From Netflix hits to blockbuster movies, there is no shortage of stories that captivate our imagination when it comes to heaven and angelic beings. Even Korean dramas have already joined in creating shows that aim to satisfy our craving for the heavenly realms. Out of these media, however, how many were able to faithfully show the truth about the spiritual world?
If you’re coming from a Christian or a Catholic perspective, you may have noticed some concepts from these films and shows that have made you uncomfortable in terms of the worldview that they intend to show.
Here are some of the things that the secular media have often gotten wrong about heaven, angels and salvation:
1. What human nature is
There is often a dilemma when it comes to presenting human nature in fantasy shows. Sometimes, a film would tackle how depraved humanity is. Some higher being would cast human beings in a very negative light, showing their sins and how they are destined for corruption and evil.
At other times, however, movies and TV shows can lean on the other extreme. They show humanity in such a positive light that there is no more need for grace in order to find salvation.
In fact, the main human protagonist may be shown to exceed even God in goodness, courage and love.
Both of these assumptions are wrong according to the teachings of the Church.
Humanity is neither perfect nor so depraved that they are incapable of doing any good.
The truth is that man has been created good in the very image and likeness of God. However, after the fall, humanity’s nature became broken and weak. We are not entirely evil, but we are also incapable of perfection through our own efforts alone.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: Although it is proper to each individual, original sin does not have the character of a personal fault in any of Adam’s descendants. It is a deprivation of original holiness and justice, but human nature has not been totally corrupted: it is wounded in the natural powers proper to it, subject to ignorance, suffering and the dominion of death, and inclined to sin – an inclination to evil that is called concupiscence”. Baptism, by imparting the life of Christ’s grace, erases original sin and turns a man back towards God, but the consequences for nature, weakened and inclined to evil, persist in man and summon him to spiritual battle. (CCC 405)
2. What angels are
There are so many shows that seem to distort the truth about angels. Instead of allowing people to learn more about them, they distort the truth about their true nature.
One common mistake is showing them to be of a similar nature as human beings. Although angels may be depicted as beings with greater strength or power, they are shown to be no different in nature from human beings.
They are shown to be so similar to us that they also fall in love romantically, suffer from a broken heart and defy even heaven itself just to pursue their love interest.
This may sound heroic and very romantic indeed, but angels are not like that.
Angels are spirits created by God. They are spirits with a very high degree of intelligence, higher than even the most intelligent person on earth. Hence, they are very much aware of what they do. When they choose something, they know the consequences of their actions.
Those angels who rebelled have chosen evil and eternal condemnation. They can no longer repent because their will is permanently fixed in turning away from God. No kind of romantic love can redeem them and make them change for the better.
On the other hand, the angels who remained faithful to God have been established in His goodness and can no longer be tempted to sin. They are also very happy in God and they are not craving for affection that can only be found by falling in love romantically with a human being.
Here are the relevant excerpts from the Catechism of the Catholic Church:
329 St. Augustine says: “‘Angel’ is the name of their office, not of their nature. If you seek the name of their nature, it is ‘spirit’; if you seek the name of their office, it is ‘angel’: from what they are, ‘spirit’, from what they do, ‘angel.'”With their whole beings the angels are servants and messengers of God. Because they “always behold the face of my Father who is in heaven” they are the “mighty ones who do his word, hearkening to the voice of his word”.
330 As purely spiritual creatures angels have intelligence and will: they are personal and immortal creatures, surpassing in perfection all visible creatures, as the splendour of their glory bears witness.
As to evil spirits, the Catechisms states:
391…The Church teaches that Satan was at first a good angel, made by God: “The devil and the other demons were indeed created naturally good by God, but they became evil by their own doing.”
392 Scripture speaks of a sin of these angels. This “fall” consists in the free choice of these created spirits, who radically and irrevocably rejected God and his reign. We find a reflection of that rebellion in the tempter’s words to our first parents: “You will be like God.” The devil “has sinned from the beginning”; he is “a liar and the father of lies”.
393 It is the irrevocable character of their choice, and not a defect in the infinite divine mercy, that makes the angels’ sin unforgivable. “There is no repentance for the angels after their fall, just as there is no repentance for men after death.”
3. What heaven is
Contrary to what the non-Christian world thinks, heaven is not simply a place where one can feel very comfortable and relaxed. It isn’t merely a refuge from physical pain and other suffering.
It is also far different from the way it is often depicted in films and TV shows, where people stay afloat on a cloud, singing or playing harps.
I have often watched shows where a main character “bravely” refuses heaven for what is claimed to be a far nobler aspiration. Most of the time, that aspiration is to stay with one’s love interest, even if they should go to hell together for that.
Again, this may sound romantic, but it still distorts the truth. When we believe this kind of thinking, we’re saying that loving another person is higher than loving and obeying God Himself. It also gives us a false idea of both heaven and hell.
Hell is not only a place that may seem a little uncomfortable or bland. The suffering of hell would be extreme because in that place, you lose God Himself, the source of all that is beautiful and good!
God is the only One who can satisfy the deepest desires of our souls. And heaven is to be with Him forever. He is that one romantic love that we should fight for against all odds.
CCC 1024 defines heaven as follows: “This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity – this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed – is called ‘heaven.’ Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.”
Fantasy, Faith and Truth
Movies and TV shows about heaven and the angels may be entertaining, catering to our imagination as well as our emotions. But being entertained doesn’t mean that we are also led to the truth. In many ways, these shows distort the truth about the spiritual world, making us lose interest in the true heaven and tempting us to think that the only salvation we can think of is in finding that one romantic love.
Let us remember God’s plan for us. We were made in His image, and even after the fall, God has sent His Begotten Son to save us. We were not meant to live only in this life, craving for romantic feelings that can easily come and go. While we should fill our lives with love, we mustn’t limit that love to finding one’s spouse only.
The most important thing we can do is to love God and to let ourselves be loved by Him. After all, that is the key to our true happiness and peace. And that is the true definition of the bliss of heaven!
“To fall in love with God is the greatest romance; to seek him the greatest adventure; to find him, the greatest human achievement.” – St. Augustine of Hippo
“For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then we will see face to face. Now I know only in part; then I will know fully, even as I have been fully known. And now faith, hope, and love abide, these three; and the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:12-13 NRSVCE
You may want to get my e-book “What Should You Look Forward To In Heaven?”
Also read “Where Is God in Disaster Movies?”
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In