Discussing
When ‘Twilight’ Eclipses Faith

I think this sort of pop-culture religious devotion is something we (and I know I am not immune) easily fall into not just with movies but TV (Lost, anyone?), music, celebrity, and sports. And so, I found it interesting that Josh asked if this obsessive commitment could be "no more harmless than a Chicago Cubs fan living and dying with each of the team’s games." As a Sox fan, I do think that's harmful... but, seriously, I thought, "Can't sports fanaticism also reach idolatry levels?" I think so. And I think the current reactions of depression or elation to Lebron's announcement showcase that.

What is it about Twilight that captures the imagination, compels such devotion and excitement? That was probably a good comparison to a charismatic church. When the word of God and faith becomes validated by experience, when the real presence of the Holy Spirit infuses a life, when the 9 charismatic gifts listed in 1 corinthians 9 actually begin to operate, who can not fail to be excited. As Paul said in 1 Corinthians 14, “But if all prophesy, and an unbeliever or an ungifted man enters, he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all; the secrets of his heart are disclosed; and so he will fall on his face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you!"

The question is not why are people so excited about the Twilight series, but why aren’t more people excited about the Kingdom of God? When will strangers enter our worship service and “fall on their face and worship God, declaring that God is certainly among you!"

See the May 2010 Perspectives - A Journal of Reformed Thought

http://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?p...

It's Twilight Time Again--Can Hundreds of Moaning Teens (and Moms) be Wrong?

I think the obsessed sports fan is an accurate comparison to the obsessed twilight fan, as would be the obsessed music fan screaming, crying, and fainting as their favorite band or singer walks on stage. This phenomenon is not for Twilight fans only, nor do I believe there is only one reason it occurs.  For some the reason is an escape from reality, for others the idea of belonging, and still for others the desire to put their faith and hope in something or someone they believe to be bigger than themselves.  

The Twilight series is a great read, full of all those things that make a great novel: i.e. romance, danger, violence, suspense, etc. I think the obsession  surrounding the novel has given it a bad rap, which is a shame. It's just a good fictional story meant to entertain, and it does.

Maybe the obsession over Twilight stems from a sincere desire for a real love that prevails over death itself, a real power that can stop death itself, and a real hero that values us as worth such effort.  Oh wait, that story does exist, and that hero is real...but that's another story.