This week’s number-1 earning film (defeating two intended blockbusters that will haunt Ryan Reynolds) is The Conjuring.

Critics are praising the film for what one local radio host said was “wholesome horror.” And some Christians are joining them.

Yet novelist Brian Godawa concedes he can’t be one of them.

I should probably be more positive about this positive portrayal of the Christian religion here, but I think the reason I am not all gaga about it is because not once in the entire story did I ever hear the name Jesus Christ appealed to. If you know me, you know I don’t like most Christian movies, so I am not calling for that kind of artificial tripe. What I mean is that in truth, the only way to battle demonic entities is going to be by faith and the power of Jesus Christ, specifically, not in “God” generically.

[…] At the end of the film they have a super that says, “The devil exists. God exists. Our destiny hinges on which one we follow.” Not bad. Kudos.

But I still got the sense from this film that it was more about magic than faith.¹