perspectives
"New Moon" and the Value of Your Soul
By Hannah Goodwyn
CBN.com Producer
CBN.com
- Beneath the media hype of The Twilight Saga is the fictional story of a young woman who falls in love with an “immortal”. Author Stephenie Meyer crafted this fantastical tale as a thrilling romance, and women of all ages, from varying backgrounds and cultures, have been gobbling it up.
The pop cultural impact of this series is still being realized; however, the latest box office numbers shed some light on its popularity. New Moon, the film based on the second book in The Twilight Saga, opened in theaters this past weekend with a total of $140.7 million in ticket sales, the third largest opening in history.
In the eyes of millions of fans, this is not a fleeting fantasy world that Meyer has created. She, in effect, has imagined mythical characters that fans literally pine over. Buried under the Twilight story are supporting themes that carry the plot along. These themes inevitably teach our young girls lessons about life, love, and death.
It’s not my intention to point out every fault in secular literature that does not follow the Bible. However, one particular “lesson” in New Moon is article-worthy. In fact, bloggers have started online discussions about the topic.
At the end of New Moon, Bella, convinced of her undying love for Edward, declares that she wants to become a vampire so that she may live forever with him and never grow old. Here’s a bit of their conversation in New Moon to give you an idea of the careless extremes this young character is willing to go:
“I don’t care! You can have my soul. I don’t want it without you—it’s yours already!” – Bella (pg. 69)
It was only fear for my soul, for the human things he didn’t want to take from me, that made him so desperate to leave me mortal. Compared to the fear that he didn’t want me, this hurdle – my soul – seemed almost insignificant. (Pg. 528-529)
“If you stay, I don’t need Heaven.” – Bella (Pg. 547)
New Moon and the rest of The Twilight Saga are novels and not reality; however, this young woman’s reckless disregard for her eternity is still alarming. Initially, Edward dismisses Bella's wishes arguing that by becoming a vampire she is giving up her soul, her eternity.
“I cannot be without you, but I will not destroy your soul." – Edward (pg. 518)
Bella and Edward's conflict brings up a good point – everyone has a soul. Many may not think about their souls, but that doesn’t negate the fact that they have one. Every man, woman, and child has a soul. And a person’s soul is eternally valuable. Jesus Christ died a very real and extemely painful death to ransom our souls (I Peter 1:18-19).
The Bible – the world’s bestseller – is very clear regarding the value of a person’s soul.
And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world, but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul? Matthew 16:26 (NLT)
Once you were like sheep who wandered away. But now you have turned to your Shepherd, the Guardian of your souls. I Peter 2:35 (NLT)
The enemy of our souls is “the god of this age,” a fallen angel cast out of Heaven.
Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don't believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don't understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God. II Corinthians 4:4
A person’s soul can be “sold”, meaning you ultimately give your soul to someone. Either it’s a conscious decision to give your heart, mind, and soul to God by accepting His salvation or you don’t, consequently rejecting His offer of eternal peace in Heaven and accepting the control of the “evil one” (I John 5:19). An idol in your life can capture your soul – love for a man or woman, love for money or possessions, love of power. These are all blinders to the Truth: your soul is precious and eternally significant.
Bella and Edward’s disturbing argument in New Moon presents parents and young people a way to introduce this topic of a person's soul when they talking with their kids and friends. Take advantage of it. Don’t wait for the conversation to come up. Start it yourself. Use this unrealistic fairy tale of a story to shed God’s light on the reality of faith and the value of one's soul.
Discover what God did to save your soul!
 Hannah Goodwyn read the Twilight series -- so she knows of what she speaks.
She serves as a producer for CBN.com. For more articles, visit Hannah's bio page.
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