We who preach the gospel must not think of ourselves as public relations agents sent to establish good will between Christ and the world. We must not imagine ourselves commissioned to make Christ acceptable to big business, the press, the world of sports or modern education. We are not diplomats but prophets, and our message is not a compromise but an ultimatum. A.W. Tozer
Therefore let God-inspired Scripture decide between us; and on whichever side be found doctrines in harmony with the word of God, in favor of that side will be cast the vote of truth. --Basil of Caesarea
Once you learn to discern, there's no going back. You will begin to spot the lie everywhere it appears.

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service. 1 Timothy 1:12

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

The Darkness of "Twilight"

There are many Christians sending/allowing their children to see this movie without hesitation. Christianity Today on their web site movie reviews actually gave this movie what reads to be a very positive review, as if it is all fun and romantic. I e-mailed CT my concerns that they did not recommend against this movie and I was given the usual complaint of being “judgmental” and even that I was making “blanket decisions for everyone.”

My point is this: the Bible says we are to avoid and expose the deeds of darkness, and that we are to avoid sexual immorality. Yet this movie’s theme was sexual tension between the vampire - a demonic being - and the 17-year-old girl, and no one seems to have a problem with the fact that this girl aggressively initiated sexual relations with the vampire and only remained chaste because he pulled away out of fear of hurting her. Somehow this has gotten to be a great teaching for abstinence!

Of course there’s the other problems, such as the girl saying she doesn’t care that he is a killer and dangerous, that she is willing to be eternally damned as a vampire with him, that it’s okay for a man to be stalking you and showing up in your bedroom while you sleep. There were so many bad messages that there is no way I can see any value in this film, regardless of the Christian reviewers who make a big deal of the family unity of the vampires.

Another blogger brought to my attention about how the Christian Stay at Home Moms blog removed all comments that spoke against Twilight because they thought it was a great movie. My suggestion for these CSAHMs is to spend their time delving more into the Scripture rather than promoting the “fruitless deeds of darkness.”

Making "blanket decisions for everyone” is not what we do when we warn against things that are spiritually harmful to the flock. We don’t say you “can’t” see this movie, we just tell you the harmful messages it presents and then say that is why you “shouldn’t” see this movie. My authority would be passages such as Proverbs 4:23, Psalm 101:3 and Ephesians 5:11-12.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thank you, Brother Glenn, for standing for Truth!

The souls of our children are at stake and these Christian mothers are reading/watching this trash!

Lord, revive their hearts!

~Yvonne

Comrade-D said...

You know how it is, Glenn. Most people like to be on BOTH sides of the fence.
Keep up the good work.

Marie said...

How did I miss this post? Hmm. Well, I haven't seen the movie and won't; it sounds like an utter waste of time. If even a fraction of what you said is true (and I'm sure it all is), I would not want my kids watching it, either. I am surprised, though, that it got a favorable endorsement in a Christian magazine; although now that I've typed that, no it doesn't. I've seen a lot of people, places and things *cough Richard Foster cough*

CSAHMs endorsing vampire movies? Isn't this the same crowd that gets bent out of shape that I let my kids dress up as Eeyeore and Princess for Trick or Treating?

Glenn E. Chatfield said...

Hi Marie!

Well, I didn't want to see this one any more than I wanted to see the "Passion" movie, but when one does apologetics sometimes you have to bite the bullet!

Anyway, I did my first post on my social issues blog:
http://sanityinanupsidedownworld.blogspot.com/2008/12/two-movies.html

I contrasted "Twilight" with "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" and the respective messages. After reading more and more about Christians praising this movie, I just had to do a post on this blog also!