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A Christian Perspective on the Twilight Saga

Apr 8, 2009
Fiction
The Twilight Saga

I just finished reading the Twilight Saga (Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, Breaking Dawn) by Stephenie Meyer for the fourth time.  I read through it this last time looking specifically at the religious implications of the story.  Have any of you looked at this aspect?

The first few times I read Twilight, I was so caught up in the story that I didn’t try to analyze any other ideas in the books.  It wasn’t until we were discussing the series in Sunday School that I really got to thinking about it.

I’m sure a lot of skeptics of the morality of the Twilight series.  But I read through the books looking for positive ideals that go along with the Christian Faith.

First, Edward struggles with the idea that he might not have a soul, and therefore might end up in Hell.  The fact that Heaven and Hell are even brought up in a mainstream fiction was very encouraging to me.  Also, Edward’s goal is to get Bella to the “better place” aka Heaven, even if he doesn’t get to go there.  A true evangelistic heart!  Edward demonstrates a very sincere, selfless kind of love, the kind of love a Christian should have.

The second thing that I found very encouraging for a mainstream fiction is the abstinence of the main characters.  Very rarely, if ever, is abstinence until marriage written about in a top selling fiction novel.  Even more rare is the fact that the motivation for that abstinence is the fate of the characters’ souls.

I loved being able to read this series the third and fourth time knowing that while immersed in Edward and Bella’s world, there would be a morality that would allow me to read with a clear conscious.  With some secular fiction you have to be very careful.  In this series of novels there are a few places where the characters use cursing to express themselves, but I would guess it is much less than many of us hear in our everyday lives.

Overall, I loved this saga.  I would encourage each of you to read it and form your own opinions about it.  Some Christian associates of mine have discredited the Twilight Saga because it is about mythical “monsters” that are supposed to be evil, yet these people haven’t read the books.  I’m one who likes to take in all the information and form my own opinions.  Let me know what you think!

15 Comments
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15 Comments

  1. Dwayner  •  Apr 20, 2009 @7:11 am

    There was a clear shout-out to creation in Twilight as well. Good perspective.

  2. l  •  Apr 23, 2009 @11:59 pm

    did u think that the books r… appropriate 4 the younger audience, not the violence but other? no one will answer me in that.

  3. admin  •  Apr 24, 2009 @8:14 am

    *SPOILERS* (If you haven’t read all of the books, and plan to, don’t read this!)

    The Twilight Saga is written from a high school perspective…so I’m sure that all teens (13 and up) could relate to the story line. As a parent, you have to make the decision as to what your child can handle and at what age. Though I don’t think there are moral compromises in this book, the main characters are mythical animals. If you’d like to shelter your child from the world of vampires and werewolves, then this book isn’t for you. If your child knows and understands that fiction means fiction, then they will really enjoy this series. I was an avid reader and a “older” minded child at a young age, so I would have enjoyed this series probably at age 11 or 12!
    As far as “sex” in this series, the main characters are like all teens…they want to, but they don’t. They hold out for marriage. I would love for my teen to read that message in a secular novel. I’ve read other reviews that say the way Bella and Edward act is immoral. I’d have to disagree and tell them to remember what it was like when they were a teen. There are a few kissing scenes, and a few make-out sessions where they are tempted, but they always choose to wait. With all of the attraction, true love, and hormones, these characters choose chastity until marriage!
    So, to answer your question “is Twilight appropriate for younger audience”, I would say yes…if by younger you mean 12 and up! I think by that age, every child should have a grasp on truth vs. fiction.
    Know your child, and explore this series with them!
    I hope this helps!

  4. sandra  •  May 28, 2009 @3:39 pm

    I agree with your review. even though they are vampires, they cannot help this and clearly want to live better lives – they don’t want to be “monsters” Twilight is my favorite all time book- ever.

  5. Casey  •  Jun 17, 2009 @10:38 pm

    I am also a Christian and I really enjoyed these books. I read them because my soon to be 7th grader wanted to read them and I thought I should check them out first. I have allowed her to read the first two books, Twilight and New Moon but told her she would have to wait a while to read the other 2, they get a little more physical in those.

  6. Skittles  •  Jun 20, 2009 @3:55 pm

    Ok the book has some good aspects of it and i respect that but just tell me this, what would Jesus think of this?I’m not trying to put the book down or anything, just think about that for me.

  7. Marcy  •  Jun 25, 2009 @12:32 am

    Ive been planning to blog on this myself… though will do that as I have time. But Id like to add what youve started… Ive only read 1 and 2 so far but the striking parallels of the Christian faith and this story are what inspired me to continue reading. As I “watched” Edward and his family choose to live a life VERY different from the vampires around them… I felt my own flesh/spirit battle. Isnt that the way it is? Just as it took them time, discipline, COMMUNITY to grow in their ability to abstain from their most natural desires… so we as believers require time, discipline, and community to choose things of the spirit over the things of this world. Just to get you thinking….

    I was also struck by how deeply the author touches on our strong desire to be loved in spite of ourselves. How long it takes Bella to TRULY believe she is loved… no matter how clumsy, plain, ordinary, or accident prone she is. She is LOVED… just as our very own Savior loves us passionately and protectively in spite of ourselves. Just reflections of our need for a Savior. Im intrigued by how much the author reveals of her own search in this series… as I see SO many glimpses of OUR story in this one. Who would have thought??? :) I only began to read it because of peer pressure! :) LOL

  8. Audrey  •  Jul 7, 2009 @5:47 pm

    Actually I really like the Books, I have no bad comments
    The books are written properly and I like the Love that Edward has
    given to Bella, Selfless and very true…

  9. admin  •  Jul 8, 2009 @9:57 am

    The Bible really doesn’t mention Christ having free time, or His interests if he did have free time. As with all things, I think He’d want us to look at it as an opportunity…to see good or evil…to use for his glory, or not. If these books can encourage teens, a hard to reach generation, to have morals and to stay pure until marriage, I see that as a good. I’m sure Christ would like to see teens using His word to recieve these teachings, though. Why can’t we as adults find things that are in the teens world to help them spiritually, and then relate them to the bible? This series most definitely casts certain morals and ideas in a positive light. This is a great thing.

  10. Elizabeth  •  Aug 31, 2009 @12:06 am

    Hey…

    I am doing a research on Twilight and the impact of literary form on christian morality… I was wondering can anyone help me…… please….

  11. admin  •  Sep 14, 2009 @8:59 am

    Feel free to read our review on “Twilight”. Many people have commented on it.

  12. Angel  •  Nov 2, 2009 @12:22 am

    Twilight is the best. I will be watching all the Twilight movies in my portable DVD again and again.

  13. Marie  •  Dec 13, 2009 @1:24 pm

    This article is a lifesaver. I am a Junior at a Christian high school, and for my rem paper, I decided that I would do, “Should Christians Read Twilight?” as my topic. I personally LOVE the series, but finding support like this is much harder to find because the Christians that find Twilight acceptable are less likely to post about it, rather than those who oppose it. This is a wonderful commentary, an I’m glad it is here for me to take note on for my ginormous project. Just thank you so much!

    God Bless,

    marie

  14. Suz  •  Dec 14, 2009 @4:47 pm

    I applaud you for taking your stand….I was totally gaianst these from the begining but then gave in and began reading and have to say I was sucked in. I am a Christian and there little things that would cry out in my spirit like when Edward refers to himself and Bella as the “Lion and Lamb” That didnt sit right….then when I got in the 3rd book the nightmares began and the restless sleeping, my husband said it seemed that I was “obbessed” with reading and talking about the books, the last book was where I could not finish….when then talked about Bella’s “rebirth” My Spirit cried out….this is wrong!!!! There is only one rebirth….only one way to be reborn…Through Jesus Chrst…now I know….most of you are rolling your eyes by now saying “this is just a book” but this is what I beleive and how it effected me and my family.

  15. Suz  •  Dec 14, 2009 @4:54 pm

    to add I did not finish the last book….it let my spirit clashed if that makes sense and when my family tried to watch the Twiglight the first movie my 12 year old got 15 minutes into it and left room saying she felt it was wrong and not what she had been taught, my 13 year old had nightmares all night….I saw New Moon and loved it….so I was sucked it….. loved it all…..but my Spirit was greater…… we have to remeber here as we say…they are just books…

    Satan Comes as an angel of light / Deceiver THE FATHER OF LIES. John 8:44b

    I hope my post did not offend anyone….just sharing how it effected me and my family.
    Suz~

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