The Twilight Gospel Provides a Resource for Parents Questioning the Twilight Vampire Series

Many concerned parents wonder about Stephenie Meyer's Twilight series of vampire books: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, not to mention the movies being made from the books. Is Meyer's Twilight vampire series a positive for their teens or a negative? Author Dave Roberts in his book The Twilight Gospel, ISBN 978-1-85424-976-0, Monarch Books, presents a balanced analysis of what themes the Twilight series of vampire books reveal and the impact they may have on the young reader.

Waiting until marriage for consummation, faith and self-sacrifice are all part of the story line. Yes, Roberts concludes in his book The Twilight Gospel, there are some positive messages in Meyer's Twilight series.

However, Roberts points out in The Twilight Gospel, there are great cautions as well. There is a message of life and faith, though the faith in the Twilight series is a mix of legend, myth, the occult and fatalism as well as Christianity. A big positive is that human life is valued. Bella is determined to carry her child, even knowing doing so may destroy her.

However, as Roberts shows in The Twilight Gospel, the recurring themes of image, materialism and sexuality are the undertones of the Twilight vampire series: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. Though Bella and Edward do not consummate their relationship until marriage, they pretty much do everything but "the act." Bella is continually pushing for more, even at the risk of her own life and soul.

Considering Stephenie Meyer's series of vampire books: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn are meant for teens, the sensuality and sexual subtext of the Twilight series can evoke within the reader the desire to seek and taste sexual pleasures. How many will not only live vicariously through Bella and Edward, but also feel the need to find that sexual soul mate? If looked at rationally, much older men are bonding with very young women. Somehow, this get overlooked because the "older" men appear young and beautiful. The Twilight Gospel points out that the series excites both the senses and the imagination, while encouraging the sublimation of rational thought.

Teen years are vulnerable years. In The Twilight Gospel, Dave Robert writes how many teens, especially girls, identify with the less-than-perfect Bella. But how far will they follow? Bella is all about emotion and seems to have little foundation of moral principle, which is left to the vampire family who've chosen to not indulge in their blood lust for humans. (The Cullen's self-control is another positive message of the Twilight series). Bella, and others in the vampire series, tends to make judgments of others based not on who they are inside, but on their outward beauty. Less than beautiful people need not apply.

Materialism is another important theme of Stephenie Meyer's vampire series: Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn. Characters are beautiful people who surround themselves with expensive "things," often without regard for how such goods are acquired.

In her review of the books, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, and first movie for my review site, Author's Choice Reviews, Cassie Scheidies, LMHP, who works specifically with teens, wrote, "It is scary how much Bella refers to Edward as a power that has overtaken her, an overwhelming feeling that appears spiritual rather than physical and all consuming rather than puppy love. ...If this is the type of "love" that is being represented to young women everywhere, I fear that we will see a lot more date rapes, domestic violence, and co-dependent relationships. Twilight represents a codependent relationship...and that is the biggest cause for concern."

All said and done, the vampire series, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, by Stephanie Meyer may not be the best influences on teens. The Twilight series does provide a good opening for discussion of any number of issues important to teens and parents. If the teens in your life are viewing the movies or reading Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, use their exposure as a discussion starter. Discuss both the positive and negative aspects of the Twilight vampire series by Stephanie Meyer. Take them beyond the surface to the themes of the books and movie(s) so they truly understand what is offered and whether that is really something into which they want to buy.

Parents who want to delve more deeply into the themes of the vampire series, Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn, by Stephanie Meyer will find Dave Roberts' book The Twilight Gospel a helpful resource.