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For several months, in several places I have heard a lot about a certain series. It has become extremely popular across the board. You can probably guess what that series is. Women and girls all over are ranting about it. So what's the deal? Why is it such a big thing? You know the series: Twilight. The one that glorifies vampires and werewolves. Hello? and this is popular in many Christian circles. HELLO?? Are we thinking?
To answer the question that is coming up in your mind, no, I haven't read them. However, I have read about them. Enough to know that it is glorifying things that a Christian should not be supporting. I've done some research and I want to share with you why I think the series isn't appropriate.
First, I've read that it's only a book, it's fiction... Yes, it is a story someone made up. No, it isn't a factual account. But fiction does have an effect on us. I know that I have been molded as a person by many of the books I've read. Like it or not, stories have a dramatic impact on all of us. Some, of course, more than others. Can you honestly say that you walk away from this series without any effect? You are what you eat, you are what you read. What you put in your mind will come out in your actions. We are affected so much more than we realize by what we allow in our minds. Phil. 4:8 - "Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." If something does not pass this checklist, is it something that we should be dwelling on and filling our lives with?
My second point, but a more important point: The heroine is idolizing someone other than God. Last time I checked, God wants first place in our lives!! She is even willing to give up her soul, the most precious possession we have given by God. Anytime anything comes between us and God, it has become our idol. God has said, "No other gods before Me." This commandment hasn't changed. And even in a more practical level, how much time have we spent with God and His Word in comparison with other books, especially books that don't lift us spiritually but even draw us down. Are we putting these things before God?
God should be the driving force of our lives, not a guy, no matter how attentive, respectful, cool and loving he appears to be.Thirdly, the question arises, what is good? Can something that is bad, make itself into something good? Can evil be good? These "good" vampires are deceptive. This is the idea that we can be good without being changed. There is no way without God that we can become good. And in order for us to become good, there must be a radical transformation that takes place - from the inside out. God doesn't make sinners good, He makes sinners into saints. The old has gone, the new has come. We are transformed by the blood that Christ shed on the cross for our sins. No matter how hard we try in ourselves, we can not be good. We must be changed.
Melanie M. Cogdill
Brio December 2008
So everyone is reading/watching it? Does that make it right? Do we blindly follow what the world does just because it's popular? I submit to you that the enemy isn't going to use something as a tool if it isn't attractive. It may be a good story (a matter of personal opinion), all the more reason to be careful. The more attractive something like this is, the more careful we should be about allowing it into our minds. What are we allowing to guide us?
I hope and pray that you as the reader will think about what is being put into your mind. Please pray about what you are feeding your soul. We should be focusing on the eternal. We are called to holiness, to be set apart from the world for God. We can dare to be different. to take a stand.
There are so many Scriptures that I can share to help you think. Here are several references: (if you hover your mouse over them, the verses themselves should show up)
Ephesians 5:11
Ephesians 5:13-15
3 John 1:11
1 John 4:1-6
1 John 2:15-17
1 John 1:5-8
Here also is a link to an article put out by Brio Magazine in December 2008.
ETA: Here are a couple more articles on the series - well worth the read:
Visionary Daughters
Joyfully Home
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4 comments:
I had to admit this... The first book was given to me to read by my sister. Every time we talked, she had something good to say about these books.
I just wasn't so sure about the book. I started reading it, after a couple of chapters I had to stop. I could not believe how awful I felt. The feeling that came over me was awful.
Not long after that, my son asked me about how maybe the Twilight book would be good for him to read.(He is 10) I asked him where did he hear this, he told me from off the TV.
Right then, I told him how the book may look good to read, but that it is not. I told him how the book is filled with things of Satan. I was able to turn this into a learning lesson. And how we are to stay away from things that are evil.
It's very sad, that we now have several generations of women and girls falling in love with a fictional character who is nothing short of Satan. (I hope that is said correctly, it sounded right in my head. Now that I see it on the screen, I'm wondering.)
Thank, Lori for stopping by and for taking time to leave a comment. It is so scary how quickly so many women have come to accept this series (and others like them... maybe different topics, but just as dangerous). I wonder why they didn't feel as you felt when you started the book. That is what prompted me to write this in the first place. It is so important to test everything we come across. (1 John 4:1)
Thank you for sharing your story! Many blessings (and Merry Christmas to you!) :)
I never had heard about this until recently. I rarely watch TV and have always stayed away from anything to do with vampires. The reason why is because when I was a very little girl, my mom used to watch that old soap opera called Dark Shadows. It was about a vampire and I remember seeing it one day and it scared me so bad that I began having nightmares and would wake up screaming and terrified. My mom told me years later she felt so bad about watching that show and that it had such an affect on me. It was YEARS before those nightmares finally stopped. Anyway, it's so important to be careful what you allow into your mind and it amazed me the number of Christians who got involved with the Harry Potter series.
Okay, I know this post is ages old, but I had to comment. These books are written by a member of my church, and I have heard so much about them that I am sick of them.
But I haven't read them. I'm just not interested. I really enjoyed reading your perspective on the issue, and I agree with you. I prefer to spend my time reading other things. Preferably not about vampires. :)
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