Photo of Robert Pattinson from Wikipedia
A Christian Look at Twilight
With the MTV MVA New Moon trailer leak today (see video below for the"official" New Moon preview), I thought it was time to take a look at the Twilight books and movies from a Christian perspective. The Twilight series books (and movies) by Mormon mother Stephanie Meyer, have been the focus of much controversy in Christian circles. Are the books demonic and evil or are they a contemporary form of morality play?
Vampires and Werewolves, Oh My!
The Twilight books are about vampires and werewolves, which turn off many Christians who feel that by default, the Twilight series must be occult and dark. There is no doubt the Twilight books deal with dark issues, but the books also revolve around deep spiritual issues including virtue, conscience, temptation, abstinence and the condition of the soul.
Twilight's Edward Cullen - A Classic Hero
Twilight's teenage vampire Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) is a handsome, brooding, hero much in keeping with old Bronte sisters and Jane Austin novels. Edward could be a demonic villain, but he makes a conscious decision to put aside his powerful desires to become a better, more "human" being. This is what makes Edward the hero in Twilight - his innate sense of right and wrong, his concern for his soul, and his willingness to pursue what is right, even if he suffers greatly in doing so.
"A Thing Without a Soul"
Edward, who is himself forever 17, falls in love with 17-year-old Bella Swan while battling his overwhelming urge to kill her and drink her blood. In Twilight, Edward puts distance between himself and Bella to keep away from temptation. In New Moon, Edward moves a continent away because he is afraid he is putting Bella's life and soul in mortal danger. By this time, Edward is as much concerned for Bella's soul as he is his for his own. Although Edward recognizes his dark nature and fears that as a vampire he is "a thing without a soul," he is in a group of vampires who have made the decision to be more than just the sum total of their urges and desires. The struggle is hard for Edward because he is so drawn to Bella, and because she eventually wants to join the vampire family to be with Edward.
Is Edward a Stalker?
Much has been made out of the early pages of Twilight where Edward watches Belle while she sleeps. Yes, it is kind of "stalkerish," but those pages show Edward's struggle. Without those scenes Edward rises too easily above his temptation.
Twilight's Bella Swan - Average Girl
Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) is an average girl who sees herself as a klutz and a loner. She discovers her strengths and inner beauty through the eyes of the teenage vampire who loves her. For Bella, Edward is a powerful temptation. As a vampire Edward Cullen is endowed with superhuman traits she finds seductive, but Bellasees beyond that to the battle raging inside him and the innate goodness that holds him in check. That more than his physical beauty is what draws Bella to Edward. She sees the beauty of his soul - a soul Edward doesn't think he possesses any more.
Read Part 2 at: A Christian look at Twilight books and movies: Part 2 of a 2-part series (with cast slideshow)
New Moon Official Trailer
Note: This trailer captures some of the action of New Moon, but is not intended to back up my claims of Twilight's "deeper magic."
Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner at MTV Video Music Awards Tonight
The complete new New Moon trailer with Bella, Edward, werewolves, vampires and all things "New Moon" premeires tonight starting at 9 p.m. ET on the MTV Video Music Awards. Robert Pattinson, Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner will be on hand as well. Details at Twilight cast presents New Moon trailer at MTV Video Music Awards.
Comments
I'm turned off by the pedophile theme. This guy is HOW old? Why is he messing with a teenager? A lot of men get off on the idea that if they just looked younger (like vampires are lucky enough to do) they too could bag a 17 year old girl. Creepy. Angel and Buffy were just as gross.
1. Edward is forever 17
2. He doesn't "bag" Bella at 17. In fact, he doesn't "bag" her until they are married when she is legally of age.
Interesting.
All I know is that as followers of Jesus the Christ, the anointed one, we are to be like him and while he cast out demons he never dabbled in/with them. They know who he is and fear him.
Ephesians 5:11-12 tells us to "have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret."
Satan loves to lure us to his den through these avenues and will all of our emotions to get us there...seems to be working hey!!!!
WE have been warned and we should resist temptation and flee instantly lest we are sucked in to the fascination and become spiritually bound to his darkness forever.
Psalms and Proverbs will help you fight the good fight as you walk in the grace of our amazing God and Savior.
May the peace of our mighty God be with you all.
In His Service,
Christine
True story:
my kids and some of their friends wanted to see the latest movie out, which had a small amount of sex and violent scenes in it. Their argument was that there was only a small part in it, it was a great movie, that little bit of bad stuff wont hurt us........ Everyone was going to see it!!!!!
I told them I wasn't happy that they wanted to go, small is as bad as big and pointed out that they need to stand on what they believe and practice making good choices in their lives.
So I said I would think about it and that they were all to come for snacks that afternoon. I set to it and made a big pile of chocolate chip cookies and they looked great.
They all turned up ready for their treats. I set the plate down in from of them with their drinks and they all commented on how yummy and delicious the cookies looked and couldnt wait to eat them.
I told them that they could eat the whole plate but there was a catch. I had mixed a little bit of dog pooh in them. I explained that it wasn't much and it wouldn't hurt them and even though there was a small bit in them they should be great to eat.
THEY GOT THE POINT.....
They ended up having just as much fun that night with movies they could enjoy and a new batch of chocolate cookies.
Now I am angered and disappointed, plus totally amazed that there are so many discussions and accepting these topics as being ok by some Christians. If we are talking about this stuff we are totally giving satan all the glory and we aren't doing what God has warned us about. You might say "Oh but if we dont talk about it how will we know if it is ok or not" My answer to that is our creator God and has told us how to deal with it and thats to flee, have nothing to do with it. If we dont we are mocking him.
We need to make up our minds whos side we are on and stand up for what it right, good and wholesome......
Bless you all
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