A friend posted this today on my facebook page. It was written by a friend of hers:
Shedding Some Light on "Twilight"
by Andrew Strachen
"Therefore, do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light, for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth..."
- Ephesians 5: 7-9 New American Standard Bible... Read More
With the release of the second "Twilight" film, it seems our culture is going to be hooked on vampires for awhile again. That is not surprising. What was and is still quite a surprise to me, is that it should attract Christians.
Sadly, I have known so many Christian teen girls and women who have been just as allured as anyone else. I write out of compassion for them, and to give a warning.
Most people are attracted by "Twilight" because of its entertainment value. Of course, there is a thrill to creepy tales, and the romantic quality of the story. But how could that desire for entertainment run so deep as to justify supporting the very pagan and yes, satanic philosophy embedded in the series, and all fantasy of this genre? I realize Christians are not intentionally supporting this philosophy. Nonetheless, when one pays with their money and time for a medium with a certain world view - the world view itself is ultimately promoted and encouraged in our world.
Now beyond the obvious gross details of what a vampire is, for those who are still not sure if "Twilight" is something they shouldn't support,here are some deeper considerations.
A vampire is a fantasy character created to represent seduction and sadism (deriving pleasure from inflicting pain). Flip through an introduction to Dracula and you'll find this elaborated on by scholars. However, the Twilight series has sought to romanticize and perhaps sanitize these traits.
I once glanced at the back of the "Twilight" book and was shocked at the main character's statement, which basically said that even though this vampire could kill her, she's still hopelessly in love with him. In other words, the question is, are we to change our natural affection for an attraction towards the sinister? To have a strange fascination with those who might hurt us, because our feelings must be obeyed? Are we encouraging young girls to go for the "bad boy?" Or worse yet, a stalker or abusive person?
This, in fact is the goal of the devil - to take what was once repulsive and dress it up in a new light....Make it look romantic, attractive, fascinating. In fact, unless we see reality in the light of God's word, we won't see reality at all, and what is really horrifying and destructive will appear benign and harmless. That is how people get trapped, and I believe that explains the "Twilight" craze.
One last word. If somebody was going to support a story that featured the romanticizing of creatures who take people's blood, who would that be? Would we expect the same person to wholeheartedly endorse the story of the Man who gave His blood for the life of the world?
Christians, in order to be taken seriously by a watching world, need to get out of the twilight of compromise.
Shedding Some Light on "Twilight"
by Andrew Strachen
"Therefore, do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light, for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth..."
- Ephesians 5: 7-9 New American Standard Bible... Read More
With the release of the second "Twilight" film, it seems our culture is going to be hooked on vampires for awhile again. That is not surprising. What was and is still quite a surprise to me, is that it should attract Christians.
Sadly, I have known so many Christian teen girls and women who have been just as allured as anyone else. I write out of compassion for them, and to give a warning.
Most people are attracted by "Twilight" because of its entertainment value. Of course, there is a thrill to creepy tales, and the romantic quality of the story. But how could that desire for entertainment run so deep as to justify supporting the very pagan and yes, satanic philosophy embedded in the series, and all fantasy of this genre? I realize Christians are not intentionally supporting this philosophy. Nonetheless, when one pays with their money and time for a medium with a certain world view - the world view itself is ultimately promoted and encouraged in our world.
Now beyond the obvious gross details of what a vampire is, for those who are still not sure if "Twilight" is something they shouldn't support,here are some deeper considerations.
A vampire is a fantasy character created to represent seduction and sadism (deriving pleasure from inflicting pain). Flip through an introduction to Dracula and you'll find this elaborated on by scholars. However, the Twilight series has sought to romanticize and perhaps sanitize these traits.
I once glanced at the back of the "Twilight" book and was shocked at the main character's statement, which basically said that even though this vampire could kill her, she's still hopelessly in love with him. In other words, the question is, are we to change our natural affection for an attraction towards the sinister? To have a strange fascination with those who might hurt us, because our feelings must be obeyed? Are we encouraging young girls to go for the "bad boy?" Or worse yet, a stalker or abusive person?
This, in fact is the goal of the devil - to take what was once repulsive and dress it up in a new light....Make it look romantic, attractive, fascinating. In fact, unless we see reality in the light of God's word, we won't see reality at all, and what is really horrifying and destructive will appear benign and harmless. That is how people get trapped, and I believe that explains the "Twilight" craze.
One last word. If somebody was going to support a story that featured the romanticizing of creatures who take people's blood, who would that be? Would we expect the same person to wholeheartedly endorse the story of the Man who gave His blood for the life of the world?
Christians, in order to be taken seriously by a watching world, need to get out of the twilight of compromise.
