TV and Radio

The Narnia Code is a documentary examining claims that CS Lewis's Narnia Chronicles contain a hidden meaning.

Dr Michael Ward, an academic and expert in all things Lewisian, claims he has discovered the Narnia Code.

He will be available on this message board thread to answer your questions (during board opening hours) on Friday the 17th of April.

Follow this link to find out more about the programme: www.bbc.co.uk/progra...

Kind regards
Religion Host

Are there plans to show this program on BBC-America?

It is a great pity that an interesting documentary for the first 40 minutes was used for Creationist propaganda for the last 20 minutes. Once sided pseudo scientific babble from theologians and religious academics who were clearly trying to use the programme to argue that this provided some kind of evidence of God's existence.

Having just been sent Micael Ward's book to review, I was pleasantly surprised to find what a sensation it was making. Well done, BBC! It really is the most interesting book on Narnia I have read for some time, striking out in an original way by going to the roots of Lewis's own speciality scholarship in Medieval Literature.
I've always seen the Narnia Chronicles tied together as being quest stories- each quest varies, but the patterns remain the same. Ward barely acknowledges this unity, but his insights certainly expand the range of interpretations possible.
I too thought the last 20 minutes was making rather large claims about the way we might see God. However, as the BBC so rarely acknowledges there is still a case to be made for the existence of God and a spiritually meaningful universe, I was still very happy for the time to be used in this way.

A reminder that Dr Michael Ward will be joining us on this thread later this morning to discuss The Narnia Code and answer your questions.

If you missed the programme or would like to see it again, it's available here:

www.bbc.co.uk/progra...

Kind regards
Religion Host

I only watched part of the programme, but nowhere did I hear it stated that Lewis was an Anglican. We heard about his "conversion" to Christianity, but in fact he was born and brought up Anglican (Church of Ireland) and returned to the same faith (Church of England). Of course, if he'd been or become a Roman Catholic, that would have been highlighted.

PS I'm using the reply mechanism since I'm not sure how to create a message.

What a wonderful program and I was very impressed by the depth and breadth of content. I had to smile when I read a response about "Creationist Propaganda," particularly when the BBC regularly feeds us a diet of programs by Dawkins or Marr - I guess these are examples of objective journalism The program reflected Lewis's worldview and the BBC is to be commended for having the integrity to show this. Thank you!

How was this programme an example of objective journalism? If you want to give Dawkin's programmes as an example he has the courage of his convictions and a confidence in his arguments to invite people of the opposite view onto his programmes and give them the opportunity to debate with him. This programme however did nothing like this, and worse still spoke for him, by giving what they said were his arguments.

I wonder if this interesting and informative programme will be shown at a more reasonable hour so that the younger readers will be able to see it? Perhaps Sunday evening?
There are so few programmes of this nature.

I am the grandson of Owen Barfield – a fellow Inkling and great friend of C.S. Lewis: Lewis referred to him as his “Second Friend” - the one who never fails to challenge one and prod one to new understanding. The two conducted a vibrant correspondence (known as “the Great War”) covering many years, during which Lewis and Barfield debated the meaning of the supernatural and the identity of God.

In ‘Surprised by Joy’ – Lewis’ own account of his conversion to Christianity – Lewis credits Barfield as one of the 3 individuals critical in bringing him towards God. The other 2 were George MacDonald and G.K.Chesterton. Tolkien is not cited as one of those whom Lewis himself considered significant in his conversion, and yet the BBC programme on Planet Narnia attributed Tolkien with the bringing of Lewis to Christianity! No mention was made at all of Barfield, MacDonald or Chesterton! Perhaps Tolkien did play a part in Lewis’ conversion, but I am deeply concerned that Barfield’s achievements (and those of the others) are being incorrectly attributed in this case to the established Brand Name.

On the other hand, I thought the part on Planet Narnia, and Michael Ward’s theory very credible and informative. I am reading the Narnia chronicles to my children – just as Tolkien read Grandfather’s children’s fairy tale, ‘The Silver Trumpet’ to his children – and they found your ideas both understandable and absorbing!

For more information on Owen Barfield please see: www.owenbarfield.org