A viewer of my kickstarter project saw the above trailer and stated the following.
“I must say you have made a VERY interesting trailer. Did you make that your self. I assume the footage is from video games and stock footage but the music, text and all is pretty impressive.
The question I have though is aren’t you afraid that this is romanticizing Lucifer? I ask because prior to being saved I had a crazy interpretation of the Bible in this ultimate struggle between Good and Evil. Long story short my version of Lucifer was much like Anikan Skywalker (assuming you have seen Star Wars). It sort of made me sympathetic to the “dark side” if you will. Now that I am saved and actually read the Bible I have a completely different take on things however, you trailer (as good as it was) kind of reminds me of how I use to see things. So what I am asking, how do you think this will benefit the 16 – 21 year old version of myself that imagining things like this”
Here was my response.
“I’m glad you enjoyed the trailer. I took me quite a while to put it together. Yes it is from various elements of footage that I’ve ‘stitched’ together. If you think that was impressive imagine what I was able to depict in a 400 page novel! I love the story and I think it came out great. You’re just getting a taste of my story telling in the trailer.
I think the question is a great one and its one I have given a lot of thought too. The Bible makes it clear that Lucifer was perfect in all his ways until iniquity was found in him. Ezk 28:15
For those of us who accept the literal interpretation of the Bible Lucifer is a real person, Anakin Skywalker is a fictional one. This is ultimately a fictional account of the life of a real person, and depicts his falling from power and his eventual demise. When you think about it, we hear about this type of thing daily with all manner of persons unfortunately.
Anakin eventually found redemption, no such situation exists here. Lucifer is clearly shown to be judged at the end of time, and my novel shows him in that state at the very beginning. I would encourage people to take a look at my prologue in the book. The novel clearly starts with where Lucifer is destined to be. The series simply addresses HOW he arrived from point A to point B.
I don’t believe telling his story takes nothing away from the central message of the Bible which culminates in the person of Jesus Christ.
You can read the prologue here.
https://donovanmneal.wordpress.com/2013/01/08/third-heaven-the-rise-of-fallen-stars-prologue-reveal/
I don’t think it romanticizes Lucifer to talk about the fact that at one time he was good. It simply is a statement of fact. I do not want to make him into something he is not, I’ve tried to share an entertaining tale from a Christian perspective that a believer could ‘get with’.
What is the real story to me is how someone who held such position in the kingdom, who was so close to God, who was created in perfection and lived in perfection could acquire a level of dissatisfaction that could be so contagious that it resulted in such a schism that a third of angel kind rebelled? That I believe is the story of interest, and the story in this first of what is to be three books in the series.
If anything I hope it can be an object lesson and a warning to all of us, and foster a deeper love of the Bible and bring the scripture to the forefront of peoples mind, via literary entertainment. Similar to the Left Behind Series.
I hope you feel comfortable supporting the project.
Highest Regards,
Donovan”
So last time I checked the word romanticized means to treat as idealized or heroic. I’m not sure how that’s portrayed in the trailer or even the prologue. But it is an issue that I had to address when writing the novel.
So my question to you guys is this? Has what you seen so far romanticized Lucifer?
You be the judge.
Donovan and the act of musing 
I commented at your “Third Heaven” post.
Actually, yes. I think you are making satan to be some kind of hero. He isn’t of course. We have enough satan running murders and massacre in this country, why encourage it for those who are already on satans side. They will say, “hey, told ya he’s a good guy.” And they’ll have no need to repent.
Hi thanks for your response! I appreciate your feedback. I am not sure from the trailers or more importantly the book for that matter that it projects anything that Satan is some kind of hero.
Satan does not end up as the hero in the book. The bad guy doesn’t win! And he is the bad guy. And if you have the opportunity to read it. You will see that to be the case. From the very beginning, you understand that it’s the weight of how (Michael and Lucifer) have arrived at the point that they stand on opposite sides of the Lake of Fire, that is the story. How could two created beings essentially brothers have drifted so far apart in their service to God? How did it happen? That’s the story. I don’t think the Bible, God or the Gospel or our efforts to bring people to Christ is somehow threatened by such a story. If anything I think it will actually have the opposite effect. Just an opinion. 🙂
The novel is about Lucifer’s fall. I would argue it is difficult to write about his failure unless you talk about the extent from where he fell from. I mean this is the universe’s ultimate celebrity downfall and the first. Think about it. You cannot appreciate the depth of his falling unless you gain an appreciation of the height from which he fell.
The book does not change what the Bible says about his end or his current nature as the thief who comes to still kill and destroy. My story doesn’t leave the reader at its end with an impression that Lucifer is some person to be admired. Of course you wouldn’t know that as you’ve not had the pleasure of reading the whole novel. Wink.
Although we can disagree. I doubt anyone will come away from THIS story thinking hey ‘he’s a good guy” I’m afraid any advocates of his will be sorely disappointed by the time they reach the end of the book.
I feel I’m inadequate to really speak to the issue of peoples need to NOT repent because the novel is not the gospel. It’s’ not the Bible. Therefore, it is not designed to convict people of their sins. That is the Holy Spirits job, and I dare say I am not able to remotely touch that role. What I can say is what one of my readers who read the WHOLE book has said, and this is a quote.
“…literally made me stop reading and repent for my sins…I’m not kidding.”
Anything in this day and age that can make a Christian mind you stop and pray to ask God for forgiveness. Well I think you might just want to give that piece of literature a looksee…there just might be something there.
Thanks again for your comment.
I think what may be causing confusion here is the imagery towards the end of your video with the angel in the armor. Typically when one thinks of Satan or Evil, they think of darkness or ugliness. They think of something sneaking in the shadows. They don’t think of strength or light or armor. These things are typically attributed to angels of light like Michael and Gabriel. He’s supposed to be the bad guy dressed all in black and red, with flames, etc. So while you may not be intending to romanticize Lucifer/Satan, society’s stereotypes of him are working against you when people see the video. They see the angel you have as Satan and they think, “Oh he’s making Satan out to be a hero.” Even though that’s not what you intended at all.
Hi Jennifer,
Thanks for the excellent insight whats funny to me about this. Is that the angel is the armor is not Satan. I suppose I never considered that someone would think that the TWO different entities would be one and the same person. I do think you hit the nail on the head about societal stereotypes. Or perhaps more importantly Christian feelings about seeing Satan in some other light other than what he is currently portrayed. I think people just have a hard time dealing with the concept that he was not always the bad guy. As mentioned in a previous post He had to ‘fall’ from something. Which means he was elevated at some point. He is the villain, my book doesn’t change that. You just get to see how he became the villain. I liken it to the blockbuster movie ‘Titanic’. You know the ship is going to sink. You even have an idea how if your familiar with your history. Its the gritty details of context that made the movie enjoyable. Thanks for popping in Jennifer!