The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis is the prequel book to The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe in The Chronicles of Narnia series. Though written for children, it contains many profound Christian themes that resonate with readers of all ages. Here is an in-depth look at some of the key biblical messages woven throughout this classic fantasy tale.
Creation
One of the central themes in The Magician’s Nephew is the creation of the world of Narnia. Aslan sings Narnia into existence, bringing about light, life, and order from a dark and chaotic void. This parallels the biblical account of God creating the heavens and the earth in Genesis 1. The emptiness prior to creation is reminiscent of Genesis 1:2 which states, “The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep.” And God’s mighty voice echoes Aslan’s singing as we read in the Psalms, “By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and by the breath of his mouth all their host” (Psalm 33:6). Just as God takes chaos and shapes it into a good and beautiful creation, so Aslan takes a dark nothingness and sings it into the wondrous world of Narnia.
Good versus Evil
The cosmic battle between good and evil is prominently displayed in The Magician’s Nephew. The witch Jadis, who later becomes the White Witch, wreaks havoc and destruction in the young world of Narnia. Her desire for power means oppression and death for Narnia’s inhabitants. In contrast, Aslan represents hope, freedom, and life. Their conflict embodies the spiritual warfare described in the Bible between the forces of God and the powers of darkness. The apostle Paul urges Christians to “put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). The fight against evil is an ongoing one, but in Narnia and our world, good will ultimately triumph.
Temptation and Sin
When Digory rings the bell in Charn, he awakens the evil witch Jadis against Aslan’s warnings. His given temptation, just as Eve faced temptation in the Garden of Eden. The witch proceeds to follow Digory back to London, and then into Narnia, leading to dreadful consequences. The story illustrates how yielding to temptation opens a door for sin and evil to enter in and wreak havoc. The apostle James wrote, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death” (James 1:14-15). Digory’s story serves as a sobering reminder that sin can start from a single wrong choice.
Sacrifice and Redemption
Aslan allows himself to be sacrificed on the stone table to save Edmund’s life. This act echoes Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross to save sinners. Though Aslan is killed, the magic of the Deep Magic brings him back to life again, conquering death. Similarly, Jesus was crucified but resurrected on the third day. Aslan’s sacrifice for Edmund demonstrates costly grace – undeserved favor and forgiveness. It shows how redemption comes through sacrificial love. As Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Aslan’s resurrection is also a picture of the hope Christians have in Christ’s resurrection and the defeat of death.
Creation Care
When Digory and Polly explore Charn, they discover a dying world. The sun looks swollen and dim, and the earth is barren and dry. Jadis destroyed her own world through sin and unbelief. In Narnia, however, Aslan appoints Digory the task of tending the new garden and protecting it. There is a clear message about caring for the environment we’ve been given. As God commanded Adam, “The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it” (Genesis 2:15). Our world is a gift we must wisely steward. Letting sin destroy creation goes against God’s plan. We glorify God when we nurture life and beauty in the world around us.
Messianic Prophecy
Partway through the book, Aslan tells Digory and Polly, “It began with a song and a lion’s roar in the land of Narnia on the other side of the world. Many worlds have I made. It is I who speak to you now.” This directly foreshadows Aslan’s role as creator and ruler of Narnia. Hundreds of years later, in The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, the Beavers tell the Pevensie children that Aslan is the true king of Narnia and that “he’ll be coming and going” and “when he shakes his mane we shall have spring again.” This prophecy comes to pass when Aslan returns after his sacrifice and resurrection to defeat the White Witch. Similarly, the Old Testament contains prophecies about the Messiah – Jesus Christ – hundreds of years before his birth. The prophecies tell of a king and deliverer who will bring salvation.
Obedience and Leadership
When Digory is tempted to steal an apple to heal his mother, he shows maturity and growth by resisting. He obeys Aslan instead. As a reward for his obedience, Aslan tells him, “Well done.” He also appoints Digory the first king of Narnia and allows him to bring back an apple that will heal his mom. Digory’s story conveys that obedience brings blessings and qualifies people for leadership. As Jesus said to his disciples, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Godly leadership starts with obeying God, not gratifying selfish desires. Digory’s obedience and leadership foreshadow the obedience and kingship of Christ.
The Problem of Evil
Jadis plunges Narnia into an endless winter of suffering and death. Her presence raises questions about why evil exists if Aslan -Narnia’s God figure – is good and loving. This echoes one of theology’s thorniest issues: how can an all-good, all-powerful God allow evil? While Lewis doesn’t offer a complete philosophical answer, he does show Aslan working even through evil for eventual good. Edmund’s redemption comes through the evil witch’s actions. Romans 8:28 also gives the promise that “for those who love God all things work together for good.” The book suggests evil is part of a larger cosmic story in the hands of a wise and sovereign God.
Providence
Though Digory made a mistake by bringing Jadis from Charn into Narnia, Aslan works through that to appoint King Frank and Queen Helen to rule Narnia. Their reign will be troubled by the witch, but lead into the Golden Age of Narnia under their descendants. Aslan declares he will work Jadis’ evil toward good long-term purposes. This demonstrates divine providence – God directing all events and circumstances according to his perfect will and purpose. As Joseph says to his brothers in Genesis 50:20 about being sold into slavery, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” The Magician’s Nephew highlights that even amidst evil, God’s unseen hand guides all things toward his intended destination.
The Angels
The characters of Strawberry the cab-horse and Fledge the winged horse function as angelic figures in the story. They faithfully serve Aslan, rescue Digory and Polly, and provide heavenly aid at key moments. Similarly, angels in the Bible carry out God’s will, protect his people, and reveal his truth at pivotal junctures. For example, angels minister to Jesus after his temptation in the wilderness and after his agony in Gethsemane before the crucifixion. Angels also proclaim Christ’s birth and resurrection. Their interventions guides characters – and by extension, readers – to encounter the divine at work behind the scenes.
Original Sin
Though Narnia begins as an unspoiled paradise, Digory’s transport of Jadis from Charn represents original sin entering the land. Jadis immediately upsets the peace and perfection of young Narnia with her twisted lies and temptation, much like Satan in the Garden of Eden. This influx of evil into a formerly unblemished world parallels Adam and Eve’s disobedience that brought sin into God’s good creation. Romans 5:12 explains that “sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin.” Likewise, Digory’s decision allows wickedness to impact Narnia’s destiny going forward. But Aslan redeems even this through his sacrifice on the stone table.
Fatherhood of God
Even in Narnia’s early years, Aslan serves as a fatherly guide to the human children. He protects them, corrects them, and sends them off with gifts and wisdom for the future. His relationship with Digory models God’s role as a loving heavenly Father caring for His children. When Digory asks if he can get his mother cured, Aslan responds, “I know. Grief is very hard to bear…I understand.” Then Aslan provides the apple to heal her. This echoes the Bible’s description of God as “a father to the fatherless” (Psalm 68:5) who “heals the brokenhearted” (Psalm 147:3). Aslan’s patient, nurturing nature reflects the perfect Fatherly care that God extends to all His children.
The Magician’s Nephew artistically portrays timeless biblical messages within an enchanting fantasy world. As in any great children’s book, the depth beneath the delightful story resonates across generations. C.S. Lewis masterfully taps into profound spiritual truths in accessible ways through the characters and events of Narnia’s origins. For those wanting to go deeper, these themes provide thought-provoking biblical connections woven throughout this classic tale.
