Background

As a student of "serious" Literature and a Christian, I must admit that I had my own ideas formed long before I read this amazing saga. I couldn't imagine that a work so popular among young adults could actually be decent, but I was completely wrong. From a literary standpoint, this series is masterfully crafted and is an excellent example of good literature. From a Christian standpoint, there are themes and topics touched on that are relevant and can be used to spark discussion about fundamental components of the Christian Faith.

No, The Twilight Saga isn't a story about Jesus or an explicit allegory of the Christian Life. The Twilight Saga's author, Stephenie Meyer may not have even intentionally written the saga as a "Christian" work, but there are very strong spiritual connections made.

New Moon

In New Moon, the best-selling second installment of The Twilight Saga, by Stephenie Meyer, the story picks up where Twilight left off, but the plot takes a major turn within the first few pages as Bella accidentally cuts her finger and elicits a dangerous response from Jasper (Edward's "brother"). As a result of Bella's life being placed in such danger, Edward and his family leave Forks. Throughout New Moon, Bella's friendship with Jacob Black, a family friend and member of the Quileute tribe in LaPush, a Reservation near Forks. During Edward's absence, Bella finds it hard to live without him and ends up putting herself in danger in order to "hear" Edward's protective voice. Near the end of New Moon, Bella and Edward are reunited after Edward mistakenly believes that Bella has been killed and Bella travels across the world to save him from ending his life.

Eclipse

In Eclipse , after Bella and Edward's reunion, the reader is exposed to a new conflict involving Jacob Black, Bella's best friend (who, in New Moon, changed from being a normal teenager into a werewolf), and Edward, Bella's indisputable true love. As Edward and Bella continue their courtship and eventually become engaged, Jacob's jealousy comes in direct conflict with Edward's protective nature.

Meanwhile, unbeknownst to our protagonists, a vicious vampire driven by vengeance against Edward (for killing her mate at the end of Twilight) is raising up an army of newborn vampires to destroy Bella, and maybe take out a few Cullens while they're at it. In the face of this inescapable threat, The Cullens and Jacob's pack join forces to launch an offensive against the oncoming army. Once the threat is alleviated, the Cullens and the werewolves of La Push remain civil as they realize that are like-minded in their desire to protect Bella.

Breaking Dawn

At the beginning of Breaking Dawn , Bella and Edward commit themselves to each other in marriage and head to South America to Esme's Island for their honeymoon. While on their honeymoon, which lasts for more than two weeks, Bella begins feeling nauseous and as her stomach begins to swell, she soon realizes that she is pregnant... but this pregnancy isn't exactly "normal" as human pregnancies go. Soon after their hastily return to Forks, Bella gives birth to a baby that is half-vampire and half-human. While giving birth, Bella dies, and is brought back to life when Edward uses his venom to turn her into a vampire. New experiences surround Bella as she suddenly finds herself a wife, mother, and newborn vampire. As her relationship with Jacob improves, largely due to her daughter's birth, relations between the vampires of Forks and the werewolves of La Push improve even more.