In a string following the announcement and final confirmation that Meryl Streep will be acting in Greta Gerwig's Narnia adaptation, the topic of the theological soundness of a female voiced Aslan was raised, and quite quickly gathered a few interested Narnia lovers. But as theologically discussion is not exactly appropriate for news strings, I thought we might move that discussion here.
So, the question is this: Would a female Aslan be theologically sound? If you have an opinion on the matter, (especially if you can bring some more scripture to the table), please set out your argument below.
A final note. I am hoping we can discuss this matter (which is very weighty, considering it touches on the identity of God himself) with humility, grace, and brotherly love. That said, please commence.
"I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen: not because I can see it, but because by it I see everything else." C.S. Lewis
Topic starter
Posted : March 20, 2026 11:14 am
Well, the main argument some Christians (or wouldbe Christians) make that God wouldn't mind being addressed as or thought of as female is that God only describes itself as male in the Bible because that was the only way patriarchal Middle Eastern culture could comprehend him/her. From a biblical perspective, I don't think this argument holds up to much thought.
There have been plenty of cultures, including ones, such as ancient Greece, in which women had few rights, that believed in goddesses. Isis. Ishtar. Asherah. Athena. The list goes on. It's a huge assumption to assume that Abraham just wouldn't have been able to accept God being female.
And even if it were true...the Bible doesn't really portray God as trying to make Himself acceptable to human beings. His tendency is to give ultimatums to human beings who displease Him and wipe them out or otherwise severely punish them if they won't comply. If the God of the Bible hadn't wanted to be thought of as male, "she" would have let humanity know in no uncertain terms.
Of course, that's arguably different from the topic of whether a female Alsan would be theologically sound since Aslan is a fantasy character.
This post was modified 16 minutes ago by Col Klink
For better or worse-for who knows what may unfold from a chrysalis?-hope was left behind.
-The God Beneath the Sea by Leon Garfield & Edward Blishen check out my blog!
Posted : March 20, 2026 12:05 pm
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