Engaging the Culture - A Response to The Golden Compass
This entry was posted on Monday, November 05. 2007 and is filed under Posts by Rebecca Luella Miller,Fantasy,Exhortation.
At long last the discussion has begun. I'm referring to dialogue about Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials, a fantasy series started by The Golden Compass. Evidently it took this book being made into a movie to gain the attention of Christians still calling for J. K. Rowling's head. Back in February I wrote a post triggered by an article in a Canadian publication entitled "Franchising Fantasy: Will God or atheism conquer Hollywood?" As the article points out, fantasy is pretty much up for grabs.
Not surprisingly, some atheist writers have taken this imaginative tool and shaped it for their own uses. Pullman, an award winning author, seems to be leading the way, but even though his books have been around for over a decade, Christians seemed oblivious to the actual redefinition of good and evil propounded in his stories, choosing instead to focus on bludgeoning Harry Potter. Until recently.
I fear a boy-crying-wolf effect, especially from what I've heard about The Golden Compass. You see, at last, the word is out that The Dark Materials is anti-god, but from all reports, the first book in the series is innocuous. So what happens when Christians raise a ruckus—again—and reviews come in that this movie was nothing but an exciting story?
Shouldn't we stop this knee-jerk reaction and do some actual, thoughtful investigation, some genuine teaching? I mean, why not use the books and movie to teach kids how to be aware of the messages that are embedded in good stories? Why not teach kids to test what they read and view against Scripture to see what is good and true and honest and pure?
In reality, The Golden Compass may be the best thing to happen for Christians. First it reinforces what many of us have believed for a long time—if Christians don't write fantasy, non-Christians will. Second, it gives the perfect evidence that a good story does not make a truthful story. What we enjoy as entertainment still needs to be held up to the Light of Scripture.
If we can focus our efforts on these points rather than on rants and warnings and hysterical arguments against allowing Pullman's books in schools (it's already too late for that), our children will be safer, not more at risk.
That doesn't even touch on the fact that Pullman's books are no surprise to God. But the way some Christians carry on, it would seem they think they must take over because God dropped the ball and allowed something that should not be.
Paul and Silas were beaten and jailed, but they didn't rant that this should not be. They did not lobby the magistrate to stop the persecution of Christians. They sang praises to God! And as a result they found themselves in position to testify to others when the time was right.
Too often, I think, we spend our time trying to find a way out of jail, and in the process alienate everyone around us and absent ourselves from the very place where we could have the biggest impact for Jesus.
So what do you think, is there something about the pending release of the movie version of Pullman's The Golden Compass for which we can praise God?
Comments
| Page: 1 of 1 |
-
Monday, November 05. 2007
Donna Swanson wrote:
His Dark Materials was recommended to me by John Howe, Tolkien illustrator.
We had begun corresponding and I mentioned that I had somehow to get into the mind of an angel to write the sixth book of the Windfallow series. He suggested that Pullman had done a good job of that. I ordered the trilogy and waded through all three books. I kept waiting to see some evidence that Pullman had indeed gotten into the mind of an angel, but found it was not an angel I wished to know more intimately.
He was evidently raised a Catholic, for his rants seemed aimed at that particular part of Christianity. There was anger evident in the three books and a thinly veiled attempt to prove 2000 years of Christianity a foolish waste of time following a senile God. I found his portrayal of God to be revolting and insulting. I made no comment on the book, especially here, because I heard so many praising the Harry Potter series.
This book might be important if Christians are shocked enough to actually TALK to their children. But, alas, they may find their children talking a different language and following allegiances they never dreamed of knowing.
However, as Rebecca noted, God is fully aware of Pullman and his warped view of life and spiritual expression. This tare will grow with the wheat. They always do.
God bless the wheat and keep it healthy!
Reply to this -
Monday, November 05. 2007
Karri wrote:
Nice entry, Rebecca. Indeed, an appropriate response to this will do far more than another "ban" or "boycott". That said, I don't want my youngsters seeing it!
Reply to this -
Monday, November 05. 2007
Martin LaBar wrote:
I think you are right about "crying wolf."
I have also posted about this upcoming movie, believing that there are other, more subtle dangers from the media. See here, if you are interested.
Reply to this -
Monday, November 05. 2007
Susanne (C. S. Lakin) wrote:
Well, who wants to be first to crucify me? I read the series years ago and admire it on many levels. Here we are, trying to get people to read our books and they holler no! They might get exposed to magic or witches or aliens or something that will take over their minds. Well, I felt this same way about Da VInci Code. Anything that promotes controversy and a discussion about God is a good thing, and God can use that. I am rereading the books just so I can remember them better and be more armed for discussion. I don't want to dump my conscience on anyone else, but I love a good controversy--bring it on! WE all know that things like these get honest-hearted people to search for God. He can use anything to stir that longing, so best if we arm ourselves with knowledge and turn the devil's tools into something that leads to praise. Just my opinion... I am really looking forward to the movie. Funny how the atheists are angry that the anti-God ideas are played down. Everyone's upset! So, I will hope and pray for some good talk, especially with young people. god bless, Susanne
Reply to this -
Monday, November 05. 2007
Rebecca LuElla Miller wrote:
Donna mentioned the "wheat." I want to join in and praise God for the Christian fantasy writers we do have and for the publishers who have stepped out into the fantasy arena. Someone had to start the trend. I'm grateful for Thomas Nelson, for WaterBrook, for Harvest House, for AMG, for P & R--publishers who aren't backing down from the fact that they have fantasy titles.
And like the Da Vinci Code movie, may The Golden Compass be short lived in the theaters, may it receive bad reviews, and may it discourage the producers from going ahead with the others in the series.
I'm also praising God that the atheists are unhappy with the movie. LOL
With Suzanne, I'm praising God that the movie brings God back into the discussion. As Martin points out in his post (hope you don't mind that I went in and fixed the link), the real concern is when our culture ignores God. If someone talks against Him, at least we can then give a rebuttal. But when He is ignored, how to you counter indifference?
Praise God for the freedom to dialogue about Him in an open forum like this.
Becky
Reply to this -
Monday, November 05. 2007
Karen/SolShine7 wrote:
I'm hoping that this will cause more Christians to support Christian SciFi/Fantasy authors. Or at least notice the genre.
Reply to this -
Tuesday, November 06. 2007
Nick wrote:
Maybe Pullman will have an experience like Anne Rice. Her early novels were extremely popular and yet when she became a Christian, she could no longer write them. Wouldn't it be awesome to see people like Pullman, and Christopher Hitchens and Stephen Hawking come to the Lord? If any of them do, I want to be their editor!
Reply to this -
Wednesday, November 07. 2007
Philip Pugh wrote:
I am almost reluctant to speak, having never read the books.
On the subject of controversy, I find it better when a movie like this is allowed into the theatres, garners the bad reviews that such a movie usually does (like Da Vinci, as stated above) and then is allowed to rest in peace: ignored and regarded as a flop.
I would rather that the family organizations simply ignored such movies and books out of pure contempt: as not being worthy of rebuttal. All the controversy about the Da Vinci Code just made Dan Brown more money. Some authors will write something just because the attention will garner high sales.
If only good authors like Stephen Lawhead would get some notice (though there is some mild controversy over his current series).
So right on, Rebecca!
Philip
Reply to this -
Wednesday, November 07. 2007
Robert Treskillard wrote:
Thanks for the insightful and encouraging analysis! I put a link to this with a quote from it on my blog.
Reply to this -
Wednesday, November 07. 2007
Rebecca LuElla Miller wrote:
Hey Robert, thanks for passing this along.
Philip, I agree that the way to discourage people from going to see the movie is NOT by feeding the controversy.
Nick, I haven't read Pullman, but by the awards he's won, I gather the man can really write! Yes, it would be awesome if he had a change of mind and of heart. God can do that--he did with the Apostle Paul.
So you have dibs on editing him, eh? ;-)
Becky
Reply to this
| Page: 1 of 1 |