EPISODE 0369 | Netflix’s Female Aslan: Why the Narnia Remake points to a Different Jesus
THESE NOTES ACCOMPANY EPISODE 0369
How should Christians think clearly when headlines, politics, entertainment, and even people claiming Christianity are telling competing stories about what is true? In this Culture Review episode, Pastor Stephen, Pastor Nate, and Pastor Daniel tackle rising fuel costs, the cultural battle over The Chronicles of Narnia, religious liberty, assisted suicide, the theology surrounding James Talarico, and the ongoing war in Israel and Gaza. Through it all, the conversation comes back to one central challenge: Christians need biblical truth, an understanding of history, and the courage to apply both to the world around them.
Main Topics Covered
✅ Texas fuel prices and the economy — The pastors discuss rising diesel prices, Governor Abbott’s response, and why fuel costs reach far beyond what people pay at the pump into transportation, groceries, and the broader economy.
✅ The battle over The Chronicles of Narnia — The conversation turns to changes surrounding Aslan in the new adaptation and why the hosts believe altering a character intentionally connected to Christ changes something central to C.S. Lewis’s story and its presentation of sacrifice, redemption, and resurrection.
✅ Religious liberty in your own home — A case involving a religious gathering in a private home raises a larger conversation about the First Amendment, government authority, and the freedom to gather for prayer and worship.
✅ Assisted suicide and the meaning of compassion — Catholic sisters challenging New York’s assisted-suicide law lead to a discussion about conscience protections and the sanctity of life. The pastors argue that true compassion means caring for people who are suffering rather than intentionally causing death.
✅ Why Christians have to know what they believe — Clips involving a pastor connected to James Talarico prompt a deeper theological discussion about the authority of Scripture, the historicity of Jesus, the virgin birth, the nature of God, and Christ’s death for sin.
✅ Old heresies in modern language — The pastors point out that many supposedly new objections to Christianity have been debated throughout church history, making knowledge of Christian doctrine and history increasingly important.
✅ Biblical conviction before political affiliation — Rather than allowing a party or political personality to determine what Christians believe, the episode argues for beginning with Scripture, understanding history, and then evaluating policy.
✅ Israel, Gaza, and discernment — The final discussion focuses on competing narratives surrounding the war, disputed reporting about journalists in Gaza, and the need to examine sources rather than reacting solely to emotionally powerful headlines.
Key Takeaways
Biblical discernment requires more than reacting to headlines. Christians should begin by asking what Scripture says, understand the historical context, and then determine how those truths apply to present-day issues.
What you believe about Jesus matters. Christianity cannot be separated from foundational claims about who Jesus is, His incarnation, His death for sin, and the authority of God's Word.
Know Christian history. Many attacks on historic Christianity aren't new. Understanding how Christians have answered them before helps believers recognize old ideas when they reappear in modern language.
Compassion must remain grounded in truth. Calling something compassionate does not automatically make it so; Christians should evaluate cultural language through a biblical understanding of human dignity and life.
Political convictions shouldn't replace biblical convictions. The episode challenges believers to know why they believe something rather than simply adopting the position of their preferred political side.
Christians should be equipped to have conversations themselves. The goal isn't simply to hear someone else address cultural issues, but to learn how to reason through them and engage people in everyday life.
Don't let constant media consumption create hopelessness. The episode closes by encouraging listeners to put down the phone, engage real people, stay connected to church, and remember that God has intentionally placed believers in this moment.
Key Scriptures
📖 John 1:1
Used in the discussion about the authority of Scripture and the identity of Jesus: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”
📖 2 Corinthians 11:4
Referenced as a warning about accepting a “different Jesus,” a different spirit, or a different gospel.
📖 Romans 1
Discussed in connection with distorted thinking and the danger of exchanging God's truth for a false understanding of good and evil.
📖 Acts 5:29
Used in the assisted-suicide discussion to emphasize that obedience to God ultimately stands above obedience to human authority.
📖 Romans 10:9
Referenced to reinforce that what we believe and confess about Jesus matters eternally.
📖 Genesis 12:3
Referenced in the discussion about Israel and the biblical framework the pastors believe Christians should begin with when thinking about the nation of Israel.
Resources
The Better Planner™ is a personal planner designed by Pastor Stephen to help you map out all the different aspects of success and personal growth on your way to better.
The foundation of the Better Planner™ is the practice of defining and reaching your personal vision. The other principles for growth all integrate with and flow out of this essential step. As you develop and record the insights you receive from God and His design for your life, the Better Planner™ will lead you through a step-by-step process to become better.
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