We Won't Be Speaking With Emily Tonight

Of all things, a horror movie turned into one of the best DECODER RING screenings ever! Even my wife came out to watch "The Exorcism of Emily Rose," and she's no fan of scary movies! We got deep into Scott Derrickson's courtoom tale of possession, with its battles between faith and logic, the spiritual realm and the court of law. We found out how much was really "based on a true story," and marvelled at Jennifer Carpenter's harrowing performance in the film.

"The Exorcism of Emily Rose" is a courtoom drama about a Catholic priest on trial for his role in the death of a disturbed young woman. Was his youthful parishoner, Emily Rose suffering from a serious medical condition? Or was she invaded by demonic spirits who took control of her body? We heard eyewitness accounts, expert professional testimony, and the impassioned pleas of both the Prosecution and the Defense. But more importantly, we were confronted with two questions. Do demons exist? And what do you believe happened to Emily Rose?

We learned that "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" is based on the story of Anneliese Michel, a young Austrian woman who suffered from bizarre and frightening conditions from 1968 until her death on July 1, 1976. Her story, known as The Klingenberg Case, brought legal action against two priests who went to trial and were found guilty of negligent homicide. To this day her grave is an unofficial holy shrine, where many Christians still make pilgrammige. Borrowing several elements from this case and other stories of possession, the filmmakers crafted a modern yet timeless tale of belief and skepticism.

We dispelled the movie's notion that there is some inherent spiritual signifigance to 3:00 AM, recognizing it as a storytelling tool and nothing more. We noted that the director is a Christian who chose wisely to give the film a balanced view between faith and fact. We dove into the Bible regarding Jesus driving out demons and how they must submit to his authority (Luke 4:33-37 and 9:37-43). We focused on our total dependence on God (Ephesians 1:18-23), because apart from it we would be ripped to shreds, like the non-believers in Acts 19:13-16.

We also worked on our "marching orders" of how prayer, reading the word, and being in authentic relationships with other believers creates a hedge of protection around our lives. And as is our tradition, we prayed for the filmmakers and actors, that they would be open to God's leading and be drawn to projects that emulate his will.

Curious? You've gotta come out to our next meeting! Watch a movie, study the Word, and train your brain. It's not just entertainment, it's education and fellowship! See you soon!