Lord, Forgive Us Our Cinema: Finding Faith in the Circle of Life

Photo of screen from The Lion King (1994) © Disney. Used under fair use for criticism, commentary, and review purposes on christianpodcast.com.

Episode Published Originally: June 25, 2025

The Lion King Through a Spiritual Lens

In this episode of Lord Forgive Us Our Cinema, we turn our eyes to Disney’s The Lion King — a film often remembered for its music and animation, but one that quietly carries profound spiritual truths about identity, repentance, and restoration.

At its heart, The Lion King asks a question as old as Scripture itself: Who are you, and will you live into the calling placed on your life?

Remember Who You Are

Simba’s journey is not just one of physical exile, but spiritual forgetfulness. After tragedy and guilt drive him from Pride Rock, Simba adopts a new way of life — carefree, detached, and unburdened by responsibility. “Hakuna Matata” becomes more than a motto; it becomes a shield against grief, calling, and truth.

Spiritually, this mirrors what happens when we run from our God-given identity. Like Simba, we often mistake avoidance for peace. But faith teaches us that freedom without truth is fragile.

Mufasa’s words echo like a divine reminder: “Remember who you are.” In many faith traditions, this mirrors God’s continual call to His people — a reminder that identity precedes action, and that we are never defined solely by our failures.

Guilt, Repentance, and Grace

One of the most powerful faith-aligned moments in The Lion King is Simba’s confrontation with his past. Scar convinces him that his sin is final and unforgivable — a lie that feels painfully familiar. Shame isolates. Accusation distorts truth. Fear convinces us we are beyond redemption.

Yet the film offers a grace-filled counterpoint: the past can be faced without being the final word.

Rafiki’s wisdom is deceptively simple: “It doesn’t matter. It’s in the past.” Not because the past didn’t matter — but because it does not get the last word. In faith, repentance is not about punishment; it’s about restoration.

The Cost of Avoiding Our Calling

While Simba hides, the kingdom suffers. Pride Rock becomes barren, and Scar’s reign shows what happens when leadership lacks moral grounding.

This reflects a core spiritual truth: when the called refuse to lead, the vulnerable pay the price. Faith is never meant to be private escapism — it is relational, communal, and deeply tied to responsibility.

Simba’s return is not triumphant because he feels ready — it is triumphant because he finally chooses obedience over fear.

Redemption Restores More Than the Individual

The beauty of Simba’s restoration is that it heals more than just himself. When he takes his rightful place, life returns. The land flourishes. Order is restored.

This echoes a deeply biblical principle: right relationship brings renewal — not only inwardly, but outwardly. Redemption always ripples.

The circle of life is not merely a natural cycle in the film; it becomes a spiritual metaphor for death, rebirth, humility, and hope.

Why This Story Still Matters

The Lion King endures because it speaks to something eternal. We all wrestle with shame. We all forget who we are. We all long for forgiveness that doesn’t erase responsibility but redeems it.

In revisiting this film through a faith-based lens, we’re reminded that cinema — even animated cinema — can reflect sacred truths. Stories like this invite us not just to watch, but to examine our own lives.

Where have we been hiding?

What truths are we avoiding?

And what would it look like to finally go home?

🎙️ Listen to the full episode of Lord Forgive Us Our Cinema for deeper discussion, humor, and reflection on faith and film. https://open.spotify.com/episode/1BZb8KEnogEfCBRiMtqhqY?si=A7vtrutiRraQdiTvbHQeCg