Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Jesus Is Both Good and Safe!

Jesus Is Both Good and Safe!

In his beloved Christian allegorical novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis wrote the following exchange as the children are preparing to encounter Aslan the lion for the first time:

Susan: “Is he—quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.”

Mrs. Beaver: “If there’s anyone who can appear before Aslan without their knees knocking, they’re either braver than most or else just silly.”

Lucy: “Then he isn’t safe?”

Mr. Beaver: “Safe? … Who said anything about safe? Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the King, I tell you” (New York, NY: Harper, 1950, p. 80).

C.S. Lewis later confirmed that Aslan was indeed a character intended to represent Jesus. So it is right to ask the question, Is Jesus not only good but also safe? 

C.S. Lewis has written so many wonderful things and advanced the gospel to millions, if not billions. I have personally been blessed by his writings and have grown in my own journey with God from reading what he wrote. So I wonder if this idea from a fantasy series has been taken by many to mean something Lewis never intended? Could it be that we can determine what Lewis actually meant by the lion not being safe in what he wrote at the end of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe:

But amid all these rejoicings Aslan himself quietly slipped away. And when the Kings and Queens noticed that he wasn’t there they said nothing about it. For Mr. Beaver had warned them, “He’ll be coming and going” he had said. “One day you’ll see him and another you won’t. He doesn’t like being tied down—and of course he has other countries to attend to. It’s quite all right. He’ll often drop in. Only you mustn’t press him. He’s wild you know. Not like a tame lion” (p. 182).

Could Lewis have simply meant that Jesus is the King of kings and, as sovereign, is not on our leash, that He is not ours to control, and that it is not “safe” for us to try to force Jesus to do what we want Him to do?

But is that the same as suggesting Jesus Himself is not safe, that Jesus is a source of danger and threat? I wonder if many read Lewis’ words—“He isn’t safe. But he is good”—and project in their own ideas, ones that the author never meant, ideas that come from the Dark Ages church, ideas that are based in the lie that God’s law functions like human law, imposed rules that require the rule-giver to use power to punish rule-breakers? And, therefore, while teaching that the lion is “good,” because he died to save humans, they also teach that the lion isn’t safe because the lion is required by law, by authority, by justice to use his power to inflict pain, suffering, and death upon the wicked?

This view of a punishing god comes from a human-law view of God and God’s law, a view inspired by Satan. God’s ways and laws are not like human ways and laws (Isaiah 55:8). God is the Creator of the universe. His laws are the design laws that reality itself is built upon. Breaking God’s laws are like breaking the laws of health, like tying a plastic bag over your head and breaking the law of respiration; the act of breaking the law causes the injury, inflicts the harm, and results in ruin and death.

Death does not come from God; death comes from sin, from breaking God’s design laws for life:

  • “The wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23 NIV84).
  • “Sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:15 NIV84).
  • “The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction” (Galatians 6:8 NIV84).

God is the source of life; He is not the source of death! It is “our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light” (2 Timothy 1:10 NIV84). Jesus became human “so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death” (Hebrews 2:14, 15 NIV84).

Jesus “takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29 NIV84); Jesus takes away the cause of pain, the infection of sin, the source of suffering, and the basis of death. Sin is the cause of death, and Jesus is our remedy to the sin problem and restores us to eternal life (Romans 6:23). We have nothing to fear from Jesus; we have everything to fear from sin, from our distrust of Jesus’ and refusing Him as our remedy, from believing the lies of Satan that God and His Son are not safe.

If a person is dying of a terminal disease and there is the most compassionate and loving doctor who has a cure that works one hundred percent of the time for all who put themselves under the doctor’s care and follow the doctor’s instructions, would anyone say of the doctor, “He isn’t safe, but he is good”?

If a person with a terminal condition refused the doctor’s treatment, does the doctor become their enemy? If a patient doesn’t like the taste of the medicine so they cheat and throw away the doctor’s remedy and substitute their own “medicine” that tastes good to them—will the doctor harm them? What actually happens? Is the doctor suddenly unsafe? Couldn’t it be accurately said, “It is not safe to cheat?” But does that mean the doctor is not safe?

Does the doctor injure, harm, or kill the dying patient who refuses his treatment or cheats?

Yes, Jesus is not “tame.” He is not our pet. He is not ours to manipulate, to direct, to control, to exploit, to force to perform tricks to our liking, or to demand He give us the “treatment” we want; if we try to do so, we will discover that we are not actually dealing with Jesus but with our own perverse imaginings about Him and, perhaps, even a false Christ, the White Witch pretending to be our friend. It certainly isn’t safe to try to force Jesus to do what we want.

But this is quite different from the idea that Jesus is not safe. When you think of a lion, do you feel safe or frightened? If you feel frightened, is it because you think of the lions that we see in this world of sin?

But what of the lion that God made in Eden or the lion as Isaiah describes will be in the New Earth?

“The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them” (Isaiah 11:6 NIV84).

“The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox” (Isaiah 65:25 NIV84).

Are you frightened by these lions? Which is a more accurate depiction of Jesus: a safe lion like Adam enjoyed in Eden, or the lions damaged by sin that we see in this world, lions that are ravenous beasts that kill and destroy?

It is true—we will never tame Jesus; we will never make Him our pet to control and train to do tricks for us. But Jesus is both good and safe. In fact, it is only in Jesus that we find true safety—safety from the true source of pain, suffering, and death. Jesus is our only remedy and protector from our true enemy: sin and Satan.

So, I find that Jesus is both good and safe; I hope you do also.

 

 

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 23

I would just like to add my voice to the many people who, I believe, must have contacted you to express their appreciation for the “Healing the Mind” DVDs. I’ve been listening to your Bible study class discussions for many years and I’ve been personally blessed by your research and teaching about the character of God.

L. G., Oakland, MI, USA

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA

Testimony 53

I was so blessed by a friend who gave me your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” while I was sitting in church asking God to please help me learn more about Him and help me not to be so confused and scared. That was about 2 years ago. Your books have helped me to love God even more. I’m not confused or scared anymore! I have listened to all of your bible study classes and feel like I know the wonderful people that attend every week. Thank you for all that you’re doing in spreading the true message about God and His law of love. God bless you and your whole class.

Elssy P., Modesto, CA, USA

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 7

Ok, so last night I listened to “The Law of Liberty” and “How to Achieve Victory: Freedom, Truth and Spirtual Warfare.” These are both MY ABSOLUTE FAVORITES so far! The logic is just soooooo beautiful. I had to re-listen to them a couple of times. I just want to EXPLODE! (<< we assume with joy and happiness)

N. B., Canada

 

Testimony 11

I would love to have a copy of “Healing the Mind” DVDs to have in my therapy office. I enjoy having clients check out materials to enhance their therapy experience. I have sat under Dr. Jennings’ teaching at an American Association of Christian Counselors convention and respect his work greatly.

K.B., LA, USA

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 4

I’m a youth leader in South Africa. We as a youth group are currently using a lot of the material on the Come and Reason site. Since we’ve started using the material, our youth group has grown.

R. V. N., South Africa

 

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia