Christians Endorsing “Twilight” - Another Oxymoron?
The latest craze to hit theaters is the vampire movie “Twilight,” based on a series of books by author Stephenie Meyer, who happens to be Mormon. Being billed as the next Harry Potter phenomenon by many entertainment sources, it’s also stirring up quite a controversy in the faith community, and in our office.
While some reviewers have identified “family-friendly” elements and the promotion of abstinence, others are appalled that Christians would support what they consider an occult film. Here are some questions we’re grappling with:
- Vampires are fantasy creatures, and go back hundreds of years in mythology. Some historians associate them with Eastern European traditions of exhuming bodies, others associate them with demonic forces that possess bodies.
- Lord of the Rings contains fantasy creatures, including sorcerers, and witchcraft is strongly denounced in Scripture. However, it is embraced as a type of Christ story.
- Some of the same people who are praising “Twilight” have strongly criticized the “Harry Potter” series and those who enjoy it.
Here are several reviews and articles that take up the discussion from both positive and negative sides, from those who consider the success or failure of the film from a critical viewpoint, and those who object to the subject nature. What do you think? Are you having the same conversations?
Reviews:
- Focus on the Family’s Plugged In
- Dove Foundation
- Christianity Today At the Movies
- Hollywood Jesus
- Past the Popcorn
Discussions about subject matter:
- World and Church Trends and Bible Prophecy
- Sola Dei Gloria
- Stephen D. Greydanus on Decent Films Guide
- National Review
- /Film
What a great discussion! So my 2c is that we really need to be excited about Twilight - not necessarily the movie or the subject matter, but the fact that a movie with…
- No nudity
- Very little sexual innuendos
- Very little gory violence
…is so openly embraced by teenagers nationwide! There is a reason why Hollywood was shocked a second time in one year! They don’t quite understand yet how to make a good quality “clean” movie. Twilight is the closest thing I have seen come out of Hollywood so far. The Harry Potter series fall under the same umbrella.
Now is it good to embrace witchcraft & demonic themes? Absolutely not, but sometimes it is more important to appreciate the progress rather than the end result. Hollywood will always veer towards themes where daring jumps between trees, car stopping strength and mayhem-causing-magic will allow them to make fantastical worlds & actions on screen. Appreciate the underlying stories being cleaned up, and keep voting “family friendly” with your money.
~TK
December 9th, 2008 at 7:05 am
Excellent point: appreciate the progress, because that’s what it is. One step at a time, one film at a time!
December 9th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
I like what you had to say TK. I think often times we forget that this is a lost world that does not know Christ, yet we expect non-believers to act like believers.
I hope we can have the perspective that even if a movie is considered immoral, that Christ would be there with the making of that movie. My hope is that there would be a believer on that set that allowed non-believers to see Christ through them.
December 9th, 2008 at 6:03 pm
As long as a believer is not violating their conscience all in the process of trying to win souls it is fine. One must have the conviction of what they can or cannot permit, what they can handle and cannot handle (no matter who or what or how many is doing it). There are some things that I can handle but others cannot and vice-versa and I have learned that it is an issue of grace and one’s calling from God that will determine what and how you do certain things no matter the industry one is involved. Some films cannot be generalised no matter their content (appropriate or inappropriate).
December 10th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
I believe we can forget that a movie set is a work place environment; yes it has a lot more fame than working at Home Depot. Most of people on set are below the line personnel who are not making millions of dollars. They don’t control the content of the film; they are just trying to help make the best product possible. Yet, we seem to make a judgment whether a good family film is the only place God can be glorified or reside. I am in no way saying that we shouldn’t make judgments on content. Absolutely, we should make judgments on content of films, but separate the content from the people. I think a majority of the population has no clue in what is actually takes to make a movie. All they can see is the final product, and they miss out on the behind the scenes relationships that may involve someone coming to know Jesus Christ.
December 10th, 2008 at 1:41 pm
Ah Adam, please read my post (and my posts in the horror - Christian oxymoron) well. I was not distinguishing the movie work place and my quote “I have learned that it is an issue of grace and one’s calling from God that will determine what and how you do certain things no matter the industry one is involved.” states that to effect. Rather I was discussing the fact and idea that what one takes into themselves (food or movies but in this case we are talking about films) must be considered on the degree of their own conscience and not on the popular opinion of others no matter how trendy. It must be something the person can adequately not have a problem with regardless of others position on the matter. There are some films no matter how U or PG-13 it is, I just will not watch them and then there are others that I will watch that are R rated and I will watch them. As my walk with Christ grows I have found there are some things I just won’t consider and then are others that I will but there are not necessarily Christian per se but they honour and glorify God. I think the key thing is learning to be not under control of a thing but rather in control of one self even as one is willingly under the control the Holy One. That is beauty of walking with Christ Jesus you get know yourself better even as you know Him.
December 12th, 2008 at 7:24 am
I would take issue with the film having “very little sexual innuendo.” The entire drama in the film is about Bella’s desire for Edward to indulge his urges, and his struggle to control his impulses. The whole thing is about sex!
December 15th, 2008 at 11:20 am
I agree, with the exception that the whole film is about dealing with the seemingly uncontrollable impulses, and ultimately Edward manages to control them en spite it seeming impossible to do it.
So overall I think the message in that is that even if an urge seems overwhelming and uncontrollable, it doesn’t give you the right to simply give up control.
Now tell me that is not a message that many teenagers (And for that arugment anybody with red blood in their veins) need to hear!
December 15th, 2008 at 12:51 pm
I don’t have an issue with the film’s message on sexuality. I just wanted to point out that it has a sub-text of sexual tension and desire that is very plain. It’s something like a half entendre.
December 15th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
I have read the first two books and stopped.
My friends have finished the series and if they follow through on how the books are written, you’re looking at a Harlequin romance scene… or two.
It’s one big forbidden romance story with an actually pretty mortifying scene in the second book. It sent chills down my back.
From what I’ve heard though, it was a bad movie all around, but that’s just what I’ve heard.
December 16th, 2008 at 4:20 pm
The next movie won’t have the same director. Catherine Hardwicke, who directed “Thirteen” and The Nativity Story (interesting slate of films) directed the first one but is not attached for the others.
That will change the films, but it’s still coming from the same source materials.
December 16th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
I have the heard that. It will be interesting to watch and see what happens. It always is.
December 16th, 2008 at 8:52 pm
I have not and will not read the books or see the movie, my 13 year old sister has gotten obsessed with this book she read the first one 17 times, and dyed her hair black now its the whole vampire thing, my 21 year old sister is now reading them and acting crazy. I believe there is a spirit that comes along with the territory. I am not afraid because we have victory over satan and his demons. I just have noticed that the same things happen whenever another person I know and love reads these books! Words are powerful they have the ability to change our minds Why else would it be so important to read the bible, and why else would the Lord tell us not to partake in certain things…He knows what he is talking about! but on another note, God is on the throne and All things work together for good to those who love Him. I guess what I am trying to say is that Twilight has become a “god” in a lot of peoples lives, it gave them some kind of feeling that they were looking for when all they really need is Jesus! we should say a prayer against all forces of evil no matter how “innocent” it seems. The devil is very subtle. but God Wins!!! PTL
December 27th, 2008 at 9:45 am
As an 18 year old male I’m not exactly the intended audience for this film, yet I’m curious to possibly see it when it comes out on DVD/On Demand with the buzz it’s created. I heard an awful lot about how fanatic girls were over the film, Edward and the whole thing. The one thing that resonated to me about that is all those girls seemed to desire one thing - they wanted to be adored, loved by a (good looking
guy who would be faithful and willing to sacrifice anything for them. Somebody like Edward. I find that really interesting, given that we live in a society where messing around romantically is what’s expected. A guy may get intimate with a girl one day and then leave her for another the next. A girl may float between numerous guys. I can’t help but be fascinated that even in our “progressive” society the age old desire of a girl to be swept up off her feet by one man who will be her Prince and soulmate for life is still very much there and alive. The reaction to the books and films shows that.
January 17th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
Very good point Ian - very good point that you have made. I hope that young men and women (especially in the Western world where relationships are highly undervalued and ignored over material things and money) will see that deep down everyone wants to be loved deeply wholeheartedly with a single commitment to them and noone else. I encourage you to remain faithful to God and yourself it will pay off immensely especially in your relationship life and marriage (if you desire to do so).
January 20th, 2009 at 9:06 am
Thanks a lot Leslie, I accept your encouragement whole heartedly. Living for God has to be the greatest adventure ever, but in a world with plenty of distractions one needs to be encouraged to honor and stay focused on Him in the midst of it all. Especially to honor my future bride always as well, should God in His time have such a one for me to love and care for.
January 20th, 2009 at 9:05 pm
well, most anything could be justified.
BUT, what about her soul?
She saves her soul to give it to the darkness???? And, that is her only way to ‘live’.
Sorry that is so wrong. Aren;t we to guard our souls? Do we not have one enemy of our souls?
The Bible has many examples of shadows or types of Jesus, and the enemy. So would not Edward be a ‘type’ of the enemy, certainly not Jesus.
January 27th, 2009 at 6:44 pm
We, as Christians, are to be “in” the world, not “of” it. We must be aware of what is in the pop culture to use it as connection points to those who don’t know God. Jesus did. Jesus told stories about farming, slaves, kingdoms, and many other subjects that people knew very well, then used those subjects and themes to explain the Gospel. The world is staying away from churches, but if we can use a popular movies to talk to someone we meet along the way, in this life to explain the Gospel in themes they would understand, we will have more success in our call to go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to everyone.
April 4th, 2009 at 6:57 am
Jeff, I’d have to disagree with you on the standpoint that the subjects you brought up are everyday applicable subjects, including slavery, unfortunately.
Vampires, to me, are not. Does that mean we call a boycott? No. That would be way too dramatic and make a bigger deal out if it than what it really is.
You can always learn something from everything, but if we keep using themes that the world produces and adapting them to our purposes, we lose our salt.
Where is our originality?
April 6th, 2009 at 2:54 pm
I started reading the first book after seeing about half an hour of the film…..
I got tottally obsessed.
But the funny thing is, is that as I was physically picking up the book, I heard God definitly say “Your stepping out of My Kingdom”, but I still picked it up, even though I knew I shouldnt have done.
And now all my (non-Christian) friends are talking obbsessivly about it, and how romantic it is, and how its only a book.
And to be frank, I’m worried.
I get easily obbsessed by things, and yet my deepest desire is to know God, not Edward Cullen.
And yet its always in the back of my mind.
HELP!
April 27th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Melissa,
If you’re worried about being obsessed, take the advice of scripture: Flee from it. Easier said that done, I KNOW! Put on a CD with praise music or tune in a Christian station. There are certain things I know I can’t read or watch, or my mind goes places it shouldn’t. That’s why we as a culture love movies - we’re visual and love experiencing things through others.
April 27th, 2009 at 11:18 am
I don’t see anyhing wrong with the movies or books. I have read all 4, well 5 books actually. The fifth is only a partial version available online. But it did not make me go dye my hair or do anything to change myself or my beliefs. And I truly believe that anyone that would go to such lenghts as to dye their hair, or get obsessed etc. etc. etc. has some issues with self esteem and instead of criticizing those loved ones, I would really try to talk to them and find out what they feel is missing in themselves. If you are reallythat impresurable its not a book or movie to blame. My sister went a little overboard, and when I talked to her several times I found out she was being abused by her now ex boyfriend and was escaping into the books. I am a christian and I also love the books but they do not change my views on anything. They are for entertainment ONLY. And if you are confident in your faith you can seperate the 2 and see that you can enjoy a book and still hold to your faith. Funny how I have never had the issue of aything, book, movie, or persons to make me even consider anything other than my wholehearted belief in my Saviour. I guess I am different or something but I never thought as books and movies offensive to my faith except for things such as porn, but even those I do not judge those that watch and or are in them. I will never be the one to judge whats in the heart of another person, thats not my role in the time I am on this Earth. I love my God and all of his children unconditionally. But thats just me and my opinion. Thank you for allowing me to express that.
May 1st, 2009 at 9:14 pm
christna can read. it’s for dchrista to be twihar-ds. I am a devotu chirttian who i also a twihard. yes I diagree with Bella’s sprualtiy but I lvoe hte chrisitna mroals in htere and ths roy and Edward and I do llove Bella. and i klvoe tpsehneie meye. hosently th twilgith series, the bible and 17 magaizne is all I read these days. and twilight is my fave movie and to ther peson above , maybe it was becasue the Lord knew that you would becoem one fo thsoe obbsed peopel who would forget about God. but God never told me that maybeh knew I can seprate the difference. but onone’s forcing you to read it.
May 21st, 2009 at 10:07 am
I believe the movie is deception!!! If your a christian the bible sais to come out from among them and be seperate you are not your own you have been bought with a price. You are not to be a lover of this world. So come out from it. We can always justify anything and make it sound religious but the truth is that is sin. God nows what is best for us. we are not to talk about things done in darkness. This movie is nothing but darkness. It is another Jesus not the real deal. Remeber The devil is a deciever. There is too much decption amongst so called christians. Its time for every christian to go back to the bible and put christ at the center of their lives then they wouldn’t be so decieved. Turn away from these kind of movies. Your true witness be one of total abandonment for Christ, not religion. If you lift HIM up HE will draw all men unto HIM. Lift up Christ not a movie.
June 19th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
First of all I have not watched this movie, I have been tempted, my 12 year old was tempted, and ended up watching it after I had advised against it, okay I mean told her she could not,watch the movie, fell to peer pressure. My daughter was so upset, she carried her mistake for a while before she could no longer keep it from me. She told me she was so confused by it, she wished she had not watched it, along with the fact that she was told not to and how it made her feel. I have really been wrestling with this whole movie Twilight thing based on my Christian beliefs. I read all your comments, I can see the need for some of you to find something good out of the bad that we do. Its called Justifiaction and rationalisation! If we can find (Precieve to find) something okay in it, like Adam and Eve in the garden, The sepent said in Genesis 3.4-5. v4 “You will not surely die,” the serpent said to the woman. v5 “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Satan justified and rationalised his deception to get Eve to sin, to turn away from Gods good and loving protection. What happened to Adam and Eve, did they physically die? (that was satans implications a destortion of Gods truth, satan knew far well that they would not die a physical death, but a spiritual death and separation from God and satan succeeded!) God love us so much that he gave us all free will, to make a choice, to choose his way or our way, our way will always lead to death, maybe not a physical death but possibly physical but definetly spiritually if we continue to not heed his suprem knowledge of what is good and bad for us. Here are some scripture that we should all meditate on and pray for God to speak to us regarding this topic.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
2 Corinthians 5:17
I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.
Ezekiel 36:26-27
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Romans 12:2
May the love, grace, wholeness and peace which come only from God and Christ be with you all, both now and forevermore Amen!
June 25th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Here is my second post - with my swear-word taken out for publishing. Ironic that Christians will censor that yet not occultic themes they watch.
I am going to watch Twilight this week, not because I agree with it or its premise but because I am tired of hearing “You haven’t watched this movie, its actually great!”
The movies are not “actually great”. Mainly this is because they are attached to the occult which is attached to Satan who gets chucked in a pit and roasted alive in the end. And no, Satan is not the “King of Hell”. He’s a washed-up, has-been dark angel.
I’m with Katrina. You go girl.
Everyone else, continue to read Twilight. You know you will anyway because you deliberately ignore God’s Word. I have no argument with you, only pity for your pathetic level of discernment.
November 10th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
Go Brandt, Kimberly, Katrina
The funny thing is that people are swept away by a fake sense of love and romantic feelings. People are so blind Satan does a great job. This book series does a great job getting girls who are immature, prideful, selfish, and if they call themselves Christians are lying to you. If a person and God forbid a Christian can become so OBSESSED in a book series that promotes world thinking, lust, and foolish cravings when in total truth they went cant even go through the Bible in a year. That is just sad. I will pray for you who are blinded by the devil.
November 19th, 2009 at 2:07 am
It’s me again;
I’m still wrestling with this whole Twilight series. My Daughter was 12 when she watched it (13 when I wrote my first response) against my telling she could not. Now My daughter(13) want’s to watch the sequel. The silver linning here is, she was invited to a birthday party this weekend. She just told me last night that the party is a sequel party. I was upset that she obviously didn’t learn form the first time, the things she told me about how it made her feel; however (here’s the silver linning) She told me before, she didn’t hide it. She is still insisting that she should get to go. I have not made my mind up, okay yes I have. I do not want her viewing the movie. I know she will be mad at me. Here’s the clincher, “I don’t serve her, I serve God”. If she sneaks around again and watches it, then it’s on her again. I have herd the sequel is even stronger material than Twilight. Just like I said earlier, it’s a gromming process, like porn, Pot, alcohol etc.. It all leads into something much stronger, harder and in the end something harder to recover from. Yes, you can recover thats what I said, recover but only through the blood of jesus.
People still make their own choices, suffer the consequenses, unfortunetly they bring others down with them(usually) in the process.
If you think about it, have you ever (most people) noticed, that you usually don’t over indulge in something the first time. There is a reason.Think about it! You probably would have a bad reaction (response) and you probably wouldn’t indulge it again. Which in reality for somethings that would be better. like drugs, if you had a bad enough reaction the first time, you probably wouldn’t do it again. But see, those things are the root to all evil. God gives satan some ground in these things. The bible says to reframe from the things that alter your mind because satan can go to work in a mind distorted by those things. Remeber “YOU” are choosing to go there,”free will”. Now it’s open season…..Like an addict will tell you “One is too many and a thousand is never enough”. Under the influience of anything un-Godly leaves us susceptible (vulnerable)Satan starts telling us, “See that was not so bad”, “Try a little more”, “Now a little more”. Your hooked!! Porn, PG13 movies, you know the ones; the ones that should be R, Alcohol, Pot, harmless flirting, it all starts small, but ends BIG! I guess the thoughts I’d like to leave here is,
“God says in Matthew 6:24 (New International Version)
24″No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.
(Put in the struggle you face; Pot, drugs, porn , lust, and so on….)
There comes a time where you have to make a choice, what will it be? Will you choose the flesh, friends, your kids, your boss, your spouse, or, “Your God”?
I still make some bad choices, I struggle with Co-Dependency, I tend to make decisions to please others, boy do I suffer. I’m constanly having to come to the cross, Jesus is there to forgive me, just as he will for you.
Celebrate Recovery (Christian based 12 step program) is awesome and helps me out.
Enough of my preaching… Love you all!! Take Care, stay strong..
November 19th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
people become tempted through people that were tempted and after they give in they hope they dont fall by themselves, hey satan does’nt want to go down by himself. I’m so sure Eve realized something changed in her when she gave into the forbidden. What all did she tell Adam to convince him that the bible doesn’t say?
When we give in and find we didnt die and we convince others to do the same we have become so fooled. After the give in there was something different in them, because they seen each other naked and were embaressed, they no longer wanted to talk with God, they hid from God. They used to walk with God but now they walked away from God. My question is can you talk and walk with God still after you watch things you know God condemns in His Word. Even as christians we have all fallen into temptations but do you remember the fight you had struggle through to erase things in your head and the condemnation you feel when you try to raise your hands in church. Something does change in you. You know God can and will forgive you but guilt makes you feel your taking advantage of his sacrifice on the cross. Shall we continue to sin so the grace of God can abound? God forbid.
November 20th, 2009 at 11:34 pm
I’ve read and seen previews of this movie; Twilight and it is an
abomination to GOD, because it is Occultic or satan’s domain. Many professing christians such as my daughters refuse to believe me even when I show them in the Bible, Deuteronomy 18:9-12,Galatians 5:16-21, Ephesians 5:11, Eph 6:11-12,instead they are offended by the truth of Christ’s Word not mines, I’m just a
vessel. They justify this occultic film. Its like what GOD says doesn’t mean anything. In Romans 12:2,we are commanded to not conform to this world, or IJohn 2:15-17, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father(GOD)is not in him.” I know from experience that the truth of Jesus Christ is not popular to either christians or any other people. Satan just loves it when we are deceived by his clever, subtle wiles or tricks, he makes things appear pleasant and good. So I pray for them and others who are fooled by satan and his demons. They are real fallen or spiritual beings. We have authority over satan and his kingdom which is this world (temporary)in Jesus Christ’s name thru our faith in Him. He didn’t die that horrible death on the cross for nothing, He died and was resurrected for all of us. So we should not continue to sin against Him by honoring satan. I say this out of love for my neighbors on this earth. I urge my daugters and all of us to Repent or turn away from sin before its too late. Jesus’s servant
November 24th, 2009 at 12:29 am
No one is going to hell for watching this movie! We need to get overselves.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:20 pm
Adam says:
No one is going to hell for watching this movie! We need to get over overselves.
(Edit, left out a word)
November 24th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Adam says:
Adam says:
No one is going to hell for watching this movie! We need to get over ourselves.
(Edit, misspelled a word, wow this is going smooth!)
November 24th, 2009 at 12:22 pm
The movie has wrong thinking and garbage in it, but so do a lot of movies out there.
Some argue that Edward is fighting against his evil nature, which is good. Others say he is deceiving Bella. In reality both are happening.
People have different convictions about this movie - or watching it at least. I am going to assume (for the sake of sanity) that people who are truly Christians are not actually INTO the occult.
Just…DON’T BE A MORON when you watch movies. Evaluate what is going on. Think through it. Because in the end, you are accountable for the attitudes you harbor in your heart and what you allow to shape it.
I don’t believe in a moronic lame Christianity. I believe in a Christianity that is discerning when it comes to culture. When you watch the movie, realize that there are things in it opposed to your Christian values. Or don’t watch it. But please - if you are going to be a moron and simply post things like “Edward is like Jesus” or “Twilight is good because I can watch whatever I want to and it won’t affect me” - resist the urge. The last thing we need is more postings from the brain-dead.
I won’t be watching this movie again because I find it personally offensive. And though I watched it once I am not going to break out my ouija board. It’s not gonna happen.
November 24th, 2009 at 12:37 pm
And Adam - no one said a person was going to hell for watching the movie. Do you know what a straw man is? It’s when you say that your opponent said something they didn’t actually say.
And you implied those of us who think Twilight sucked were condemning the fans to hell. You judged us. That’s very un-Christlike of you.
lol…
November 24th, 2009 at 12:42 pm
Okay, okay! People listen, I admire those who are standing firm on Christ/Christianity however; Please avoid using judgmental characterizations, the use of words like, moron and brain dead.
Words like lost, or spiritually dead or siritually sick are more on the mark. Be better than the Pharisees. God said at the sermon on the mount in “Matthew 5:20″, “For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven”. What this is saying in plain english is, be careful when professing spirituality, ie. things you say; calling someone a moron or brian dead. You are professing chistianilty, while insulting God child, saved or not. Be better than that, love, love, love this is our greatest commandment, in all things love, as I (God) first loved you!
Brandt, You are very knowledgeable (God Given and Blessed), and God is using you in a mighty way, be careful with his blessing.
Keep up the great witness, God loves you.
November 24th, 2009 at 1:33 pm
Sorry… yeah. I am learning a lot about responding to culture through this movie. Basically, here is my take. Christians who are redeemed should not enjoy this movie. It is against everything we stand for.
However, think about it - this stinkin’ movie has inspired more conversation than ever. If Satan does intend to deceive with this movie - be careful, but also realize that when people ask you about it you now have an answer.
Adam - really. Sorry for suggesting you were brain-dead, etc. etc. We can turn our minds off when interacting with culture however, and that is the mistake. I hope you would agree. But truly, I apologize for calling you or anyone brain dead, etc.
I am privileged to post with some people who have a heart for following Christ. May Jesus guide our thoughts and our hearts as we interact with culture. May we share more grace than judgment and yet be discerning and speak out. (Wow, what a tough job.)
Okay,
Take care,
Brandt
November 24th, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Brandt,
Exactly my thoughts, “this movie has inspired conversation”.Think about the conversations about our faith and sharing it! That is so awesome. You had an opportunity to blow off my comment, but you didn’t! You totally humbled yourself and made ammends! What an awesome witness for Christ, and for your Christian witness. The Angels are smiling at you today!
satan wins only if we let him!
Have a blessed Day and Happy Thankgiving.
A little side note about Thanksgiving to those who do not know!
Thanksgiving was originally a day for the people to give thanks to God for the blessings he had provided. The first year in the new world thousands died, then the next year after serviving, they all sat down to commerate and give thanks to God. God is always there to provide for the needs of those that are faithful to Him. What seems like an impossibility for us is nothing for Him.
We have removed any reference of God from Thanksgiving today, and most young people think it began as nothing more than a feast involving Indians and Pilgrims. It was so much more than that.
November 24th, 2009 at 4:19 pm
Brandt, Don’t worry about it, I was not offended.
November 24th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
If it is “okay” to be “just” entertained by what is occultic as long as you separate it from reality, then it is “okay” to be “just” entertained by any sin, homeosexuality, murder, rape . . all can be very intriquing with good romance splattered in. The real problem is “woe to those who call evil good and good evil” Isaiah 5:20. The same person who obeys God to have no part of witchcraft, wizards - vampires or other, will justify being entertained by a good suspense or thriller movie, or even a love story or comedy filled with fornication,etc,as long as it doesn’t show the “parts”, or worse, even if it does.
If by the end of a movie (or book, or any form of entertainment), sin is not identified as sin, and it’s end result exposed (consequence and punishment), then we are purposely setting wicked things before our eyes (Psalm 101:3). And even when the end result exposes or deals with the sin, if the focus has been on indulging our carnal senses, we are still justifying sin.
In our current “christian” culture it seems we want to see how close we can get to sin without it truly being sin. “christians” live like the world in an attempt to “win them over” to Christ ????? That is NOT what Paul meant when he said he became all things to all people so he might win some. He didn’t mean he would rape or murder or be homosexual so he could win them to Jesus, and he didn’t mean he would indulge in pornography, go clubbing, or watch witchcraft/occult (choose your sin) themes to find analogies in their sin to win them to Christ.
Those who truly live righteous WILL be persecuted. The righteous will be called “holier than thou”, “judgemental”, “critical”, even when not judging THEM, and only judging the ACTION. For we cannot judge the PERSON who entertains themselves with wizards, vampires, etc… as we simply cannot know that person’s heart or where they truly are with the Lord, but we CAN judge the ACT of entertainment by these means, and expose it, and not participate in it, and pray that God will reveal his Truth to those who are truly his, proclaiming Jesus name, calling evil good, and pray that he will call them out from it and that they will listen and obey.
November 24th, 2009 at 10:25 pm
Lori,
This is big assumption that people who may enjoy the movie “Twilight” are somehow are enjoying sin. If we have to be so on guard that we never can see a movie because the story may include some sinful act, then tell me what movie is completely absent of sin? Is Passion of the Christ an ok movie to watch? May be Christian Cinema needs to close their doors.
November 25th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Lori: I am so confused right now. I know where I stand on Twilight, etc. but I don’t know that seeing someone swear is a sin. The world often does not realize these things are wrong.
If I lust I am sinning, for sure… but what about watching a movie where the actors are swearing?
This has HUGE ramifications for me as I broke up with my girlfriend and am now going out with her again, only to break up for good. She sees no problem with some movies she watches.
I feel like a complete jerk… but I don’t want to sin. I feel like I may have to be single for the rest of my life. This is brutal.
Adam - How do you know that when we watch Shrek, etc. we aren’t in fact sinning? You still haven’t answered the whole Psalm 101:3 verse that Lori brought up.
Perhaps Christian Cinema does need to close down. What would be worse - not watching a film and finding out we were legalistic or realizing in the end that we had caved in to culture?
Lori: Paul references some stories of the gods, philosophers, etc. that he knew. Does this mean he worshiped a false god? No. But was he indulging in lust, etc? No.
I am so confused right now it isn’t funny. Lori, I think you have taken a more direct approach in dealing with this passage though. Why is everyone afraid to deal with Scripture? It’s life-giving. Sigh… this world is nuts.
Brandt
November 25th, 2009 at 12:31 pm
To All,
One thing I’ve learned in my 40+ years is the one biggest thing and the hardest, No matter what you say, the minute someone feels you are trying to control something in their life (even when you are just educating them on God’s Word) they will rebel, even God fearing (healthy God Fear) christians will rebel. The rebelling feeling is our sin nature fighting against what we (if we have invited the Holy Spirit to dwell in us) know to be the Holy Spririt speaking to us on a peticular matter.God’s children or non believers who want to enjoy certain things, will always find justification for indulging in those areas.
People will always try to find a loop hole in anything they need to justify. My wife isn’t putting out, so I need the porn, atleast I’m not cheating on her with some other woman.
Any true Christian would no with out me Quoting scripture, Gods take on that justification, if not I challenge you to read the sermon on the mount, found in Matthew chapter 5: 27-28 (on just looking at another woman)
What about little white lies, “A half truth is a whole lie”!
Sin, is Sin.
By the way the definition of Sin is “Missing the Mark”.
I suggest anyone struggling really ought to study the Sermon On the Mount, it answers alot of the gray area you all are debating about.
God is saying, DONT GIVE satan ANY FOOTHOLD in your life. Don’t give him anything.
Do you want God with you all the time?? GOD WILL NOT ENTER INTO UNGODLINESS. Would God watch these types of movies, read these book, look at porn, steal, Absolutly not. So, he will not be with you during that time, So, who is??? satan, waiting to take ground in your life.
God loves all of us, he’s only wanting to protect you. Go watch your movies, read your books, do whatever you want, God is not stopping you. But remember, YOU are the one inviting satan in, maybe not personally, he does not need you too. He will bust right on in…God waits to be invited.
When we start telling God whats good for us, you know what he will do, step back and say okay..
When we do this with satan, when we tell him no, God says its bad, I wont go there, what happens, satan fights harder, all out war to win us, and if we are playing with fire (justifing why we can watch, read, or do things we want) we are playing into satans hands.
But all this won’t mean a thing if you are not in full surrender of your life to Christ.
You have to be willing to alow God to create a new heart in you. Listen to God.
He doesn’t expect you to stop all things right away, to give everything up, just to be willing.
God will do the work.
Have a great Thanksgiving.
November 25th, 2009 at 12:36 pm
Brandt,
(My) answer is in verse 2, (Psalm 101:2)
I will be careful to lead a blameless life—
when will you come to me?
I will walk in my house
with blameless heart.
It’s a lyrical song, does it mean that this person will never have blame, absolutely not. Can Kimberley define for us what vile movies we shouldn’t watch? I don’t think there is a list of movies in the back of your Bible that have been approved for you to watch. My point is, enough of the litmus test for people who watch movies we don’t agree with. If they are believers, God will deal with them in his timing if he’s not thrilled about it what they are doing. If they are non-believers, beating them over the head with scripture may not do much for them.
November 25th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Adam: Good point about the non-believer thing. lol…I’m trying to remember the last time I beat a non-believer over the head with Scripture. Wait, never…
Believe it or not, I am too tired to “fight” with anyone. I’m simply trying to follow God, bro.
I appreciate your verse - I’m sorry that my tone may have turned you off “helping” me. God bless you, Brandt.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
Wow just like I said people hear what they want. I’m wasn’t telling anyone what they should or should nt do! Its what the word of God says. Reread the end of my last post! The spirit of God will lead u.
November 25th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
meh.. all I’m saying is I’m single now. My girlfriend and I are no longer seeing each other because I would not want this material around in the house if I were married.
Come to think of it, I’m thinking about a lot of things. I don’t want to be legalistic, but neither do I want to displease the Lord.
I don’t care if I’m single - I woke up the past couple mornings before 5:00 with a burning conviction that I had to separate myself from my girlfriend, because she was involved in this stuff.
We had some great times doing devotions together, we set up good boundaries, etc. In the end though, it came down to a disagreement over this. I wish it hadn’t.
Any guys out there who agree with Twilight, she is a fantastic girl. Just treat her right - and I hope you both see the light and realize how much of a pull and a heaviness that stuff is.
God will guide you and open your eyes if you are truly His. No questions. I echo Kimberly’s thought about God leading. It’s in His court, not ours.
God bless you, Kim. It’s people like you who keep me accountable for not flying off the handle.
November 26th, 2009 at 3:05 pm
Lori - you and Kim are fantastic. I sincerely want to avoid legalism as much as I want to “set my eyes on godly things”. I see the pitfalls of both sides.
sigh… I really desire like-minded community. Is there a way we can exchange emails?
Adam - I’m not shutting you out, just I think we may see things differently bro. Pray for me that I may discern truth and error. I will pray the same for you. Apart from this whole debate you are probably a great guy.
Brandt
November 26th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
singleness + following jesus = amazing.
wait a second
anything + following jesus = amazing!
November 26th, 2009 at 3:20 pm
I’m not online everyday, so just catching up. It’s not legalistic to love God (Jesus) enough in return for so great and FREE salvation to be willing to give up entertainment for him in pursuit of honoring him, or to stay as far away from what “may” be sin with a better safe than sorry motto. One can only choose this for themselves. When you tell others they MUST do so, it becomes legalistic. You can only share what you are doing (or not doing, or giving up) for your love for Jesus, and share what you believe regarding the ISSUE or controversy at hand.
True, few, and VERY few, will be able to part with the gods of entertainment in our culture. Justification even using God’s Word, or re-defining entertainment as “witnessing opportunity” will take precedence over what is clearly outlined in Scripture. God desires true obedience, not sacrifices (to witness, etc) that cost nothing and please our carnal senses. That’s between them and God.
In response to the comments about my post, I was referring to people who call themselves or believe themselves to be Christians who name the name of Christ and set before their eyes all types of sin that is made to LOOK good, right or exciting (be it adultery, fornication, lying, stealing, murdering, witchcraft, occult themes, people-idol worship, or whatever) and excuse it in the name of entertainment or not being really real in real life. I would not expect unbelievers to care much about what they watch or are entertained by or how often they need entertainment. They are doing what is expected.
It is the believers who you can’t tell from the unbelievers who join the unbelievers in calling it great entertainment when in fact it dishonors if not blasphemes Jesus Christ in calling evil good. It is evil to literally give (or even WANT to give) your soul to anyone but Jesus. There is a Spirit within ME that cannot watch this romanticized in a movie. I can’t understand why a Christian would call this good entertainment or a witnessing opportunity. They may be saved, loving and serving God and I don’t judge THEM or whether or not they are truly Christians or love God because they go to and are entertained by such. I know I am saved, loving and serving God, and I am SURE that though God has brought me so very far, that I have a long way to go and that these same people could probably point out error in my life (hopefully I’d be willing to listen and humble myself to change). But I do judge the movie based on God’s Word and call sin, sin. Fictional vampires that assume occultist being or power simply do not honor or glorify Christ.
I have not (and will not ever) watch this movie. I have read MANY reviews BOTH sides. I know many Christians who have gone to the movie and listen to all they have to say and do not argue points with them. If asked, I do give my convictions, but they are mine.
November 28th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
And to Brandt, I do commend you on a wise choice. You could be married to a wonderful person, but the things invited in via media by this person would create constant tension and would bring daily mind battles for you engage in that would require endless time and energy that would so much better be spent elsewhere! This person would not care, because to them; entertainment comes before relationship, and possibly before anything. Entertainment is the hardest thing to give up and the thing most universally justified in our Christian culture. You are better single until God brings someone like-minded in the area of media/entertainment into your life.
November 28th, 2009 at 3:48 pm
I just re read your post again . . . we can be aware of things in our culture without participating in them and being entertained by them. I’m aware of homosexual issues without joining them in a parade, and movies have trailers and reviews. I’m certain Paul knew of things in the same way.
November 28th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
Actually I would have been married to a typical lukewarm Christian who wanted me to lower my standards. Yuck.
November 29th, 2009 at 7:54 am
Good afternoon,
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Brandt,
I want to share something.I am so amazingly proud of you, and I don’t even know you.
I am in a marriage that struggles daily. My husband is a fence rider (one foot on one side one on the other)In the begining of our 7 years together (5 pre-marriage) 2 married. I knew alot of things about him that were red flags. I was so desperate for love and marriage that I compromised my beliefs for my need to control, to play God.
He, for the most part only believes in God alone, not really Jesus. He struggles with being the spiritual leader of our family (Hes not being the leader) My husband struggles w/addiction (he has 1 years clean/sobber form drugs & alcohol) Struggles with porn addition, which Im pretty sure he still hides that he’s still indulging in. He avoids me and the kids with activities out side the home.
When he gets home from work, I never know when because he does not tell me he is home, he gets busy outside the minute hes home.
I try to set boundries, I go to counseling, and support groups.
The reason I shared all that was because unlike you, I was not strong enough in my faith way back when.. Now even-though we are married, go to church, go to recovery type programs, it does’nt change things much. I am not “Evenly Yoked” with my husband.
I pray that God/Jesus will help my husband and my marriage, and me. I have learned alot about myself, addiction, and recovery.
If I was the person then that I am today, I probably would have made better decisions about my future.
I did not trust God/Jesus, I do now. I’m so tired of playing God. Trying to control the outcome or thinking I can.
You are so wise and obiediant to God, your waiting for the right woman will be well worth your wait. Not saying you won’t have srtuggles, but you will be one unbreakable team.
I have made alot of mistakes, and I still struggle, the difference now is, I’m really trying to do the right things now.
I herd a great paprable the other day;
Living in the room of, Pleasing God or in the Room of Grace.
If one is living in the room of pleasing God, you most likely are living legalistically, for example:
Do you tithe 10% because God says too, and if you can’t you feel like you are disappointing God, and you will suffer some sort of ramification? (Wrong Room)
If you are living in the Room of Grace, you know God and Jesus.
(Right room)
Example:
You know that Jesus came to free us from of our past, present, and future sin. (meditate on that a minute)
Grace is a gift, you don’t deserve it nor can you earn it.
When you sin in the room of grace, you know its covered, and you know there is forgiveness if you just ask for it in Jesus name.
You are not trying to please God,(win favor) you are trying to live as Jesus calls us to live, if you miss the mark, you don’t give up, you don’t feel condemed. You keep moving forward.
Alot of pepole get caught up in the Room of Pleasing God. It’s not by our works that we are saved, but by Grace only….
Grace is the bridges that bridges us over the gap(sin) and God. Imagine we are on one side of a cliff, sin in the middle of us in a pit and God on the otherside.
The bridge(Grace)covers over the sin, connecting us to God. It’s not mere man, it’s the sin man commits that separates us from God.
Jesus is the bridge. Cool eh!
Anyway, Brandt, keep on keep’n on.
Love in Christ,
Kimberley
November 30th, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Hi Kimberley. This is Lori. I too have made numerous bad decisions throughout life for which I now bear the consequences. I blame no one but take responsibility in doing the best I can for where God has allowed me to be. It is by God’s grace alone that I can bear these many and ongoing consequences. Much I simply cannot restore (restoration being the fruit of true repentance) although I would give anything to be able to restore fourfold all whom I have hurt in life. (Unfortunately it’s not monetary, so, like I said, it cannot be restored).
I say all that to say this. I read your post, and am glad that there is another person who is commending Brandt for such foresight and obedience! I also read your post about the Rooms of Grace and Pleasing God. Without a doubt I know that I live in the Room of Grace, saved by faith that was a GIFT to me! I know that Jesus paid it all, past - present - and future. It is because of THESE, this gift of faith that Jesus paid it all for me, and because I owed SOOO much (Luke 7:47) that The Room of Grace now encircles The Room of Pleasing God. Longing to hear, “well done, thou good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:21) with Along with Paul in 2 Corinthians 5:9 I say . . . “Wherefore I labor that . . . I may be well-PLEASing to God.” And . . .
Do not entangle myself with this life’s affairs, so that I may PLEASE God.(2 Timothy 2:3,4) and . . .
Do good, share what I have with others, for with such sacrifices God is well PLEASED. (Hebrews 13:16) and . . .
Be a good steward of possessions and time, to serve Christ in these is acceptable - well-PLEASING to God. (Romans 14:18) and. . .
The Lord taketh PLEASURE in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy (Psalm 147:11)
So, you see, I do not see it as being legalistic when God’s Word gives me instruction on how to please God which is my avenue for SHOWING (not just speaking) my gratitude for SO GREAT a FREE salvation!
I do not labor for salvation, for points with God, for special merit or favors from God, but I do labor and obey to please him until he calls me home.
Let me know what you think of this. Maybe your definition of pleasing God is different; and works-points rather than the Biblical and Scriptural definitions and encouragements to please God.
I do pray that in your own obedience to stay with an unbelieving spouse (or acting as an unbeliever) that he will be sanctified by YOUR staying with him (1 Corinthians 7:14), and I pray for his salvation with fruit to follow that will remain! Hope to hear from you . . . In Christ’s love, your sister Lori
November 30th, 2009 at 8:28 pm
I just had some amazing devotions today from John 10-11. Jesus is not only our “life to come” but our “life right now”. It means that following Him is not a list of rules - but appropriating the life we’ve been given. It means that anything that deadens that needs to fall by the wayside.
I would rather live than compromise. On the other hand I would rather live than be legalistic. But where God’s Word is clear I follow it, and ultimately God because God and His Word are one.
(John 1:1)
Amazing how we can be transported back in time to the situations in the Gospels when we begin to take to heart their teachings.
I think if we did that more often, perhaps more people like Lazarus would be raised from the dead - physically and spiritually.
December 1st, 2009 at 7:18 am
Kim: I’m not sure the “right woman” will come along. I’m 35, lonely, angry, and single. I’m not angry at being single so much - I’m just angry at the world in general.
I was forced to break up because of my convictions. Truth be known, I actually really cared for my ex-girlfriend. She was a good friend and I miss her.
My life is being ruined.
December 2nd, 2009 at 1:22 pm
Hi Lori, and Brandt.
Real quick here, sorry I have not responded to you wonderful People.
I had some family emergancies.
Any how, Lori, I have to be more careful how I word things. (Thank you) What I mean when I was talking about the room of “Pleasing God” was, trying to please God with our works. God loves us and he is pleased merely by creating us. Gods wants us to understand that first. We are not loved by what we do, he just loves us, he delights in his creation.
With that said, we so please God with our rightous acts; with our serving him, serving others, etc, for sure.
Just like a Dad finds pleasure in his Son’s (or Daughter’s)accomplishments; achieving good grades, buying his first car, becomming captain of the football team, making the football team and so on.
But hopefully we love our sons, because there our sons (or daughters)We don’t make or expect them to win our favor.
I hope that helps clear up for you what I meant.
Brandt;
Wow my Friend, sorry u are hurting, chin up, when you are following the heart of Christ, you will recieve your blessings.
This will pass. Trusting God in your Lonliness/loss, in exchange for loosing your dignity/and possibly falling into greater sin, is counted as righteousness.
I can tell you love her. Think how God felt when he set these boundries up for you and I. He doesnt want us to be hurt by his protection. He hurts when you hurt…
He is right there with you, walking through the pain. He has great blessings for you. Just meditate on how wonderful it will feel when you are at the alter with your bride who is totally commited to God and everything you believe…..
Were you really forced to break up with her, or did you make a choice? A great but hard choice….God is proud of you…
Try to think and remember you are making good decisions, decision that have a profound impact. Heavenly!!!!
Hang in there….You can do this.
December 2nd, 2009 at 5:16 pm
Kimberly: Thanks for the encouragement. Yeah I agree. I’m not really angry anymore - just wanting to focus on God. I don’t know when the “magic time” will be for me to meet a mate
but I do know God has it in His hands.
Love in Christ,
Brandt
December 2nd, 2009 at 8:13 pm
I can only say Amen to all that Kimberly has said to you Brandt! Kimberly, let’s you and I lift up this dear brother in Christ as God brings him to our minds. Then what a great rejoicing we can share when we see him blessed beyond words with the person God has prepared for him, and prepared HIM for!!!
Oh, and yes, Kimberly, you did clear up what you meant; excellent sermon!!! Brandt, share again as the Lord leads. I’ll be praying, and I believe Kimberly will be praying as well!
December 3rd, 2009 at 12:18 am
Brandt….
I am so glad to hear you are feeling better!! God is good!
I hope that you all have a blessed day.
Thank you for you kind words Lori…
Love in Christ….
December 3rd, 2009 at 9:24 am
Okay, first of all, nobody FORCES these movies down anyones throat. Sure, I agree that it is nearly impossible to walk through the mall or Wal-Mart without seeing something about Harry Potter or Twilight. But think about this… If you start trying to dictate, in any way shape or form, what type of movie hollywood is allowed to produce, or start trying to censor what can be shown in theatres, or try to raise convictions of people because a book says that its bad for people to hear or see things like vampires or magic, then you’re also taking away what your “Father” gave you in the first place… free will. According to Christian (the majority here, not all) Faiths, mankind was given free will by God to say, speak, or act as he saw fit. Those actions have consequences, sure. But who are you to decide what is acceptable for a viewing audience when your God has said that it’s up to the individual? By what moral authority do you have the right to enforce God’s Will upon anyone? If God didn’t want people to go to these theatres and see these movies or rent them or buy them, then why doesn’t he do something about it? Obviously, he doesn’t seem to have as much of a problem with the mythological idea of “vampires” that people do. In fact, after reading and re-reading the bible, I don’t recall a verse sayings specifically “And thou shalt not drink the blood of animals or man”. Consider this, God put animals here to feed man. No matter how well you cook a steak, there’s going to be a bit of blood SOMEWHERE in the meat… So by that logic, God basically gave us the need of eating but also without a way to escape from having to drink blood… Hmmmmm…. sounds like good old King James did it again, another parodox in the Bible… The truth is it’s called imagination, and NO WHERE in the Bible is that forbidden. DOING it may be forbidden, but the movies that hollywood puts out do not send the message “Drink blood like Edward Cullen and you can be a vampire too!”, or “Wave a wand around like Harry Potter and be a wizard/witch and you’ll be just like him!” It’s called imagination people, and it’s a gift. Doesn’t matter how you look at it, imagination has never been banned by the Bible, whether it was in Ancient Hebrew, Latin, German, English, Old Testament, or New Testament. And the free will to view those things, to think about them, to read about them, or to imagine them was given by God, not too be dictated by Man…
December 13th, 2009 at 8:50 pm
Hey i like to see thoughtful discussion on this! Many of my friends seem to be into it, and so i’ve been thinking about it! and after reading what you have said, i just want to say, that was good! I just want to say, that The DEVIL will do anything that is within his power to kill and destroy us! this he does in a subtle ways! I believe that this is a excellent example of how the devil can influence the younger generation, into thinking that this “apple” can be so “delicious” and tricking us! THIS IS HOW THE DEVIL CAN GET US if it isnt one of the ways, than how else can he do it? its his last chance right?!?!?!?!? well all i have to say, is twilight is not something that will bring me closer to God so why would i indulge my self in the (GOOD AND EVIL) of the books/Movies…. i am possibly going against the majority in this possible argument, and that is something sad to see! For me and my household we will serve the Lord. and i dont even have a household, im a 19 year old young adult, that will not break to the devils devices which he has secretly placed for us to hopefully fall!~and i think this SEGA has a lot to say through the series about the tree of good and evil! The serpent was beautiful and beguiling, causing the first sin that coused this crap world to become what it is today!!!! the devil in the tree as a snake, seemed fine, but we all know that the end lead to death, and nothing to special for those poor folks that had to go make gardens in rocky soil!, and live in a dieing state! the twilight seems like it is getting worse, adding some evil as it gos, creating momentum with the youth, and teen pop culture. this is exactly what some one wants? but is it for our good? Please people who read this comment, this is our salvation, for the better or worse, ONE step in either direction!! …..good or evil… or??? good and evil, and isn’t the grass greener there!?!? i like the name, its beguiling! but i really like the beauty of twilight in its beauty as i see it every time the sun reflects its new dawning day, showing me that Jesus is their, and loves us!
I cant wait to be their with him! some day! can you? hmmm
If you hate what i said, im not in the least bit sorry…. JKJK i dont like to offend, thats mean… but yeah at least think about and be cautious of what i have just said PLZ>. JUST ROLE STRAIGHT EDGE WIt me! YEH yeh?? haha ;)¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬
December 14th, 2009 at 2:10 am
Are you guys scared to trust God that he will provide you enough enterainment?
December 14th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” – Philippians 4:8
December 14th, 2009 at 12:13 pm
“…whatsoever man there be of the house of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn among you, that eateth any manner of blood; I will even set My face against that soul that eateth blood… for the life of all flesh is in the blood… for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul… no soul of you shall eat blood…” (Lev.17:10-12).
Josh is right; dwell on pure, lovely, honest, just things. We absorb, assimilate, reflect and become what we see; if not, millions of dollars would not be invested in a 30 second commercial.
We will either obey God out of love in return for so GREAT and FREE salvation, or we will justify, grasp at straws to justify, twist scripture to justify, get as close to sin as possible to justify the insatiable appetite for gratification and entertainment.
December 14th, 2009 at 8:06 pm
WiccanMarine: I’m not sure about your faith but basically I understand that it teaches that there is white magic / dark magic. Mine teaches that all magic is wrong. We believe that there is an entity of evil, Satan / Lucifer, who wants to destroy humanity.
God never said that the individual should follow their own mind. In Romans God tells us to be transformed to the renewing of our minds so that we will not be conformed to the world.
I have no time to argue, as I am seeking to have the mind of Christ, and there is little time. I simply make the choices that lead to renewal of my mind. The other reason I don’t have time to argue is that my renewed mind tells me you are not the enemy. The one controlling your mind is. However, the war was won at the cross. Hopefully we both end up on the right side in the end. All I can say is, Jesus Christ can save you.
December 15th, 2009 at 11:10 am
TO:
Anyone curious about what the bible says about drinking blood..I don’t know what bible some of you are reading, follow this link and read the article… http://www.holyplan.com/2009/02/22/what-does-the-bible-say-about-blood/
Or, Read some of it below..
In the Bible, the soul is said to be in the blood because blood is so intimately involved in the life processes. (Le 17:11) But making the connection even more direct, the Bible says: “The soul of every sort of flesh is its blood.” (Le 17:14)
Blood was only used for sacrificial use in the bible. Shedding innocent blood is a grave sin.
Clearly, God’s Word treats both life and blood as sacred.
Should we not do the same?
When God told Adam and Eve not to eat the forbidden fruit,…was it their right to do so anyway? Could the same principal apply with the use of blood. God said not to eat the blood or to abstain from blood- Acts 15:28, 29
More on this subject
Gen. 9:3, 4; Acts 15:19, 20; Lev. 17:11, 12; Heb. 9:11-14, 22; Eph. 1:7
December 15th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
I was going to see/read Twilight (after hearing about it) but seeing reading all ur comments and drama has changed my mind. I don’t have a conviction not to see it- you could argue C.S.Lewis film Narnia has a witch in it so we must go judge the overall message however saying that some people will only watch 20mins + decide to b a goth/vampire yes this film will seduce some others it will have no effect others who think it’s had no effect on them will be affected 6 months to a yr dwn the line. The heart is deceptive + wicked above all things! Stephanie Meyer a Mormon- a christian well God knows + judges. But we must ask the Holy Spirit to give us wisdom. A heart that seeks God finds him! Will seeing the films; reading the books bring glory 2 God? I could write 2 essays on justifying + 1 on condemening! Apostle Paul says in all things we are to glorify God! I realise when I consciously think like this what i’m doin is never good enough + fallen short cause usually i’m too lazy to bother to bruised to move to that level but I still try when I can muster the energy! Our hearts are deceptive + wicked remember that whydo uthink the way u think we must aim higher + I must say I am ashamed that I could devote time to finish the series in a month but pathetically not the bible + struggle to read a whole chapter in a week let alone a month!xoxo
January 3rd, 2010 at 5:23 am
So I didn’t have time to read all the posts, and I don’t know where everyone is coming from, but I would like to say that unless the Bible has changed since the books and the movie came out, vampires are evil. They are demons, and are associated with the devil. And the Bible speaks very clearly on withch craft and things of this nature, and let’s not forget that it is a sex based movie, after all doesn’t Bella become pregnant with Edwards child? If I’m not mistaken they are also unmarried, I would less of a problem with her being prregnant if they were married. I think that we as Christians have to be so careful about what we accept as ok, we want so badly to be apart of the world today. But after reading Deuteronomy 18:9-12, it all became a little bit clearer. I also have to confess that I have not seen the movie, due to the fact that there are vampires and wharewolves in it, and they are evil creatures. So I get all my information from friends that have read and seen it and endorse it, and I have to say that what I have heard makes me glad that I have decided not to see it, or read it for that matter.
Anna Grace.
January 19th, 2010 at 1:10 pm
PLEASE be careful not to turn EVERYTHING, simple things into Devil worship. I’m sure, whether you approve of reading the book or not the author’s intent wasn’t to lure the younger generation into sin. I feel we have a very big habit to condem VERY quickly. It’s a turn off for those curious about being saved and what the Lord has to offer when we’re being so harsh about their previous lifestyle.
And the way sex (gasp) is being discussed is almost comical. Goodness, everyone is speaking about it as if it’s some horrid activity rather than the natural gift it is.
Sex is a subject in Twilight and Bella WAS married. They were on their honeymoon.
March 18th, 2010 at 12:22 am
Neicy,
Good point. We don’t know the author’s intent really until we sit down and talk with her.
I think it was Paul who said he didn’t even know his own motivations, so how could he judge others’?
And until we see a film for ourselves, we can’t really judge the content that we haven’t seen either.
The nice thing is that we have this place to discuss it and hammer out thoughts, ideas, etc.
March 18th, 2010 at 9:05 am
I just want to mention something that i have been learning in the past 2 weeks. I believe that there is good and evil. I also believe that there is 2 sides that are war’ing for souls. I think that God can use the bad for good, or the grey for good, but we have to see that there is that other side (besides good) that is striving for our souls, our affection, and everything. This almost doesn’t even have to do with “is this right” or “is this wrong.” This is about what our affection is on. If our constant focus is on things other than God, the devil has a easy way to get us and our affection. basically what im saying, is that the devil will use any method to get us out of our Bibles, and if it means a book, movie, or other method! then he will have at it! the nice thing to think about and be glad and all happy about, is that God is on our side, and he is WAY stronger! But just remember that were your heart is there you may be also….
March 18th, 2010 at 11:05 am
It’s nice to see people being able to have a conversation and simply discuss things without bringing our the swords and fire. I’m happy there is a community such as this one striving.
And I also agree Josh. How wonderful that we serve such a mighty God!
March 18th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
In relationship to Nicy, I did do my research and found out that she was married when she got pregnant. But however when teenage girls are cheering when their favorite guys in the movie take off their shirts, thats called lust and lust is sin! Yes or no? I don’t think that Christains understand the danger of these books and of these movies, I did my research and I wrote a paper on it. I would love to send it to you, if you read it. We do serve a Mighty God, and HE commands us to flee unclean things and vampires and warewolves are unclean! Lust is unclean, was it not also Paul that said, flee youthful lusts, and maybe I’m wrong but cheering when a guy takes off his shirt is LUST! Correct if theres a verse that backs these and movies up, I dont think that there is.
Respectfuly subbmitted,
Anna
March 18th, 2010 at 7:06 pm
In response to Angela, the Bible says that we are to avoid ALL apierance of evil! Vampires are evil, I have heard things that make me wonder what has our Christian world come to that we justify our entertainment, let me ask you a question and please be honest, would you consider that murder is ok in some cases? or how about porn? Would you have consider looking at that to be ok? I would hope not, when guys take off their shrts it is immoral, and agian we’re told not to have anything to do with immorality.
Anna
March 18th, 2010 at 7:13 pm
Vampires are from the devil!
March 18th, 2010 at 7:15 pm
I am not married as yes I do see intimacy as a gift, but when we miss use and abuse it, then that is a problem. I’m sorry if I’m coming across judgemental but this is very dangerious, and no one seems to understand that! I have seen so many young people fall and this movie has been a big part of that. I know that a lot of people are going to say that sin was in thier hearts long before that, but you dont understand that this movie has done a lot of damage to young people, and I am a young person, and did have a desire to see it until I did my research! I know that I cant convince you, that’s not my job, that’s the Holy Spirits job!
Anna
March 18th, 2010 at 7:22 pm
Josh,
there are no grey areas in the Bible do your research and look up veres. You find that there is an answer to everything!
March 18th, 2010 at 7:25 pm
I don’t beleive “a guy taking his shirt off is immoral” in certain settings. It is important to be conservative and realize our bodies are not for show and tell, but our bodies aren’t wrong. Adam and Eve started out bare, God clothed them not because of the nudity itself, but because of the sins it implied. I don’t beleive showing skin, such as situations like at a beach in a bathing suit or such, is immoral.
Yes; be wary of temptation and lust! But do not cringe or be afraid of your body and the way it is.
And I’d love to read your report! What a creative topic to do a report on!
March 18th, 2010 at 8:48 pm
Anna,
Please define grey area, because I often hear from fellow Christians that everything or most things are Black and White. Unfortunately it’s a terrible argument especially about scripture when we use the terminology “Black and White”. In fact, can anyone tell me where in the bible the phrase black and white is used?
If all the answers are in the bible, then can you tell me why my parents lost a child when he was 8 months old.
Respectfully,
Adam
March 18th, 2010 at 9:25 pm
everyone listen to Matisyahu. Random I know. But I am tired of Twilight…lol.
March 19th, 2010 at 6:22 am
No, Adam there are things that we as humans cant explain, but we can trust to know that Romans 8:28 is true, and that God has some plan although I dont know what it is. If so I would know why my mother has had breast cancer twice. But I know that evil cannot fight evil, and that demons dont war agianst demons. I wish I could tell you more, but as I search this out in my Bible the less I find that I know. I’m sorry, the closest I’ve come to that is my Mom having cancer and her having six miscarrages. I have come to God in prayer, and yes at times I do feel like I’m only one in a million voices calling out to HIM but then I rember that He cares for me, and I mean more to Him then a sparrow and He does so much, I cant arrgue with anything that He does, because of everything that He has done for me. He sent His only Son to die for me, so that I can live, so your eight month old brother can live. With everything He has done for me, I find it better to live on the side of cation. I’m sorry that I offended you, that was not my intent, I dont have all the answers but I do know the ONE that does.
Respectfuly
Anna G.
March 19th, 2010 at 9:11 pm
Song of Soloman was wriiten from a husband to his wife, and I believe in cortship, I am a very conservitive Christian, and so I do have a problem with a guy standing over the bed of a young woman and watching her sleep, I’m sorry but I would hope that my Dad would have a problem with that as well, I would love to send you my paper, let me know how I can do that, it was a hard paper to write because it’s so conterversial[?] and so it has been very hard to hand it out to my friends, and people I love. The idea for me, about a guy taking off his shirt is a big deal, not only do I respond to what I feel, but what I see as well. I often have to remind my brothers in Christ about that, and most of them already know it, and the other guys just the attention taht they get when they do it, and that IS WRONG. I’m sorry, if I come across to conservitive, but that’s the way I was raised and it’s the way I am. I am a Pastors daughter, and I cannot be a stumbling block. If that means that I cut out what I watch so be it, I have to many people watching me. Do you understand where I’m coming from, and I have to much at stake, with the young kids at my Church. We are a very small Church, and so everyone knows everything about you, and they know better then you know yourself, and I love that about my Church and I wouldnt change taht for the world. Now Adam and Eve, they were created perfect, and so to be unclothed they didnt know what we know, they had no reason to be ashamed, and when they sinned they tried to hide and they tried to fix it, all by themselves and we still do that, and they blaimed and justified their sin. And so their not a real good example in my book, and I’m sorry if you think that I’m being to picky. But romance is ok, when it’s done the right way, and Romans 7:1 is the right way, I recently watched the previews for the new moon, and it’s freaky. I cannot even begin to discribe to you the dreams I’ve had, and the dreams I’ve had eplained to me. The woman that wrote this is a morman and momans are not Christians, they are not going to Heaven. They are going to hell, what bothers me is that no one has tried to contact her and tell her of the danger that she is possing, and she is going to lead young people astray. I’m not sorry that I’m so passionate about this,I hope that you can understand that I have to spreak out, and I’m protect my ‘Family’ if you will, and that these kids that used to be godly good kids have fallen and are in the world and I cant talk about the stuff that’s gone on with them.
Anna
March 19th, 2010 at 9:36 pm
Hi Anna! You do not need accolades from me, as I know that YOU know your reward is honoring Jesus Christ, but I cannot help but support every word of what you have said and the stand you take. This is not an easy place to be. You will be persecuted for righteousness sake. I do not believe any of these types of movies or books glorifies our Creator/Father, or leads anyone to Christ. There is angel of light deception woven throughout! - including the seemingly harmless (when this culture instead of God’s Word is the standard/measuring tool) sexual innuendos. If you have a way to contact this Mormon author; it may be that you are the one God would use to present to her the Truth. Again, I support your stand and your views on this issue and pray you never compromise, for the glory and honor of Jesus!
March 20th, 2010 at 12:15 pm