Christian Horror: “House” [the film] and Other Oxymorons
Personally, I’m not a fan of horror films. When we meet in person, I’ll tell you the story of the first horror film I saw in a theater. It was part of the “Friday the 13th” franchise.
I am a fan of great books, and have enjoyed the Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti books I’ve read. I try not to read them at night because I have a VERY vivid imagination and I want to sleep peacefully. I watched The Visitation because it’s based on a Frank Peretti novel. It was also filmed right here in our home town, my friends Bobby & Kevin Downes produced it, and one of the houses featured in the film belongs to my friends Jared and Sarah. (I try not to think about that when I’m watching their boys at night for them!) I also saw Thr3e (by Ted Dekker) when it was in theaters because Kevin had a role in the film.
So last week when it was my birthday, what did I do? I watched horror films! I was sent a screening copy of House, which is based on a book co-written by Ted Dekker and Frank Peretti. It’s intense. I won’t say more because I’m going to publish a review of the film later, but suffice it to say it is intense. That got me thinking about the “Christian horror” as a genre.
As wildly popular as Dekker and Peretti are as authors, is there is a place for Christian horror? So I took home The Exorcism of Emily Rose, a film Scott Derrickson wrote and directed. It’s based on the true story of a German woman who died during an exorcism. The priest, who tried unsuccessfully to cast multiple demons out of her, was charged with manslaughter. This particular film is part horror story, part courtroom drama. Scott believes this is the perfect genre for Christians to be working in because it so clearly articulates the struggles between good and evil. “It’s not about making you feel good, it’s about making you face your fears.”
In an interview with Peter Chattaway, Scott says that horror is a genre of non-denial, “It’s about admitting that there is evil in the world, and recognizing that there is evil within us, and that we’re not in control, and that the things that we are afraid of must be confronted in order for us to relinquish that fear. And I think that the horror genre serves a great purpose in bolstering our understanding of what is evil and therefore better defining what is good.”
So I guess I choose to live in denial because I don’t really want to watch horror films. Maybe it is fear. Maybe I don’t want to face the darkness of evil. I have seen a lot of evil up close and personal in places like India, Haiti, and the streets of my own town. Do I want to see it in films? I’m not so sure.
On the world market, horror films SELL. If you want to work in a genre that’s almost assured to sell DVDs overseas, it’s horror.
Is there a place for horror films with a Christian worldview? What do you feel when you go to a horror film? Is there a difference if the film is specifically about demonic activity (like “Emily Rose”) or if it’s just a film that points out what evil looks like when it takes over a person?
So Friday I watched “House” and then “The Exorcism of Emily Rose.” Both are pretty scary, but for different reasons.
I wish I had a screening copy of the House too! I’m very much excited of its premiere on November 7, hope the date will not change this time, but House’ official website (http://housethemovie.net) advised to check the date in their website often. But still I’m glad it’s less than a month away!
October 22nd, 2008 at 10:27 am
House is ultimately a letdown. It’s creepy and very well-produced, but I kept waiting for the Christian punch that never came. If you come away with any ‘religious’ message in this movie, it’s probably more pro-Catholic than Christian.
Seeing Frank Peretti’s name made me think this could be used as a slick Christian outreach video. Unfortunately there’s no more gospel message in it than any other horror film.
*spoilers ahead*
So what is the Christian/religious message in this film? Well:
There is a young girl in the film whom a Christian viewer would suppose is meant to represent Christ. She is the only one ‘full of light’ that can quench the ‘darkness’ of the Satan-esque character that is tormenting the main cast with memories of their past sins. Just for the record – the words Satan, Christ, and sin are not actually mentioned, aside from the scripture on the movie poster.
When two characters in the film eventually ‘receive the light’ from the girl, they are now immune to the Satan character. Then we find out those characters were having some sort of near-death experience, and when they received the ‘light’ their earthly bodies were revived.
So essentially, they were in some sort of purgatory state where they had to get their past sins sorted out, then rescued by this young holy girl with long wavy black hair. Which implies more that she represents Mary the mother of Jesus, not Christ himself.
Production-wise, this movie is well done and on par with other similar horror films. If you overlook the lack of Christian content, it’s actually a fun ride.
However, the fact that Peretti is a Christian, and millions of dollars were spent on this extremely subtle footnote to the saving power of Christ, it ultimately leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth.
October 24th, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Angela – Frank Peretti certainly proved that there was a place for the horror genre in print…the question is whether it will be accepted and supported by believers when presented on the silver screen. I’d love to give promoting that a shot on Christian radio. Is my best contact Namesake Entertainment? If so, do you have a contact name & number?
October 31st, 2008 at 1:15 pm
Hi Jeff – your best contact is Namesake. I’d check out their website for contact information.
October 31st, 2008 at 1:30 pm
It may be popular, but I am not for Christian horror films. When the whole movie is about a haunting devil who is trying to kill everybody (and probably succeeds a few times), I am strongly against it. Even if at the end it shows the ‘good guys’ wining, those demonic images stay ingrained in your head and ‘haunt’ you. In the Bible is says that where the light is no darkness can dwell. So, is there light or darkness imprinted on you when you finish a ‘Christian’ horror film?
October 31st, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Hi Angela. I am a TV & film student at Hillsong Int. in Sydney Australia. I saw the trailer and am very impressed. Personally, I am tired of the age ole cliche “We reaching the world” which in most cases has become an excuse for Christians to be like the world. However, horror is what we see in our world all around us and im glad that the producer of house uses this medium to get a message across. I am also gad that it did not make the PG-13 classification because I believe it would have lost is intensity and authenticity as a convincing christian film. As Christian story tellers we must realize that some stories wont always fit into a PG-13 Classification as that is how life is. Not everything that happens in life, happens in a PG-13 bubble. Having said that, I think we need to address difficult subject matter with integrity and conviction to the cause of Christ. This will make for some interesting stories in the future.
October 31st, 2008 at 3:05 pm
Nathan & Christine – great thoughts on all fronts.
Christine, I’d really urge you to see the whole film because there’s more to it than the trailer. You do have a good point about images that are left in your mind. Funny you should mention light & darkness – you can see from the movie poster & banners that that is really a theme of the film.
Nathan, good point about the rating & its intensity. That’s what the MPAA said about the rating – due to the intensity of the storyline. I’ve seen things on TV that are equally as intensive, and they don’t get R ratings on the shows I’ve seen that are similar.
I’m glad they’re exploring this genre. I think it will be very interesting to see what audience it draws & what their response will be.
October 31st, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I am deeply disturbed that this genre is becoming a part of our Christian community. Everything that we watch we do with the Holy Spirit watching as well. When we participate in such stuff we deaden our ability to hear Him speaking to us.
We are called to be in the world, but not part of it. We are called to holiness and we know how the Lord responded to such evil. Satan was cast out of heaven. The days are evil people and we need to wake up and be thinking seriously about the stuff that we become involved in. He is coming again very soon and wants a pure Bride….will you be part of it?
October 31st, 2008 at 4:15 pm
When I was a child, I viewed certain horror scenes which have never left me, I am convinced that there is a reason horror scenes stay embeded in our memory banks…and i dont believe its of God.
The bible says to ‘Fix your minds on what is true and honourable, right and pure, lovely and admirable. Think about things that are worthy of praise. Phil 4:8
I agree with Nathan that christians need to be breaking into certain fields of media to reach the unreached, however, we wouldnt involve ourselves in the pornographic sector would we? how is horror that much different, I can’t imagine our Lord would be impressed with us sitting in our living rooms watching porn, so why would He be ok with people being mutilated in the name of entertainment?
If I were to sit and watch a documentary based on the true horror thats occouring in our world, now there’s something worth being passionate about.
Isa 1:17 ‘Learn to do good, Seek Justice, Help the oppressed, Defend the cause of orphans, Fight of the rights of widows.’
Horror for the unreached…perhaps….but once Saved and in the name of entertainment?…juries out.
October 31st, 2008 at 5:17 pm
I don’t really care for horror movies, but like movies like the “Love comes softly” series, loved “The List” and ” The Last Sin eater” and “The Saving of Sara Cane” !
Like movies that follow a book or novel…
October 31st, 2008 at 5:54 pm
I have a real problem with real horror films I understand that there are a lot of people that like to watch them, and I do see where if done right they can attact that circle of people and they can see the surealty of it! I think the sad thing for the most part the people that are really into horror movies like the Saw Series are somewhat demon posessed and need to be fed the horror of blood and guts. In their real world they don’t believe in Heaven or hell. Some of them are so far gone with drugs,and lost in their own private hell that they like to see others in pain, and suffering if it is just visualizing it on screen. Unfortunately what I would call a horror movie they would call a comic. I just think you have to be very careful in creating them because you can instill bad thoughts into people and if you do that who are you really being used by Jesus or the devil?
October 31st, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Php 4:8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Ro 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
I believe the Scripture is clear in telling us how to fill our mind. I do not see horror anywhere here.
October 31st, 2008 at 8:33 pm
If you had put more illicit sex in the movie they would have given it a PG 13 rating I bet.
October 31st, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Quick “ditto” to Rebecca (reply #11)
The Scriptures are very clear about what we are to think about – things true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, things excellent and worthy of praise “dwell on these things”. Phil.4:8; “taking every THOUGHT captive to the obedience of Christ” 2Cor.10:5 Horror films, whatever the brand, don’t fit. We will see plenty of evil without having to be entertained by it.
“Who among us can live with the consuming fire [God's]? … He who stops his ears from hearing about bloodshed and shuts his eyes from looking upon evil; He will dwell on the heights,His refuge will be the impreghable rock;
Isa. 33:14b-16a Pretty clear, right?
November 1st, 2008 at 6:40 am
I used to watch horror films a lot before I gave my life to the Lord.
I watch them them now not for the entertaining value as before, but because I teach film in a film school in Ghana and need to be exposed to different genres to be on point with my lectures. It is great to know that there are some horror films from a more Christian perspective.
But also as Christians the Bible admonishes us in Phillipians that we should fill our minds on things that are wholesome – but on the other hand one should know oneself to understand what one can and cannot handle when it comes to the viewing of films.
November 1st, 2008 at 6:48 am
This is an intriguing question that I was discussing with friends last year. In essence, the horror genre is the most moral of all the fictional types in the secular world. Good is good, and evil is evil. Evil is punished, and good usually wins (in traditional stories, at any rate.) There is a huge difference, however, between horror and gore. There is no justification for the loving camera treatments that most modern horror directors use to show gore. Horror is about fear, and the message of the genre used to be that there are things we should be afraid of dealing with, because they have very bad consequences (Frankenstein, Dracula, etc.) In fact, you’ll note that very few horror stories involve growth in the people involved. While they survive, the impression is that they would have been much better off not having invited the evil to begin with (and they do, usually, invite it in some manner by being where they shouldn’t be or doing what they shouldn’t do.)
The truth is that sin is evil, and playing with it leads to very bad consequences. I would welcome a Christian genre that would take this message to its logical conclusion–if you are a Christian, greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. Just as Fireproof uses a common worldly storyline to introduce the concept of an overcoming God, so Christian writers can use the common fears of man (and in fantasy, those fears are expressed through monsters and horror) to introduce the reality of the One who defeated death and sin. Horror is about the unknown, and there is No One so unknown to the world these days as God. Kudos to those who can use their God-given gifts and talents to re-introduce God and His supernatural reality to a world that constantly denies both.
November 1st, 2008 at 12:14 pm
The other thing I would note (and I mean this in the most reverent way possible) is that the Bible itself contains quite a lot of horror. If, indeed, you allow your imagination to dwell on the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, the Flood, the killing of Goliath (don’t forget–David cut off the giant’s head at the end of it), and any number of other events, you will begin to realize the full impact of living outside the laws of God.
And if we really want to make a horror movie, let’s think about the living dead all around us, the people we move among every single day that are–if present trends continue–heading mindlessly into an eternity of pain and suffering. Think about that young mom with her kids you see jogging on Sunday morning, who maybe doesn’t care whether God wants her in church today. Take off her mask, and see the horror of her true face–because she is heading right into an unending horror movie of her own. Think about it. Sometimes whatsoever things are true can also be pretty horrible. And it’s part of our commission to remind people of that.
November 1st, 2008 at 12:22 pm
People act so funny at times about a horror I’m a big fan of horror just because i enjoy it doesn’t mean I’ll act on it, it sheer entertainment. I’m a christian now do that make me devilish. No, it doesn’t, because GOD knows my heart. How can one criticize with all the evil in the world that surrounds us on a daily basis, a man kills his entire family because of the economy, teens killing for a dare or a thrill, cops killing w/o remorrse or reason, etc. Lets face it horror is everywhere all you have to do is turn on the news and watch the world going to in a handbasket. I love that we are embracing the true evil that is out there and we all must face once or twice .
Thats my opinion.
November 1st, 2008 at 1:11 pm
House is ultimately a letdown. It’s creepy and very well-produced, but I kept waiting for the Christian punch that never came. If you come away with any ‘religious’ message in this movie, it’s probably more pro-Catholic than Christian.
Seeing Frank Peretti’s name made me think this could be used as a slick Christian outreach video. Unfortunately there’s no more gospel message in it than any other horror film.
*spoilers ahead*
So what is the Christian/religious message in this film? Well:
There is a young girl in the film whom a Christian viewer would suppose is meant to represent Christ. She is the only one ‘full of light’ that can quench the ‘darkness’ of the Satan-esque character that is tormenting the main cast with memories of their past sins. Just for the record – the words Satan, Christ, and sin are not actually mentioned, aside from the scripture on the movie poster.
When two characters in the film eventually ‘receive the light’ from the girl, they are now immune to the Satan character. Then we find out those characters were having some sort of near-death experience, and when they received the ‘light’ their earthly bodies were revived.
So essentially, they were in some sort of purgatory state where they had to get their past sins sorted out, then rescued by this young holy girl with long wavy black hair. Which implies more that she represents Mary the mother of Jesus, not Christ himself.
Production-wise, this movie is well done and on par with other similar horror films. If you overlook the lack of Christian content, it’s actually a fun ride.
However, the fact that Peretti is a Christian, and millions of dollars were spent on this extremely subtle footnote to the saving power of Christ, it ultimately leaves me with a sour taste in my mouth.
November 1st, 2008 at 4:42 pm
It would be a misguided statement to say that we need horror and it is simply reality being shown. The horror film industry has made a profit off of fear. Fear is real and there are several types of it, but what is the purpose for it? If it is to educated about a real threat, or to inform about factual incidents then I am fine with it. But when fear is manipulated and when evil is glorified I do have a problem with that.
If the Christian film industry wants to bring to light the truth about the real evil that is out there and very real, I am all for promoting it whether the rating is G or R. ‘What is the underlying message’ is the question that needs to be asked.
An audience is a group of people with a choice and if they go and are entertained by mindless, goulish, horror that simply pulls out of hell all of the demons in it and invites them into their minds to torment, then we as a group are force to deal with it somewhere in society.
And yet we crucify someone who brings about a story with the same evils from hell, yet shows the truth about the destruction they do and the Power that conquers them.
November 1st, 2008 at 6:09 pm
Here are some other thoughts from our newsletter readers:
Cheryl: NO!!! I do NOT like scarey movies! Read the book of Revelation in the KJV and if you have a conscience that should scare you enough!! I’m not a fan of Peretti or Dekker! Where in God’s word does it say “thou shalt try to scare” anyone???
Mrs. Laurie White: Why go to a secular source and quote when you have the Holy Bible? Do you own a Holy Bible? Why not quote from it? When did God’s word, suddenly become not good enough? If you go to http://www.blueletterbible.org and search the word; “fear” many
verses return about Jesus telling us/His follower’s “fear not” and some verses say “fear” as in the Lord thy God. Has this man read the Holy Bible? Have you? Are you a Christ follower?
Is he? Did you ask him this question before asking him anything? It isn’t fair to ask someone who does not know the Lord anything about God’s will or really about anything moral – because they make up their own rules and do not follow God’s standard and His standard is the only one that counts. Point being, we do have control over fear and at the very least we are supposed to take control over fear (self-control). Also I’d like to know this – if we aren’t in control of anything, how are we to “relinguish” it? Think about it.
Cheryl: While I prefer films that show the power and love of God, I am not ignorant of the enemy’s deceitful tactics and know that some people who don’t believe in the emotional side of the
Lord will someday wish a preacher or somebody had scare the “hell” out of them rather than miss God’s masterplan for their lives in eternity. I probably will not buy the Peretti/Dekker based videos, I have a son who dearly loves them. So be it.
November 1st, 2008 at 9:11 pm
To clarify, Scott Derrickson, the director of The Exorcism of Emily Rose, is a Christian working within Hollywood.
The interview he did was with Peter Chattaway, and is posted at Christianity Today.
November 1st, 2008 at 9:13 pm
For me, I don’t think that horror is good enough for christians because when you see/listen to something scary you end up getting scared.I don’t think that planting something fearful is a good idea because fear is an opposite of faith…It’s not that easy to uproot…
November 2nd, 2008 at 5:55 am
For me, it’s totally out of line, that we as christians we can engage ourselves on such things.We are called to promote the kingdom of God not of darkness.When apostle Paul emphasized to corintians (2 corinthians 6v14-18)that they must come out of evil people, it’s because he knew that it’s easy for an earthly thing to attach on a person than a heavenly thing.I believe that horror defiles mind(Rom12v2) and affect the faith of a believer so,promoting good,rightious,joyous is the best…
November 2nd, 2008 at 6:21 am
What Horror not for Christians? This is the best genre for Christians to enter into for the film industry!!! I am just waiting to get an opportunity to develop a concept from the Book of Revelation or Jesus statements on hell/hades/gehenna/sheol. But it is not for everybody. But I would love to make a horror movie that will make unsaved people see, feel and comprehend how humans are hopelessly controlled by evil to the point that the idea of a Saviour called Jesus Christ will be very appealing – very appealing. Discover the conditions in which the bible was written especially the New Testament, it is not in the conditions we westernized Christians would like to be in or even identify with. Horror, perfect genre for Christians without needing to preach.
November 2nd, 2008 at 9:23 am
I believe all christians movie goers, movie producers/directors were waiting for something like this movie to come along, and I for one do agree with watching horror if you read the bible and the book of revelation, this to me would be the finest work of horror put together in a way thatI could comprehend and understand, I believe that all non- believers should read the book of revelation and get a grip on reality that one day our saviour Jesus Christ is and will come back like he said he would for all those who accepted him will not perish or die but would have everlasting life, and to those who didn’t well lets just say they’ll burn to the flame. That statement itself should be a terrifying thought thats worst than horror because its the truth, the media, president or enemies on the other side of the world can’t top that. Christian films are a wake up call to the believers and non believers as well , the bottom line is we as christians need to get off our high horse and understand that there’s nothing wrong with horror. Horror is around us everday in different views of the television , movies, music, in person, etc. The media exposes it to us each and everyday -pandenmonium. Just think a movie could be warning us about whats going to happen and the government tries to cover it up, for example the movie “outbreak” Fear, not just any fear ignorant fear, aids, if you had it better keep it a secret or you would’ve got killed or worst and outcast to the society including your family and friends so think about it, seriously. Horror and other genres is just sheer entertainment don’t take it so personal . again God knows your heart, and if you think you can’t handle it , get up and leave don’t watch it
chow!
November 2nd, 2008 at 10:34 am
I don’t like watching horror films because when I read God’s word in the bible, I felt like GOD took me on a beautiful jorney and showed me His beautiful character and osom might. He didn’t show me that I should let my mind meditated or be taken with evil darkness. He showed me that my mind should always be in HIS presence, which means always meditating on everything that is lovely, Holly and peaceful and etc; and that’s why I don’t like watching horror movies.
November 3rd, 2008 at 11:53 am
From Emily Hotchkiss:
I don’t understand how any horror film can be Christian? I mean, just because it has a good message and all doesn’t mean that we should have to see it. I also think Christian websites should be careful of what they are advertising; there could be parents letting their kids “free-roam” websites because the parents know the websites are Christian, then low and behold, the kids stumble across a preview for this movie! I came across it on God tube dot com yesterday and I was totally freaked out. Anyways, can somebody who has read the book or seen the movie explain to me what exactly is Christian about it? Thanks!
Emily Hotchkiss
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:27 pm
Hi Emily –
There are very specific themes of good and evil, and sin. There’s a verse that is seen multiple times: “The wages of sin is death.” I can’t really say more without giving away the plot of the film.
November 3rd, 2008 at 10:28 pm
Horror movies show us a bit of the reality. Watching these kind of films gives me more knowledge about the world in general. I’m learning from it but it doesn’t mean that I’m gonna imitate what the characters in the film are doing. For me, it’s just a matter of learning more to make your life better. Learning while being entertained, isn’t that nice?
November 4th, 2008 at 8:27 am
Over 150 times we are admonished in God’s Word to “Fear Not” and Paul specifically tells Timothy, “God has not given us the spirit of fear.” Horror movies go directly against these clear commands and cause people to fear. Christians should set their minds on higher, purer, holier things.
November 5th, 2008 at 7:54 am
I am certainly not a fan of “horror” at all. But I believe that there are some called to make horror films that bring glory to God. Horror is the best way to actually show the reality that there is a spiritual realm with angels and demons. I have heard of people coming to the Lord after watching the film “The Exorcist”.
When I was reading through the book of Isaiah, I came across this verse, part of a prophecy made by Isaiah regarding the Edomites:
Isaiah 34:24
Wildcats shall meet with hyenas,
goat-demons shall call to each other;
there too Lilith shall repose,
and find a place to rest.
When I looked up what a “Lilith” was, it turned out that it is translated to “Night Monster”, coming from a Babylonion legend!
Most of the scripts that I have written certainly would be considered to be humorous, but this verse inspired me to write what I would call a “biblical horror” story called Edom and I think that I can safely declare that it brings glory to God as the main character must become a believer in Jesus in order to overcome the Lilith demons. Here is my short synopsis:
I have written a script called EDOM, a biblical horror story about a young woman who is searching for answers about the brutal murders of her childhood friends that happened in an old, abandoned mining town. She follows the trail to Edom, the desolate biblical location that the prophet Isaiah claimed would never again be inhabited by man. It is there that she discovers the source of a spreading evil that must be stopped before the world turns to darkness.
November 5th, 2008 at 5:06 pm
I am a film student that happens to be Christian. I have read this book and been following this film for quite some time now. I have been a big fan of horror since I was a kid because of the classic good vs. evil that you see on the screen. A lot of horror movies today leave out the classic battle and get straight to the evil and killing and fear and darkness and gloom…
I’ve been reading a lot of these posts and I am shocked at what a lot of people on here are saying. “Horror is not in the bible so we shouldn’t be a part of it…” God said that we are the light of the world and we shine His light into ALL places. We don’t pick and choose, we shine it in ALL places! Even in horror movies.
House is about finding redemption and salvation from your sin. It is honest about sin being dark and depressing and leads to death, but God’s light breaks through that darkness and saves us from death…if you have ever read the book you would get that. If you actually took the time to watch the movie you would understand. But people are quick to judge and sentence to death what God has ordained to be a ministry tool in a dark and sad world.
People watch horror and get into the gore and depravity of it all. House has no gore, or excesive violence, or language, or sexual content/nudity but gives in full honesty the darkness.
Are you all thinking it’s a waist of time to save those lost in that darkness? Should we just let them go on to their destructive ends…or…should we do all we can to show them that they don’t have to die…that the light has destroyed the darkness and given us eternal life? THAT is what House is about. Didn’t your parents ever teach you to not judge a book by it’s cover? Same thing with a movie…
And with the comment on porn that someone made…I don’t see horror films and porn being of the same thing and there is a church within the porn industry. It’s the XXX church and it reaches out to people that have porn addictions and people working within the porn industry to show them that they don’t have to be apart of those vices but be apart of God and the He has called them to something better. http://www.xxxchurch.com
That should be the link to their ministry…we reach out to ALL and not to just some. It makes me sad to see how many people are quick to dismiss and condemn without knowing the full details…
November 5th, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Our faith can’t be defined by perfect little bubbles we make and force people standing on the ouside looking in…our bubble is the world and we have to accomidate for it and how it grows. Jesus did that by eating with the lowest of Isreal’s society.
The movie House isn’t just a horror movie. It’s a parable much like the one’s Jesus taught about how sin is darkness and leads to destruction but the light penetrates through the darkness and leads us to salvation and redemption. You people haven’t even seen the movie yet and you’re already condemning it because it doesn’t fit inside your “bubble”. God pushes us out of our comfort zones and into places that we don’t want to be in because he refines our faith in the fire so we can shine that much more.
We need to reach the lost and show them the light by any means possible. The verse that House is based off of is “The light came into the darkness and the darkness did not understand it,” and I see that with a majority of you posters on here.
Understand that this movie wasn’t made for you. It wasn’t made for your enjoyment as a Christian but for those that aren’t Christian and that fill themselves with all this dark horror-themed entertainment that is all about the darkness and despair. House is about how our sin will kill us, but we have to find the light of salvation to overcome that death. We don’t have to play the game that sin makes us play. We have a way to cheat death and come out victorious.
If you all took the time to read the book of if you took the time to watch the movie you would see that. Its a parable to the lost. Not a parable to the found. If you want something for yourselves then watch Fireproof. That is a movie that appeals to the already saved. House is for the ones still playing sin’s deadly game. They need the light…not you. They need the truth about what evil actually is and where it comes from. They need to see what the light will actually do to the darkness and the redemption you can find from it.
If you actually gave it a chance it would surprise you. If you actually didn’t judge like the bible tells us NOT to do then you might actually have your eyes open to the truth of our culture and who we are trying to reach. I’m in those trenches every day and I see it regularly…do you? By the way your posts read it doesn’t seem like it. We are ambassadors of Christ…it’s time we started acting like it and letting God be the judge of our ministries and not ourselves. Pride and ignorance is a sin if you use it and let it be…don’t be pridful and ingnorant on purpose. See the truth for what it really is and it would surprise you how much light there actually is in the world.
November 5th, 2008 at 11:19 pm
OH! My excellent posts from Dan Olds, Chris and Chris Miller. Oh my the idea that Dan Olds has is amazing!!! It is written “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men;” That verse is in the bible and I believe that the Lord does allow a level of darkness to pervade men when they refuse to embrace the light that has been revealed to them. Also if you look up the book of Job see how many times the word terror or terrors comes up and what it is associated with. Yes, I think it is, as someone has correctly said, horror is not necessarily for everyone but to those to whom it appeals, it should be used as a preventive measure to not live in sin and the deceiving darkness that accompanies it. I will never forget as a young Christian who was just trying to understand who God is, when a young beautiful sister gave a testimony how a nightmare dream made her not to consider fornication as a single person. In the dream she saw the demonic activities that take place when people have sex before marriage and some of the things she described I cannot say here but it scared her to the bone (and some of us who heard it) and made her see living right for the Lord and waiting to get married as the best way. Years later (2005) I heard another testimony but here in England, about a Christian who was living a promiscuous life and what delivered the person was one of their partners could not sleep at night because of live demonic activities that was taking place in the bedroom – the Christian immediately repented and they left! Finally in 2007 I saw this Scripture – Stolen waters (pleasures) are sweet [because they are forbidden]; and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.
But he knows not that the shades of the dead are there [specters haunting the scene of past transgressions], and that her invited guests are [already sunk] in the depths of Sheol (the lower world, Hades, the place of the dead).
There is a reason why God said we should wait to get married before having sex – it had been written why a long time ago.
Again this is not for everybody but sometimes horror/terror (from God’s perspective) is best way to prevent certain things. Horror films/books is a wise and entertaining way to sow seeds that sin is not something to be happy about or live with and we do need the Saviour and the Lord to live for and with.
November 6th, 2008 at 3:25 am
The gospel is the only thing worth preaching…the truth that Jesus saves, heals, and redeemes is the most important thing an unsaved person will ever hear…
If horror movies would specifically identify this fact then lives would be saved…if Christ isnt even mentioned or the prayer for salvation brought to the viewers attention…how are they to know there’s even a Christian message?
To the unsaved, its entertainment…and its the wrong sort of entertainment under the ‘new covenant’ to be filling minds with… sure, end days are upon us and the reality of hell is terrifying…but the unsaved viewer aint gonna know there’s a hell or end days or a Saviour who loves them if it aint preached!
November 6th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
I am in total agreement with Dani here. I did a talk called “Creatively Glorifying God” at the Christian Game Developer’s Conference this past summer.
I talked about some of the different callings we can have such as:
1. Showing moral values (Christian worldview – Lord of the Rings pits good against evil)
2. Analogies – (Gandalf fighting the Balrog – “You shall not pass” is supposed to be example of Spiritual warfare)
3. Family Friendly
It also includes things like putting in that obligatory scene such as in “The Ultimate Gift” where they briefly talk about Jesus which feels (at least to me) like it’s just thrown in there.
The purpose was to get the game developers to think outside of the box to come up with things that clearly make God the centerpiece of their products. This can be very hard to do. If the film “House” is horror that just shows us that we are sinners, then I believe that it has not made God the centerpiece. If it shows us that we are sinners and need to be rescued from our sin, then it still does not make God the centerpiece. If it shows us that we are sinners, need to be rescued, and that Jesus is the only one that can do this, then it certainly is making God the centerpiece. But if it (or other films) does this in a way that doesn’t seem to work with the plot or just seems thrown in, then to me this is a film (in my opinion) that needs rethinking in order to make God the centerpiece in a more realistic way.
One of the things that I tried to do with my “Edom” script was to first show the power of the Gospel, then have it explained, then, when all hell breaks loose, the main characters turn to God through Jesus and it hopefully makes sense.
I am really hoping that “House” opens up other opportunities for other “Christian Horror” films to be made that bring Glory to God!
Thanks,
Dan
November 6th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Remember the 2004 movie called “The Village”? The trailer for that one scares me even to this day, and I’ve already seen it twice and know that it turns out well in the end. Yet, there is an element of suspense which makes it riveting, exciting, and unforgettable. In fact, it really makes you think. Anything which portrays the mutilation of the body is an affront to the Creator in whose image those bodies were created. Therefore, instead of horror, I would suggest suspense as a more appropriate genre for teaching symbolic biblical truth.
Having said all that, I suspect the writers and producers of this movie, “House,” are well aware of the monetary gains associated with the horror genre and are using it to that purpose. There is no doubt they are very talented at what they do and will be well rewarded. I’m just not so sure about the heavenly gains.
November 7th, 2008 at 8:26 am
Let me ask a question in reply to Dani. You mentioned that how could people see the Christian message if Jesus isn’t mentioned or if the prayer of salvation isn’t given.
Most of you will likely agree with me that the Chronicles Of Narnia has a Christian message. Aslan = Jesus. A sacrifice was made for the lives of others.
Yet, no mention of Jesus or God was made. No sinners prayer was ever uttered.
How is this different? I mean, when all is said and done, House has the same basic story idea. Someone sacrifices their life for the lives of others.
November 9th, 2008 at 8:23 am
From Dea Woods on another post:
I don’t normally dialog or share my comments on sites because of the Controversy it often creates. However, this subject draws near to my heart because my entire ministry was created to show Christian movies in local parks and other public venues throughout the US.
I try to be careful not to judge anyone who may not believe as I do. But I think there is a fine line we cross when we explore the Devils territory.
Without going into a lot of detail. I strongly believe we can open demonic doors and give the enemy rights to our home, kids, family members ect … when we begin to think there is nothing wrong with entertaining ourselves with scary movies.
I believe when we bring certain material in our homes. It is a
open invitation to the forces behind the project. If God and his angles have inspired the project, than all is well. But for the most part when people see scary movies, they are filled with fear. But the Word of God says He has not given us a spirit of fear. So where is that fear coming from?
I think we as Christians should be protective of our mind, spirit, and souls. This Applies to movies and music.
The enemy is very crafty in finding people to do his bidding, and that doesn’t exclude some Christians.
Food for thought
Dea
November 11th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
I think Christians expect too much of their films. Films can be a misistry but it doesn’t mean they have to reap the harvest. Why can’t they plant the seeds? I’ve talked with several people after seeing this film and they all had questions about sin and Hell and eternal damnation for the things they’ve done, but not in fear but more as, “is there a price to pay for the wrong things I’ve done?” It’s amazing how that opens doors. I told them to go to church, read the bible, talk to their local pastor on further details and if they want me to explain more I would. A movie as dark as this is opening doors to 19-21 year old kids.
I’ve already have said that people need to stop with the old way of doing things because the new generation that’s here and that Hollywood is reaching is not as easily acceptable. Having the salvation of Jesus described and giving the sinner’s prayer on film won’t reach today’s new generation because they can see it coming a mile away and it puts them in a difficult situation and they’ll ALWAYS opt for the easy way out…the way they’ve been living and they’ll never look back.
The Chronicals of Narnia puts the sacrifice of Jesus into a perfect description for young kids by putting the Christ figure as the Lion Aslan. House does it well by putting the Christ figure as the girl Susan. She was the light in the darkness that the people couldn’t understand…just like what it said in the verse that opened up the movie. “The light entered the darkness, but the darkness did not understand.” John 1:5. Jesus was that light but the people of Israel didn’t understand and they killed him for their lack of understanding…only to bring out that light, that saving grace to and save people from their sins.
House is an alagory of that sacrifice Jesus made. Just because it doesn’t mention Him by name doesn’t mean it’s bad. It’s okay for Narnia but not okay for House?
C.S. Lewis said that we have to reach today’s generation. That our ministry should be for todays generation. Fireproof is for an older generation. A temendous film, but not for the new generation. They need something that doesn’t just appeal to them but also reflects on their own life and the way they see the world.
I hope someone on here can understand that. I can understand that they talk over the subject of evil and Satan in this movie but I don’t see that as opening a door for evil to come in but knocking down the door with a sledghammer to let light in so people will know the truth. Is it too much to ask for truth?
November 13th, 2008 at 1:00 am
I heard a quote a while ago which was “in giving the answers we sometimes forget the problem we were trying to solve in the first place”. I think that it is fair to say Jesus used parables to make people rethink what they were familiar with but had no understanding of and in essence lost the application of living for God while here on this planet. I don’t think we need to explain everything in our movies just to show that we are Christians but rather just make wise entertaining films (be wise as serpents) that will leave the viewer thinking about certain things they may have not considered important but really were important when done properly like family, lifestyle etc. Horror is an excellent film media to show the terrible consequences of evil and that it can be resisted when we change certain things in our life. House may not have done tremendous financial figures but that does not mean it is a failure by a longshot. We as Christians should and can get past just valuing success on purely monetary terms (it does help but there are other areas of measure as well).
November 13th, 2008 at 3:03 am
From a newsletter reader:
I just wanted to thank Lynne Thompson for her terrifically positive review of House. I am a long time fan of both Ted and Frank, and recently I’ve been frustrated by several Christian organizations that have been ripping House to shreds. It was extremely refreshing and encouraging to read a Christian review that caught the vision and applauded the film. Thank you so much for helping to promote this amazing movie!
God bless you!
Caitlyn
November 15th, 2008 at 10:08 pm
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. -Php 4:8
And as Christians we must adhere to Biblical Wholesomeness:
“And she lusted after their paramours, whose flesh (meaning penises) is like the flesh of donkeys and whose issue (meaning semen) is like the issue of horses.” Ezekiel 23:1-20 (By the way, this is God Himself speaking in this scripture)
“And Lot went up to Zoar, and stayed in the mountains, and his two daughters with him…. Then the firstborn said to the younger, ‘Our father is old, and there is not a man on earth to come in to us after the manner of the earth. Come, let us make our father drink wine, and let us lie with him, that we may preserve our family through our father.’ So they made their father drink wine that night, and the first-born went in and lay with her father; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. And it came about on the morrow, that the first-born said to the younger, ‘Behold, I lay last night with my father; let us make him drink wine tonight also; then you go in and lie with him, that we may preserve our family through our father.’ So they made their father drink wine that night also, and the younger arose and lay with him; and he did not know when she lay down or when she arose. Thus both the daughters of Lot were with child by their father.” Genesis 19:30-36
“”While they were enjoying themselves, some of the wicked men of the city surrounded the house. Pounding on the door, they shouted to the old man who owned the house, ‘Bring out the man who came to your house so we can have sex with him.’ The owner of the house went outside and said to them, ‘No, my friends, don’t be so vile. Since this man is my guest, don’t do this disgraceful thing. Look, here is my virgin daughter, and his concubine. I will bring them out to you now, and you can use them and do to them whatever you wish. But to this man, don’t do such a disgraceful thing.’ But the men would not listen to him. So the man took his concubine and sent her outside to them, and they raped her and abused her throughout the night, and at dawn they let her go. At daybreak the woman went back to the house where her master was staying, fell down at the door and lay there until daylight. When her master got up in the morning and opened the door of the house and stepped out to continue on his way, there lay his concubine, fallen in the doorway of the house, with her hands on the threshold. He said to her, ‘Get up; let’s go.’ But there was no answer. Then the man put her on his donkey and set out for home. When he reached home, he took a knife and cut up his concubine, limb by limb, into twelve parts and sent them into all the areas of Israel.” Judges 19:22-29
We must be pure like the word, stay in it where it for there are only pure and righteous imagery in the Bible. How about we get off of our hypocritical high horses and take a look at the Book we read from everyday before posting ignorance on forums about how Holy we are.
The Bible has in your face sex, sexual imagery violence, gore and everything else. And the over all message: “God love us.” Question, how many of you are running to get your Bibles because you think I made these scriptures up (because you only read the scripture you like anyway). Or how many are struggling with this suddenly though it’s right there in the Word of God. Wake up.
November 15th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
[...] For instance, the Christians in Cinema site framed the topic as inherently contradictory. In Christian Horror: House [the film] and Other Oxymorons, commentators lamented that what could have been “a slick Christian outreach video” [...]
November 24th, 2008 at 7:32 am
I have the chance this weekend to interview Scott Derrickson, who I quoted in the original blog post & who directed The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Any specific questions you’d like to ask him? I’m glad to take your questions along with mine.
December 4th, 2008 at 5:37 pm
I think christian horror movies are a great idea. My point of view christian horror books and movies are a excellent idea. I have talked with so many non christians. Who often say the reason why they dont want to get saved is because its no fun. If they are a horror movie buff they get told you cant watch that movie any longer you cant read that book. Christian horrors lets the baby christians realise they still can enjoy the horror movies. But this time around it empowers them what to do when they are faced with the darkness.
January 18th, 2009 at 8:35 pm
reply to above comment (reprinted here):
“Pr. Jon Post says:
Isa. 33:14b-16a is not talking about understanding or viewing evil (for we are called to expose deeds of the darkness)for if that was the case you could not even read the old testament (or the new) which is filled with all kinds of horrors. The verse if you read the whole chapter and not quote a chopped up part of it is talking about people who dont COMMIT evil. But if we pretend there is no supernatural evil and we leave the culture to the humanists dont complain that they glorify evil.
The thing is to expose and teach using reality not pretend it is not there. But to do that you must allow Christian artists and writers to do their work.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:33 am
PS let me rephrase part of what I said: ‘the verse is encouraging people who don’t commit evil and is exposing the ’sinners of Zion’ those who are enticed to take bribes, kill, steal etc.
GK chesterton the christian author said: “if the characters are not wicked, the book is.”
We are called as christians to expose the deeds of darkness. You dont have to show excessive gore etc but to pretend there is no evil supernatural or otherwise goes against what the scriptures say. Stop taking away what the plain words of Isaiah are saying. Its comdemming people who DO evil (read the whole section and read the hebrew and septugiant greek if you need to (yes I do that)). Its saying:
“The individuals who can live here are those who are honest and fair, who reject making a profit by fraud, who stay far away from bribes, who refuse to listen to those who think to murder, who shut their eyes to all requests to do wrong.”
and note to Mechka above: testify! you are right on.
Pietism is not holy people it only pretends to be.
August 28th, 2009 at 9:43 am