The Trinity
Or The Triangle of Life?
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all."
-2 Corinthians 13:14 (NIV)
Below is a diagram of the Christian Trinity. This is the ideology that there is one Godhead who dwells in three beings: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
In The Lion King, there are clear representations of each of the three members in the Godhead. Because God dwells in all three persons, it is comparable to, if not a circle, then the triangle of Christian life.
Simba
Mufasa
Spirit of
Mufasa
God the Father
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort,"
-2 Corinthians 1:3 (NIV)
Mufasa is representative of the Father figure in the Christian trinity for several reasons. Not only is he the biological father of Simba, comparable to how God is the father of Jesus Christ, but he is also a King and powerful figure to all of the Pride Lands, just as God was. After his tragic death, Mufasa becomes symbolic of God, as he is depicted as though he is in heaven, looking down over his son and his people from the clouds/sky. In Christian belief, God is also in heaven and watches over us from above. Mufasa symbolizes God the heavenly Father in that exists as an an immanent being.
God the Son
God the Holy Spirit
No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known."
-John 1:18 (NIV)
"The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit."
-John 3:8 (NIV)
Simba, the son of Mufasa, represents the Son of God, Jesus Christ. After Mufasa's death, Simba embodies his father on the land similar to how Jesus did once God died and went to heaven. This is especially evident when Simba grows into an adult and realizes how much he resembles his father. Everyone who knew Mufasa initially mistake him for his father as he returns and, at the beginning of the second movie, The Lion King II, a song titled "He Lives In Me" is played. This is yet another symbol of how his father, like God the Father in Christianity, lives within each of their son's hearts.
Rafiki's gift of spirituality is a representation of God the Holy Spirit. The leaves and other particles that blow in the wind are comparable to how the Holy Spirit is also everywhere. Rafiki is able to feel and interpret these things as they come his way through the wind. He is able to grasp these different drifts of scents, signals, particles, etc. and use them to provide guidance to both the Father and Son (Mufasa and Simba). When he finds Simba, he insists that his father, Mufasa is alive and guides him - he is like "the way, the truth and the life; no one comes through the father except through him" (John 14:6)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"
-Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
This fan video depicts how the theme of Trinity is represented throughout The Lion King. Pairing several clips from the film with the Christian worship song "How Great is Our God" by Chris Tomlin demostrates the close comparison between Mufasa, Simba and Rafiki with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
"Exhalt the Lord our God and worship at his footstool; he is holy."
-Psalm 99:5
Additionally, there is a "ceremony" held at the beginning of the movie where Rafiki performs a ritual that is comparable to a Christian baptism (a tradition where an individual, usually a child, is dedicated back to the church by having water sprinkled on their forehead or full immersion in water). Rafiki, who represents God the Holy Spirit, spreads a liquid across Simba's, who represents God the Son, forehead and proceeds to take him him from the arms ofMufasa, who represents God the Father, and raises him up toward the heavens in an act of dedication.
Furthermore, as shown in the above video clip, all of the animals across the entirety of the Pride Lands both praise and bow to Simba in a manner of worship and honour. This is yet another Christian theme that presents itself throughout the movie, as animals are depicted numerous times bowing to the King at the given time.
Other Christian Themes Present in
The Lion King:
Ceremony/Baptism:
Sacrifice:
"Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends."
-John 15:13
Mufasa loves his people so much that he is willing to risk his life for them on numerous occasions. His final attempt to do good for his son, and therefore his people, results in him falling to his death and leaving Simba without a father. He gave his own life for his son Simba, which shows the ultimate action of love, just like that of Jesus.
Angels
"For it is written:
‘He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’ "
-Luke 4:10-11
After Simba runs away from the Pride Lands, he finds himself lost and alone in the desert. Almost as though it were an answer to his prayers, Timon, a meerkat, and Pumbaa, a warthog, find Simba and join him along his journey. They teach him everything he needs to know as he grows up to be an adult Lion and are comparable to angels in Christianity, who are believed to be messengers from God to help you along the way.
Resurection
"But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep."
-1 Corinthians 15:20 (NIV)
