Dragon Lessons
Hans was fighting dragons this morning. He’d come running to me, ask me where the dragons were, then run to get them, then run back to me to ask where the next one was. I absolutely love it. A little boy about the same age of a family we had dinner with in college after we were just married did the exact same thing — and that’s when Matt and I knew we wanted boys. :) God blessed the desire of our heart, and we have one dragonslayer and one trusty squire (knight-in-training).
This is one area where literature and story knowledge is brought to bear. My boys will never suffer as Eustace, from not being told the right stories. He will know not to hoard treasure and not to take treasure without keeping a wary eye for sleeping dragons. He will know to stick his sword through the dragon’s mouth. He already understands that dragons are, by definition, bad guys (this is biblical), and that he, as a good guy (because God has made him a good guy) will win the ultimate victory (sometimes the dragon hurts him and he falls, but rises again to fight until the dragon is conquered). I tell him that he killed the dragon because God is with him.
Biblically and historically, dragons are symbolic of Satan, sin, and evil. These are things to be conquered, and I am raising conquerers. Historically and literarily, dragons hoard treasure, breath fire, and — when they can speak — they are crafty. Do not let a dragon’s words sway your opinion, do not let a love of treasure turn you into a dragon, do not be frightened for you have the victory. Go forth ahead of your lady (Mommy) or the weak (baby brother) to defend them and protect them.
Men who follow Jesus Christ, the dragon-slayer, must themselves become lesser dragon-slayers. And this is why it is absolutely essential for boys to play with wooden swords and plastic guns. Boys have a deep need to have something to defend, something to represent in battle. And to beat the spears into pruning hooks prematurely, before the war is over, will leave you fighting the dragon with a pruning hook.
The Christian faith is in no way pacifistic. The peace that will be ushered in by our great Prince will be a peace purchased with blood. As our Lord sacrificed Himself in this war, so must His followers learn to do.
Boys must learn that they are growing up to fight in a great war, and they must consequently learn, as boys, to be strong, sacrificial, courageous, and good.
-Doug Wilson, Future Men
