Christian Review: Twilight

The Objections to Twilight

The basic objection to Stephanie Meyer's series is that its main characters are vampires. In traditional vampire lore, the person bitten by a vampire's soul is replaced by an evil demon. This theory means that Edward and his kind would be inherently evil creatures. This is demonstrated in many of the other vampires Bella and the Cullens face throughout the series. They seem more animal-like, giving into their instincts, than the Cullens and some of those that chose another lifestyle.

 

There shall not be found among you anyone who burns his son or his daughter as an offering, anyone who practices divination or tells fortunes or interprets omens, or a sorcerer or a charmer or a medium or a necromancer or one who inquires of the dead, for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord. And because of these abominations the Lord your God is driving them out before you. You shall be blameless before the Lord your God

—Deuteronomy 18:10-13 

 

Another objection may come from the fact that Alice, one of Edward's sisters can see the future.

 

As we were going to the place of prayer, we were met by a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners much gain by fortune-telling. She followed Paul and us, crying out, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation.” And this she kept doing for many days. Paul, having become greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And it came out that very hour.

—Acts 16:16-18 

 

As the story moves on, Bella also meets some of the people in Forks who are part of a nearby Native American reservation. Some Christians have objected to the discussion surrounding some of those Native American beliefs, as they feel it would lead teens in the wrong direction.

 

As we have said before, so now I say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to the one you received, let him be accursed.

—Galatians 1:9

 

The final objection has to do with some moral ambiguities. The fact that Edward spends the night in Bella's room, she lies to her parents, and Bella's struggle with her own human desires can be off-putting to some parents. At several points, Bella becomes rather cavalier about giving up her soul, which is off-putting to many Christians. The debate about the sexual nature of the characters continues between opponents and proponents of the Twilight saga. While Edward is against sex before marriage, Bella is willing to hand over her virginity. Her fear of marriage stems from what many teens today face - the divorce of her parents and the effect it had on her mother.

 

Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God .

—Galatians 5:19-21

But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”

—Revelation 21:8

The discussion of what happens after we die is a central theme to the books, though it is only discussed outright later in the series. While Carlisle believes that there is an afterlife, and that possibly vampires aren't damned, Edward is more skeptical.

And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.

—Matthew 10:28-31 

Some Christians are bothered by the feelings expressed when Bella and Edward kiss and touch, but some are uplifted that Edward overcomes the temptations in order to wait. The intense chemistry between the two characters sets an example for Christian teens that just because the desire is there, it does not mean you have to act on it.

But sexual immorality and all impurity or covetousness must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints. Let there be no filthiness nor foolish talk nor crude joking, which are out of place, but instead let there be thanksgiving. For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure, or who is covetous (that is, an idolater), has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.

—Ephesians 5:3-5

So, What's the Verdict

There really is not verdict here, just a conscious choice. Like anything we see in the world today, you have to make a choice you can live with. As Christians, we need to be mindful of what we put in our minds and hearts. Christians must stay in the word of God and the scriptures are a great resource and tool for every parent to teach their children.  Discussion, prayer, and strong consideration should be given whenever a book, movie or TV show is in the mind of our children.