Wednesday, February 18, 2009

The Theology of the Lion King

Okay. I want you to know that I haven't entirely lost my mind here. The Lion King is arguably one of the greatest movies I have ever seen in my life. It has such a powerful story about commitment to responsibilities and what happens when you try and run away from them. Simba is the prince of Pride Rock, who is so anxious to become the King like his father Mufasa. However, a family fued with his uncle Scar, turns his anxiety into fear. Scar tricks Simba into making him think he's the reason his father died. He lured Simba into the gorge and set the herd of Wildebeasts after him. When Mufasa tried to save Simba, he gave his life for his son in the process. Simba runs away after Scar makes him think its his fault. Scar tells everyone that Simba is dead, and he takes over as King, bringing the Lion's enemy the Hyenas into the Pridelands.

Simba encounters a new life in a far away place, and befriends Timon and Pumbaa, the people who make him forget who he is. "HAKUNA MATATA" is what they teach him, and he grows up with the idea of the Kingship in the back of his mind. Back at Pride Rock, without a true ruler, everything is dying. The Herds left pride rock, and no food was to be found anywhere.

Simba doesn't let Timon and Pumbaa know about who he was. It's not until Simba's best friend from childhood, Nala shows up and finds out he's alive. She tells him what happened to Pride Rock, and wants him to go back. Simba doesn't think its such a good idea, and he runs from Nala, angry that she's right, only saying to himself, "I can't go back. It won't change anything". Simba encounters Rafiki, a wise old Sage who was close with his father, and tells him about himself. Mufasa lives in you. Mufasa reveals himself to Simba and explains that he has forgotten him and must "remember who he is". Simba figures out that as the child of the king, he has responsibilities as a leader and runs back home to face his uncle and take his place.

I say all this because a lot of the time, we as believers encounter things in our past that we would rather run away from. We think that no one will ever know if we just get away and hide. By hiding, we are only covering up the truth, and we have to turn and face it. We must remember that we are children of the true King, and we have to stand and face the enemy who tries to pass off as the true king.

You can learn a lot from the movies, so whenever you have a chance, watch something good and see what you can learn from it.

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