Just as the semi-biographical movie Shadowlands stirred people to reexamine the writings of C.S. Lewis, The Chronicles of Narnia did the same in 2005. According to narniafans.com, at the beginning of March 2006, The Chronicles of Narnia had earned $664 million at the global box office. C.S. Lewis displays have appeared in almost every bookstore and library. Interest in Lewis' writings is definitely on the rise.

Few could be more pleased with this development than Andrew Lazo, a Ph.D. candidate in English Literature who will be touring the country to speak on C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and issues of faith and reason. Andrew has long been concerned that the writings of Lewis have been dismissed in secular academia. "In some ways it was appalling. His writings really ruffled a lot of snobby feathers." As a Christian attending one of those universities, Andrew was always ready to bring up Lewis' writings. "C.S. Lewis was someone you could not dismiss. You could disagree, but you better come ready."

Intellectual Honesty

In the same way Andrew was concerned that Christians in the church have become ignorant of apologetics and desensitized to authors like Tolkien and Lewis. One challenge Andrew hopes to bring to churches on his speaking tour is to think carefully. "Trash TV has not produced a lot of careful thinking. We think in eight minute segments." Andrew's concern for developing intellectually rigorous Christians has motivated him to get the writings of Lewis out there for Christians to examine.

Growing up in an agnostic home, Andrew's life was not marked by faith in God. While in high school he noticed a difference in the lives of Christian students. Becoming a Christian in his household was not a popular move, but it changed his life dramatically.

After growing up in Sacramento, Andrew moved to Nashville to get involved in Christian music. He wanted to travel and soon found himself on tour as the road manager for Phil Keaggy. Andrew's job included making sure Phil was where he ought to be, working the music table, and speaking out for Compassion International. Phil and Andrew became fast friends and it was Phil's interest in the writings of Lewis that sparked Andrew's interest.

Taking Every Opportunity

As work on his dissertation allows, Andrew is traveling and speaking about C.S. Lewis and his writings. He has already spoken at two regional retreats hosted by the C.S. Lewis foundation and will be conducting his first summer institute in the states.

God has given Andrew many opportunities to share his faith on the road. A week before The Chronicles of Narnia came to theaters, Andrew had a speaking engagement in Florida. Students in a local public school were told they would get extra credit if they heard him speak. One of the parent chaperones was a Jewish woman who hung onto every word Andrew spoke. After the session the woman and her daughter stayed for 45 minutes asking questions. Andrew presented Jesus as the Passover sacrifice. At his speaking engagement the next morning, the Jewish woman and her daughter returned and brought friends to hear his presentation. That is just one of many exciting opportunities the Lord has opened for Andrew to share his faith.

Andrew considers his speaking opportunities to be his regular job. "That is when ministry happens-when you show up and do your job." Andrew uses Phil Keaggy as an example to emphasize his point. For Phil, playing a concert was his job; his ministry, however, was to his family and church. In the same way, Andrew's job is to show up and speak about Lewis. "While I am showing up for my daily work I get to share the Word daily, which is a part of being a Christian . . . getting a chance to shine whenever possible."

In addition to working on his dissertation and traveling the country speaking, Andrew is committed to working at his home church as well. He will be teaching a class on Narnia and discipleship based on Lewis' book The Horse and His Boy (HaperCollins, 1994). Throughout his life Andrew learned the importance of sharing his faith with intellectual honesty. Through that process he discovered he does not have to disengage his brain to be a Christian. "As a child Lewis sparked my imaginative life and when I became a man he saved my intellectual life."   

Susanne Dacus graduated from Pacific Christian College with a degree in Christian Education. She and her husband Brad work with Pacific Justice Institute in Citrus Heights, California. Brad and Susanne reside in Sacramento, California with their two children.

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