The Lion of Never-never-land and Philosophy
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One should never enter a bookstore without expecting the possibility that Yet Another Book That MUST BE BOUGHT will be waiting inside. A few nights ago, I walked into a corporate, chain bookstore that shall remain nameless (so that I can still face my former coworkers at Joseph-Beth Booksellers). A table of Narnia and Lewis books did not surprise me. A much-anticipated film adaptation of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the first book in the Chronicles of Narnia, is due for release December 9.
Even though it was a merchandising table, I was hoping against hope to see something by Kathryn Lindskoog, perhaps The Lion of Judah in Never-Never Land, which provides a clef for the theological allegories of the books, or perhaps The Lewis Hoax, which presents a compelling case against the literary executor of Lewis’ estate. Neither book have I read, but I long ago added them to the queue of Books I Must Read Someday. Unfortunately, both titles remain out of print.
While browsing this table of Narnia merchandising, I came across The Chronicles of Narnia and Philosophy and noticed that one of the editors is Jerry Walls, a professor of Philosophy of Religion at Asbury Seminary. This certainly piqued my interest. Looking inside, I found an essay on Narnia and time by Michael and Adam Peterson.
Mike was my advisor and professor at Asbury College nearly ten years ago as I was studying philosophy there. It’s no exaggeration to say that his classes are the reason I switched majors from music to philosophy. His son Adam is currently an instructor at the college, as well.
Needless to say, I just had to buy it. Now, finding time to read it; that’s a different beast entirely.