Navigating The Golden Compass: A Christ-like Response for Christians

Discover how Christians should respond to The Golden Compass, a movie based on an anti-Christian book series. Learn to engage in respectful discussions and share the truth of the Gospel.

How should Christians respond to The Golden Compass?

As Christians, it is important to carefully consider how we should react to The Golden Compass, the movie based on the book by Philip Pullman. The book series, His Dark Materials, on which The Golden Compass is based, has received criticism for its anti-religious undertones and the author's outspoken atheistic views. While it may be tempting to stage protests or boycotts, these actions may inadvertently give free publicity to the movie. Instead, it is crucial for Christian families to be aware of the content and engage in open discussions, offering truthful answers to the false claims made in the series.

The Anti-Christian Nature of His Dark Materials

Philip Pullman, the author of His Dark Materials, is a vocal atheist who specifically criticizes Catholicism in his trilogy. The church is portrayed as evil, controlling, ignorant, intolerant of dissent, and sadistic. Pullman does not disguise this critique, but rather directly attacks the church and its teachings. In the books, terms such as "original sin," "baptized as a Christian," "Vatican Council," and "magisterium" are used to further this narrative. The Golden Compass, the first book in the series, may contain subtle anti-religious rhetoric, but as the story progresses in the sequels, the attacks on Christianity become more overt and preachy.

It is essential to understand Pullman's intentions and beliefs. He has openly stated that his books are about "killing God" and undermining the basis of Christian belief. Pullman views the Christian religion as a powerful and convincing mistake that deserves rebellion. It is evident from these statements that the His Dark Materials trilogy, including The Golden Compass, is deliberately anti-Christian.

Incompatible Messages and Themes

The messages conveyed in His Dark Materials are not compatible with a Christian worldview. The protagonist, Lyra, is a habitual liar who lies for selfish reasons throughout the series. The books also include a sexual experience for Lyra as a young teenager, which the author portrays as a part of her rebellion against religious control. This portrayal of rebellion and immorality as something to be celebrated is contrary to Christian values.

It is important to recognize that The Golden Compass, along with any works connected to the His Dark Materials trilogy, promotes an atheistic worldview where death is the end, morals are subjective, and the idea of God is used for evil purposes. The advertising of the movie has been misleading, comparing it to The Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia, which are morally opposite to Pullman's work. Scholastic even created a school curriculum set, including all three books, for public school reading programs, further propagating these anti-Christian themes.

A Christ-like Response

While it is necessary to contradict works like His Dark Materials, it is crucial to do so in a Christ-like manner. We should not play into Pullman's stereotypes of believers as ignorant, oppressive, and bigoted. Instead, we should respond with politeness and truth. This presents an excellent opportunity to witness for Christ's sake.

Engaging in open discussions and providing truthful answers to the false claims made in The Golden Compass can help strengthen the faith of Christian families and individuals. It is essential to be well-informed and familiar with the Bible, as it provides the ultimate source of truth and guidance. When discussing the themes and messages of the series, it can be helpful to reference biblical passages that counteract the anti-Christian ideas presented. For example:

• Original Sin: Discuss the concept of original sin from a biblical perspective, emphasizing the need for salvation through Jesus Christ (Romans 5:12).


• Rebellion against God: Explain that rebellion against God is not something to be applauded but rather something that separates us from His perfect love and plan for our lives (Romans 3:23).


• Morality: Emphasize the importance of objective moral standards found in the Bible and the guidance it provides for living a righteous life (Psalm 119:105).


• God's Existence: Share evidence from the Bible and personal experiences that support the existence of God, highlighting His love and desire for a relationship with us (John 3:16).

By engaging in respectful and informed discussions, Christians can effectively counter the anti-Christian messages promoted in The Golden Compass and His Dark Materials. This approach allows us to share the truth of the Gospel and demonstrate the love and grace of Christ without resorting to divisive actions or rhetoric.

Awareness and Discernment

It is important for Christian families to be aware of the content and underlying messages of The Golden Compass and the His Dark Materials series. This awareness allows parents to make informed decisions about whether to support the movie through ticket sales or book purchases. While it may be tempting to avoid or boycott the series altogether, it is essential to consider the potential for meaningful conversations and the opportunity to share the truth of the Gospel.

Ultimately, each family and individual must prayerfully discern how they should respond to The Golden Compass. It is crucial to seek guidance from the Holy Spirit and rely on the wisdom and discernment provided by God's Word. By approaching this issue with love, truth, and a Christ-like attitude, Christians can navigate the challenges posed by The Golden Compass and use it as an opportunity to share the hope and truth of the Gospel.