For the benefit of the other articles I included this section is devoted to brief summaries of novels, how they relate to religion The order of the series is debated with The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe being released first but, The Magician’s Nephew chronologically comes first and some believe the series should be read in chronological order rather than in the order they were released, including Lewis, comes first.
1. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: Taking place during the Second World War, the Pevensie children (Susan, Peter, Edmund, and Lucy) are evacuated from the city of London to the countryside for safety. Here they live with Professor Digory Kirke, an older gentleman living in a large Edwardian style house. The children explore the house, and Lucy stumbles upon a secret passageway in a wardrobe that leads to Narnia. The children all go to Narnia, a land of anthropomorphic animals, and meet Aslan, a lion who is also the leader of Narnia. They learn that there is a war taking place against the evil White Witch. Aslan sacrifices himself for the greater good, but the war still takes place. The children help the animals in the war and Aslan return, so they win. The Pevensie children become the kings and queens of Narnia and lead the country until they’re into their adulthood, before returning to Professor Burke’s house where only part of a day has passed where in Narnia almost a lifetime has passed.
Religious Relevance: The crucifixion and resurrection.
Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia: Detailing the Pevensie children’s second trip to Narnia, where they come to the aid of Prince Caspian, heir to the throne of Narnia who has been usurped by his uncle. First, they must get to him, following a very difficult path Lucy believes she sees Aslan, though the other’s do not believe her. Aslan comes to Lucy and insists she must convince everyone to follow his path. They agree and make it to Caspian to aid him in battle against his uncle, eventually winning making Caspian the rightful king of Narnia and his uncle’s followers transfer their loyalty to him. The Pevensie’s the return to London once again.
Religious Relevance: Restoration of Religion
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: Edmund and Lucy Pevensie return to Narnia without their older siblings, this time their cousin Eustace comes with them. They are again aiding Prince Caspian with a task, to sail across the world on the ship the Dawn Treader to find the seven lost lords that were excommunicated under his uncle’s rule. Through their perilous journey they face countless obstacles, upon their return Reepicheep, Lucy, Eustace, and Edmund are sent by Caspian under the order of Aslan to the edge of the world. Their Aslan appears as a lamb and then transforms into his true form telling the children they will never return to Narnia, and that at home in England they know him by another name.
Religious Relevance: The Spiritual Life
The Silver Chair: Eustace returns to Narnia alongside his classmate Jill, to search for Prince Caspian’s son Prince Rilian who disappeared many years ago. They travel across Narnia in search of the Prince, eventually going to the Underland meeting a man tied to a silver chair who appears to be insane but release him from his enchantment and learn he is the Prince they have been looking for. Trapped in the chair under and enchantment by the Green Lady, who then attempts to bewitch them all but fails when her fire is extinguished. They return to Prince Caspian’s side right as he is dying, and Rilian is declared the true King. Eustace and Jill are returned to a stream where they first met.
Religious Relevance: The continuing war on darkness
The Horse and His Boy: Taking place during the reign of the Pevensie’s reign at the end of The Lion, the Witch, and The Wardrobe. Shasta is the lead character raised as a Calormene by fisherman who found him as a baby. After being sold to a new master he meets the master’s horse Bree who speaks to him, who convinces Shasta to escape the cruel treatment of his new master in Narnia. As they run away they meet a girl, Aravis and her talking horse, Hwin, who are also running away so the girl will not be married off to a person she doesn’t love. While they are escaping they meet Narnians who are trying to escape to prevent a forced marriage for Queen Susan with a Calormene. There is a fight and it seems like our runaway’s may not make it out until relief from Narnian army comes to their aid. Shasta then learns he is a long-kidnapped Prince who was prophesized to save Archenland, Shasta and Aravis marry and their son, Ram, becomes king of Archanbald.
Religious Relevance: Conversion of another.
The Magician’s Nephew: The origins of Narnia, where Aslan creates the world and how evil enters this utopia. Digory and Polly meet while playing in their gardens and discover a magic ring in Polly’s uncle’s office which causes them to travel to Charn. Where they stumble upon ruins, and ring magic bell that awakens and evil with, Jadis, who killed every living thing in Charn. They realize the danger and attempt to flee by using the magic ring, but Jadis follows them back to England. Where she no longer retains her magic but, starts ordering Polly’s uncle to do her bidding. While trying to get Jadis back to Charn the children accidentally take her to a void where universe is waiting to be created, they then witness Aslan create the world of Narnia, Jadis flees back to Charn. Aslan gives Digory instructions to retrieve an apple and plant it in Narnia, but when confronted with the apple the smell tempts him to consume the apple, he overcomes this and fights of Jadis once more to plant the apple in Narnia.
Religious Relevance: The creation of the world, and the evil entering the land.
The Last Battle: The end of Narnia, Eustace, Lucy, Edmund, Peter, and Jill return to Narnia. To save it from the ape, Shift, who along with a donkey named puzzle impersonated Aslan and started a war to end all wars between the nations of in Narnia. The war takes place with disastrous results, the kings and queens of Narnia witness the end of all that has been, the living and the dead gather to be judged by Aslan where the faithful will enter into his country. When it comes to the children Aslan alerts them to the fact that they have already all died in a train crash with Susan being the only remaining Pevensie child. He says that this revelation is the beginning of a true story which goes on forever and each chapter is better than before.
Religious Relevance: The antichrist, and the last judgement.
