True Confessions

Well, it's true confession time.

My name is Dana. I am a Christian and, gulp, not only have I read all of the Twilight books but I have also seen both movies.

On my Facebook page Friday (the day the New Moon movie opened), there was a status from someone encouraging "Be careful little eyes what you see. This is a warning for Christians thinking of seeing New Moon."

Maybe I have a little rebel in me but things like that generally make me cringe.

Let me explain.

Ordinarily, I probably wouldn't have read the Twilight books simply because I don't generally read vampire books. My sister--who doesn't read much--read them and I thought that it would be something we could discuss.

I was pleasantly surprised. They aren't great works of literature or anything but they are entertaining reads.

I waited for the first movie on Netflix and, honestly, wasn't impressed. While the movie did follow the book (which was good), the filming was much like a very poor after school special!

You would almost have to live in a cave not to have heard/seen all the hoopla surrounding New Moon. Much of it surrounds the very young stars of the movie and their looks, more specifically, their bodies.

When a good friend invited me to see the movie with her on opening day (not something I would have braved by myself), I went. The main reason I went, honestly, was to spend some much needed time out with a good friend. And I admit I was curious to see if the filming on this one would be any better than the first movie.

My point in this is not to debate the pros and cons of the movie--there are movie review sites for that. And, believe it or not, there are some pros--even for the Christian.

My point is the idea that Christians "shouldn't" see this, read that, or listen to whatever. Because of Christ and His work in my life, my eyes, heart, and mind have been redeemed by Him. That means that I may see, hear, or listen to something distinctly not Christian (even worldly) and God can use it in some way in my life.

It isn't because of the created thing or even the intention of the creator. It is because God chooses what He will use. And because He has given his people a different lens through which to view, hear, and comprehend those things.

Creating is part of general grace. Everyone has the ability to create something simply because we were all (whether we acknowledge it or not) created in the image of God. The creation of the pagan may not be intended to be used by God or for His glory but one could certainly argue that simply because it is created, it is God glorifying.

Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians that everything is lawful for the Christian but not everything edifies. Projecting what is allowable for Christians is simply adding to the gospel, establishes of classes of Christians based on works, and is an attempt to aid God in sanctifying His people.
Maybe we are just more comfortable making lists of regulations that Christians should or shouldn't do. There is a word for that--legalism-- and it can choke the very life out of God's people.

Christians should lead the charge in creating because we have the knowledge from whom that awesome gift comes. The art, music, literature, movies of the Christian should be among the finest not an imitation of what the world has already offered. Many times something that has sold millions in the "secular" world gets reinvented and "Christianized" by a perhaps well meaning person. However, many times it looks like the cheap imitation that it is.

Lest anyone think that I am promoting New Moon, I'm not necessarily. It is a movie. There are some good points. There are some points over which meaningful discussions could take place. There are, as with all things in a fallen world, some negative points.

The question for me isn't really about whether Christians should or should not see New Moon--or any other movie for that matter. I guess my question is who should be directing the Christian. I am much more comfortable letting God handle His people--their eyes, ears, and hearts than in making broad brush statements about Christian should and should nots.