Christ & Culture: The Twilight Saga
To be honest, I feel that writing this blog article is a waste of my time, but in light of so much buzz about the movies in Christian culture, and my open love for the books, I feel I have a responsibility to at least offer another perspective. I say “other perspective,” for most of what I hear about the series, again from Christian culture, is negative.
Where to begin... First off, this is my opinion, and my opinions, from my opinion, are often correct. Secondly, this opinion is based off of my reading, rereading, and then rereading again the book series. Regarding the movies, I have no opinion. Thirdly, I choose the right to publish this article more as a statement and not so much as a dialogue piece. Which, of course, releases me not so much from responding, but from endless dialogue. Lastly, this is not a definitive work on the subject, nor is it my full and thorough opinion. It is a statement to make you think and perhaps even read the book series before placing judgement; a judgement you have the right and responsibility as Christians to give if you speak openly negative about it . So, that’s it. Enjoy or Dislike...
To say the very least, I have been intensely disappointed with how Christians, in general, have responded to the Twilight Saga, written by Stephenie Meyer. This disappointment does not arise from an opinion that differs from my own, but from ignorant people making flippant remarks about a book they’ve never even read. (Note: I use the term ignorant in the educational sense, referring to their lack of information) The remarks I hear remind me of the people who hate John Calvin and his Calvinists without ever reading any work in which he published. It’s strange and a little embarrassing.
The Twilight saga is frowned for many reasons, to many here to try and list. There are numerous things the books present that create problems for Christians living out the message of Jesus Christ. However, do they offer more problematic issues than American Idol, Survivor, UFC, The Bachelor, and countless other television shows and movies that provide entertainment in our homes each week? This is not to validate the books by comparison, but to place them in the context of entertainment available today.
I remember when Harry Potter began to have the influence that we now see with the Twilight series. The Church seemed once again torn by differing opinions. Having never read the Harry Potter book series, I could not give an opinion and therefore could not support those who sought my condemning stance on the work. Yet even after my own research, which discovered that the magic and spells used and referenced within the book series were actual real-life witchcraft spells and therefore of the occult, I did not stand with the church.
The blanket statements and generalities that come from not reading the Harry Potter books, such as the using of spells, wizards, and dragons, is ridiculous and misses any point of criticism. The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Silmarillian, The Children of Huren, and other short stories in which J R.R. Tolkien wrote and published have the same topics. As do C.S. Lewis’ books. Yet, do we equate these works as both being condemned because of the similar fantasy themes? Most of the Christian world would agree that we should not.
I have found the same type of scenario regarding the Twilight Saga and other vampire cultures and literature. Yes, the Twilight books have vampires who drink blood, some drinking human blood and some only animal blood. Yes, there is killing in the books. Yes, there is an occasional foul word. Yet I have found in the pages of this book many positive and thought provoking ideas worth reading. I am the first to admit, it is not Christian. Without seeking to defend the work, its aim is not Christianity driven. The book is a romance...and a very good one.
Parts of the story that caught my attention immediately was the history behind the Cullen family and their “vegetarian” lifestyle. Carlisle Cullen was the son of a preacher, who in the mythical world of the books, pursued, hunted, and exterminated vampires. As Carlisle grew and embraced his call in the church, he too joined in the cause. In a pursuit one evening, Carlisle was bitten and transformed into a vampire. The story develops and we learn of Carlisle’s many years of hatred of himself, knowing what he had become, and his attempts to end his life (a near impossibility for a vampire). After months of starvation, having never killed another human being, in a moment of weakness, he attacked and killed an animal.
Carlisle learns that he can survive on animal blood and not be a killer. Though believing he is damned, he gives his life to what he formally did before he was transformed; the ministry to mankind. He becomes a doctor and uses his immortality to serve God and humanity, rather than live for himself, indulge in power, and murder incessantly to satiate his “thirst.”
This is the premise behind the drama behind Edward (Carlisle’s adopted son, whom he “saved” for companionship and the desire of Edward’s mother) and Bella. Edward is torn between being an “evil” creature, though he does no evil, being condemned to live a life of solitude and embracing the girl he is strangely drawn to. Bella sees the Cullen family as purely good, a phenomenal blessing to mankind, and embraces Edward as the boy she wants to spend the rest of her mortal and immortal life with.
There are many more aspects to the story which I cannot adequately present here that would lay before you support for an “alternative” opinion to the books. Anything can become your focus and therefore lead you away from Jesus. Ministers do it everyday with the churches and its growth, yet we do not throw out the baby with the bathwater. The same is with fantasy, in movie, book, and gaming form. Sure there needs to be supervision and caution, just as there are with firearms that can kill more than deer and driving a two ton weapon to school every morning which ends lives, everyday.
The Christ-filled life is filled with responsibility and freedoms, some of which are beneficial and some of which are not. Wisdom, life experience, and above all, the leading of the Holy Spirit guides the believer through the quagmire of this world. Be careful to not judge something out of the “noise of the masses,” just because it is what is easy to do. Gather your courage and read, research, and study to come up with your own opinion. Then, judge for yourself what you deem appropriate and what is unacceptable.
As for my opinion of the Twilight Saga; it is a fantastic piece of writing in which I enjoy reading a couple times every year. If that makes you think less of me, I do not hold it against you. ...you probably would not like my opinions on tattoos, piercings, and most other things that grade against the politically correct Christian culture in which we find ourselves living in today either. Ahhhh, I guess it’s just the way it is.
Blessings upon you.
His Alone,
Jeremiah
