The name “Further” actually came from the last book of the Chronicles of Narnia. You’ll have to read it for yourself if you want to see that quote. But I believe C. S. Lewis, in all his writing, does the most fantastic job of putting not only the magic of scripture into words, but also the infiltration of that magic into our daily lives. That is the heart of “Further.” Overtime, it has been a book, it has been a podcast, and it has been a team of writers on Facebook. I may never work on this project again in writing, but it’s impact on my life is in everything I do and believe. Below I’ve pulled my favorite quote from each book in the series and paralleled it with the narrative of scripture.
“That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked at and our hands have touched—this we proclaim concerning the Word of life. The life appeared; we have seen it and testify to it, and we proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and has appeared to us. We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We write this to make our joy complete.”
1 John 1:1-4 NIV
Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.
For the Lord’s portion is his people, Jacob his allotted inheritance.
In a desert land he found him, in a barren and howling waste. He shielded him and cared for him; he guarded him as the apple of his eye, like an eagle that stirs up its nest and hovers over its young, that spreads its wings to catch them and carries them aloft. The Lord along led him.
Deuteronomy 32:7, 9-12a NIV
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
Galatians 5:16-18
I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.
Philippians 4:12-13
Look at the nations and watch-- and be utterly amazed. For I am going to do something in your days that you would not believe, even if you were told.
Habakkuk 1:5
While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:59-60
All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country that had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country- a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
Hebrews 11:13-16