Life Should Imitate Art

Copyright 2005, The Edmond Sun. Reprinted with permission.

In the book version of C.S. Lewis' "The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe," sisters Lucy and Susan have to make a decision.

The Daughters of Eve had met Aslan, the great lion. They were reunited with their brother, Edmund, who betrayed them and cast his lot with the White Witch, taken in by lies of becoming king -- and a generous helping of Turkish Delight.

When the witch confronted Aslan about the magic of Narnia and demanded Edmund's blood as the magic required of traitors, the girls watched Aslan and the witch quietly negotiate Edmund's life. They followed Aslan as he walked deep into the woods, and watched the witch's servants bind the lion, shave him and drag him to the stone table to be slain by the witch's knife. Grieving Aslan's death, Susan and Lucy saw Aslan reappear because of the deeper magic, and they watched Aslan restore Narnia, breathing life back into those turned to stone by the witch's wand.

But the conversation that couldn't be avoided in the book was skipped in the movie. Should they tell Edmund what Aslan did to spare Edmund's life? Susan didn't think so. "It would be too awful for him," she reasoned.

Say what?

There are many excuses for why I haven't shared the truth along life's way with some who desperately need to hear it.

"Oh, they don't live in a vacuum. They've heard it before. They haven't listened then, why should I think they'll listen now?"

Or "their lives are too perfect. How can I ever make them see that they need a savior?"

But never "it would be too awful for them" if they understood Jesus' sacrifice.

I'd be a better man if my own recognition of that sacrifice was harder for me to handle than I allow it to be.

The movie's not as good as the book, but I recommend it regardless.
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I hope you've noticed changes in recent weeks in the Edmond Sun's coverage of religious news and events. My goal is to share the stories of the people in Edmond's religious community. I'm guessing half or more of Edmond's population worships regularly somewhere. As newspapers try to reconnect with readers, better coverage of the religious community is one effort we're making to that end.

In 2006, The Edmond Sun will, through the religion section published Friday, encourage readers to read through the Bible during the year. We'll publish on Friday the list of scriptures to be read each day during the coming week. You can easily clip the list and participate, even if you don't have a one-year Bible. If you don't have any Bible and need one, call or e-mail me. Churches in the Edmond Ministerial Alliance have agreed to get a Bible to you if needed.

I've also assembled a team of writers --local pastors and ministers -- who will furnish a column each week about one of the passages or stories you'll read in the Bible that week. I have 15 pastors who have committed to help on a rotating basis. I'm looking for more. If you're a pastor who'd like to participate, e-mail me at mailto:atdhartman@edmondsun.com.
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I need your help. There are hundreds of stories to tell of people in the religious community in Edmond. Problem is, there are more than 70 churches and religious organizations in Edmond, but only one of me. So if you wait for me to come to you, you might wait awhile.

If you have a story idea, send it my way, along with your name and a phone number so I can contact you for more information.

Thanks.

(David Hartman may be reached via e-mail at dhartman@edmondsun.com.)