Several movies are coming out with a common theme that reveals the rising popularity of spiritism in our culture.
The previous century was the hallmark of modernism where science and materialism was supposed to be the end all and answer to all of mankind's problems. Examples of modernism in the culture would be things like Sherlock Holmes or Scooby Doo, where, due to people's superstitions, they believe that something supernatural is taking place. However, the scooby gang comes along and unmasked the villain who is really using some kind of technology to fool people.
After two world wars, people have become disillusioned with the concept that modernism, science alone, and materialism can solve all their problems. Hence, the rise of "post-modernism", which reintroduces the supernatural into culture.
What we see in many of the movies coming out in early 2011 are examples of skeptical modernists having to come to terms with confrontations with the supernatural.
(Please note I have not seen the movies referenced below nor recommend anyone see them, this commentary on societal trends is based only on press releases made by the producers.)
In "Season of the Witch", Nicolas Cage's character, Behmen, is a disillusioned knight, who questions his own faith, returning home from the crusades to find his homeland ravaged with the plague. He is given the task of escorting a girl accused of witchcraft to what will probably be her death. Behmen doubts that witchcraft even exists, but later is confronted with and has to fight against the supernatural.
In a similar vein "The Rite" involves a seminary student, Kovak, who has doubts about faith and the supernatural, believing that things like demon possession are really psychiatric problems that should be dealt with using medical treatment. He is then confronted with very "real" manifestations of the supernatural and demon possession that are dealt with using exorcism.
Both of these examples show a trend of converting skeptics into believers in the supernatural, and then the heroes fighting evil using their "faith" and inner strength.
This is the new age, emergent spiritism, where seeking supernatural experiences and seeking out your own "inner star" are the promoted practices.
Of course, evil can only be defeated by Jesus. Faith in anything else is idolatry.
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4 comments :
Hello. I was reading your blog and thought you had some interesting observations. However, I hope you realize that there is REALLY supernatural things out there...and Jesus is SUPREMELY supernatural. Not everything, quote-on-quote, "supernatural" is to be considered as ungodly. God himself is supernatural. His creation is a prime example of that...and even how Jesus reveals himself to others, including myself. If you read the word of God, you will see what I am talking about. Like in Acts 2, the Holy Spirit fell on the Apostles and they received tongues of fire.
I am not saying that I disagree with you. What I actually don't like about those movies, like "The Rite" and even "The Exorcist" is that it shows man-kind being trampled on by the devil (or demonic forces). Possession is real, but God has given us authority over that. No born-again believer in Jesus Christ could ever be possessed because the Holy Spirit is living inside of them.
Anyway, I just thought I would mention that. I want people to know that there is a such thing as supernatural things from God...magic, spiritualism, and witchcraft is definitely NOT from the Lord.
Take care and my God's presence be with you.
Much Love In Christ,
Amber
P.S. By the way, it was a great article...and we do, as Christians, need to be aware of the post-modernism and spiritism in our world today.
Amber, I absolutely agree with you. Satan's parlor tricks and false spirituality is a very pale and poor substitute to what we can experience through a rich and biblical relationship with Holy Spirit. It is sad that so many folks choose to settle for less that the best that God has in store for us.
Yes! Amen, John. As Christians, we need to except the fullness of what God has in store for us. By limiting God, I believe, you are allowing the enemy (Satan) to get a foothold over your life...thus an "open-door" to the evil supernatural to invade. That's why Christians should not be watching such movies and even listen to music which glorifies Satan.
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