Showing posts with label Twilight saga. Show all posts
This fin
al installment in the Twilight Saga was again a step further into the cautionary factors. I enjoy the authors writing style, I just wish that the content of the stories was not so much "darkness" dressed up as "light".There was an increase in "soft language" (see below) and the relationship content leaned further into the disturbing realm. Having now read the entire saga, I would strongly caution any Christian away from reading them, especially younger audiences and those who are impressionable. Because the content starts out seemingly "harmless" it draws the reader into believing the ending to be a good and happy one.
With eyes fixed on eternity, it is anything but a good and happy conclusion.
Breaking Dawn (Book Four in the Twilight Saga),
By Stephenie Meyer
(2008)
754 pages
Summary: As Bella embraces her role as a wife, the decisions she makes will have far-reaching consequences. Her wedded union brings another dose of danger to her new family, old friends and her own life.
THEMES: vampires; werewolves; immortal children; prejudice; friendship and love; self-sacrifice; at-risk pregnancy; imprinting
FOUL LANGUAGE: ZERO occurrences
SOFT LANGUAGE (heard on cable TV): 25 occurrences (13 C-words, 8 uses of hell as a swear word, 4 D-words)
VIOLENCE: As is written in the prologue, Bella states, "When you loved the one who was killing you, it left you no options. How could you run, how could you fight, when doing so would hurt that beloved one? If your life was all you had to give your beloved, how could you not give it?"
There are two circumstances where Bella technically "gives her life".
When the audience part of me knew that in this fictitious world Bella would- in her mind- be "happiest" with Edward, I have never so entirely wanted my heart as a reader to break from the main character making a wiser decision.
SEXUAL CONTENT: There was marital intimacy without being graphic. However there was extensive contemplation and even a proposal of sharing partners in the hopes of solving a potential problem.
Yikes, that compounds their problems, it doesn't solve them!
DRUG USE: 1 unusual occurrence.
Without getting into too many storyline-spoiling details, there are instances where a character is prescribed to drink donated human blood from a cup.
While the Cullen family calls themselves "vegetarians" because they restrict their blood-drinking to animals, let's see what the Bible has to say, even about this:
"You shall not eat the blood of any flesh, for the life of all flesh is its blood. Whoever eats of it shall be cut off." Leviticus 17:14
"Be sure you do not eat the blood, because the blood is the life..." Deut. 12:23
If those sound too much like an Old Covenant law, let's look at the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15, specifically verse 20: "Instead we should write to them, telling them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from meat of strangled animals and from blood."
BLASPHEMIES: ZERO occurrences of God's name used in vain.
REFERENCES TO AND GENERAL ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD: They have technically cut out any need or desire for God in the removal of death's inevitability, as if they could exist apart from Christ (He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. Colossians 1:17).
If these characters stood before God today, let's see how they would measure up to God's requirements...
You shall have no other gods before Me. ======> BROKEN (The God of the Bible is not their Lord and Master)
You shall not make for yourself an idol...======> BROKEN (they idolize and worship one another)
You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses His name. =====> No evidence of misuse.
Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy. =======> They never set any time aside to honor God.
Honor your father and your mother... ======> BROKEN (continually deceiving Bella's parents)
You shall not murder. =====> BROKEN (by Edward in his early vampire days, and Bella's hatred reveals a murderous heart according to Jesus' words in Matthew 5:21-22)
You shall not commit adultery. ======> BROKEN (again, according to Jesus' words they have committed adultery in their hearts. See Matthew 5:28)
You shall not steal. =====> No evidence that I recall of this being broken.
You shall not lie. =====> BROKEN
You shall not covet. =======> BROKEN, BROKEN, BROKEN, and, Oh yeah, BROKEN.
Now keep in mind scripture says whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of all of it. (James 2:10)
Neither Bella nor Edward profess belief and trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior, therefore they are bound to stand before God as the judge of their deeds. He does not judge on a curve, He judges in comparison to the perfection of His SON. They fall dreadfully short.
Now would be a good time to examine yourself. How would you hold up in light of the requirements of God's Standard?
Are you trusting in Jesus as the Bearer of the wrath that you rightfully deserve?
Is God increasing your Christ-likeness daily?
Have you been made a new creation?
I pray that your desire is for godliness and the honor and glory of the God of the Bible.
If you are a child of God, celebrate the fact that Jesus prayed for you. He prayed this: "For You granted [the Son] authority over all flesh that to all whom You have given Him, He may give eternal life. This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." (John 17:2,3)
FREE Logo Generator!Create Free Logos with our logo generator
The thing that first attracted me to these books were the simple, lovely covers. I didn't know anything about the content, but the covers caught my attention. I know, I know, don't judge a book by its cover. Anyway, by the time I received the book from my www.paperbackswap.com wishlist I had a general knowledge of the book's theme. I am not really into vampire novels, so it got shelved while I was busy reading other material.
Then I heard that my young cousin was reading the book, so I decided then was as good a time to start as any.
I will say this for the book: it is well-written, with mostly compelling struggles (albeit in a very fictitious world). The voice of the main character is witty and entertaining so that, as a reader, you don't mind being in her head.
I am glad, though, that I have read three of the books so far before posting this review. The books rise in mature themes and content, therefore I need to mark this with a firm "Use Discernment", and the rating will go up as the series goes on. So keep this in mind if you are considering reading this book. You will most likely want to read the rest and the themes get increasingly questionable. More details follow in the break-down of criteria.
Twilight, (Book One in the Twilight Saga)
by Stephanie Meyer
498 pages
Library of Congress Summary: When seventeen-year-old Bella leaves Phoenix to live with her father in Forks, Washington, she meets an exquisitely handsome boy at school for whom she feels an overwhelming attraction and who she comes to realize is not wholly human.
THEMES: Vampires; High school; first love; keeping secrets; temptation
FOUL LANGUAGE: ZERO occurrences
SOFT LANGUAGE (heard on cable TV): 3 occurrences (D-words)
VIOLENCE: This is a vampire novel, so there are "bad" vampires who attack and kill or attempt to kill people.
SEXUAL CONTENT: There are scenes of impassioned kissing, with little restraint. Love is supposed to be the acceptable excuse for why they can hardly control themselves.
DRUG USE: ZERO occurrences
BLASPHEMIES: ZERO occurrences
REFERENCES TO AND GENERAL ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD: God is very decisively avoided, although the lead male character comments: "I decided as long as I was going to hell, I might as well do it thoroughly." (pg. 87)
OTHER ITEMS OF NOTE: The following details are concerning...
The relationship between the main character and the male lead is presented as very romantic and something to be sought after, but, besides the fact that he is a vampire and she is human, there are some very unhealthy roots to their relationship.
Bella, the main character, has the classic bad-boy syndrome. She is enthralled with the idea that her romantic interest could be dangerous but chooses not to be. She also has a very unhealthy view of Edward, the male lead. Repeatedly she refers to his "perfection" and that he is a "godlike creature" (pg. 256). It seems that her affection for him closely resembles obsession, and not in a poetic way.
There is a scene on page 103 where Edward displays odd outrage and controlling tendencies and this is never apologized for or resolved, just forgotten. He also sneaks into her room via the window (without her knowledge) and watches her sleep. Creepy-- but it is presented as very endearing because of his curious and protective intentions. After she finds out about this, he continues-- with her permission now-- all the while deceiving her father. Although they do not actually have sex, they are "playing married" with their emotions and intimacy and successfully pretend she is alone and sleeping when her dad comes to check on her. Again, this is all supposed to be romantic, and excused because of their uncontrollable "love" for one another.
Time and again, Edward speaks of not having the willpower to stay away from her although he knows that it is in her best interest, safety-wise, to do so. And she lacks the strength to maintain self-control when she kisses him, and instead pushes the limits.
Hopefully this information will help you in making a decision about this book. Keep in mind, also, that this is the mildest in subject matter of the first three of the four books. I don't want young Christians to feed into the notion that this is the way to love someone, or the way to be loved.
FREE Logo Generator!
Create Free Logos with our logo generator
