Process Theology and The Lion King
The Circle of Life: A Process View of Reality
The film’s central theme—the Circle of Life—reflects the fundamental process insight that all beings are interconnected in an evolving web of relationships. Whitehead’s philosophy rejects static, isolated existence; instead, all life emerges through dynamic interdependence. The Circle of Life is not just a metaphor for ecological harmony; it illustrates how each creature contributes to the whole and how their actions ripple through the world. This aligns with Whitehead’s concept of prehension, in which every entity takes in past influences and shapes the future through creative response.
Simba’s Journey as Concrescence: Becoming Who You Are
Simba’s character arc mirrors the process notion that identity is not fixed but emerges through a series of evolving decisions. His journey is a story of concrescence—the way each moment of experience synthesizes past influences while introducing novel possibilities. Initially, Simba is shaped by his father Mufasa’s wisdom and the weight of his royal lineage. After Mufasa’s death and Scar’s manipulation, Simba retreats into Hakuna Matata, avoiding his responsibility—an attempt to halt his own concrescence. Rafiki, embodying the lure toward transformation, helps Simba recognize that his past is not something to escape but something to integrate into his becoming. The moment Simba sees his father in the sky—“Remember who you are”—is a realization that his past does not determine him but offers possibilities for his future. From a process perspective, this is an invitation to become—not through rigid fate, but through creative response to the lures of love, justice, and responsibility.
Scar and the Tyranny of Control: Process vs. Mechanistic Power
Scar’s rule reflects a mechanistic worldview, where power is about dominance, control, and self-interest rather than relational flourishing. Scar disrupts the natural balance by ruling through coercion and fear, which leads to ecological and social devastation. In contrast, process theology understands power as persuasive, not coercive—God and the world are engaged in a dance of mutual influence, rather than a hierarchy of force. Scar represents the failure of leadership that seeks personal gain rather than harmony—a false vision of kingship that must be rejected.
Mufasa as the Gentle Lure of Love
Unlike Scar’s domination, Mufasa’s leadership reflects a process-relational vision of divine power: a loving presence that guides rather than controls. Mufasa never forces Simba to follow in his footsteps but gently encourages him to grow into his potential. Even after death, Mufasa’s memory remains a lure toward Simba’s deeper self, echoing process theology’s understanding of God as an ever-present source of new possibilities, even in moments of despair.
Timon and Pumbaa: Play, Improvisation, and Escapism
Timon and Pumbaa represent an attractive but ultimately incomplete process truth: playfulness and improvisation are vital, but they should not become avoidance. Their Hakuna Matata philosophy reflects the beauty of spontaneity but also the temptation to disconnect from responsibility. Whitehead valued the creative advance into novelty, but process thought also recognizes the need for continuity with the past. Simba’s return to Pride Rock is a moment of integrating these truths—learning to embrace both play and responsibility.
The Cosmic Perspective: The Stars and Ancestry
In process theology, the past is never lost; it is taken up into the ongoing reality of the universe. This is reflected in how the film portrays ancestors and memory. Mufasa tells Simba, “The great kings of the past look down on us from the stars.” This can be read as a poetic expression of Whitehead’s idea that every moment of experience is taken up into the divine life—nothing is ever fully lost. God, as the “consequent nature of the universe,” holds all experiences, joys, and sufferings, weaving them into an ongoing story.
Redemption as a Communal Act: Simba’s Return
Simba does not redeem Pride Rock alone—his return is relational. Nala, Rafiki, and others play vital roles in calling him back. This reflects process theology’s understanding that salvation (or healing) is never purely individualistic—it always occurs within relational networks. Simba’s victory is not just personal; it restores balance to the entire ecosystem, reflecting the process idea that transformation is always communal.
Conclusion: The Lion King as a Process Drama
At its heart, The Lion King is a process theological story of growth, transformation, and relational becoming. It reminds us that life is an evolving process of creative response. Our past shapes us but does not determine us. True leadership is rooted in relational care, not coercion. Play and spontaneity have their place but must be balanced with responsibility. The divine presence is not coercive but an ever-present invitation toward deeper love and justice. The Lion King, like The Wizard of Oz, offers a compelling illustration of process theology’s vision of a world in constant becoming, where love, creativity, and responsibility shape the unfolding drama of life.
The film’s central theme—the Circle of Life—reflects the fundamental process insight that all beings are interconnected in an evolving web of relationships. Whitehead’s philosophy rejects static, isolated existence; instead, all life emerges through dynamic interdependence. The Circle of Life is not just a metaphor for ecological harmony; it illustrates how each creature contributes to the whole and how their actions ripple through the world. This aligns with Whitehead’s concept of prehension, in which every entity takes in past influences and shapes the future through creative response.
Simba’s Journey as Concrescence: Becoming Who You Are
Simba’s character arc mirrors the process notion that identity is not fixed but emerges through a series of evolving decisions. His journey is a story of concrescence—the way each moment of experience synthesizes past influences while introducing novel possibilities. Initially, Simba is shaped by his father Mufasa’s wisdom and the weight of his royal lineage. After Mufasa’s death and Scar’s manipulation, Simba retreats into Hakuna Matata, avoiding his responsibility—an attempt to halt his own concrescence. Rafiki, embodying the lure toward transformation, helps Simba recognize that his past is not something to escape but something to integrate into his becoming. The moment Simba sees his father in the sky—“Remember who you are”—is a realization that his past does not determine him but offers possibilities for his future. From a process perspective, this is an invitation to become—not through rigid fate, but through creative response to the lures of love, justice, and responsibility.
Scar and the Tyranny of Control: Process vs. Mechanistic Power
Scar’s rule reflects a mechanistic worldview, where power is about dominance, control, and self-interest rather than relational flourishing. Scar disrupts the natural balance by ruling through coercion and fear, which leads to ecological and social devastation. In contrast, process theology understands power as persuasive, not coercive—God and the world are engaged in a dance of mutual influence, rather than a hierarchy of force. Scar represents the failure of leadership that seeks personal gain rather than harmony—a false vision of kingship that must be rejected.
Mufasa as the Gentle Lure of Love
Unlike Scar’s domination, Mufasa’s leadership reflects a process-relational vision of divine power: a loving presence that guides rather than controls. Mufasa never forces Simba to follow in his footsteps but gently encourages him to grow into his potential. Even after death, Mufasa’s memory remains a lure toward Simba’s deeper self, echoing process theology’s understanding of God as an ever-present source of new possibilities, even in moments of despair.
Timon and Pumbaa: Play, Improvisation, and Escapism
Timon and Pumbaa represent an attractive but ultimately incomplete process truth: playfulness and improvisation are vital, but they should not become avoidance. Their Hakuna Matata philosophy reflects the beauty of spontaneity but also the temptation to disconnect from responsibility. Whitehead valued the creative advance into novelty, but process thought also recognizes the need for continuity with the past. Simba’s return to Pride Rock is a moment of integrating these truths—learning to embrace both play and responsibility.
The Cosmic Perspective: The Stars and Ancestry
In process theology, the past is never lost; it is taken up into the ongoing reality of the universe. This is reflected in how the film portrays ancestors and memory. Mufasa tells Simba, “The great kings of the past look down on us from the stars.” This can be read as a poetic expression of Whitehead’s idea that every moment of experience is taken up into the divine life—nothing is ever fully lost. God, as the “consequent nature of the universe,” holds all experiences, joys, and sufferings, weaving them into an ongoing story.
Redemption as a Communal Act: Simba’s Return
Simba does not redeem Pride Rock alone—his return is relational. Nala, Rafiki, and others play vital roles in calling him back. This reflects process theology’s understanding that salvation (or healing) is never purely individualistic—it always occurs within relational networks. Simba’s victory is not just personal; it restores balance to the entire ecosystem, reflecting the process idea that transformation is always communal.
Conclusion: The Lion King as a Process Drama
At its heart, The Lion King is a process theological story of growth, transformation, and relational becoming. It reminds us that life is an evolving process of creative response. Our past shapes us but does not determine us. True leadership is rooted in relational care, not coercion. Play and spontaneity have their place but must be balanced with responsibility. The divine presence is not coercive but an ever-present invitation toward deeper love and justice. The Lion King, like The Wizard of Oz, offers a compelling illustration of process theology’s vision of a world in constant becoming, where love, creativity, and responsibility shape the unfolding drama of life.