I will occasionally get asked how I correlate my passion for faith and the genre of horror in which I write. Rather than give examples in Scripture of beheadings, crucifixions, stoning, hangings, demonic possessions, dismemberments…shall I go on? I will attempt to present my premise which I feel may be more practical in an everyday approach to the question. My answer, if given proper consideration, may be surprisingly simple yet be intricately provocative. In my humble opinion, life in all of its amazing and complex expressions, is in itself, a live action horror film and God is the director! Anyone alive in 2020 can surely attest to that fact.
Now that is not to say that God is casting us as mere pawns in some life and death struggle against evil. The fall of humanity at the Garden of Eden already set the stage for the plot. But since we have now been cast as actors in this film, without a choice I must add, we must play our parts. Yes, the script is already written and we have our lines. The question then becomes, are we adequate actors for the roles we each play?
When people speak of or mention horror, most, but of course not all, associated images are of a crazed lunatic yielding an axe or chainsaw chasing helpless victims sure to meet their demise in violent and gruesome ways. I stop and wonder why? Not why the film or book or was written, but the real questions becomes why is that murderer, psycho, creature, etc. behaving that way. Is there a demonic force or evil energy that is provoking those actions? Yes, and the answer is Satan and his horde of demons that want nothing more than to wipe the smile off of your face and fill your life with destruction and chaos.
Each day there are forces out to destroy us. Whether they be physical, emotional, or psychological, there are dark elements remaining from the legacy of sin that was born eons ago. They are our enemies and they stalk us relentlessly (as roaring lions) seeking to devour us and everything we hold dear. If that is not horrific, I am not sure what does qualify? Only by God’s grace and mercy are we able to survive their unalterable, malevolent pursuits.
To further expound in short, horror then, because we are living it daily, teaches us and reminds us that we in a battle for our lives.
2 Corinthians 6:9
…we live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. NLT
So then, if we are cast into this film, we must know the ending, yes? The script, (God’s Word) clearly states that we do survive and are actually more than conquerors because of the benefactor of this film.
Can faith and horror coexist? They seem to have been intermingled since the beginning of time and will be until Christ’s return. Your part is cast and the director has called, “Action!” Remember your lines and know there is a happy ending if you stick to the script!
JZ
Now that is not to say that God is casting us as mere pawns in some life and death struggle against evil. The fall of humanity at the Garden of Eden already set the stage for the plot. But since we have now been cast as actors in this film, without a choice I must add, we must play our parts. Yes, the script is already written and we have our lines. The question then becomes, are we adequate actors for the roles we each play?
When people speak of or mention horror, most, but of course not all, associated images are of a crazed lunatic yielding an axe or chainsaw chasing helpless victims sure to meet their demise in violent and gruesome ways. I stop and wonder why? Not why the film or book or was written, but the real questions becomes why is that murderer, psycho, creature, etc. behaving that way. Is there a demonic force or evil energy that is provoking those actions? Yes, and the answer is Satan and his horde of demons that want nothing more than to wipe the smile off of your face and fill your life with destruction and chaos.
Each day there are forces out to destroy us. Whether they be physical, emotional, or psychological, there are dark elements remaining from the legacy of sin that was born eons ago. They are our enemies and they stalk us relentlessly (as roaring lions) seeking to devour us and everything we hold dear. If that is not horrific, I am not sure what does qualify? Only by God’s grace and mercy are we able to survive their unalterable, malevolent pursuits.
To further expound in short, horror then, because we are living it daily, teaches us and reminds us that we in a battle for our lives.
2 Corinthians 6:9
…we live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. NLT
So then, if we are cast into this film, we must know the ending, yes? The script, (God’s Word) clearly states that we do survive and are actually more than conquerors because of the benefactor of this film.
Can faith and horror coexist? They seem to have been intermingled since the beginning of time and will be until Christ’s return. Your part is cast and the director has called, “Action!” Remember your lines and know there is a happy ending if you stick to the script!
JZ
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