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"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for the Lord God is my strength and my song, and he has become my salvation."
~Isaiah 12:2
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"If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world."
​~C.S. Lewis

Frozen

5/11/2014

18 Comments

 
Most people have probably seen the movie Frozen by now. And if you haven't, you
have most likely heard someone singing in a shrill voice the hit song 'Let it go.' In fact,
that song is what I am writing about. My purpose in writing this is not to condemn
anyone who enjoys this song, but rather to provoke some thought about what Elsa is
really saying. After I saw Frozen for the first time, I found myself singing 'Let it go' a lot.
After singing it half a dozen times I started listening to the words. For example:

"It's time to see what I can do
To test the limits and break through
No right no wrong no rules for me
I'm free"

Elsa's definition of freedom is being her own boss. From the Bible, we know that true
freedom comes only through serving Christ.

John 8:31‐32
"So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, 'If you abide in my word, you are truly
my disciples, and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.' "

1 Peter 2:16
 "Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover‐up for
evil, but living as servants of God."

John 8:36
 "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

2 Corinthians 3:17 
"Now The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of The Lord is, there
is freedom."

The context of 'Let it go' is that Elsa's parents, the king and queen of Arendale kept her
shut in her room, away from anyone since she almost killed her sister with her magical
freezing powers. The king and queen fear that she may cause too much damage with
her nerves‐activated powers. Several years later, the princess's parents are killed in a
shipwreck. On the day Elsa is old enough to become Queen of Arendale, Elsa gets
nervous and accidentally almost kills the Duke of Weselton. Fearing for her life, Elsa
runs to the North Mountain where she builds herself an ice castle while singing 'Let it
go.' In rebellion to her parent's wishes she sings:

"Don't let them in, don't let them see
Be the good girl you always have to be
Conceal, don't feel, don't let them know
Well, now they know
Let it go, let it go
Can't hold it back anymore
Let it go, let it go
Turn away and slam the door."

Elsa was in total rebellion to any authority.
Even if it was wrong for her parents to seclude her, Elsa should not have run away.
Parents aren't perfect, but the Bible still commands us to obey them.
Matthew 15:4a "For God commanded, 'Honor your father and your mother.'"
One thing I struggle with is that Elsa's rebellion is never shown to be what it is. She acts
like the victim, and is indifferent to her sin. In addition, her rebellion is fluffily painted
over by singing the following lines.

"Let it go, let it go,
I am one with the wind and sky
Let it go, let it go,
You'll never see me cry

Here I stand
And here I'll stay
Let the storm rage on

...I'm never going back,
The past is in the past

Let it go, let it go
And I'll rise like the break of dawn
Let it go, let it go
That perfect girl is gone

Here I stand
In the light of day
Let the the storm rage on,
The cold never bothered me anyway."

This song has such a catchy tune that I wish it had a better message!
Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is
just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any
excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things."
18 Comments
Mrs. Rothfuss link
5/12/2014 07:44:25 am

Hi, Katie! Hanna and I just read this post and we think it is well thought out and well written. We are glad you were willing to write this even though it is a really popular song. Thanks for sharing!

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Bobby link
5/18/2014 11:57:08 am

Boom! Maybe it's time for us to let go of "Let It Go"...

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Sam
7/17/2014 03:44:12 pm

I'm so glad I'm not the only one who notices that lyrics mean something in movies. So many animated films have great music with storylines and lyrics that disrespect authority. The Little Mermaid is another example of great entertainment--still one of my favorites--unless you pay attention to the message.

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Paige link
7/23/2014 12:02:45 am

I found your blog from your review of Randy Alcorn's book Eternity. I enjoyed your review of that book so much that I decided to check out his plug for you blog and this post. I think you have definitely have hit the nail on the head regarding "Let It Go" and the movie Frozen. And I also think you have a talent for writing ... keep up the great work!

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Jaco Kruger link
7/23/2014 12:53:01 am

Well said and well done young lady. The next generation looks bright if young Christians stand up for the truth, despite what popular culture says. I feel 2 Corin 7:2 is what you are portraying. Well done.

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Ellen M
7/23/2014 03:53:42 am

Very well said, Katie! Catchy tunes can often make rebellious themes not noticeable. When our daughter was young, Disney's version of "The Little Mermaid" was very popular. Similar theme: 16 year old girl falls in "love" with a man she's never met, disobeys her father, runs away from home, becomes involved in witchcraft, marries the man she was smitten with & it all works out. (In the original book, the little mermaid actually turns into seafoam at the end and does not get married.) The catchy tune from the movie was sung almost as much as "Let it Go" - I thought about it when watching Frozen. You're a wise girl to consider the true themes and words of a story!

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Annie
7/23/2014 07:30:13 am

What a great message Katie! What a wonderful young woman of God you are (and a great example to others).

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Rosemary Gain
7/23/2014 07:44:14 am

Wow, you are so mature for your age. Such a depth of understanding for the word of God. Stay the course and alert all and any you can about the evil that can be found in seeminly innocent songs and movies. I applaud you for your knowledge of GOd's word and how you can apply it to life and purpose.

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Angela Arbogast
7/23/2014 01:25:25 pm

Katie, with your excellent writing skills, perhaps you could write new lyrics to the song. My 3-year-old son sings it ALL...THE...TIME....even though he only watched the movie a couple of times. I would really love to hear Christian (or at least edifying) lyrics put to that tune. The message has been bothering me, too, since the first time I heard it. Like others, I found your review via Randy Alcorn's post. Keep up the good work! And give that song lyric idea some thought, OK? (P.S. By any chance, are you a homeschooler? I have homeschooled my kids for 11 years and I'm just curious if you homeschool as well.)

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KD link
8/18/2014 12:34:18 pm

That's a great idea! (And yes, I am a homeschooler.) I gave your idea a few tries, but I couldn't quite get the message to match the music. Thanks for the input and encouragement!

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Patti Tryal link
7/24/2014 05:58:09 am

Thank you, Katie, for opening my eyes (and ears) to what Elsa is singing. My 4 year old granddaughter sings this too, and I have not really paid attention to the rebellious words! (Forgive me Lord!)
I will pass this warning on to her mama.

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Frank Stodolka link
7/27/2014 09:29:22 am

Kaddie, I think your insights are right on! After reading this I really hesitate to see the movie. Randy Alcorn was wise to recommmend your blog. I am currently working on a Christian science fiction novel. I look forward to your comments on it! I think you would enjoy "Do Hard Things" by Brett & Alex Harris. Bless you & keep up the good & Godly work!

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KD link
8/16/2014 06:16:13 am

Thank you!

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Grandma A
8/20/2014 07:57:01 am

KD, I have been wanting to commend you for your insight into the underlying message of this popular song. Satan knows how to dress up rebellion in the most attractive way. Isn't it significant that at the moment Elsa throws off the restraints of her past, her appearance morphs into that of a seductive temptress (hair, dress, facial expressions)? It all goes together. I thank God for you and pray you will always have a heart that wants to honor Christ! Love you so much!

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Kylar
10/1/2014 10:35:39 am

What a blessing you are! Great to see this review of a song that I never really liked. I am 17, and I hope to meet you one day Katie! Maybe we'll hang out on the New Earth as good friends one day through all eternity!

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KD link
10/1/2014 12:10:39 pm

I can't wait to meet you too! Thanks for the encouragement.

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Katie L
10/13/2014 05:50:02 am

Thanks Katie you really helped me look at this song differently.

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Kayla link
1/3/2021 03:21:42 pm

Helloo mate nice post

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    Behind the Keyboard

    Hey there, I'm Katie! I'm a bookworm trying to keep pace with my ever-growing "to read" pile.

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    "To love God passionately is to love truth passionately." ~ John Piper
    "I believe in Christ, like I believe in the sun - not because I can see it, but by it I can see everything else." ~C.S. Lewis
"My prayer is that when I die, all of hell rejoices that I am out of the fight."
​~C.S. Lewis
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