I’m sure many of you have heard of the highly popular, four-novel series, Twilight?
I had heard of it, but until I read a review about it in my Brio magazine last month, I will admit I knew very little about it. The following article by Brio magazine is an eye opener. Whether or not you have read the series, there are some topics that need to be addressed, and be told to those who may be considering reading this series, or watching the movie…
**Update** Here are two other Twilight reviews that I highly reccomend: Abstaining from Madness, and How Twilight is Re-Vamping Romance.
In the dappled sunlight in the clearing of a meadow on the edge of a forest, 16-year-old Bella Swan’s heart races as GQ-model-handsome Edward Cullen draws near to her. Edward, in love with Bella, musters every ounce of self-control not to kill her. Killing’s his first instinct—because he’s a vampire. This scene, a vivid dream of author Stephenie Meyer, sparked her imagination to write Twilight, the first book of a bestselling young-adult series.
The Phenomenon
From that original dream, Stephenie, a 30-something housewife and mom of three young boys, has birthed a four-novel series that has sent teen girls and women of every age swooning over the star-crossed love story of Bella and Edward. In fact, a movie based on the series, starring Kristen Stewart (Into the Wild) as Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson (two of the “Harry Potter” movies) as Edward Cullen, opens Nov. 21.The series has certainly appealed to a wide audience, but just because everyone’s reading it, should you? Despite the series’ surface appeal as a romance, it communicates many messages that are contrary to the Christian faith, and that’s not something you should be filling your mind with.
Truth and Relationships
God created us as relational beings, and girls in particular are created to be relational (Genesis 2-3). We tend to focus on relationships, but sometimes we make an idol out of them or fantasize over our desire for a relationship with that “perfect” guy. No guy can ever live up to the way Stephenie portrays Edward. He’s the fantasy creation of a woman writer.Bella’s obsession with Edward is wrong. She’s even willing to become a vampire herself so she can “live” forever with Edward. But how can a human ever be yoked to or be in a serious relationship with a vampire? And what’s dangerous about Stephenie’s series is that the reader, too, enters into Bella’s obsession with Edward.
If we believe in God and believe the Bible guides how we live our lives, then we know our highest priority is our love for God and our relationship with Him. God should be the driving force of our lives and not a guy, no matter how attentive, respectful, cool and loving he appears to be. The “Twilight” books don’t communicate God’s truth about relationships.
The “Twilight” series also teaches unbiblical attitudes toward authority. Bella doesn’t respect her parents. She loves them, but they come across as clueless and out of touch with what’s going on in her life. Edward sneaks into Bella’s room every night to sleep next to her, and Bella lies to her dad about it.
Talking About God
Every part of culture (books, movies, music, art and fashion) communicates the belief of the writer, musician, designer or director. The “Twilight” series is no different. It conveys specific beliefs about God. Statements about God and salvation are peppered throughout the story in a subtle way. But are they biblical?Good and evil in Twilight.Edward and his family are supposedly a different kind of vampire. The Cullens think killing humans is wrong. Even though they thirst for human blood, they abstain and instead hunt bears and large game for their blood. Stephenie’s story communicates that even though Edward is technically an evil being—he is, after all, a vampire—he tries to be good by not killing humans for food. But can an evil being ever be “good”? If he repents and reforms his ways—Beauty and the Beast, anyone?—yes, but the vampires in this series do not. They remain vampires.
Good and evil in the Bible. The Bible teaches the opposite of what “Twilight” does about goodness and salvation. Human beings are sinners. We cannot know God apart from faith in Christ’s death on the cross for our sins. Romans 3:22-24 states, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.”
Many people believe that when they die, God will allow them into heaven because they tried to live a good life and do good deeds. That is basically what the vampires of this series do; they believe that by doing “good” deeds (e.g., not killing humans), they can be saved.
But the Bible clearly teaches no one can be redeemed by good deeds. It’s only through faith in Christ that we can enter heaven and into the presence of the God. Yes, the “Twilight” story is only fiction. It’s not the Bible, but Christian readers need to be on guard to discern if spiritual statements in books, films or music match the truth of God’s Word.
An Entry to the Occult
The final book in the series, Breaking Dawn, makes a hard turn from romance into horror and the occult. Bella and Edward get married and have sex.In one extended, very disturbing scene, Bella dies and is transformed into a vampire. She gives birth to a half-human, half-vampire baby, which tears its way out of her belly with torrents of blood.
What Do You Believe?
It’s easy to think it’s no big deal to see the latest hip movie or read the books everyone else is reading and not pay attention to what those media are saying.We’re to love God with every fiber of our beings, and that includes loving Him with our minds (Matthew 22:36-38). We need to think about what fills our minds. Does it reflect biblical truth? The “Twilight” series does not. Just because the culture loves these books does not mean you should. As Scripture tells us, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
This article appeared in Briomagazine in December 2008. Copyright © 2008 Melanie M. Cogdill. All rights reserved. International copyright secured.
Filed under: Books, Movies/ TV | Tagged: Bella, Bible, blood, book, Breaking Dawn, Brio, dream, Edward Cullen, evil, God, Kristen Stewart, Melanie M. Cogdill, movie, occult, relationships, Robert Pattinson, romance, Scripture, Stephanie Meyer, Twilight, vampire
Hi Kira!!!
Wow!!! The last book sounds REALLY horrible!!!!!
I can’t believe someone would even write a book like this!!!!!
With love,
Jacob
I have heard a lot about this movie and that “every teenage girl and even their mothers across the nation want to see this movie” With much confidence and ease, my family disagrees. This movie seems to be filled with “innocent” occult ideas- which Satan will use to tempt Christians, unbiblical concepts, and just plain weird material. I haven’t seen it…nor hope too.
Thanks so much for your insightful post! I didn’t really know a lot about Twilight.
These books are a prime example of inordinate affections and one of the appearances of evil that we have to avoid.
~Victoria
Very interesting article. I’ve heard a lot about Twillight, both postive and negative, and it’s always interesting to hear others opinions about it. I’ve actually seen the movie, but haven’t read the books, and I think they are perfectly fine just like a Disney fairytale. But that’s just my personal opinion. If you feel like they are sinful and will make you trangress, stick to your gut.
Alycia
Thanks for stopping by. I just added you to my blogroll.
Alycia
Hi Kira,
Thank you so much for leaving me a comment on my blog. I love meeting my readers. =)
I never did see Twilight either – looks like a creepy movie!
Blessings,
priscilla
okay, so I am getting really GOOD at leaving comments with the wrong account..agh!
Yeah, I’ve heard quite a bit about Twilight. They seem pretty creepy to me. And as a Christian I also believe they have a distorted view on “love.” From what I have read it seems like the books are all romance and no actual love. I believe there is a difference. In a real relationship there’s both, but here I don’t think there is. This is just my opinion based on what I have read. Although, I feel like I cannot totally slam it because I have not read it (or seen it) myself.
Love,
B
I couldn’t believe the response and hype about this movie from *Christians* when it came out. They should be ashamed of themselves. There is nothing honourable or Godly about it.
It angers me to know that some Christians think it’s alright to dapple in some satanism, which vampires – clearly are.
Although, I wouldn’t trust brio’s opinion on anything.
Shalom,
Miss Jocelyn
aponderingheart.com
http://feelinfeminine.com
I agree with you on one count Miss Jocelyn. This Brio mag one of my old friends used to be obsessed with, seems to take things totally out of context. I think the Twi twi books are just fine, and I am a Christian. One thing Brio failed to mention is that there is no sex scene. “Bella and Edward get married and have sex.”- is the mag’s words. …So what? Rethink that phrase. They “get MARRIED and have sex.” What may I ask is wrong with that? They don’t do it before the wedding, and the scene closes as Bella goes outside to Edward. No sex scene. At all. Yes it talks about sex, but not details, more like how she has bruises on her arms as an accidental result, and lots of little nondescriptive things. Yes, more mature than twelve and thirteen year olds should probably be reading, but nothing God would condemn. And what is this obsession a few Christians have with it being “occult”? Harry Potter IS occult. Harry’s all about specifically condemned practices the Bible is full of warnings about. Twilight is not. Simple. The Cullens are Vampires. True. The Cullens refuse to drink human blood. True. The Cullens feed on wild animal blood. True. That is one thing I’m not sure about, as the old testament warned against it, but think about it logically and circumstantually. For one thing, when Jesus died on the cross the old covanent was fulfilled. No longer was a priest needed to intercede. No longer were we seperated from God. No priests were required, no rituals. And rules, such as touching a dead thing being taboo, seem to have gone with the old covanent. Doctors study and dissect dead humans, vets dead animals. They do not go away for a time or sacrifice something or whatever the punishment was (I should recheck on the exact punishment, sorry) anymore. I personally am not into drinking blood, but I don’t read Jesus preaching on the keeping of this old rule, nor any of his deciples. The death rule seems to have vanished as well.
Now, circumstantually. The Cullens are unwilling victems of an irreversable problem. Being turned against their will, into vampires. They hate this very much, and would do almost anything I suspect to escape it. They TRY their hardest not to be cruel, bloodthirsty monsters, and REFUSE to touch human blood (except Jasper, who is a relatively young vampire and has trouble resisting, though he to, tries his hardest) They can’t not drink blood, as the thirst would cause them to lose control and attack/kill a human being. So they are forced to feed on the blood of the wild beasts. They don’t want this, but it is their only option.
Spawn of Satan? No way. They are humans who have been, as before stated, turned into vampires against their will. They have no fear of crosses and have some in their house. (Carlisle, the “father” figure, being the son of a Catholic preacher, and has every indacation of believing in God.) Jasper, Alice, and Edward all have special gifts. THESE ARE NOT SATANIC. I actually read some Christian dissing Alice for her gift, seeing the future. She was even being accused of being a medium!!! No way! Alice is given visions of the future, she does not do anything to “call” them, or consult spirits or demons about it. In fact, no contact between any sort of Satanic entity exists in these books. The Bible even lists the gift of seeing the future. “Your young men will see visions and your old men will dream dreams”- so why should Alice’s harmless gift be seen as a threat to Christians? Edward can hear thoughts. So? He even says once he wished he could NOT hear Jacob’s thoughts, so again, an entirely unintentional gift. Jasper has the strange ability to calm anyone in the same room as him. No problems there. Carlisle is sure there is an afterlife for vampires, though Edward is afraid that by being forced into this vampire life, they have lost their souls. No occult, simply unknowing. I go with Carlisle. If you’re saved, vampire or not, you go up. Unsaved, you go down. So what is the big problem??? I’m not actually into the whole story about the werewolves and spirit stuff, the one area I skip, but that is a Native American legend. And the werewolves themselves are simply men and boys who can change into wolves in order to protect the tribe/clan against vampires. They have no connections with moon or witchcraft, or anything. Just consider this, and read the series before making judgements. If you have and still say that, I just don’t get you.
.:Sarah:.
By the way the comment from “B” was from Bronte.
Love,
bronte
Hi Kira!
I tagged you, so if you would, please participate!
Hey Kira! Just came upon your blog today, great work! Keep it up!
That’s very good! I agree with you:-). I’ve heard about Twilight from several friends who “LOVED Edward!!!!” – but after reading a couple reviews, I can’t say I got a very good impression of this masterpiece. When I came across the book in a store, I decided to thumb through it and get my very own view on the book. Well, I definitely got my view, and it wasn’t a very good one:-). I have a really hard time seeing what good they got out of the book and why they think it’s something profitable to read.
Anyways, thank you for commenting on my blog, and I’m so sorry I didn’t reply sooner! I’ve been very busy:-). Universal excuse. Always works:-). It generally is very accurate, as well. lol. Anyways, I posted some songs I had recorded of me playing the harp…if you’re interested, feel free to drop by and listen!:-)
~Nastya
I have read the Wikipedia articles outlining the novels and that is enough for me!
Hi, Cool that you posted the article! The hate mail I got from tween girls was outrageous! Some of it very misguided about wanting to fantasize about guys like Edward. Just b/c there is no sex or drugs=a good book Christian girls should read? While the writing was bad, I’ll admit the story draws you in and it’s easy to get obsessed with Edward. Going to the movie on opening night was a trip. It was not well done (I’m a movie lover and see lots of movies) and the screaming teenagers made it hard to concentrate.
Want to read a good YA book? Read The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing. M.T. Anderson rocks.
P.S. Follow me on Twitter @mcogdill
A good book!
You are amazing. God will bless you for sharing this!
You are so right and I am glad someone is standing up to tell the truth! You are wise for your years.
God Bless You!
Hi Kira,
Thank you for writing this, it really made me think. I think sometimes God speaks to us in many different ways, and I feel like God used what you wrote to help me realize that these Twilight stories aren’t any good. I did see the first movie, but now I’ve decided not to read the books or see any more of the movies. I know God allowed me to find what you wrote for a reason and I want what He wants for me.
God Bless,
Brittney
i wandered upon your blog from someone else’s.
and i was wondering, why are these books such a topic for christian criticism? clearly stephenie did not write these books from a biblical perspective, she even admits this, and that they are for entertainment purposes only.
i’ve read the books and think that some of your points from them have either been taken out of context or are heavily exaggerated.
plus everyone knows that the books are about vampires, so that should tell you right there that they are not meant to be biblical. why criticize something for not being christian literature when it was never meant to be in the first place?
I’m sorry if you thought this was criticizing the Twilight series; this was not meant to be bashing thing. My main reason for posting it, was so that other Christians would be aware of it’s content and be able to discern for themselves if they should watch it or not. Brio magazine (which is where this post came from) administers it in a way to help girls see things from a Biblical Worldview, and be able to develop convictions of their own when it comes to choosing what they should read or watch.
As Christians, we need to be pro-active instead of re-active in the things we allow into our lives. This includes the movies/TV, books…etc. There have been books and movies that I myself have chosen not to read or watch because the content I felt went against my convictions in certain areas. I don’t want to become numb to sin or tempted in areas.
I know of a family where the parents regreted exposing their children to too many movies. The father felt that they had let the world in, and now they can’t get it out. They did not preview the movies ahead of time, assuming they were fine because others they knew had watched them. I guess the things they see in their children as teenagers now, were greatly influenced by the media/movies that they watched growing up.
The Twilight series is not being criticized for not being Christian literature. It is just making others aware of the content from a Biblical Worldview.
Thank you for taking the time to comment,
~ Kira
hi kira
i just wanted to say i read these books and i think they are totally not satanic. i find the twilight saga to just be a love story and i dont see why some one would look so deep to think that a simple fantasy is satanic. i, myself enjoyed the book it did have edgy topics such as vampire and werewoles but i think we all know that they are based on fictional character. the one thing i disagree on is kissing which is a touchy matter because i have recently wanted to not kiss till the day that i say i do. i think kissing is something even christian tens find okay but anyways this isnt even a christian based book but i do thing some subjec as you mention in the last book breaking dawn arent suited for young children.
Kira,
I jst want to say how very proud i was to read this from a 15 year old christian! Great Job Girl! i’m gonna print this for my daughter, i havent allowed her to read any of the books or watch the movies, she understands somewhat why, but always questions me.. she also is 15.. God Bless you and your parents for bringing up such a blessed girl..
I am a 58 year old mother of three and a grandmother of five. I have been saved most of my life, my children are all saved and work in the ministry for God. My children and their spouses and I went to see New Moon together and none of us back slid. We still love God , serve Him, work for Him, and always will. My daughter and I have read all the books. They are just fiction books. Why try to analize a fiction book or movie. Why make a big deal about it. There is no such thing as a vampire or warewolf, it’s just fiction. The Twilight series is not a blood-soaked-romance as you state on this web page. Evidentially you haven’t read the books or seen the movie. There is no majic, no sex before marriage, no blood sucking, no sorcery, and I didn’t hear any fowl language. It’s just a love story about two guys from different parts of life loving one girl and wanting the best for her.