The Lion King: A reflection on Biblical themes

 A few weekends ago, we watched the 2019 rendition of the all-time classic the Lion King as a family. And for the first time, I studied the key themes portrayed in the movie. There’s a saying that every artifact created by humans has a ‘smuggled’ in pointer that points to Christ and the redemptive story. The Lion King was not very different. 

 

Theme 1: Stewardship of God's Creation

 

Mufasa, the lion patriarch, patrols the pride lands with his son Simba. While the young and enthusiastic Simba wants to see how he can use his power and privileges as a prince and future king, Mufasa tells him that his primary job is to protect. The Genesis accounts of creation, tells us of how God gave us this beautiful world to protect, nurture and have dominion over. The Psalmist in Psalms 8 says, “What is man that you are mindful of him? The son of man that you take care of him. You have made him a little lower than angels (gods). Not just protect, but God’s design from the beginning and even now is to co-create this beautiful world that He has given us. 

 

During this exchange, Mufasa delivers one of the most powerful lines in the movie. He says, “While others see what they can take, a true king searches for what he can give”. Apart from being clearly redemptive (something we will see later), God’s creation keeps on giving to us. From the produce of the land to the natural resources which we can harness for our comfort, God uses His creation to give us good things. Stewarding his creation and creating with Him is a fundamental calling of every human being.

 

Theme 2: The power-hungry enemy who lies and cheats

 

The main antagonist of the movie is Scar, Mufasa’s younger brother. He is power hungry and an exploitative king (temporarily). At the outset, he believes that his rightful place is to be the king (sounds familiar?). With the birth of Simba, he is pushed further back in line to the throne. So, he begins a series of moves filled with deceit, lies, and exploits the different characters to his advantage. He tricks Simba to disobey his father. He lies to him to create the scene for Mufasa’s death. He uses the hyenas to his advantage whenever he wants. In Isaiah 14:15, and Ezekiel 28:16,17, we are told how Satan tried to grab authority over everything. He was banished from heaven because of his lust for power. And since then, he has been a manipulator, liar, thief, murderer and an eternal enemy (Gen 3,) In the words of Martin Luther, 

For still our ancient foe

does seek to work us woe;

his craft and power are great,

and armed with cruel hate,

on earth is not his equal.

We have a real enemy who’s attacks we feel on an everyday basis. And it’s key for every Christian to know their enemy and his tactics.

Theme 3: Overcoming Inadequacy with Divine Strength

 

My favourite scene in the movie is when young Simba is trapped in a cave surrounded by the hyenas who want to eat him. Simba tries to be brave and gives out the loudest roar he can, which is nothing more than a harmless purr. The hyenas mock him and ask him to try again. This time as Simba roars, his voice is superimposed by the roar of a fully grown lion. Mufasa reaches just in time to rescue Simba and scares the Hyenas away. I have felt this inadequacy several times in my Christian journey. The enemy seems powerful and I feel weak. But, the Bible tells us very clearly that we are not alone and He who is in us, is greater that he that is in the world.The battle with satan is not fought in our own strength but the God of the angel armies fights for us. John Bunyan tells this portrays this struggle that we have with evil forces in his book the Pilgrims progress as the fight with Apollyon. To quote Luther again:

 

And though this world, with devils filled,
should threaten to undo us,
we will not fear, for God has willed
his truth to triumph through us.
The prince of darkness grim,
we tremble not for him;
his rage we can endure,
for lo! his doom is sure;
one little word shall fell him.

 

Theme 4: Jesus’ redemptive sacrifice

 

This one might be a stretch. Scar lies to Simba again and makes him go to a gorge. Over here, he sets a trap for a stampede with wildebeests. Simba is in danger of being crushed to death. Mufasa runs to save his son’s life and in that process dies (Scar has a big role to play in this), He guilt trips Simba to take the blame for his father’s death and manipulates him to run away and never come back. It looks like Scar has won. The idea of an innocent one, dying in the place of a sinner is the story of redemption of the Bible. However, the Bible shows us how Jesus rose again from death. The movie tries to interweave some of the African occultic beliefs which says that the spirit that lived in Mufasa will live in Simba. So when Simba ascends the throne eventually, the story of good winning over evil can still be seen. But, like I said, this is a bit of a stretch. Yet, we see a sinner being restored and takes his place as an heir to the throne.

 

Theme 5: Victory over sin and the reign of peace

 

The climax of the movie is a battle to the death. The lions representing good and Scar with the hyenas representing evil engage in a fierce battle. This reminds us of Armageddon. While we have everyday battles and struggles, it’s going to climax at a scale that we can’t imagine. We are not sure what our roles will be then, but there is something we can be sure about. Christ will win over Satan and we will have complete victory of sin, sickness and death. The ending of the story gives us the hope and assurance that Martin Luther sang about.

 

Let goods and kindred go,
this mortal life also;
the body they may kill:
God's truth abideth still;
his kingdom is forever!

The movie finishes by showing Simba ruling the Kingdom and all the animals gathered to celebrate. It’s a picture of peace, harmony, celebration and contentment. On that day, we will experience true shalom and rule the world lovingly with Him. This give us hope and strength to fight each day yearning for that day when we will see Christ again! 

 

I am sure that more redemptive themes can be winnowed out of this movie. And tt’s beautiful to think that most artifacts created by humans, even those who don’t believe in Jesus, express their deepest longings which point back to Him. For believers, it reinforces the comforting truth that our Lion King, Jesus, reigns supreme.