M. Night Shyamalan’s “DEVIL”

July 14, 2010 at 5:49 PM 16 comments

As if the Devil Doesn't Get Enough Air Time Already...(©Universal)

As if the Devil does not enough airtime, M. Night Shyamalan is putting together a new movie (on the heels of “Last Airbender”), that provides a unique situation for five individuals all trapped together in a high-rise elevator that is stuck between floors. The lights of the elevator go off, then back on, but during the interim darkness, weird things happen. No one knows who the perpetrator is, who seems to be assaulting the others during the momentary darkness.

The twist is that one of the individuals is actually the Devil and only the devil knows who. “Offering a mix of psychological and supernatural horror, the Devil trailer hints at a movie that is suspenseful – and will keep audiences guessing. Of course, no matter how good the movie looks, some people may not give it a chance – simply because they have been disappointed by Shyamalan’s more-recent films. Luckily for those people, Shyamalan isn’t directing.

“Devil is the first of three horror movies Shyamalan is producing as part of his The Night Chronicles series. The essential development process of The Night Chronicles goes something like this: Shyamalan comes up with an idea and then passes it off to a young emerging filmmaker.” [1]

My first question is WHY? Why do we need another movie in which the Devil appears to wreak havoc with individuals? It would not be bad if that was the only way he was highlighted on screen. However, in many movies in which the devil (or anyone of his evil hosts) is the main character, he is usually seen as immensely powerful, and never under check from any other Being like, say…God. In most horror movies that portray Satan, or evil, God is usually never in sight. Take the movie, Devil’s Advocate, in which Al Pacino played either the Devil or his advocate (I could never figure out which one). The Devil does whatever he wants to do and up against human beings, he is completely all-powerful. One by one, people are overcome by this evil being and no one really escapes. Even the end of the movie indicates that though Satan may have lost a small battle, he is quite capable of starting it all over again with the same person. In short, the winner is only and always the Devil. The times he does appear to lose (unless the movie is specifically about the Bible), he loses because of some human being who is supposedly so altruistic that the quality of the person’s character alone is able to overcome the Devil. Of course we know that from a biblical perspective, this is far from the truth. Nonetheless, this is what Hollywood prefers to portray, because it provides human beings with the chance to beat the Devil at his own game, if only the person has the “right stuff.”

In this coming movie, the Devil (as seen in the figure to the left in the photo above) is as horrific and evil as Hollywood could make him. Why the Devil would want to waste his time playing a game with four other people trapped in an elevator when he has far bigger fish to fry (you know, getting the man of sin – aka the Antichrist – fully prepared to reveal him to the world at the signing of the covenant with Israel) is anyone’s guess.

Here’s my thought on the subject. No matter how evil-looking and creepy Hollywood can make the Devil appear to be, it is all serving one purpose: to remove the fear factor. Society is getting so used to the Hellraisers, the Hellboys, the Spawns, the Devil’s Advocates that it is becoming difficult to even blink in fear anymore of this being who is supposed to be the epitome of evil, the all-inclusive evil, the “there is nothing more evil than the Devil” evil. Yet, he is becoming familiar to people. In the process, his abject evil is being reduced. His fangs are being extracted, his pitchfork turned into a walking cane, and his tail has given way to a zoot suit. In essence, the Devil, who once was what everyone thought of as absolute evil, is becoming less and less evil. Soon, the last bubble will be burst and he will be seen as a true mythological character, certainly nothing by which we are to be afraid.

That’s really the way it works. I remember years ago, being completely enamored with the very idea of seeing the president of the United States on television. There he would stand, behind the podium, with crowds dutifully arrested by his speech. They stood in awe, with full respect, even if this was not the man for which they had voted. He was still the president of the United States and he should be respected.

Then something happened. It is called the talk show. Over time, presidents and president wannabes wanted to become more associated with the average American citizen. They began giving more interviews and some even went on a talk show. The mystery that they were often shrouded in because of their position began to evaporate. It is not uncommon to hear pundits and talking heads ridicule, denigrate, and offer numerous sarcastic rejoinders in response to a presidential speech. Now, I’m not saying that the president is above the law, or above criticism, but over time, the politeness that was often associated with addressing the man in the Oval Office has gone the way of the dinosaur. I find myself doing it and it all has to do with the fact that they have made themselves familiar to the world. The president is much more approachable now than the office has been. Familiarity breeds contempt and this is where we are today.

The same thing is happening where the Devil is concerned. Aside from evangelical Christians, does anyone actually believe in the existence of a malevolent being that is bent on the destruction of all who will not worship him? That’s a joke, right? The idea is right out of the dark ages. The Devil is not real. He is perfect for a good horror story, but that’s about it.

This is what Hollywood is all about. They take things that they want people to become desensitized to and flood the visual market with it, of course, putting their own spin on things. People fail to realize that what they watch, they often believe. Men in Black is based on a comic book, yet it is also based on what many believe to be the truth of the situation that exists in the world today. They believe there are aliens masquerading as human beings, the true illegal immigrant, with most here because they need a place to live and they mean no harm to anyone. Other aliens-as-humans are here for the purpose of causing human beings harm, thus the need for the services of the Men in Black.

When I was growing up, the TV show The Invaders was freaky! It was truly scary, but it is child’s play compared to what is produced today. Hollywood has upped the ante and they will not stop until all bastions of old world belief are gone. The antiquated views of the Devil can no longer exist side by side with modern humankind. Movies like Shyamalan’s “DEVIL” is pushing us one more step toward a time when no one will believe in evil itself anymore. It will be a time when, though evil rules the world, in a final attempt to thwart and overthrow God, all of it will be seen as good and benevolent. Evil will become good and vice versa. It is coming and in many ways it is here.

The truth of the Devil is toppling like the statue of Saddam Hussein. His true character is being overthrown, replaced with something so far out there that it cannot be taken to be real. The Devil is something that our nightmares are made of, but that’s as far as it goes.

All of this is all part of the plan…God’s plan.

[1] http://screenrant.com/devil-trailer-m-night-shyamalan-robf-68305/

Entry filed under: alienology, Atheism and religion, Demonic, dispensationalism, Eastern Mysticism, emergent church, Islam, israel, Judaism, Life in America, new age movement, Posttribulational Rapture, Pretribulational Rapture, Religious - Christian - End Times, Religious - Christian - Prophecy, Religious - Christian - Theology, salvation, Satanism, Sharia Law, temple mount, ufology. Tags: devil horror movie, five stuck in an elevator, M. Night Shyamalan's "DEVIL", the movie "devil", the night chronicles series.

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16 Comments Add your own

1. Jason | March 9, 2011 at 7:28 PM

Thank you for your perspective on this, I had never thought of it this way before, very interesting indeed. I also think that Jesus new that as the bible says “No one can come to the Father unless He is drawn” (paraphrase). I believe that one of the reasons Jesus spoke in parables is so that people who came to faith in Him came to true faith, because of the work of the Holy Spirit, not because of His persuasive words. I am not advocating being vague about the gospel, I am only pointing out an interesting portion of Scripture. I think most American churches are too vague about the gospel. We are called to reach a world that is drowning in sin with the message that God stepped in placing our sin on His son, justified us through His atoning death, and brings us new and everlasting life through His glorious resurection, and I never meant to imply anything to the contrary. I do maintain that there are different methods to do this.

Lastly, I appreciate your kind and thoughtful responses and would like to remind you of one of my favorite verses of Scripture 1 Peter 2:10″Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God. Once you had not found mercy, but now you have.” You and I may come from very different backgrounds, and may have some different perspectives, but we are a people now. So keep on telling people of the wonderful grace of Jesus.

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- 2. modres | March 9, 2011 at 9:40 PM
  
  Hey Jason,
  
  Thanks for your follow up on this. I agree that most churches and Christians are too vague on presenting the gospel. We are to be as wise as serpents, and as gentle as doves.
  
  To Him be the glory!
  
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3. Jason | March 9, 2011 at 10:31 AM

Let me say first, that I appreciate the open mindedness with which you answered my post. It is refreshing to be able to openly discuss differing points of view with an open mind toward what the other person is saying.

I definately went too far in saying that this movie presented the gospel, although I would say that it definately could lead someone toward the Gospel. It did clearly say that forgiveness had to come from God, and showed God’s power when the person recieved forgiveness the devil was powerless against him. But it did not specifically give the reason as the person and work of Christ.

That being said, however, I am thankful that tthis movie was made. It was encouragement to me as a believer and I believe it to be a movie that could be used to lead a non-believer into asking questions that could ultiamately lead them towards Christ. While it did not make a specific and overt gospel presentation, I believe it was a movie that addressed specifically Christian themes (as opposed to simply wider themes such as love, forgiveness or a new age idea of god). I liken it to some “gospel” songs. That song that goes “I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop…” does not address the person and work of Christ, it does not address the majesty of God and the depth of human depravity, yet it is an encouragement to many believers and a song that could be used to lead someone closed to the point where there hearts are ready to recieve God’s salvation through Christ. Ultimately, though this movie is not for everyone, I wouldn’t want my children or even my wife to watch this movie, it would not be a blessing to them, but would only frighten them. I am only saying this, that there is much more to this film than their intially appears to be on the surface.

You raised a couple of other interesting points that I’d like to respond to. I did not think about the book of Job, with the devil being allowed to torment people on earth, that was a very good point. I think the main theological problem with the movie is the devil taking human form and tomrenting people on earth.

Secondly, you said “Can you show me in Scripture where Jesus, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, or other apostles hid their message from the people when presenting the gospel? Of course, we all know that Jesus taught in parables, but parables were meant to REVEAL some important truth.”

Something to think about, ” 10And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. 13Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. 14And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive:

According to scripture, did Jesus speak in parables so that everyone would understand, or did He speak in parables so that only those who’s ears were open would understand and all of those who’s ears were not open would not have understanding?

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- 4. modres | March 9, 2011 at 11:16 AM
  
  Hey Jason, thanks for stopping by again and thanks for expanding on your original comments.
  
  With respect to parables, Jesus did not always speak in parables. He began to speak in parables after it was clear that the religious leaders had rejected Him and wanted to kill Him. He spoke in parables because they chose to remain blind to the truth.
  
  Many of Jesus’ parables were about the Kingdom of God and the fact that Jesus was the “Master” in most of them. He knew that if He took the time to clearly state that He was the Messiah and was going to go away to receive His Kingdom (as in Luke 18, 19, etc.), the Pharisees and religious leaders would immediately arrest Him for blasphemy and His time had not yet come. For that reason, when He taught on the Kingdom of God, He got to a point where He spoke only in parables to avoid hassles with the religious leaders.
  
  The gospel, however, should always be presented clearly. Jesus did this throughout (John 3, etc.), as did Paul (Romans 10, etc.), Peter (Acts 2, etc.), Jude, James, and others.
  
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5. Jason | March 3, 2011 at 8:52 PM

I’m prety sure none of you guys have seen the movie. Let me give you a couple of lines from it. (as est I can remember)

human: take me not her, I deserve this.
Devil: What are you doing? Do you think you can make a deal?
Human: No I deserve this, its my fault
Devil: Do you think this makes up for what you’ve done?
Human: No
Devil: Do you think this makes you good
Human: I’m not good
Devil: Do you think you deserve to be forgiven?
Human: No
Devil: Damn…I really wanted you

In the end the man finds out that he can only find salvation in forgiveness that he does not deserve….this IS the gospel. This movie is very dark and violent…just like hell is. But this movie is also filled with the hope of redemption, just like the Christian is. Yes, the idea of the devil coming to earth and physically torturing human beings in theologically off, but this gives us a great physical picture, of the spiritual reality. That all humanity stands condemned before a Holy God and helpless to change our state unless God intervenes on our behalf with forgiveness that we could never deserve. Thought this film is far from perfect, I actually thank God for this film, and for the clear reality of the gospel that it presents, albeit in a darker way than I may have liked.

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- 6. modres | March 3, 2011 at 9:23 PM
  
  You are correct, we did not see the movie. Thanks for sharing those lines from the movie.
  
  Now let me comment on your comments. Forgiveness is NOT the gospel. The life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the gospel. There is a huge difference. Because Jesus lived a completely sinless life, He was found worthy to be the propitiation for sinful humanity. His work that culminated on the cross provided LEGAL forgiveness for anyone who wants to receive it. In other words, because of what Jesus accomplished, by faith, I can receive that LEGAL forgiveness. Not only that, but Christ’s righteousness is then applied to my account. In essence then, when God the Father looks at me, He sees me as an individual yet with Christ’s righteousness.
  
  I can forgive someone who does something to hurt me, but my forgiveness is not the same as God’s ability (through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus) to LEGALLY forgive offenses.
  
  Regarding the fact that you say Satan coming to earth to torture human beings is theologically off…where do you get that impression? Have you not read the book of Job? This is EXACTLY what Satan did.
  
  Let me finish by stating this Jason. It appears that you ALREADY possess at least some knowledge of the saving grace of Jesus. You say you thank God for the film. I’m assuming that you then believe that God had something to do with the making of it. You also believe that it presents a clear reality of the gospel.
  
  Really? So if I stand outside a theater where this movie is playing and ask people what their impressions of the film are/were, a large percentage of people then should be able to tell me the gospel message based solely on this film. Do you really believe it is THAT obvious?
  
  Can you show me in Scripture where Jesus, John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, or other apostles hid their message from the people when presenting the gospel? Of course, we all know that Jesus taught in parables, but parables were meant to REVEAL some important truth. The fact that many were blind to that truth does not minimize or mitigate the reality of using parables to teach truth.
  
  When Paul, Peter, or someone else preached the gospel, it was VERY clear, VERY concise, and VERY straightforward.
  
  The idea that a movie which in essence glorifies evil while showing the devil as an individual who becomes the vehicle through which salvation is preached is ludicrous.
  
  No, I did not see the movie, Jason. I didn’t have to because even with your explanation, it sounds even more like the message that the New Age movement promotes. Would you mind telling me if any mention of Jesus Christ (other than as a possible swear word or epithet) was heard in the movie? Would you also mind telling me if the gospel represented by the Bible (John 3 as just one example) was either declared or noted in the movie?
  
  If not, then I do not understand how people are able to make a decision for or against Christ if the gospel was never directly presented.
  
  Does the human being you reference above KNOW why he is “not good”? Does he know why he supposedly does not deserve to be forgiven? Is the situation in the elevator really the human being’s fault? If so, how and why?
  
  Does the movie explain not only how important forgiveness IS, but how it is OBTAINED or RECEIVED?
  
  I appreciate your taking the time to write with your comments, Jason. The problem is that people need the opportunity to understand WHO Jesus is/was, WHAT He accomplished for humanity, and WHY all people need to humbly bow before Him as Lord, Savior, and King. A horror or thriller movie that caters to our love of being scared by showing the devil as someone who is simply another voice of conscience does not do the job.
  
  At any rate, thank you for writing.
  
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7. Henry G. Dodd | September 30, 2010 at 7:12 PM

And to modres, I try to ignore people who say ” christian bookstores are out to make money”, the same way I ignore, “all black people are ignorant” or, ” all dem yankees/southerners/ group or person are fillindeficiencyhere”. Is it perhaps possible, somewhere in a small alley, that there is a homely old man who is running a Christian bookstore and ISN’T trying to corrupt the Bible?

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- 8. modres | September 30, 2010 at 7:58 PM
  
  I guess you were not successful in ignoring me…
  
  I have YET to go into a Christian bookstore that is not corporately owned and interested in the bottom line. But I could have been more clear that I was referring to CHAIN Christian bookstores. The idea however, that making a generalized statement as I did equates me with a racist is absurd, but feel free if that makes you feel better Henry.
  
  Obviously, there are SMALL, independently owned Christian bookstores that are more interested in selling the right type of material. It has been YEARS since I was in one when I lived in upstate New York. These type of bookstores simply do not stand a chance these days. If you know of one, please let me know.
  
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  - 9. graham dodd | March 13, 2011 at 12:30 PM
    
    I was not comparing you to a racist, just a generalist, which can be just as damaging.
    
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  - 10. modres | March 13, 2011 at 4:05 PM
    
    I’m not sure how I’m a “generalist,” considering how many specifics I’ve given. But the reality is Graham, who cares? So you’re calling me this or that. Would it matter to you if I called one thing or another? Would you take it to heart?
    
    What you’re doing is what the liberal talking heads do when they can’t produce anything of substance. Palin – according to Chris Matthews – is a balloon head, or whatever. Maher’s got his pet names. But the truth remains that in reality, if you see me as a racist, or generalist, or something else, that’s your problem.
    
    People constantly refer to Tea Partiers as xenophobic, racists, bigots, etc. The truth though is that Tea Partiers are opposed to an increase in taxes and not unaware of the problems that Islamic jihad introduces. The liberal media prefers to ignore that (just like Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee prefers to point the finger at the KKK during the recent hearings on terror), and pretend that radical Islam is not a threat and Obamacare will not raise taxes, nor will it kill health care jobs.
    
    Think what you would like to think, Graham. Simply because you view something a particular way, does not mean that is the truth. It simply means that it is your opinion. I’m sure I can do nothing to change it.
    
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11. Henry G. Dodd | September 30, 2010 at 7:06 PM

I disagree from the standpoint that this world IS the DEVILS earth. The characters involved are sinners and damned. The point of Devil is that a character is saved from damnation, not unfairly attacked. Your review confuses the unfairness of Hollywoods portrayal of the Devil with Shamalyans film.

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- 12. modres | September 30, 2010 at 8:01 PM
  
  It is only TECHNICALLY the devil’s world, because Jesus Christ gained back the title to the earth through His victory on Calvary’s cross. Ultimately, God controls everything and one day, Jesus turn over the title deed of earth to the Father.
  
  The point of Devil is to make people sympathetic TO the Devil. We are all sinners, though some of us are saved by grace alone, through faith in Christ’s propitiation.
  
  Hollywood has been busy trying to reinvent the Devil for years and they have also tried their best to reinvent Jesus as well. Satan has become less malevolent and Jesus has become less divine. I’m sorry you have somehow missed that.
  
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13. mike | August 16, 2010 at 9:15 PM

I believe my point was missed entirely. I’m not referring to things that are true in that they have been proven to be true and I certainly am not dismissing anyone saved from such a lifestyle. Also I am not referring to the Passantino’s, however, if their facts are correct than I really don’t care who says it. As far as the hold of the Devil is concerned…..I wasn’t referring to his manipulation of the truth into a lie but more to the authors I have referred who create the lie (in the name of Jesus) in order that the Devil can (over time) go to the reader and say “See! That Christian author is a liar and still he sells books! Christians are all about greed and manipulation just like everyone else.” Also, I am not referring to “errors” but to an industry that recycles poor interpretation methods that are designed to generate profit.

I am referring to the simple task of going back and checking out the facts of past writings and recordings and then matching the old “prophetic” view with that of real history. How else do we define false prophecy except in that it does not come true? The same goes with Satanism, eventually you are going to talk about facts that need to be established and verified. It is a very simple process that so few seem willing to do. My reference is primarily toward those in the sensational Christian market whose past writings have sold many books (and other media) and yet over time have been “proven” to be untrue. The original version of the Late Great Planet Earth is so full of error that in 2010 Mr. Lindsey owes the Church a refund. At the very least he could seek forgiveness but instead, just a quick rewrite, add some modern news and he just re-hashes his broken formula for the gullible masses. Mike Warnke was hailed by Christians for years until Cornerstone Magazine masterfully brought all the facts to the table and Mike’s response was one of rebellion. (not to mention didnt address a single serious charge) Tim LaHaye, Chuck Missler, Laurel Rose Willson (aka Lauren Stratford and Laura Grabowski), Edgar Whisenant, Jack Chick and his publications just to name a few. Now days we have complete lunatics such as Thomas Horn whose writings are pure fantasy. When it is hailed as Christian I find it extremely disturbing. All one has to do is ask simple questions of past. What happened to ‘a generation is 40 years after 1948?’ Then when that failed 1968? We now see that this has failed as well. How many marks of the beast are we going to predict? Is it a tattoo, a bar code, a chip implant, RFID? What about the scores of masterful government schemes that never came to past? What happened to Y2K?? Were any of these authors so guilt ridden over being wrong that they offered refunds for the crap they were pushing? What happened to the number of nations from European Union or the great threat from the USSR? What about the Revised Roman Empire and the evil Catholic Church to rule with the Anti-Christ? I have been hearing that all the “materials” for the new temple have been in place for over 30 years now. One would think that at least one credible news source would have stumbled on all that building material by now. And of course, when 2012 rolls on by without incident all the books about it will disappear and they will be silent for a little while. Then in typical fashion a new event will start the whole chain of cheap merchandising all over again. It is a shame they dont remain silent until they actually hear from God. After all it is His plan. As far as which one is more sinister between Hollywood or Christian greed? I guess we will just have to agree to disagree on that one.

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- 14. modres | August 16, 2010 at 10:11 PM
  
  Wow, you are quite the judgmentalist! I could go through your post and rip it apart, but for what purpose? You are convinced apparently, that all those individuals you name are lunatics, morons, and charlatans.
  
  “What happened to ‘a generation is 40 years after 1948?’ Then when that failed 1968?”
  A generation in the Bible has been 40 years, 70 years, and even longer. Why didn’t you study on your own to find that out THEN, when the notion of a forty year period first came to light?
  
  “How many marks of the beast are we going to predict? Is it a tattoo, a bar code, a chip implant, RFID?”
  I don’t see these people as PREDICTING that the mark of the beast IS going to be a tattoo, or a bar code, etc. I see them offering POSSIBLE explanations of what it COULD be.
  
  “What happened to Y2K?? Were any of these authors so guilt ridden over being wrong that they offered refunds for the crap they were pushing?”
  It seemed to me that there were just as many (if not more) political and scientific pundits who were just as freaked out about the possibilities of what might occur with Y2K.
  
  “What happened to the number of nations from European Union or the great threat from the USSR?”
  You know, it’s funny, but I have read many of the same authors you have read and I have not read where they unequivocally STATED that the European Union or the USSR was this or that. In many occasions, they offered their OPINION on the subject.
  
  While there HAVE been some authors who have obviously made infamous leaps, that does not categorize all of them that way, though you seem to have no problem doing that.
  
  “I have been hearing that all the “materials” for the new temple have been in place for over 30 years now.”
  Check with the Temple Institute (http://www.templeinstitute.org/). I am sure they can answer your questions about that, as they have just completed the menorah, and the stone altar, with stones taken from the Dead Sea area. All of the priestly robes have been completed, including the Urim and Thummin.
  
  You seem to have an extremely judgmental attitude toward Christians who educate in the area of Eschatology. Let me ask…what is your view about the Rapture, the Tribulation, and the End Times in general? I’m simply curious, as I know I will not change your mind about it, and I have no interest in doing so.
  
  What bothers me FAR more than books that delve into areas of Eschatology is when I go to the “Christian” bookstore in my area (as little as possible, thank you), and I see every trinket, toy, or something all dedicated to Jesus. Let’s see, there are Jesus candies, Jesus action figures, Jesus chocolates (for that heavenly taste), Jesus belt buckles, Jesus jewelry, Jesus pens and pencils, Jesus playing cards, Jesus breath mints, Jesus flashlights, Jesus mugs, Walking with Jesus Flip-Flop necklaces, Jesus suckers (lollipops), Jesus kites, Jesus candy canes, Jesus jewelry box, Jesus sandals (the kind you wear, that leave the name “Jesus” in the sand where you walk), Jesus keychains, and a TON more.
  
  All of the above could be listed in a huge catalog titled “Selling Crap to Christians for Profit!”
  
  Now, I do not hear you complaining about these things (unless I missed it in both of your rants). It seems you reserve your indignation for scholars who attempt to explain prophetic discourse. You have no words of castigation for those who produce all types of items for Christians to buy? These are sold in “Christian” stores, yet you have no difficulty with that?
  
  Your problem stems from the fact that people attempt to interpret the Bible and write a book about it? The charge is that these individuals do so solely for the purpose of making money, is that it? I don’t see it that way. While there are a few individuals I steer clear from, in general, I learn something from people like Chuck Missler, and LaHaye and Thomas Ice. I also learn a great deal from Arnold Fruchtenbaum.
  
  Obviously, you think those who sells books about Eschatology are “sinister” as opposed to Hollywood, which is not as sinister because they apparently do not try to hide their message in movies, but come right out and present it clearly. No they don’t. Hollywood has mastered the game of subliminal messages in their movies, which is far sinister than an individual who writes a book about some aspect of Eschatology is winds up being wrong about it. They put their beliefs out there on the line. If you swallowed it hook, line and sinker, without verifying it against Scripture, that’s your fault, but to accuse them of being sinister is ridiculous.
  
  The “Christian” bookstores are FAR more sinister. The few times I have been to one in the recent past, I cannot get out of the store without seeing every form of kitcsh available, nor can I leave without the individual behind the counter trying to sell me everything!
  
  The “Christian” bookstores today are out to make MONEY. They sell LaHaye and Osteen. They sell Brian McLaren, Tony Campolo and a host of other postmodern, Emergent Church hawkers who turn the gospel of grace into one huge lie. You have no problem with that? Sorry, but if we are going to talk about what is sinister, it is the individual who CHANGES the truth of God into a lie, or presents another gospel, which is no gospel at all.
  
  People who write books about Eschatology are basing their judgments on the Word of God and while some of them get a bit carried away, there is nothing that I have read (from the individuals I have read), that indicates that they change the gospel of grace into something else entirely.
  
  Campolo, McLaren, Tony James, et al have one thing in common, eradicating the message of the cross in favor of something that offends no one. THAT is sinister.
  
  If you are so bothered by people like Hal Lindsay, then demand a refund from him, if you bought his books. Maybe he’ll give you one. In any case, grow up, move on, and stop harboring a grudge since no one forced you to buy any of his books at the start.
  
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15. mike | August 12, 2010 at 3:20 AM

I guess my response to this would be: I don’t expect Hollywood to follow any Christian standard. This industry has one goal and that is to make money. Any type of media manipulation they induce is simply to insure they keep making money. That’s the Devil plain and simple.

The question I have is: What about the Christian market that sells the Devil in all of its forms? Is it really any different?

How many times is the Devil used to sell us the latest prophecy publication? What about “Christian” fiction? How about the latest revelation or the “biography” of a life saved from witchcraft? These are far more dangerous than anything Hollywood can produce for the simple fact that it is a direct assault on Gods people. Do you really think that the Devil cares about literature where God wins in the end and yet the whole premise is a lie?

Let’s put it this way. I can take any number of prophecy/Satan from the 80’s and destroy the ideas back then that were pushed as truth and hailed in the Christian community. We can do this with a little thing called facts that were unknown then but are known now. But wait a minute!!! Weren’t these supposed truths concluded through prayer, Gods power and careful study of God word? Is it possible that these people were only out to sell books? Sadly, many of these individuals are STILL pushing books, videos, magazines, CD’s, teaching curriculum and going out on tour.

Still yet, selling Jesus junk to gullible Christians is not the biggest tragedy. You see, in these areas you have a false premise but in the end God wins!! Some of the greedy and the gullible have convinced themselves that this is what is most important. The ignored question is: Why would the Devil care about truth in the end of your story when you have created a lie at the beginning that we can work through? With time and patience the Devil will take a false premise and reveal it to the reader. Then inject the question does God really win in the end? Does God really exist? Maybe this is why Christians are supposed to be lovers of the Truth.

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- 16. modres | August 12, 2010 at 8:25 AM
  
  I see something far more sinister at work in Hollywood. While the producers, directors, and screenwriters all do what they do to make money, I believe Satan is at the very core of the ideas that become movies. He is deeply hidden in the shadows to conceal the source.
  
  “How many times is the Devil used to sell us the latest prophecy publication? What about “Christian” fiction? How about the latest revelation or the “biography” of a life saved from witchcraft? These are far more dangerous than anything Hollywood can produce for the simple fact that it is a direct assault on Gods people. Do you really think that the Devil cares about literature where God wins in the end and yet the whole premise is a lie?”
  
  I don’t think it is wrong to highlight people who have come from a devil-worshiping background to one in which they are now saved.
  
  “Let’s put it this way. I can take any number of prophecy/Satan from the 80′s and destroy the ideas back then that were pushed as truth and hailed in the Christian community.”
  
  Actually, I doubt it. If you are going by what the Passantinos and others said, then in my view, you have little leg to stand on. The reason it was so “hailed” by the Christian community, is due to the fact that it was heretofore unheard of. I’ve always thought it interesting that Bob and Gretchen Passantino and others came out of the woodwork to literally destroy the lives of Christians who said they came from devil-worshiping backgrounds. In fact, their “book” on Satanism is one of the most insipid pieces of work I have read and it is fascinating that a number of Wiccans praise it.
  
  Besides, SINCE the 80s, there have been a number of very high-profile cases involving Satanism in Europe and elsewhere. Why haven’t people like the Passantinos come out to rail against them, to debunk the apparent lies? They haven’t, but I notice that they are heavily involved themselves in what appears to be something that can only be described as secular New Agism.
  
  “Why would the Devil care about truth in the end of your story when you have created a lie at the beginning that we can work through? With time and patience the Devil will take a false premise and reveal it to the reader.”
  
  The devil also works really well with truth, twisting it to his gain. He does so throughout Scripture. In fact, I find it fascinating that Satan will pitch the truth (or nearly the complete truth) to many within the New Age movement through Shamans, Channelers, and others, and because these people know little to nothing of Scripture, they buy it. He can tell them for instance, that at some point in the future, upwards of 20 million people will disappear off the face of the earth in the “twinkling of an eye” (referencing the writings of Barbara Marciniak), and people go “Wow.” They believe it will happen because it came to them through a Shaman. He simply leaves out the information about it being an event Christians call The Rapture and that the people taken are authentic Christians.
  
  The Devil cares a great deal about truth both in the beginning, and especially in the end.
  
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