catapult magazine

A lot of churches seem to be doing Narnia-themed sermon series to coincide with the theatrical release of the film. Much has been made in the media about Disney’s marketing for the film, particularly its use of grassroots church campaigns (akin to Mel Gibson’s [i:b2484c2a69]Passion of the Christ[/i:b2484c2a69]). Indeed, it seems as though Disney has even provided churches with extended clips/trailers.

So here’s the question: are these churches simply providing relevant worship experiences or are they being manipulated by Disney to advertise (and ultimately make money for) a film?

..and I have benefitted from many of the sermon/talk illustrations I have heard using his works. And I have no problem with churches encouraging their members to go and see the film, from the pulpit even. I shy away from Narnia themed services (talks in the evenings are another matter), though, for two reasons. First, I am hesitant for any piece of media to take much, if anything, away from what is normally done in church, any church with whatever liturgical or unspoken liturgical format. Second, a subtle, or not so subtle, marriage between commerce and the church may be forged in such instances and this might prove problematic both for the sake of art and for the sake of the church, as each may want to dictate to the other in some fashion.

Incidentally, if you want a rip-roaring discussion of movie reviewers and others discussing this issue and the Narnia movie generally, here is a link:
http://lookingcloser.blogspot.com/2005/12/chattaway-greydanus-weigh-in-on-narnia.html

I saw the movie and was impressed. Disney didn’t shy away from Lewis’s overtly Christian themes, particularly substitutionary atonement. It’s a ready made sermon illustration. The problem is that the illustration is so trendy and expected that it’s hard to avoid being cliche.

I never thought about Disney’s angle in all this. I heard they are offering a trip to England with a thousand dollars spending money for the best sermon incorporating Narnia. That’s cheap advertising!