The Magician's Nephew

The Magician's Nephew has a very simple message that is good for us all to reminded about on a regular basis. When we are told not to do something there is something about human nature that wants to do it. In this story Digory knew that he should not ring the bell that would release the Witch, but he did it anyway. Why did he do it? I think that C.S. Lewis was implying that curiosity got the best of him but I think that he was motivated by a deeper reason. For some reason human nature is drawn into doing that which is prohibited. We somehow enjoy it simply because it is the wrong thing to do.

I am reminded of the Confessions in which Augustine reflected on his stealing of pears from his neighbors house with his friends. He said that they had a pear tree in their back yard that yeilded better tasting pears but they were drawn into the act of stealing which made the eating of the pears more enticing. They reveled in their sinful behavior and took joy in the process.

Upon reflection and much change in the life of Augustine he no longer takes joy in sinful actions and this is really what sanctification does to us. In the story Digory has a transformation and he only desires to do the will of Aslan. He no longer looks to those things that he was curious about or enjoyed. His purpose was obedience.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

My goal this summer is to read all the summer reading books that the students have been assigned and to write a one-page reflection about them. It seems only fair that as I have assigned these books for reading that I submit myself to the assignment as well. It has been a joy to re-read these classic books and to see the depth to which C.S. Lewis went to bring meaning to his stories.

In the Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe the images are clear as we see Aslan, the famous Lion and Christ figure of the stories, sacrifice Himself for the people of Narnia. We should all be reminded that we have a Savior who has gone to great lengths to sacrifice Himself for us so that we might enjoy a right relationship with Him. But another underlying theme of the story that is not often talked about would be the encouragement that Aslan continued to give the children throughout the fighting. His instruction to Peter and Edmund was to step up and the be the men that they will become. They had a distinct purpose for the salvation that was granted to them and that purpose was to fight.

I believe that C.S. Lewis is providing for us the same encouragment in the life we lead while on earth. Only our fight is not with swords and shields but for obedience and love towards others. Our weapons are the knowledge of God and the Holy Spirit which enables our good actions. It is clear that we are not to remain children in our understanding of the Lord but to become mature in our faith so that we might act like Kings and Queens, which are ambassadors of the Lord.

The Dumbest Generation

It is difficult to know where to begin with this book. There are so many directions we could go with the conversation about the cultural impact this book reflects. My initial thoughts are focused on defining the primary issues that our students face as consumers of entertainment and technology. It would seem that we need to identify to what degree our students are utilizing the social networking features of the internet to communicate with friends and the impact that creates on thier educational habits of mind.

My first question for you as teachers is to discuss the way we should go about establishing our culture at the school to address the use or abuse of technology. How can we provide a counter cultural message in the midst of what the author defines as students who are basically antithetical to reading and school work? How do we inspire the educational process in students that are non-reflective consumers of culture?

As a teacher we must determine the ways we will address the heart issues of motivation within the students. Let me know what you think.