WARNING: This post contains spoilers.
Tonight I went and saw the new Twilight move (Eclipse) and it got me to thinking about the messages the movie is trying to pass along. And messages are definitely there. I’ve picked a few that might be worth considering if you see this movie with your teens or pre-teens.
- The graduation speech. A graduation speech is delivered that focuses not on seeking for self-improvement through discipline of any sort, but rather through repeated failure. Students are encouraged to fall in love multiple times. Supposedly, once you’ve tried everything you’ll know what is “you.”
The problem here is that experimenting is not a Christian value. Romans 12:1-2 says that as we offer our bodies as living sacrifices we will be transformed and will be able to test and approve God’s will. Engaging in whatever impulse captures your attention often leads us directly into sin, which does reveal who we are (that is, sinners) but provides no hope of becoming something so much more: this is only done in Christ, and only by surrendering our own wills to him. (This is the “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord” of Romans 10:9)
Discovering the right path for you in the future is not about impulsive experimentation, but about dying to yourself and seeking the abounding Grace that God has promised to those who seek him.
- A Struggle between “who I’m supposed to be” and “who I am.” At the end of the movie Bella explains just why she’s making such a “foolish” choice as the result of her own pervasive sense of not quite fitting into the role that society thinks she ought to play. Only in joining Edward’s world will she truly fit, truly belong.
In the beginning, God created man and woman to be perfect, and to enjoy fellowship with Him. However, Isaiah 59:2 explains our dilemma: “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.” None of us truly belong in a sin-filled existence, because we were designed for perfection with God. It is not until we allow Him to change us that we will ever experience life fully as we were intended to. And much like the case with Bella being incapable of bringing about this change for herself, we can only ask God to do for us what Ephesians 2 so eloquently captures:
As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
- The power of Love. Edward and Jacob are natural enemies, and it is only their love for Bella that brings them together and unites two species who have hated each other time out of mind. Because they care for her more than anything else, they are drawn together into her need.
So it will be with Christ. We know that God is love, He is the source of all true Love (see 1 John 4), and it is not until we love him passionately, more than anything else, that the hatred that defines this world will fade away as we join together in following his perfect plan. The Jews and Arabs will never reach peace over coffee, but someday when Christ reigns, the lion will lay down with the lamb. (Is. 65:25)
This is really just scratching the surface, but it’s very clear that Paul’s comparison of Christ and the Church with a husband and wife is as relevant today as it ever were. If we recognize the source and nature of true love and understand how God intended us to be (and intends us to live), it’s easy to see the dim shadows of these glorious truths played out everywhere, even in the love stories of a secular hollywood.
One last note: I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Edward turns down Bella’s sexual advances because he is concerned about her virtue and wants to save sex for after marriage. Sure, it’s described as “ancient” rules, but there is a noble character there that Edward displays that you just don’t see very often in pop culture. Major kudos for this one! (This alone would put me solidly on Team Edward if I wasn’t already there)
Parents, you can do much worse than this flick. If you let your kids see it, make sure you don’t miss out on abundant opportunities to talk through this from a Christian worldview.
