The Narnia Code

[Geoff Bannister]

Geoff

Those of you who enjoy the Narnia books might be interested in 
the following.

Last night, by pure fluke, I noticed - with just enough time left to 
set the DVD recorder - that BBC1 were screening a programme 
about C. S. Lewis' Narnia books.

It was called "The Narnia Code" and was billed as being fronted 
by Dr. Michael Ward, an academic who had put forward a theory 
about a hidden theme in the books.

I initially groaned, expecting another conspiracy theory knocking 
Lewis or the Christian faith in general but was pleasantly surprised 
to find myself glued to the set for half an hour last night and then 
poring over remainder of the recording while I tackled breakfast.

HIs theory is that CSL linked each book to one of the "Seven Planets" 
known to mediaeval scientists and astronomers - the Sun, Moon, 
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn.

The evidence is indeed positive and it adds to Lewis' interpretation 
of God and the universe rather than detracting.

I hadn't realised that Dr.Ward had published a book last year called 
"Planet Narnia". Perhaps some of you folk have been more observant 
that I was.

If any of you are interested, the programme is available for the next 
week or so at:
www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/

Follow the top line (TV Highlights) through the arrow at the right-
hand end and look for the icon labelled "The Narnia Code".