Sherlock Holmes and Cultural Evangelism

As an avid fan of Sherlock Holmes and his many adventures, I recently attended a showing of Guy Ritchie’s new action flic, Sherlock Holmes. After seeing numerous previews and trailers, I was set for a heart thumping blockbuster filled with fight sequences, steamy romance, and an excellent script, chock full of quotables. For eight bucks, I don’t demand much, just my money’s worth.

As a whole the film was directed well. Robert Downey, Jr. and Rachel McAdams were tolerable and the story itself was engaging. However something was lacking to make this film an extraordinary seasonal blockbuster.

Now to say that Sherlock Holmes didn’t deliver as an action film isn’t necessarily the case. Visually this film was a work of art and the acting wasn’t as stilted as most Hollywood fare today. However, I left the theater with a detached feeling. I had enjoyed parts of the film and was engaged by the story, but something made me unable to connect with the characters and fully enjoy the film.

As I drove home, I pondered the possible reasons behind my disillusionment. What had made me feel so empty, per, se or what had left me with a sense, that the underlying themes of the movie were pervasively opposed to values of Christianity? Even if this was so, what I couldn’t figure out was that there had been nothing in the film which was necessarily repulsive. There was no nudity, no graphic violence, and no foul language. Even the presence of the visualization of occult practices had shown them to be evil and worthy of defeat.

Then it occurred to me. On a purely theological and spiritual level, as Christians we have awareness of good and evil and when a movie is ‘evangelizing’ a worldview. When peeled to its source a virulently anti-Christian worldview must evoke in us feelings of abhorrence for that message. The notion came to me that a film doesn’t have to graphically portray a perverted message to sway and influence the public. In fact, Satan didn’t use a graphic portrayal of life and death when tempting Eve. He simply challenged God’s status and the truth of the law. I’ve come to understand that Sherlock Holmes presented so much of what pervades Hollywood and the world today through very sly means. The greatest battle the church will fight is not against open Atheism or Islamic fascism but against syncretism.

Although all art is a reflection of culture, some movies and books can be specifically evangelistic in their approach. A greater difference exists between the wizardly popular Harry Potter movie series and The Lord of the Rings, than there does between Sherlock Holmes and Brokeback Mountain. The messages that both contrasted films try to portray are vastly different. While the Harry Potter series deals with the questions of ultimate evil, ever-present spirituality, demonology, and wizardry, The Lord of the Rings simply presents the struggle of good and evil utilizing redemptive themes without ever glorifying magic or wizardry. In the same way, Sherlock Holmes and Brokeback Mountain are quite similar in that what the present. It is an appeal for men to accept humanism and to live as you see fit.

Thus as I watched Sherlock Holmes, I realized that the movie was simply using the newest adventure of the super sleuth and his faithful friend Dr. Watson as a medium for presenting a much larger message full of specific cultural relevance. A much darker theme was prevalent throughout.

Now the actual specificities of the message are mostly irrelevant. Suffice to say that the same themes exist which pervade Hollywood culture today. Mystical humanism and the glorification of man’s individuality and prowess are central. There was indeed a very occult undertone as well and I would encourage those interested in learning more about this phenomenon in media today to read my previous article posted here to expand your understanding of this occurrence.

However as I said, I am less interested in listing the points of a pagan philosophy in as much as stating that it is pagan and that’s all that really matters. The point of this article is to state that we as Christians must become aware of the pagan themes existent in most areas of culture today and to understand why we can’t simply absorb mainstream fare and enjoy films without questioning the motivation of the artist.

So why not? Why can’t we simply enjoy Sherlock for what it is, just another Hollywood action flic right? If we simply check our ‘morals’ at the door we should be fine right? I mean it’s just a movie why look for more than that?

This type of rationalization could be extrapolated to the lifestyle of the biblical character, Lot, who lived inside Sodom while being fully aware of the depravity of that city. As Sodom was judged, the ideas which these types of films seek to promote are deserving of God’s judgment. If we as Christians absorb this ideological message are we not simply acting as Lot did in turning a blind eye to the imagery?

As I said, not every film which isn’t necessarily ‘Christianized’ has a blatantly evangelistic pagan message. Certain films make this a pointed part of the agenda of the movie. Sherlock Holmes made this move. I couldn’t help but see through the dialogue of the characters and the plot of the story that this film glorified selfishness, humanistic ideals, misogyny, and provided an interesting commentary on statism. It might be noted that by setting the film up for a sequel actually bolsters the point that evil can never really be defeated even by Holmes’ most superb efforts. There will always be another criminal to catch.

Is there a benefit to watching an evangelistic film? Can we learn something from them or should we simply look for cinema with a straightforward theme? If so, what is that theme and what should we be looking for?

Well, I think the principle is clear. It’s important to be aware and not shut ourselves off from a movie like Sherlock Holmes. In fact it is beneficial to watch a film like this in order to persuade people of the error and to bolster your own understanding and faith in Christianity. However, don’t simply go into an evangelistic film blind. It has a specific message which it is trying to relay that is beyond simply a good vs. evil battle. I think the bottom line is to understand that if you’re looking for ‘entertainment’ you won’t find it with pagan evangelistic movies. Search elsewhere.

If we can no longer watch movies as the general public does, our minds numbed to simply absorbing the violence, sex, and underlying themes, what are we left to watch? The answer isn’t to simply to refrain from the theater all together. A happy balance must exist. Just don’t sit in your seat and absorb the film and praise it with your friends even if you know there was an anti-Christian message.

The key is to critically watch movies but to avoid films which have that pervasive message. Otherwise, unless you are watching one of these films for educational purposes you won’t be entertained. I don’t know about you but sometimes I like to simply sit and enjoy a good story and not be bombarded with a Hollywood agenda. Finding movies can be tough but with a little insight and a good review here and there it can be done.

I guess ultimately It’s important to know what to look for. I would suggest searching out films that aren’t Hollywood blockbusters for starters. Although some of the Academy award winners in the last five years have been worthwhile most have disappointed. Look to movies which have real life stories or actually have human characters without super powers involved. Almost all superhero movies will have some sort of humanistic message that glorifies and promotes some human to semi-god status. Fictional stories can be great but beware of those films which glorify perverted lifestyles or contain pervasive offensive material. In essence, a good film like any good story is one that has a positive message. When we go to the movies we want to be lifted up or see a film with an impact. We want to learn something about life but as Christians we can’t be taught a message which is fundamentally against our worldview.

The next time I go to the theater hopefully I will see a film that I can actually enjoy; one that is thought provoking but doesn’t contain a blatant Hollywood message. A film that actually has content but isn’t so gratuitous as to make it unwatchable. I know that across Christendom standards will vary and everyone will look for something out of a film. However, this is a plea for us to wake up and stop absorbing what Hollywood is feeding us. Take a stand against the mainstream fare and demand quality films.

Below I’ve included a list of the top one hundred films of the past decade that I believe are worth your viewing time. In the future I will try to add lists of other great films. I know I can’t please everyone but these films are a start. Some of these films are not family friendly so use caution when viewing. Here you go. They are in no particular order of relevance.

We must not be like Lot who turned a blind eye to the depravity of Sodom. As Christians we are called to stand in the tide and proclaim Christ. If you're looking for quality entertainment in media today the pool is limited. However, don't simply go to a movie just to go to the movies. Make an educated guess. And in the event that there isn't anything worthwhile showing, don't go. Hey, at least you saved yourself eight bucks.