Your points about Aslan and Eustace's relationship to him and to a higher being here are very valid. To turn a well trod argument on its head, Spare Oom God is just a theory and to Eustace the scientist, the proofs aren't very convincing given how screwed up it all is. He believes in Aslan because he has seen Aslan and witnessed his power.

And just by the by, being at odds with the Church as Institution makes perfect sense, see, e.g., liturgical changes.

Someone just pointed out in teh comments to Chapter 12 that she's really not sure about my Lucy characterization -- she likes it, but I think it's reading OOC for her. The Lucy as written here is, first and foremost, valiant and fearless. I see her as very much a soldier for Aslan, saint and crusader, and just fierce and open and without guile. She's terrifying. But I really like your observation that she will see Eustace as having to experience Aslan for himself. This ties in a bit with Digory's own Franciscan views of a very personal relationship with God. When you have that personal relationship and when, in Digory's case, you see the creator in everything, it's really hard to think of the creator in any way limited or in need of being channeled through institutions.

OK tired now and bed. Thanks so much for the commentary. it's VERY helpful.