Bible and blogger, Between Two Worlds

About the Author

Douglas Wilson is pastor of Christ Church, Moscow, Idaho, and editor of the online journal Credenda/Agenda. He is the author of numerous books, including Reforming Marriage, Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning, and Heaven Misplaced. He is also co-author of Is Christianity Good for the World? He and his wife Nancy have three children and flocks of grandchildren.

Product Details

• Paperback: 172 pages
• Publisher: Canon Press (November 23, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1591280796
• ISBN-13: 978-1591280798
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #613,301 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Douglas Wilson is the minister of Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, which is a member of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC). After his stint in the submarine service of the U.S. Navy, he attended the University of Idaho, where he obtained an MA in philosophy.

As one of its founders, he has served on the board of Logos School, a classical and Christian school (K-12), since its inception. He is also a Senior Fellow of theology at New St. Andrews College. He is the author of numerous books, including Reforming Marriage, The Case for Classical Christian Education, Letter from a Christian Citizen, and Blackthorn Winter. He is also the general editor for the Omnibus textbook series. His blog can be found at www.dougwils.com.

All his favorite authors begin their names with initials--C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton, H.L. Mencken, J.R.R. Tolkien, N.D. Wilson, and P.G. Wodehouse. The one exception is Nancy Wilson, a favorite author to whom he has been married for over thirty-four years. They have three children and fifteen grandchildren.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Simple, Wise, and Loving Way to Read The Narnia Books January 14, 2011

By Fr. Charles Erlandson TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

In his Introduction to "What I Learned in Narnia," Douglas Wilson states that his book "is rather more like a conversation between good friends about some other good friends, talking about what a good time we all had and why. But in order to have that conversation, we have to have the good time first." This is Wilson's way of saying that if you haven't read The Chronicles of Narnia books, then this isn't the book for you (yet).

Having said this, Wilson continues in his Introduction to remind the reader that while many good books have been wrecked by a rush to reduce the story to a moral it's also true that the best stories do indeed teach us. "What I Learned in Narnia" is Wilson's attempt to categorize some of the most important things he's learned by reading and re-reading the Narnia series. He's quite right to warn us that we'd better have read the series first because the book is an extended reflection on the meanings and truths of the entire Narnia series and relies heavily on details from the books in the series. While the Narnia series is a series of stories with embedded meaning and teaching, what Wilson has done has provided the reader with a very readable and thoughtful guide to some of the most important truths that the wise reader should come to understand through the experience of reading the Chronicles of Narnia.

Wilson's exposition is very clear and straightforward (perhaps even too prosaic) presentation of what he's learned. His writing style and organization make his book easy to digest. I'm sure his hope is that it will provide further reflection for C.S. Lewis' readers, as well as a motivation to read The Chronicles of Narnia again, this time with an eye to seeing some of its deeper meanings.... Clarity and sound teaching are the great virtues of Wilson's book, and he's done a great service to Lewis' readers.

So just what has Wilson learned from The Chronicles of Narnia?

He divides what he's learned up into 7 sections, which I've outlined below. Keep in mind, however, that just as Wilson's discussion of the Narnia books is not the same as having read them for yourself, reading my outline is not the same as having read Wilson's book!

1. AUTHORITY - Authority is inescapable, and in the world of Narnia, there are multiple examples of both false and true authorities. Wilson also reminds us that true authority is humble and sacrificial, which he supports with specific characters and actions from the Narnia books. We also learn that authority and obedience go together.

2. CONFESSION OF SIN - It's refreshing to see that Wilson has recognized this in the Narnia books because one of the great omissions of the modern church and modern literature is a proper understanding of the gravity of sin and the importance of dealing with it. Just as there are both true and false authorities, there are also true and false confessions of sin.

3. NOBILITY - Wilson contends that we have lost the meaning of nobility, and in his third chapter he deals with: the fact that nobility is merry, nobility and appearance, nobility and sacrifice, and nobility and gift. There is, of course, also the false nobility of people like Jadis and the Calormen.

4. SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINES - Who would have thought that the spiritual disciplines would show up in Narnia? I'm grateful to Wilson for having seen this where, once again, so many Christians miss this both in life and in their reading of Narnia. In this chapter, Wilson focuses especially on "The Silver Chair" and the importance of remembering. As Aslan tells Jill before he sends her off into Narnia: "Remember the signs and believe the signs. Nothing else matters." Wilson also deals with disciplines and pleasure; disciplines, grace, and forgiveness; and the reward of discipline.

5. LOVE OF STORY - There has been a resurgence in narrative theology and in postmodernism of an interest in story or narrative. In Chapter 5, Wilson deals with the importance of story, stories as preparation, loving stories, twisted stories, and the real story. In so doing, the reader is receiving an education in how to read, and for this we should thank Doug Wilson.

6. THOROUGH GRACE - No Christian story and no discussion of the work of C.S. Lewis would be complete without a discussion of grace. We are all aware of the grace of Aslan's sacrifice in "The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe," but grace abounds in other places in Narnia as well.

7. LOVE FOR ALSAN, LOVE FOR GOD - A wise reading of The Chronicles of Narnia must involve an understanding of how characters enter into a relationship with Aslan, just as man must enter into a relationship with God. Knowledge of Aslan in the Narnia books may also be true or false, but in the end Aslan is meant to lead us to Christ.

While Wilson's book lacks depth, he makes up for this by having covered so many different topics so well. "What I Learned in Narnia" is like a primer on how to read The Chronicles of Narnia more wisely; understood in this light, this is an excellent book. Many books have been written about the works of Lewis and about Narnia, but Doug Wilson's "What I Learned in Narnia" is one of the simplest and best. It does, however, lack a certain amount of vibrancy and imagination. Read more ›

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Precious, Edifying Book February 8, 2013

By mlward

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

People don't get five stars from me by grace but by works. And Doug Wilson has done it with this grace-filled little volume. I love Narnia, and the worst thing you could do to it would be to skip to its lessons before enjoying its stories. But once you've enjoyed the stories, a little help distilling the lessons is welcome. And Wilson, an excellent writer (and, like Lewis, apologist) in his own right, provides just that help. This was one of the most spiritually uplifting reads of the year for me.