Episode #207
Greta Gerwig's Narnia, Art, Religion, Control and Curiosity
Greta Gerwig’s upcoming Narnia adaptation has generated plenty of conversation, particularly around the reported casting of Meryl Streep as the voice of Aslan. Rather than deciding whether that interpretation is right or wrong, Justin uses the controversy to ask a larger question: What happens to art once the artist releases it into the world? Justin shares the story of artist Laura Van Daren’s “Truth Scope” and her realization that an audience’s experience of her work becomes part of the work itself. He also remembers meeting someone whose deeply personal interpretation of one of Justin’s songs bore little resemblance to what Justin originally intended. From there, he looks at Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” Jeff Buckley’s interpretation of it, and Johnny Cash’s transformation of Trent Reznor’s “Hurt.” The conversation eventually returns to Narnia and the particular intensity surrounding interpretations of religiously significant art. Justin considers why Christians can become protective of Narnia, the difference between Aslan and the Jesus to whom Aslan points, and even the multiple ways Christians already engage sacred scripture, from historical and exegetical study to practices like Lectio Divina. The question underneath it all is about posture. Can we become more curious about what an artist is exploring before deciding what their work means? Can we leave room for another person’s spiritual and creative journey? And can we trust that a new interpretation won’t destroy what we already love? Links For Justin: Read Justin's Substack Order In The Low - NEW Book with Scott Erickson Coaching with Justin Order In Rest - New Book of Poems Order Sacred Strides JustinMcRoberts.com Support this podcast NEW Single - Let Go NEW Music - Sliver of Hope NEW Music - The Dood and The Bird The Book - It Is What You Make it Hearts and Minds Amazon Barnes and Noble
