C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe Celebrates 75th Anniversary

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The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, the classic children’s book written by renowned Christian author and apologist C.S. Lewis, is celebrating its 75th anniversary this fall. The book, first published in 1950, is the first of seven books in Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia series, CBN News reported. The story follows four siblings — Peter, Susan, Edmund, and Lucy — who are evacuated during World War II to the countryside, which takes them to the fantasy land known as Narnia. There, they encounter the evil White Witch, who lures Edmund away, only for him to be rescued by Aslan, a male lion who is considered to be an allegory of Jesus Christ. Dr. Christina Crenshaw, a professor at Arizona Christian University who teaches courses on Lewis, noted how Lewis was able to convey powerful truths in his book through imagination.

"He would tell these biblical allegories through his science fiction and through Narnia," Crenshaw explains. "It would invite children into a world where they could see goodness and truth and get to know God as Creator in a way that lasts for generations."

"As kids start to engage the story, they realize this is spiritually forming them," she added. "The characters are not flawless, but the overarching theme is redemption—a Savior who comes to restore and reclaim what has been lost."

In honor of the 75th anniversary, prominent publisher HarperCollins has launched a major campaign including bookstore events, new series cover designs, as well as enhanced marketing and educational efforts. Meanwhile, the Museum of the Bible in Washington, D.C., recently staged a theatrical production of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe, produced by Logos Theatre, that ran from August to October.

"Kids love it. Adults love it. Grandparents love it," the museum’s president, Stratton, says. "There's a beautiful simplicity to it, while still having so many layers of truth."

At the present time, the museum is hosting "Myth That Became Fact", an exhibit chronicling Lewis’ journey from atheism to faith. Lewis went on to become one of the most influential writers of the 20th Century, publishing numerous books, including Mere Christianity, an apologetic which was adapted from his BBC radio broadcasts about the Christian faith.

Photo credit: ©GettyImages/E. Charbonneau / Staff

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Milton Quintanilla is a freelance writer and content creator. He is a contributing writer for CrosswalkHeadlines and the host of the For Your Soul Podcast, a podcast devoted to sound doctrine and biblical truth. He holds a Masters of Divinity from Alliance Theological Seminary.