Page Range
159-166
Keywords
Dracula, spiritual warfare, faith, rationalism, cross
Abstract
Dracula by Bram Stoker is an amazing piece of writing that is often misrepresented. Some Christians dismiss it because of the skewed belief that to enjoy life and literature is somehow less holy, and Dracula is also dismissed because of the judgment that books with blood, horror, and monsters cannot possibly grow us in holiness or teach us anything good. Not only is it forgotten that God created us to enjoy beauty, but also, to the second reason, the Bible itself contains blood, horror, and monsters; indeed, the Bible contains much more! Another unfortunate reality is that in the Western Church in general spiritual warfare is treated too lightly and perhaps not even addressed Biblically. Resisting sin to the point of shedding blood? (Heb. 12:3-4). Destroying arguments and every lofty opinion raise against the knowledge of God? Taking every thought captive? (2nd Cor. 10:3-5). We coast instead of swim against the stream. We fall asleep when Jesus has asked us to pray and be on the alert (Mt. 26:41). Besides captivating you with its beautiful prose, Stoker’s Dracula has the power to arouse you from spiritual slumber if you would only believe. Theologically enriching all the way through, Stoker’s Dracula presents its readers with Biblical truths they desperately need such as the reminder that real evil beings exist as formidable foes outside of oneself, the truth that the only way to fight the evil is by loving one another and fighting against it together, and lastly, the hope that evil, no matter how frightening, can be thwarted if one gives the battle his or her all. Good will win but not without the loss of much blood.
Recommended Citation
Gray, Bronwyn M.. 2022. "How to Fight Evil: Lessons for the Church on Spiritual Warfare from Bram Stoker’s Dracula." Eleutheria: John W. Rawlings School of Divinity Academic Journal 6, (2). https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/eleu/vol6/iss2/8