Like so many others, The Chronicles of Narnia is one of my favorite fiction series of all time. CS Lewis masterfully gives us insight into the heart of Christ and our relationship with him through the figure of Aslan. The tales teach us unforgettable truths about us about friendship, courage, and redemption.

Lewis brilliantly captures the weight of our sin against God. The figure of Aslan helps us see the price Christ paid to atone for our wrongdoings. Near the conclusion of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe we watch an interaction that gives us insight into the cost of our sin. “’Please—Aslan,’ said Lucy, ‘can anything be done to save Edmund?’ ‘All shall be done,’ said Aslan. ‘But it may be harder than you think.’” And indeed it was. The price of Aslan’s life is required to bring about Edmund’s forgiveness.

But, Aslan gets another dimension of forgiveness wrong.

Allow me to set the scene.

A party of Narnians sent by Aslan has just rescued Edmund from his imminent death at the hand of the White Witch. Edmund ended up in the clutches of the White Witch because of his pride, longing for power, and hunger for Turkish delight. His betrayal of his brother and sisters and Aslan himself will endanger all of Narnia and ultimately cost Aslan his life.