By Jeff Patty (excerpted from the bestselling book God’s Ghostbusters)

These days, you can’t turn on the TV or walk into a bookstore without seeing vampires everywhere. Vampires have become more popular than ever now, thanks to recent movies and books. It can be argued that the current trend, or rather, obsession, started with the highly popular books and movies in the Twilight series. And what’s very disturbing is that this interest and obsession is especially strong in young women.

“Vampire romance novels,” as they are referred to, have swept through the publishing world. Everything “vampire” is now as popular with these young girls as much as Barbies, Cabbage Patch Dolls, and Easy-Bake Ovens used to be. (I’m afraid I may be showing my age a little with that last sentence.) But, the seduction this vampire trend has on young girls especially is not only disturbing, it’s dangerous. Eternally dangerous. I’ll spend this chapter showing how and why, and giving a history lesson on vampires, immortality, blood, and a few otherworldly creatures gaining in popularity in the last days we’re living in.

The history of “vampirism” goes back to the beginning: Genesis. Now, I know a lot of you are going to say, “There’s no mention of vampires in Genesis,” and you’d be right. But, for those in the occult, there is. Although purely myth, many in the occult believe there was a woman before Eve. The “original” woman created along with Adam was named Lilith. She had a problem being subservient to Adam, since she was created from the dust just like Adam had been, therefore making her an equal to “man.” She soon left Eden, and then Eve was created from Adam’s rib. (By the way, many radical feminists believe in and love the story of Lilith. Some even worship her because she was “truly equal” to Adam (man) and was punished for standing up to him, thus beginning the patriarchal wars.)

Supposedly, God sent three angels to bring her back, but she refused, so the angels promised to kill one hundred of her children every day (she was busy) until she returned. Lilith, in turn, vowed to destroy human children.

Lilith was often described as a winged female demon with sharp claws. She came in the night to kill babies, even the unborn. She was also sometimes described as beautiful and seductive, and would come to men at night as a succubus (a female demon that has sexual relations with men). Vampires are often described as seductive, and they are associated with having the ability to hypnotize people. It’s not hard to see the connection of Lilith to vampires. The death, the blood, the seduction. Not to mention apparently being immortal.

Many people know that the real interest and awareness in vampires began with a novel by a man named Bram Stoker with his book, Dracula. But we don’t know much about Bram Stoker beyond that: the man or his beliefs.

Bram Stoker was born in Dublin, Ireland, on November 8, 1847. He died on April 20, 1912, due to complications caused by syphilis. Stoker held to a liberal-minded theology, and was said to have been a member of “The Order of the Golden Dawn,” a New Age occult group founded in 1887, which consisted mostly of Freemasons, but in this secret society, women were allowed to be members. It was formed for the practice of ceremonial magic and the acquisition of initiatory knowledge and powers. A person can see how being involved in a secret cult society could have opened doors that led to the creation of Dracula. Remember, at the time, Stoker was developing his imagination; spiritualism and occultism were sweeping over America like a flood.

Stoker conceived of his novel Dracula in 1897. He wrote several other books in his lifetime, but Dracula brought him fame. The character of Professor Abraham Van Helsing—the great vampire hunter—Stoker actually modeled after himself. Interestingly, the character of Dracula almost became known by another name. When Stoker’s novel was near completion, the famous character’s name was “Count Wampyr.” But during Stoker’s research, he came across a book titled, An account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia, written by William Wilkinson.^[i] There, he came upon a word in the Romanian language: Dracul, meaning “Devil.” Liking that name for that reason, Stoker changed the name of his vampire from “Wampyr” to “Dracula,” and the legend was born.

Many books and movies have been written and filmed over the years based on either Dracula himself, or vampires, including the 1931 portrayal of “Dracula” by Bela Lugosi. But just one of many current authors that Stoker’s Dracula was an inspiration for is Stephen King. Much of the story for Carrie and Salem’s Lot (which also became movies later) follows Stoker’s Dracula closely (especially Salem’s Lot, which parallels it greatly).

And as anyone knows, Stephen King has been on a shadowy path ever since. King is a very talented writer (I dare anyone to read one of his horror novels and not get scared out of his or her wits). But I don’t believe the origin of that fear strictly comes from good writing; I believe it comes from something much more sinister. His books are not only extremely frightening and dark; they are filled with anti-Catholic and anti-Christian symbols and messages throughout. Messages that slowly and subtly weave their way into people’s consciousness, for the greater good of all that is sinister and ungodly.

Since then, we’ve had many authors and directors jump on the vampire bandwagon, but no one author’s work (since Stoker has had such an impact on society and culture) as accomplished as Stephanie Meyer’s 2005 novel, Twilight. Three other books have since followed in the series. These books and movies have become so popular that, among other things, midnight parties and vampire-themed proms have become a must for many teenagers and young adults. Personally, I don’t think Meyers set out to write novels that mislead and deceive people about love and eternal life. She was a stay-at-home mom that woke up one morning with a dream stuck in her head. She quickly wrote the first book, and probably thought she would be lucky to even get someone to look at her manuscript, much less buy it. But I do believe that the dream was demonically given to her and she was prompted and guided after that.

The basic storyline of Twilight involves the character of Bella Swan and her struggles in a new school in the overcast town of Forks, Washington. That’s where she meets the handsome, mysterious student, Edward Cullen, who, unbeknownst to Bella, is a vampire. Before long, the two find themselves in a passionate romance, and Edward even introduces her to his family. But even though Edward doesn’t prey on humans, he finds Bella’s scent overpowering as he struggles to overcome his bloodlust. That’s not the end of the story.

Naturally, another vampire clan gets Bella’s scent and decides to make her their next meal, so Edward and his clan have to stop it from happening, all the while trying to save his relationship with Bella. (Just the right ingredients to attract and keep the fairer sex enthralled.)

There are many things that are disturbing about the whole vampire trend today, but one of the most disturbing to me (and should be to any Christian), is the emphasis on eternal life, blood, and love, but from an anti-God perspective. It’s become a completely perverted and twisted gospel that young people are swallowing hook, line, and sinker. Even young people in the Church don’t see anything wrong with diving into the vampire subculture. But we, as parents, pastors, and youth ministers, need to be not only aware of this subject and the trends themselves, but we need to be warning our children on this blasphemous, wrong teaching.

Eternal life through blood and love is definitely real, and achievable, but not in the way they are being seduced into believing. And don’t fool yourselves; this message is being promoted so strongly through young love and devotion, young people believe it. It’s not just a book or a movie; it’s a belief system for many. The Twilight books, and many other “vampire romance novels,” tug at the reader’s heartstrings and emotions very strongly. This is why it’s especially dangerous for young girls and women in comparison to boys and men. It is well-known that women operate, make decisions, and live life more from an emotional standpoint than men do, and these books are targeted for them. Unfortunately, they seem to have hit their target rather well.

In John 6:53–58 it says:

Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever.

Notice how the “doctrine of vampirism” is a perversion of this, basically saying, “If you become a vampire, you will live forever, but you will have to feed on the blood of others.” Now, for the older generation, this perverted parallel to the Gospel is not overlooked, but with the younger generation, most of them don’t see it or understand it. That is a fault of the parents and the Church for not teaching the Word strongly enough to our children (Ephesians 6:4), and in the areas it’s needed most to battle today’s pop culture. I’m not trying to put a guilt trip on people; many parents and churches have done a great job of bringing children up in the Lord. But there is always room for improvement, and that applies to me as well.

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We also see in Romans 6:8–9, “Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.” Again, vampires are considered to be the undead, or, the “living dead.” Alive (or dead-alive) forever without Jesus Christ. There is no eternal life outside of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but through me.” Young people, especially girls and women, are being led astray, and the interest in, and love of, the vampire romance novels and movies can easily lead to darker and darker things in their lives. It’s a very dangerous path to be on. Matt 7:13–14 says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” This particular Scripture, by the way, completely blows universalism (the theory that everyone will eventually be saved) out of the water.

I have seen the first Twilight movie. Once. On a purely basic level, it was definitely a “chick flick.” I’m sure most guys didn’t see it of their own free will. But there are other popular movies and TV shows that aren’t so specifically targeted for the female audience that are more openly disturbing and blasphemous. Although I’ve never watched the series True Blood, as a self-proclaimed movie geek, I know enough about it to know that it’s not healthy for anyone to watch, especially young people or Christians. Yet, many of them still do. That’s what happens when consciences become numbed over time from the relentless bombardment out of Hollywood and huge publishing houses.

The True Blood television series is based on the “Sookie Stackhouse” novels by Charlaine Harris. The series centers on the relationship of a Southern waitress (Sookie), and a man who she believes is her soulmate, who just happens to be a 173-year-old vampire. The books and the TV series takes place in the future, where vampires are now able to mingle among humans, thanks to synthetic blood. As the vampires try to fit into society, they face fierce opposition from people who don’t believe they have a place among them. The vampires also live in fear that they will be drained of their blood, because their blood acts as a drug, similar to Ecstasy and Heroin, for humans.

Again, I’ve never watched the series, but do you notice how the synopsis paints a sympathetic picture of the vampires? They’re persecuted by the intolerant humans and in fear of being drained of their blood by humans. Good is evil, evil is good (see Isaiah 5:20).

There’s another series called The Vampire Diaries. The television series is based on novels by author, L. J. Smith. It follows Elena and Jeremy Gilbert, after the death of their parents, as they try to put their lives back together. As the new school year begins, Elena’s life goes through a dramatic change when she meets a handsome and mysterious new student (sound familiar?), Stefan Salvatore. Little does she know that he’s a vampire several centuries old, just looking to live a peaceful life. Stefan has a brother named Damon, who is also a vampire, but he is the complete opposite and lives a life of violence. The only thing the brothers have in common is their love for Elena. A nice, normal love triangle!

Like the Twilight series, it targets girls and women with an emotionally charged love story.

One series I did watch a few times (out of curiosity and for purposes of research) was a new show called Being Human. It tells a story of a friendship between a vampire named Aidan and a werewolf named Josh, who moves into a house where a young woman, Sally, was murdered, and they can see and communicate with her ghost. There are many things we could talk about here that are un-biblical, but for now we’ll stick to the vampire issue.

I only watched the first few episodes, because after one particularly disturbing episode, I decided that was enough research. Aidan’s character had discovered another vampire in the midst. This vampire was a priest. This “priest” told his tale following how he had almost died, having an epiphany on his deathbed. He suddenly realized in this moment that the whole, biblical teaching about eternal life that he had believed and taught was not true.

After he recovered from his brush with death, he realized that becoming a vampire was the only true shot at eternal life (apparently he knew of a vampire that could kindly bite him on the neck), so he became a vampire. Then, he said something even more shocking and blasphemous: the reason that Jesus had talked about blood and eternal life so much and wasn’t in the tomb after three days was because…he didn’t get to finish because Aidan interrupted and said, “You don’t mean!” to which the priest replied, “Makes you think doesn’t it?”

No, it doesn’t. It makes me sick and angry. This is the kind of garbage that people, especially the young, are having their heads filled with. The very idea that Jesus was a vampire is an indication that we are living in the last days; this kind of worldview is so blasphemous, surely the Lord won’t tarry much longer. Remember, Satan always seeks to corrupt truth, and he is working overtime now to lead people away from true, saving faith.

Eternal life comes only from faith in Jesus: “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:9). The blood of Jesus is salvation to those who trust in Him, but aside from that, the Bible clearly states in Acts 15:29: “That ye abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye shall do well. Fare ye well.” Drinking blood is strictly prohibited according to the Bible. And yes, there are people so deeply immersed in vampirism that they regularly drink blood, completely perverting the Scripture.

There are other creatures of the night that are also growing in popularity. One of these is “werewolves.” The legend of werewolves has been around for centuries, first growing strong in the late 1500s in Europe, since the animal (wolf) was very present in the countryside at that time.

Like vampires, werewolves have demonic qualities, such as supernatural powers and abilities: glowing red or yellow eyes; are nocturnal; and possess shape-shifting abilities.

There have been many books, movies, and television shows over the years glorifying or depicting this mythical beast. One of the most recent portrayals is on the previously mentioned: Being Human. Josh is struggling to cope with becoming a werewolf on the nights of a full moon, ever since being bitten one fateful night. To keep from killing people, he either runs to the middle of the woods when he’s going to turn (only killing a deer, etc.), or, he has his vampire buddy, Aidan, lock him up in a cellar.

Another new television series is Teen Wolf. I’ve watched a couple of episodes, and it doesn’t seem to have anything in common with the comedy starring Michael J. Fox from the mid-eighties with the same name, other than the central characters are high school students. The main character’s name is Scott, who was bitten (naturally) and his life changed forever. The usual story of struggle and maintaining control so he can pursue the girl of his dreams is the backbone of the storyline. These plots have become much more sensual in the years since Lon Chaney Jr. came on the scene.

There are some disturbing, true-life accounts of werewolf-like creatures over the years from across the United States, as well as other countries. One such sighting of a creature first spotted in 1936 was the creature referred to as the “Beast of Bray Road.” Not only do some reports say it has red eyes, it also appears human-sized and resembles a werewolf beast.

One particular encounter tells of a watchman who was at a burial ground when he encountered it, and it appeared to be gnawing on some bones. Afraid, the man began to pray, and then the creature turned and looked at him and growled, “Gadara.” Gadara is the site mentioned in the Bible where one of the most well-known healings of Jesus Christ’s ministry took place. It’s where Jesus found the man among the tombs possessed with demonic spirits named Legion. It’s ironic that the Beast of Bray Road was found digging around at a burial site. Could it possibly be one of the demonic spirits from two thousand years ago? I imagine all the evil spirits left the pigs once they drowned in the sea, and many may still be in search of a host or simply appearing as a demonic creature to deceive and strike fear into people.

I mention this story and these sightings only to point out that demonic powers are at work. Satan is the prince of the power of the air, Eph 2:2: “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”

John 8:44 says: “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.” He is out to destroy (John 10:10): “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” Don’t think for a minute that there aren’t some supernatural happenings and experiences going on in all the darkness around us, and it’s growing.

Am I saying that if someone reads a book, or watches a movie or television show about vampires or werewolves, they’ll become a vampire-following, blood-drinking, Goth freak? No, not at all. Otherwise, I’d be in trouble! But I think most people, especially young people and children, best avoid them. The media we have today is not what many of us older folks had in our day. While still in the same vein, the older media was rather tame compared to what our young people face today. I’m very thankful that both of my children, who are young adults, never really had much interest in the subjects we’ve been discussing, including the Harry Potter books and movies—another important subject!

It must be understood by the young and old alike; there’s no coming back as a vampire, ghost, or any other creature. The Bible clearly says, “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb 9:27).

Scripturally, we know that each person seeks to fill some sort of spiritual hole. Religions proliferate, self-help groups expand, and the searching goes on and on. Into this mixture is massive deception. We must be on-guard.

Everyone must choose wisely. Choose Jesus. Choose life.

UP NEXT: Shamans, PSI Spies, and Military Mediums (Part 1): How America’s Military Derived a Weapon of War from Spiritualism

[i] William Wilkinson, An Account of the Principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia (London: Printed for Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme, and Brown, 1820).

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