Philip Pullman, the author of the His Dark Materials trilogy, of which The Golden Compass is the first volume, is a gifted storyteller. The fable he created concerning Lyra Belaqua and the mystery of Dust has captivated readers all over the world. Aimed at children, The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass have rocked the world of literature. They have received countless prestigious awards, and Pullman's books have sold over 27 million copies worldwide. The film adaptation of The Golden Compass debuted last December.
Many people, however, do not realize that Philip Pullman is also committed atheist. His views regarding Christianity are well-voiced and his agenda is clear. His intent is to drive out the teaching of Scripture with wordly morality tales from fiction. The Bible speaks of people like this:
But there were also false prophets among the people,
just as there will be false teachers among you.
They will secretly introduce destructive heresies,
even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—
bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Many will follow their shameful ways
and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
In their greed these teachers will exploit you
with stories they have made up.
Their condemnation has long been hanging over them,
and their destruction has not been sleeping.
2 PETER 2:1-3
just as there will be false teachers among you.
They will secretly introduce destructive heresies,
even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—
bringing swift destruction on themselves.
Many will follow their shameful ways
and will bring the way of truth into disrepute.
In their greed these teachers will exploit you
with stories they have made up.
Their condemnation has long been hanging over them,
and their destruction has not been sleeping.
2 PETER 2:1-3
The film and books remain a powerful means of twisting minds to foster rebelliousness, anti-authoritarianism, promote moral confusion, and inflame hatred of the Church. (My original review of the film along with some additional research can be found by clicking here.)
We discussed the insidious lie of Atheism, and worked through the cultural trends leading to Postmodernism to better understand why our society is so confused when it comes to matters of truth.
We learned the true story behind the Fall of Man in Genesis 3, that Man did not achieve enlightenment from eating the forbidden fruit. Instead, he introduced sin and separation from God into the world. The Bible speaks constantly of the value of knowledge, but always in the context that the source is God himself (Proverbs 2:6).
So what is our response to movies and books that espouse such falsehood? Arguments? Boycotts? Picket lines?
God's heart is for the lost, so we dove deep into prayer for everyone involved with the film. We lifted each of them up, thanked God for their talents and gifts, and asked the Lord to surround them with His love. Personally, I would much rather see Mr. Pullman beside me in Heaven than any other fate that might befall him. And I know that Jesus feels the same way.
Thanks so much for everyone who came out last Saturday night. It's tough to have your beliefs challenged, but so rewarding to learn God's truth through his Word and the assurance that comes from the knowledge of Him. See you next time at The Decoder Ring.
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