Conjuring 2
is a horror movie. Should Christians watch horror movies or not? What does the
Bible say about watching horror movies?
Filmmaker
and author, Brian Godawa, in his article, “The Apologetic of Horror,” presents an
excerpt of horror stories from the Bible, “The
prophet Daniel wrote horror literature, based on images and drama pitched by
God to him in Babylon. Not only did God turn the blaspheming king
Nebuchadnezzar into an insane wolfman to humble his idolatrous pride (Dan. 4),
but He storyboarded horror epics for kings Belshazzar and Darius as allegories
of the historical battle between good and evil to come. Huge hybrid carnivorous
monsters come out of the sea like Godzilla, one of them with large fangs and
ravishing claws to devour, crush, and trample over the earth (7:1–8) until it
is slain and its flesh roasted in fire (7:11); there are blasphemous sacrileges
causing horror (8:13), including an abomination of desolation (9:26–27); angels
and demons engaging in spiritual warfare (10:13); rivers of fire (7:10); deep
impact comets and meteors colliding with the earth, Armageddon style (8:10);
wars, desolation, and complete destruction (9:26-27). The book of Daniel reads
like God’s own horror film festival.
It is not merely the human being
Daniel who crafted this work of epic horror allegory, it is God Himself who
rolled the camera and directed the action. God himself enjoys the horror genre.
That’s God-breathed inerrancy. The author of this faith didn’t grow out of it
after the Old Testament. In fact, he may have received an even harsher movie
rating in his later production, the New Testament.
The book of Revelation is an epic
horror fantasy sequel to Daniel, complete with science fiction special effects,
and spectacles of horror darker than anything in a David Cronenberg Grand
Guignol theater of blood. In this apocalyptic prophecy we read of a huge
demonic spectacle of genetically mutated monsters chasing and tormenting scream
ing [sic] people (9:1–11); armies of bizarre beasts wreaking death and
destruction on the masses (9:13–18); a demonic dragon chasing a woman with the
intent to eat her child (12:3–4); a seven-headed amphibious Hydra with horns
that blasphemes God and draws pagan idol worship from everyone on earth
(13:1–10); massive famines (6:8); gross outbreaks of rotting sores covering
people’s bodies (16:2); plagues of demonic insects torturing populations
(9:1–11); fire-breathing Griffon-like creatures (9:17); supernatural warfare of
angels and demons (12:7); the dragging of rotting corpses through the streets
while people party over them (11:7–13); rivers and seas of blood (14:20; 16:3);
a blaspheming harlot doing the deed with kings and merchants (17:1-5) who then
turn on her, strip her naked, burn her with fire, and cannibalize her (17:16);
more famines, pestilence, and plagues (18:8); and when the good guys win, there
is a mighty feast of vultures scavenging the flesh of kings and commanders in
victory (19:17–18). And I might add, this all gives glory to God in the
highest.” 1
Brian
Godawa’s premise is that the Bible does not oppose horror movies, since God
HIMSELF has narrated horror stories as a part and parcel of HIS revelation. He then
goes on to defend the horror genre theologically because…2
…horror
movies reinforce the doctrine of man’s sinful nature.
…horror
movies communicate the logical consequences of sin.
…horror
movies illustrate the consequence of modern man’s pride and arrogance.
This is a
compelling argument. The Bible does not explicitly pronounce a ban on horror movies.
In fact, Brian Godawa has presented persuasive reasons to believe that the Bible
does not ban viewing of horror movies.
Those who
desire to watch horror movies are not fearful of horror movies. But others may
be fearful. Hence they may not watch horror movies. I have not watched horror
movies because these movies have not appealed to my interest. I find enough
horror in this world, so I do not need a distinctive encounter with horror
through horror movies. But our counsel to those desiring to watch horror movies
ought to be biblical and without any extraneous bias.
Some Christians
pronounce a blanket ban on horror movies as if they are as horrific as
pornography. If we are to pronounce a blanket ban upon horror movies, then we
ought not to watch the majority of the television serials and movies, for they
contain insane amount of corrupt thoughts, violence and/or sexual connotations.
Is this the way forward for us?
Popular
Christian website www.gotquestions.org almost suggests that horror movies are a
strict no-no, “As we mature in our
Christian walk, sin and evil should bother us more and more all the time. We
are to be beacons of light in an ever-darkening world, striving to live a life
that is holy and pleasing to God (Romans 12:1; 1 Thessalonians 2:12). Scripture
tells us to be moral and pure, abhorring what is evil and to have our minds
focused on things which are noble and pure, lovely and admirable, excellent and
praiseworthy (Philippians 4:8), and that “whatever [we] do, do it all for the
glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). These verses should guide us daily in
everything we do, including the movies we choose to see. How can it be possible
to “take captive every thought to make it obedient to Jesus Christ” (2
Corinthians 10:5) when we are at a horror movie laden with murder and mayhem
and, essentially, being entertained by the very sins that Jesus Christ died
for?”2
Does this render
a judgment that those Christians who watch horror movies are not Christians or
are they being unholy?
There ought
to be a meaning to all our actions. I enjoy watching a game or a clean movie or
a TV serial, for I learn something out of them and in the process, I unwind.
However, I am unsure how watching a horror movie would bring forth peace or
relaxation upon us and I am also unsure how one can enjoy watching horror.
Watching
horror movies once in a while may not be a bad choice. However, I personally
find only one good reason to watch a horror movie, which is to review them biblically
so to make good use of the knowledge gleaned to disciple fellow Christians to
grow in Christ.
If we watch
horror movies frequently, then we are indeed treading dangerous waters. To
conclude, here is wisdom in the words of Brian Godawa, “Horror and thriller movies are two powerful apologetic means of
arguing against the moral relativism of our postmodern society. Not only can
they reinforce the biblical doctrine of the basic evil nature in humanity, but
they can personify profound arguments of the kind of destructive evil that
results when society affirms the Enlightenment worldview of scientism and
sexual and political liberation. Of course,
this is not to suggest that all horror movies are morally acceptable. In fact,
I would argue that many of them have degenerated into immoral exaltation of
sex, violence, and death. But abuse of a genre does not negate the proper
use of that genre.
It
would be vain to try to justify the unhealthy obsession that some people have
with the dark side, especially in their movie viewing habits. Too much focus on
the bad news will dilute the power that the Good News has on an individual.
Too much fascination with the nature and
effects of sin can impede one’s growth in salvation. So, the defense of
horror and thriller movies in principle should not be misconstrued to be a
justification for all horror and thriller movies in practice. It is the mature
Christian who, because of practice, has his senses trained to discern good and
evil in a fallen world (Heb. 5:14). It is the mature Christian who, like the
apostle Paul, can explore and study his pagan culture and draw out the good
from the bad in order to interact redemptively with that culture (Acts 17).”3 (Emphasis Mine).
Endnotes:
1 http://www.equip.org/article/an-apologetic-of-horror/
2 Ibid.
3http://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-horror-movies.html
4 http://www.equip.org/article/an-apologetic-of-horror/
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