Perhaps you know of the famous conversation that C. S. Lewis had with J. R. R. Tolkien before Lewis trusted Christ. Lewis had always loved myths and fairy tales as a child, but he said to Tolkien: “But they are lies—though breathed through silver.”
Tolkien said, “They are not lies.”
Tolkien’s point is that there is a truth deeper than the dawn of time, the truth of the Gospel, and because God has set eternity in the hearts of men, those writers have a sense of that truth. The longing to be loved as we are and the longing to be rescued by someone amazing comes through these stories. In the same way, wonderful love stories do the same thing. I love watching these movies, and then talking to my girlfriends about the spiritual messages they reveal. So, let’s look at some of our favorite love stories and see what we can discover. I’ll help and jump in, but I want to encourage your thoughts on any of the following with which you are familiar.
There are those who may be offended by this post, for there are elements in these movies that are not edifying. I do think it is a wise parent who teaches her children to watch movies critically, looking for the Christian and non-Christian messages, and teaches them to find beauty in secular sources. I also realize some of you will disagree, and do not watch secular movies, and do that to the glory of God. Romans 14 tells us each to realize we will stand before God and not judge our brother on these gray issues.
Consider the following.
1. Ever After: a Cinderella Story (1998)
- Whether or not you have a Prince Charming in your life, how has Jesus been one to you?
- In what ways is the Gospel a Cinderella story?
- Can you think of any scenes in Ever After that have a spiritual parallel to our relationship with Christ?
(Here’s mine: When she comes to the ball and she doesn’t know how he will respond to her, she tells herself: “Breathe, just breathe.” One day, when I am about to meet Jesus face to face, though I know I’m saved by grace, I think I will say, “Breathe, Dee, just breathe” to myself. And yet He promises He will come running for me, turning me into a beautiful bride.)
2. Pride and Prejudice (2005 Film or original novel)
- What spiritual parallels do you see from either the book or the movie?
- Note down any particular lines from the book or the movie that hold meaning for you in light of Christ and the Gospel.
3. Sleepless in Seattle
- What spiritual parallels do you see? What non-Christian messages do you see?
4. Gone with the Wind
- What spiritual parallels do you see in the book or movie?
5. Titanic
- What are the Christian messages? What are the non-Christian messages?
6. I see parallels in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Miss Potter, Camelot, South Pacific, Jane Eyre, and so many others. Do any of you? If so, note a few of these parallels down.
7. What movie or love story touches your heart and makes you think about something concerning your relationship with Jesus?
