A Christian Take on Twilight - Book and Movie Review
Examining Christian Themes of Temptation & Abstinence in the Book and Movie "Twilight"
Twilight's Edward Cullen - Classical Hero
If you enjoy old Bronte sisters and Jane Austin novels about brooding, noble, self-sacrificing heroes, Twilight is for you. Twilight's teenage vampire Edward Cullen is an unexpected delight, a breathtakingly handsome super-hero who COULD easily be a demonic villain but makes a conscious decision to put aside his powerful drives and urges to be a better, more "human" being. This is what makes Edward the hero in Twilight - his innate sense of right and wrong, his concern for the state of Bella's soul and his own, and his willingness to pursue what is right, even if he suffers in doing so.
Vampire Edward Cullen has been around for over 100 years, but he is forever 17 (and played in the upcoming Twilight movie by 22-year-old Robert Pattinson). He falls in love with 17-year-old Bella Swan while battling his overwhelming urge to kill her and drink her scintillating blood which calls to him in a powerful way.
Twilight's Bella Swan - Any Girl
Bella Swan (played by Kristen Stewart who really is 17) is "Everywoman" - an average girl coming into her own, discovering her strengths and inner beauty through the eyes of the man, in this case a vampire, who loves her.
Twilight's Old-Fashioned Virtues - Abstinence and Temperance
Many Christians have claimed the books and movie are too dark, gothic, and even demonic for Christians, but I beg to differ. Twilight is all about exercising free will to chose to turn from darkness and make the often difficult decision to put aside one's baser instincts and desires in search of what is noble, pure and right.
In Twilight, one could easily substitute the words "drink her blood" and "change her into a vampire" with "have sex with her" and the end result would be the same -- Edward overcomes ALL his baser desires to protect Bella's life, her virtue, and her soul. Edward has learned a lesson few humans are willing to comprehend anymore -- there are some things more precious than gratification. And even though as a predator Edward is equipped with all the seductive qualities to trap his prey, whether as food or for sexual pleasure, Edward rises above each temptation throughout the book and the series. Edward Cullen chooses temperance and abstinence above gratification.
Twilight Comparable to Other Christian Fantasy
Christian viewers and readers will find much to appreciate in Twilight if they will think of it more in line with Christian fantasy writers like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien and less in line with other vampire novels. Twilight is an action-packed thriller which should appeal to anyone who loves a good super-hero as well as a ruthless villain. My one complaint is Twilight is a little too mature for young teens, especially the movie version.
Read the book Twilight; then see the Twilight movie ... or vice versa!
Twilight Series Continues with New Moon
The Twilight series will continue... The second movie in the series, New Moon, is due in theaters in November 2009.
I expound on this theme in more detail at: A Christian look at Twilight books and movies: Part 1 of a 2-part series.
RELATED CONTENT
If you enjoyed this article you might also enjoy this related content:
A Christian look at Twilight books and movies: Part 1 of a 2-part series (New Moon trailer)
A Christian look at Twilight books and movies: Part 2 of a 2-part series (with cast slideshow)
Twilight's Kristen Stewart Still Bella in Adventureland
Kristen Stewart & Dakota Fanning Leave the Twilight Zone for The Runaways
Twilight at Midnight - a Movie Review - I sink my teeth into the movie "Twilight" and discuss the highs and lows!
The gospel according to 'Twilight's' Paramore ('Twilight' and 'Christian Sandwich' videos included)
Published by Kathryn E. Darden
An author, poet, publisher, publicist & skincare consultant, I have written for publications including CCM Magazine, The Tennessean, Barbie Bazaar Magazine, Christian Activities & several local newspapers.... View profile
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24 Comments
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You are entitled to your opinion, and I had never read the disturbing second dream about Edward as I am not a fan girl, but if we have to equate "superhuman powers" with "occult," that means Superman, Wonder Woman, and characters in books written by C.S. Lewis, Madeleine L'Engle and others are all demonic. It sounds like we also have to assume all nightmares are demonic, too.
http://blogs.bible.org/tapestry/sue_bohlin/a_new_look_at_twilight_different_conclusion
I don't think anyone here is talking about idolizing vampires or any creatures or fiction! I am just saying - again - that as creations of fiction, vampires are no more demonic than any other creation of fiction in the same vein the mythological characters of CS Lewis are not inherently evil. They are only imbued with those qualities bestowed upon them by the writer and the reader. If you think some readers are idolizing them -- take issue with those readers. As far as praiseworthy, pure, and right, I think the fact that Twilight is a metaphor for abstinence IS praiseworthy, pure, and right. In all the years I have spent in seminary, as a missionary, Sunday school teacher, and in Christian publishing I have seen nothing to indicate the devil uses any creature of fiction to steal people's souls. It is "meat sacrificed to idols:" if it offends you - don't do it, but don't presume to judge those who don't see evil spirits lurking in fictional vampires. Or as Jesus said to the Pharisees:
"There is nothing outside a man which entering him can make him unclean; but it is the things which come out of a man that make him unclean." Mark 7:15 Weymouth New Testament
I agree with the guests on here that christians are slowly falling away from the real faith that should be guiding their lives. It doesn't matter if it is fake or real, you are still opening the door for Satan to come in. Phillippians 4:8 says to fill your mind with whatever is praiseworthy, pure, and right. Do you really think vampires are to be looked upon in that manner? Look at the root causes of them and see whether or not they are of the Lord. They are clearly not, and idealizing them in a book makes it even worse.
yes and satan is using this book to coyly draw our kids into his web..i am a missinary.i see and witness demonic presence where i am at where witchcraft is used and i can see how satan tries everything including movies to seduce..
I'm still trying to find out what's Christian principles are mentioned in this article. The author of the book is from a cult, and still doesn't even follow her church's beliefs. Vampires are demonic creatures and are a part of witchcraft, which the Bible says is not of God and is a work of the flesh and the devil. In the movies, the guys have their shirts off a lot- to cause girls to lust. The Bible says not to make any provision for the flesh. There's kissing in the movies, which is fornication. It's interesting people will read these books through over and over, yet fail to read the word of God. The Bible says to let God's word order our steps. One of those principles is "I will set no wicked thing before my eye." Christians are to be "Christ-like," which is what "Christian" means. Christ would not call evil "good." It was against His nature to do so. As Christians, it should be against our nature to call something evil "good" as well.
I myself like the Twilight series.I also am a Christian.I don%27t look for satan around every corner.The Twilight series is a love story.I have read the books through 3 times already. The Bible also tells us to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling%2Cmeaning we are not a bunch of robots.We all view things differently.Twilight and Titanic are the best fictional love stories in my opinion. Thank you Ms.Meyer and please don%27t make us wait 2 long 4 %22MIDNIGHT SUN%22%21%21 GOD BLESS
I'm a christian and I love God with al my heart. I've read twilight and I think there is absolutly no refrence to satan in Edward Cullen. He is the Epitome of a true gentleman. Thank you Karthryn for writing this article. I was also unsure for a moment and then I realised a vampire is not evil, stephanie cou;d just as easily been talking about a human being. Humans also suffer from trials and diificulties, humans also murder and want to murder, but God loves them and forgives them. We're talking about a fictional love story and it is such a wonderful book. In rebuttle to what the pastor said about Edward visiting Stephanie in her dreams-A quotte from the bible, "I give to my children in sleep." That means God could be giving her inspiration. Also she could be thinking a lot of Edward and the cullen family and that why she dreamed of him-its in the subconcious mind!!!! it happens thats why you dream HELLO!!! I want to be an author and I often get inspiration when I sleep-it doesn't mean