The First-Things review is excellent, nicely discussing the author’s mastery in crafting parallel worlds, but also his literary shortcomings and his naive antiauthoritarianism, besides his obviously erroneous atheism.
And we all agree: atheism, in all its forms, is a bad thing for old and young. How many atheistic pamphlets of lesser literary skill are out there, easily marketed and unquestioningly consumed as being “just fiction”? Does Harry Potter count? And: what about representations of Christianity that are less obviously false? Are they not the more potent soul-poison?
However, just to be a little bit of a contrarian as well, I wonder: shouldn’t it give Christians some pause that this atheist, Ph. Pullman, paints the church as an institution of extremely rigid morals — perhaps not surprisingly headquartered in John Calvin’s Geneva — and that this church’s god — not surprisingly called: “the Authority” — is basically against anything? I think it should.
Sure, we can all just ignore it and say: atheist polemics!, and for a good measure that is certainly the case here. Yet what is the picture of Christianity in the public square, and not only there? Isn’t it mostly that of a moral religion where the values of the West are kept alive and passed on, even if this takes on such noble forms as helping the aged and defending the unborn?
Many Christians think that being a Christian is about following a code of moral and spiritual precepts, just as they think that a good person will go to heaven, whether they’ve been a member of a religion or not (that’s, e.g., the official position of the Vatican). In other words, if the real gospel doesn’t even register as THE most important thing (the good CPH bible study, by contrast, does point you to the gospel) among those who claim to be Christians, can we expect it to register among committed unbelievers like Pullman?
In other words, the First-Things reviewer wonders why Jesus Christ is mentioned in the entire trilogy only once. Maybe that’s because most nominal Christians and most publicly vocal church bodies are works righteous in their beliefs and teachings — from the decision-technicians on the left to the synergists on the right.
The First-Things reviewer suggests that paying attention to the “teachings, character, and influence” of Jesus Christ would have led Pullman to paint a different picture of Christianity. Maybe different in degree in that it would have been more loving, compassionate, and all that, but maybe not different in kind, as one is left to wonder, whether the “teachings, character, and influence” of Jesus might have anything to do with the gospel of divine forgiveness. So just more of a moral Jesus — just this time the nice morals like helping the sick — for more of a moral Christianity?
And that, I submit, would be a problem that is negatively mirrored in products like The Golden Compass.
In all this I am, of course, not suggesting that Christianity is about fluffy “love” and holding hands while singing Kumbaya or that the law shouldn’t be preached in all its sternness or that doing one’s duty in one’s vocations or helping the poor or being against abortion is a bad thing. Problems start when the law and its outward fulfillment (moralism) is all that matters.

I really don’t understand your reason for saying,”No point in putting money in the pockets of people who are clearly intent on attacking and destroying the Christian faith.” Really?! Although this film supposedly (I’ve not seen it yet so I don’t know for sure) does attack the Christian faith. By your logic, then, we should avoid any movie that attacks the Christian faith, even in a subtle manner by promoting views contary to Scripture, right?

When I am asked the hypothetical question : ” _should_ I see this movie”, I have to pause. I have to be able to pin point what advantage do I gain for watching it. For me, I foresee no reason why I should. I can not detect even a pecuniary advantage to myself for doing so. In effect, what ‘value’ shall I derive by doing so?
If I want entertainment, I can go watch Joel Osteen’s broadcast. I get entertainment just watching him sincerely tell me how he manages to cultivate a ‘good attitude’. If I just want to waste time, I got plenty of ideas to address that.
LPC
LPC

I have to say, I did not know this movie existed or the books until I received and unsolicited fax from a Roman Catholic group decrying the movie and the books. Now I feel it is my duty to go see the movie. I don’t think it is everyones duty. And I can certainly sympathize with one who does not want to spend his money supporting anti-christian media. This is why I don’t buy Spong books anymore, but “pre-read” them in Barnes and Nobles. However being burned a few times in the past by rhetoric that would make Harry Potter out to be the Anti-Christ, I have resolved that I will go see movies like this, and or read the books. All though, I’m much stingier with my time than my money, and so not always willing to read the book.
Aside from my resolution, I am also a pastor. I want to know what my sheep are being exposed too, especially the younger ones.
Then there is the fact that I live in Utah, where people of a matter of course believe Adam and Eve had to sin in order to be able to have sex and children. I’m interested in the parrallel thoughts on that that I have read about in reviews of Pullman. It may give me some very good apologetic ammunition. This idea of a “fall up,” is amazing, not in a good way. Now I only hope that it is also as entertaining as the previews have promised.
I do think I will read the books, but I hope to get them from the library.

To add another thought on the “falling up,” as it relates to Pullman, and Mormonism. It seems they use the same concept to go different ways. In Mormonism, it seems from many conversations I have had, this is a pillar of their faith. They use this as part of their overall defense for a religious institution that is more controlling than the Roman Catholic Church has ever dreamed of being. (I use the R.C. as a counterweight here, not out of Lutheran bias, but on account of Pullman who attacks that particular body in his attack on the christian faith.) I’ve even heard Mormons tell me they left the state to get away from the 800 pound Gorrilla, by which they meant the “Mormon Magisterium.”
Yet, Pullman, it seems, uses this anti-Christian “falling up” doctrine in his attack on the R.C. Magisterium, which he hates for its controll factor. It is for this reason I am overly intrigued to watch the movie and read the books.

Thanks to CPH for making these resources available. They provide a nice counterweight to the “study materials” being circulated in the public schools extolling the virtues of this movie.
Though not a movie goer myself, I think it is important for Christians to view movies such as these in order to get a bead on what the unbelieving culture is thinking and to respond to it in a clear and thoughtful manner. This is the very essence of Christian apologetics in the public square.

Pastor Cwirla, I recall reading on your blog a while ago that you are an Eagles fan. Since these posts concern our culture, just wonder what you think of their new album.
Thanks!
HB

Lord of the Rings is fine, but people should be aware that it is very Roman Catholic, by Tolkien’s own admission.

In a letter to a Jesuit priest Tolkien writes: “‘The Lord of the Rings’ is of course a fundamentally religious and Catholic work; unconsciously so at first, but consciously in the revision,”

I don’t really mean anything in pointing that out. I just think people should read it aware.

I saw the movie yesterday. I am now reading the book. The thought crossed my mind that if families go see the movie and talk about it afterwards, it may give kid’s, especially teenagers, reason to talk to their friends and schoolmates, about the movie, religion, and Christianity, and how it all adds up. By telling people not to go you end up reinforcing the movie’s notion that Christianity is all about controlling people.

Bror, I think your comment is ridiculous. Pastor McCain didn’t try to “control” anyone. He simply gave his opinion. Going to see this movie is a waste of time and money. He is right. I would not want to stuff money into the pockets of a man who has made it very clear that his goal is to destroy the Christian Church. Give me a break.

Travis,
I was not directing my comments at McCain. From reading my other comments above, I’m sure McCain understands that if I don’t agree with him 100% on this I at least sympathize with him. It is with a twisted consceince that I do go see a movie like this. However I went to see it. Partly because I don’t trust the hubub that circulates, I’m always suspicious of boycots.
Now McCain himself has given a recomendation, and told no one what to do. However, there are plenty of churches around that are telling their people what to do in regards to this movie. I received a fax from a Roman Catholic group, trying to set up a boycott, I have seen Evangelicals rallying behind a boycot, and there has been some backlash here in Utah from the Mormon people if not their Hiearchy. So I was adressing that.
But I think we Christians could take advantage of opportunities like this to engage culture, especially when it seems culture is desperately trying to engage us. We don’t have to run and hide. We may have to own up to past failings. But we can also give answeres to the questions being raised by the movie, and the books. Plenty of non-christians will be seeing this movie, and reading the books. This gives us a chance to talk with them.