The Spirituality of Horror

by Charity Erickson

Scott Derrickson, writer and director of such films as The Exorcism of Emily Rose and last year’s Sinister, says this about the horror genre:

“In my opinion, the horror genre is a perfect genre for Christians to be involved with. I think the more compelling question is, ‘Why do so many Christians find it odd that a Christian would be working in this genre?’ To me, this genre deals more overtly with the supernatural than any other genre, it tackles issues of good and evil more than any other genre, it distinguishes and articulates the essence of good and evil better than any other genre, and my feeling is that a lot of Christians are wary of this genre simply because it's unpleasant. The genre is not about making you feel good, it is about making you face your fears. And in my experience, that's something that a lot of Christians don't want to do."

"To me, the horror genre is the genre of non-denial. It's about admitting that there is evil in the world, and recognizing that there is evil within us, and that we're not in control, and that the things that we are afraid of must be confronted in order for us to relinquish that fear.” (Full interview here.)

I first encountered Derrickson in a book called Behind the Screen: Hollywood Insiders on Faith, Film and Culture. I was just out of high school, and still very sheltered; I had not seen many true horror films. (Or does Left Behind II: Tribulation Force count?)  After reading Derrickson’s contribution to the book, I decided to educate myself in horror.

After a very brief foray into the genre, I realized that while I did not love horror, I could appreciate Derrickson’s thesis: horror is a gateway to the spiritual. I found the films I watched to be intensely affecting, preoccupying me for days—especially films that invoked the name of Jesus, such as 1931’s Dracula and Derrickson’s The Exorcism of Emily Rose. Hellraiser made me ill. Donnie Darko…I did not get Donnie Darko.

Years later, however, my interest in horror was again piqued by the Netflix series Hemlock Grove and its depiction of a Christian werewolf-hunter (see my On Pop Theology review here). This past fall’s The Conjuring also concerns Christians grappling with dark spiritual forces—an especially fascinating example as it is based on the real-life characters Ed and Lorraine Warren, self-proclaimed demonologists and curators (wardens?) of an “occult museum” filled with creepy dolls, statues, mirrors and other miscellanea said to be connected with demonic manifestations.

I grew up believing that, as a Christian, I would have to contend with demonic forces, and despite the promise of victory, the thought of encountering demons was petrifying; so stories like these conjure a very real fear within me.

And it makes me wonder just what is happening when we watch a horror film or show; is it stirring the realm of the spirit that is around us and beyond us, or is it just the spirit of fear within us that is moved?  If it is the former, if the fear that horror films elicit is based on a real threat, on spiritual powers at work in the world, does it evidence a sort of charismaticism universal to us all, an unconscious link to hidden realities of spiritual-warfare?  And if so, can (or should) this phenomenon be used in the cause of apologetics, as Derrickson seems to suggest?

What do you think?  And what examples drawn from the genre of horror have caused you to contemplate the spiritual realm? 

Charity Erickson and her husband live and work together in the north woods of Minnesota. Check out her blog for more of her writing and follow her on Twitter @CharityJill.

You can follow On Pop Theology on Twitter @OnPopTheology or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/OnPopTheology.
 
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On Breaking Bad and the Powers

by Adam Metz

I think if Dutch theologian Hendrik Berkhof were still alive, he might say that AMC’s big hit, Breaking Bad, just may be the perfect parable on the powers. His little book, ,Christ and the Powers, was translated into English by John Howard Yoder and serves as a foundational work for Yoder’s theology as well as the unique work of Walter Wink. I think it would be fascinating to reflect on this drama with the three of these great thinkers – now all dead (which, considering the tone of the show – seems kind of fitting).

Berkhof was one of the first (maybe the first?) to take a critical look at just what the Apostle Paul was talking about in the New Testament when he referred to “powers, principalities, and authorities.” Essentially, he goes on to suggest, they are the unseen forces that are at work in our world. This particular realm of discussion always makes me think of this scene from School of Rock – you may not understand the language of Powers – but everyone knows who “The Man” is:

I’ve never seen a more vivid commentary on the Powers than in the storyline of Breaking Bad. Hollywood has long wrestled with the dark realities and crises of sin through the genre of horror (a personal favorite!). Coming to terms with the reality of sin through the over-the-top nature of the the likes of Freddy Kreuger and Michael Myers is less threatening to our personal faith than what we encounter through Breaking Bad. It just doesn’t seem that threatening to talk about what we would do if a mass murderer ever broke into our homes or dreams.

Maybe it began with the Saw movies – or maybe it was Se7en - but somewhere along the line the audience wasn’t allowed to simply watch idly by as a terrible tale unfolds and project ourselves into impossible scenarios. Instead, these new movies invite us into more realistic moral quandaries – what do we do when our only choices are between two evils? To what extent are we willing to participate in the fallen state in order to maintain our self-preservation? Just how entangled are we in the sinful work of the Powers?

In the beginning, of Breaking Bad we meet Walter White – an under-achieving chemistry genius who teaches high school science. Providing the plot lines to the program, Walter faces the Powers up close and personal through disease (cancer) which plunges him to face other realities that we all face: economic Powers, the Power of health care, the illegal drug world, and on and on the story goes delving more and more deeply into the interconnected world of the Powers.  

What begins as a somewhat light-hearted traipse to the dark side of the law, continues to grow darker with each episode. It’s as if we the viewer are invited to witness the degree to which Walter becomes entrapped by the Powers in order to reflect upon our own life and the degree that the Powers have entangled us. As the story develops, the audience is forced to wrestle with the reality that the chief “hero” of the story, is slowly becoming baptized by the Powers and turning into the nemesis. This couldn’t resonate more directly with Berkhof’s teaching on the Powers: created as good, but fallen with all of creation and now ruling instead of serving.

Adam is a pastor at Alum Creek Church in Ohio. He is currently working on his Doctorate in Missional Leadership at Fuller Theological Seminary. You can find more of his writings at his blog Theological Vacillation and follow him on Twitter @CrasslyYours.

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Finding God in Stephen King

by JaneAnn Kenney

I struggle with the idea of popular culture and theology. Why should I be looking for theological themes and intersections in the world of reality tv, sports, or cinema? As I struggle to write about pop culture and God, I ask myself—“am I just trying to make a study I find fascinating relevant?”

Is God relevant?

And I firmly believe that he is. The intersection of literature and theology was the first reason I fell in love with Stephen King’s writing. The divergence of the two is the biggest reason I feel slightly vile when I read almost anything by Clive Barker.

And now I’m in the groove. My favorite King book, which can easily be used to illustrate his usual themes and style, must be It. Are there child heroes? Yup. Does their very childishness allow them to believe what adults do not or cannot? Indeed. Does this belief allow them to save themselves and the people they love? With a few sacrifices and notable exceptions, yes. Is there any indication that a supernatural power aided them? Absolutely. What’s more—that supernatural power loves them, loves the children so much. This is not an impersonal deity but rather one which exhibits the Yahweh trait of love for humanity.

Please do not hear me saying that King put Yahweh into It. I’ve often tried to picture God, but never have I pictured him as a huge turtle. However, the turtle’s characterization definitely leans towards a Judeo-Christian portrait.

Now take the first story I ever read by Clive Barker, called “In the Hills, the Cities” in Volume 1 of his Books of Blood. Is there empty, meaningless sex to begin? Yes. Is there senseless, graphic bloodshed? A resounding yes, clarified as near literal rivers of blood. Does the experience end in insanity with no hope of restoration? Of course. There is no room in Barker’s mythology for a loving god, or perhaps any god at all. His world is full of chaos; order collapses frequently and what ensues is his story.

Do not hear me saying that the difference between these authors is faith—I don’t think it is. Rather, having read more SK than many would consider healthy and more Barker than I consider healthy, I think the key difference rests in whether or not the author allows a positive spirituality into their writing.

It surprised me when Bill Denbrough made this statement:

…Best to believe there will be happily ever afters all the way around—and so there may be; who is to say there will not be such endings? Not all boats which sail away into darkness never find the sun again, or the hand of another child; if life teaches anything at all, it teaches that there are so many happy endings that the man who believes there is no God needs his rationality called into serious question.

I praised God when I finished reading this book. It’s not that everyone acted in ways which are distinctly or even remotely Christian. It’s simply that I was surprised to find a horror novel which reminded me that the God I believe in is good and that I will continue to see his influence in surprising places.

You can follow Jane Ann on Twitter @JAKof3Ts.