A Biblical Look into Twilight: Bella Moves to Forks

"I knew that if I'd never gone to Forks, I wouldn't be facing death now. But, terrified as I was, I couldn't bring myself to regret the decision. When life offers you a dream so far beyond any of your expectations, it's not reasonable to grieve when it comes to an end."
Bella in the preface of Twilight

As we read the first few pages of Twilight, the reader is introduced to a teenage girl named Bella Swan. Bella has lived most of her life with her mother in Phoenix, AZ. When her mother remarries, Bella decides to move to Forks, WA, to live with her dad. The book opens as Bella is making her way to Forks with her father, Charlie. Charlie is the police chief of this small town. He is a quiet and reserved man. This is a contrast from Bella's mother, Renee, who Bella describes in chapter 1 as "my loving, erratic, hair-brained mother."

Bella is preparing herself for a very different experience in Forks. She is moving from a crowded, sunny metropolis to a clouded, sparse town. We learn a lot about Bella in the preface and first chapter of Twilight. How would you describe her?

I see Bella as a quiet, perceptive girl whose intelligence and maturity measure beyond her age. She is also a clumsy and awkward girl. Bella sees herself as different as everyone else. She has a hard time relating to other people her age. This has impacted her friendships and dating life. While no religious background for Bella is mentioned in Twilight, her remarks in the preface show a respect for a Higher Being who is giving. She is also a girl who lies a lot. That character flaw will certainly come into play in Twilight and the following books.

Bella bases her identity on her own perception of herself. When we view our identity through our own internal lenses, we can have faulty assumptions and logic. An identity based on internal evaluations or even external comments can fluctuate depending on the feelings of that day, the time of the month or even our current lifestage. A Higher Being - the Creator God - offers us an identity based on eternal love.

Review the following passages in the Bible. Note how the children of God are identified. Do you fall into this category?

Ephesians 2:10

2 Corinthians 5:17

1 Peter 2:4-5, 9-10

Ephesians 1:3-6