Strong in the Force
Faith & StarWars
The Force: Although not every religion teaches that there is a God, they do teach that there is more to life than just what we can see around us.
Similarly, central to Star Wars is the concept of The Force. This is a semi-personal dimension of the Universe which has purposes for humanity but also controls their actions. In Star Wars (SW) Obi Wan Kenobi teaches Luke about The Force:
Ben: The force is what give a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things it surrounds us and binds the galaxy together...
Luke: You mean it controls your actions?
Ben: Partially. But it also obeys your commands.
In Christianity, God is central to Christian belief as the Creator of the heavens and Universe. However, God is not an impersonal energy field but a personal Being. God interacts with us, and has plans reaching into Eternity. Although the world is at enmity with God because of evil, He is present within the world through the Holy Spirit (‘Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives you?’ (1 Corinthians 3:16).
The Dark Side of The Force: The Force in the SW saga has both a good and dark side. In this relational sense, it does not suggest that God himself is evil or dark, but that one may accept the ways of darkness, while professing to walk in the light, as some Sith are seen to do.
This is a reality, since the Bible tells us that there are many who will say, "...didn't I do wonderful things in the name of (Light)?" But that God will say, "I never knew you." This is a call to Christians to examine themselves and see if they are truly walking in the Light, and not deceived by the darkness.
Good verses evil: As with all the SW films TESB deals with the theme of good versus evil. In the gospels, Jesus speaks of this as a struggle between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of the devil. In some respects, this is similar to how we allow the things of darkness to take over who we are meant to be as followers of the Way of Christ. In a similar way Luke confronts Darth Vader in ROTJ and challenges him to remember who he once was:
Luke: … you were once Anakin Skywalker, my father..
Vader: That name no longer has any meaning for me.
Luke: It is the name of your true self. You’ve only forgotten.
The conflict within: As far as TESB and all religions are concerned there is a conflict between good and evil in the universe. However, this conflict is also one that happens within people. In TESB Luke experiences this conflict when he enters the tree (‘a servant of evil’) on Dagobah as part of his Jedi training. Yoda tells him he does not need to take his weapons with him but Luke ignores this and comes face to face with a vision of Darth Vader which he fights. The recognition of the conflict between good and evil in a person comes when Luke cuts off Vader’s head and sees his own face behind the mask. This scene is clearly echoed in the next film (ROTJ) when Luke fights Vader in the presence of the Emperor and when he almost gives in to his hate and anger in order to defeat him. That Luke is Vader’s son also underlines the temptation he faces to turn towards the dark side. In the New Testament the Apostle Paul notes a similar conflict in himself when he writes, ‘I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do’ (Romans 7:15). In fact, just as in the SW films the Jedi are trained to control their emotions, so all religions teach that the way to overcome the desire to do evil is to focus on good so that evil (sin) may be removed from a person’s life (E.g. ‘Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.’ (James 4:7-8)).
In TESB Yoda teaches Luke about the ease at which a person can turn towards evil:
Luke: Is the dark side stronger?
Yoda: No, no. Easier, quicker, more seductive.
Luke: But how am I to know the good side from the bad?
Yoda: You will know. When you are at peace… calm… passive.
In TPM Yoda echoes the teaching concerning true peace, which Christ taught.
Yoda: Much fear I sense in him.
Anakin: What’s that got to do with anything?
Yoda: Everything! Fear leads to anger; anger leads to hate; hate leads to suffering.
In comparison, Jesus experienced temptations which were designed to turn him away from following his true destiny.
Like Jesus, follow the True Way of Light, and embrace the peace that comes with it!
22 comments:
ireally like it.
thnk how many ppl are familiarized w/ the truth through shows like this.
cs lewis said in surprised by joy that
A young man who wishes to remain a sound Atheist cannot be too careful of his reading. There are traps everywhere -- 'Bibles laid open, millions of surprises,' as Herbert says, 'fine nets and stratagems.' God is, if I may say it, very unscrupulous.
same way with these shows.
god knows what hes doing
So true, Ember! Lewis always puts things so aptly.
Isn't it so restrictive to think that our God cannot use cultural icons, cultural events, etc., to enlighten hearts?
Does this mean that we relegate ourselves to using only cultural cliches and colloquial statements in our gospel presentation?
Of course not; we're not absurd, however...
We are serious about getting our message across.
I don't speak to an African in Welsh, nor a Japanese in Yiddish.
Ergo...
I don't speak Middle-English when talking to a PS3 junkie.
yeah i knew you had looked at my blog when i saw the pic. its true though, "I don't speak Middle-English when talking to a PS3 junkie."
no scientist tries telling a 4th grade class how to label the atom in technical terms
[Luke:] I can’t believe it.
[Yoda:] That is why you fail.
You guys are a blast! The problem is, I can't disagree with you! :-)
SAD -- VERY SAD --
PUT ENOUGH OF U GUYS IN 1 ROOM & YOUD DRIVE EACH OTHER INSANE AGREEING WITH EACH OTHER. ;)
Anonymous...you are SO right! Maybe we need someone who can give us insight on the "other side" of things...would that be you?! ;-)
WHY CHANGE TRUTH 2 FIT CULTURE?
WHY DEPEND ON THE CORRECT TERMS 2 GET PEOPLE 2 UNDERSTAND?
IF WE REALLY BELIEVE THAT GOD WILL 4GIVE THEM, IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT TERMS THEY USE 2 REPENT, SO WHY NOT USE THE TERMS ALREADY LAID DOWN BY HISTORY?
Haha. You just contradicted yourself.
You first say, "IT DOESNT MATTER WHAT TERMS THEY USE 2 REPENT..."
And then you say, "USE TERMS...LAID DOWN BY HISTORY."
The opposite question is equally true: Why not use terms NEWLY created?
In otherwords, according to your theory ("don't use culturally acceptable words to teach truth"), your second statement ("it doesn't matter which terms") is incorrect.
If the premise is true (all terms are equal), then the result is also true (historical terms are true) and/or (current terms are true.)
But if all terms are true, then why do you say, 'Don't change truth 2 fit culture?'
We aren't changing truth, we are simply re-wording it in understandable language.
Should a missionary to an Indian tribe in South America conform the indians to our way of life...THEN present the Gospel?? I think not! We expect them to translate the Gospel into a language that the indians will understand! This is no different in our own culture. We should never lose the truth of the Gospel in order to communicate it, but we should communicate it in the most understandable way!
Anonymous, thank you for your comment! That was exactly what I was hoping you would do. Give your opinion (belief). If these guys can do it, you don't have to sit back watching, but can put some of your own ideas in, as well! This way, we all see different sides of the coin, and as a result, come to (hopefully) a final conclusion about what is right and wrong. I am not saying that I am siding with you, Pontius Pilate, or the Father of Corrupt Theology (I'm not sitting on the fence either, I am still studying these topics, although I do have a personal belief at the time; who knows, it may change!). So, thank you all...
THATS NOT WHAT I WAS SAYING @ ALL!
THANKS THOUGH, MOCT FOR KINDNESS!
I JUST MEANT THAT THERE WAS AN ESTABLISHED METHOD FOR INTRODUCING THESE IDEAS HWY TRY COME UP WITH NEW ONES?
"WHY" TRY, I MEANT TO SAY
Anonymous, Are you saying that you agree with the Church of Pontius Pialte's methods for spreading the Gospel, but want to know the "why" in it all? Or that you disagree? And if you disagree, please let me know what the established method for introducing these ideas is. I really am wondering for my own personal help.
SORRY, MEANT THAT THE FOTC AND PP MISUNDERSTOOD.
IM JUST SAYING WHY DO WE HAVE TO CHANGE IT?
CANT GOD CHANGE PPL WITHUOT US WORKING OURSELVES TODEATH TRYING TO 'FIT IN.'???
JUST LET HIM BE HIM, USE THE WORDS THAT COME NATURAL AND IT WILL WORK.
DONT TRY EITHER WAY
FOTC and PP...what do you have to say in response?
I mean, FOCT (sorry)!
HAHAAHA YOU WERE CALLING HIM THE "FATHER OF TOTAL CRAP"
OH.
THATS CAUSE I CALLED HIM THAT HUH?
*BLUSH*
Yes, You confused me! I realized this AFTER the fact! Notice though, they haven't answered our questions yet, have they?!
We are by no means contending that we should change any truths laid down by our Church Fathers. We simply want to bring that truth to as many people as possible. Paul said that he became all things ot all people in order that SOME might be saved! Why do we have four Gospels? Because there were four different audiences, and the SAME Gospel was being presented to them in the way that would reach them best. We are simply following the examples of the Gospel writers and the Apostle Paul...
Interesting to know.
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