The Gospel according to Jedis

A deacon at Cincinnati's Covenant-First Presbyterian Church is teaching a Bible study class called "Gospel According to 'Star Wars,' a class that compares themes in the popular film series with ideological themes in the Bible. Russell Smith, the deacon, says there are ideas of truth, beauty and goodness in the story that can bring us back to the Bible. With the opening this week of "Star Wars: Revenge of the Sith," do you agree that these films convey spiritual themes?

 

So long as we are surrounded by the mysteries of life, we will continue to ponder and seek definitions.

Last century, when moviemakers discovered that they can project an image 20 times the size of life on a silver screen, they understood the potential of its power. The challenge was and currently is how to bridle a sense of responsibility to that power. George Lucas and "Star Wars" have answered that challenge effectively.

The magic and success of "Star Wars" is in the fact that it goes beyond entertainment and plays with themes that have been at the hub of humanity's struggle to understand itself. Since humankind has pondered the mysteries of its existence, mythologies have landed it in gardens, on arks and on towers, to name just a few of the venues. Myths unravel and explain truths in terms and frames understood by the audience. And so, the audience is now offered a glimpse from a galaxy far, far away.

Why not use "Star Wars" to explain truth and beauty? Jesus expressed the most profound truths of life by comparing them to the simplest forms in nature, including a mustard seed, a grain of wheat and a pearl. He was the master of the parable. He spoke to the hearts of people because he did not distance himself from everyday expressions; rather, he found truth and beauty in all aspects of the universe.

If beauty is really in the eye of the beholder, the success of "Star Wars" tells us that today's generation is truly in a quest for truth and beauty.

Today the beholder wants to believe that the Force can squelch the Dark Side, that resurrection is greater than crucifixion, and life is more powerful than death. To point to the answers is the starting point of all true religion.

FATHER VAZKEN MOVSESIAN

Armenian Church

Youth Ministries

 

Sure the hero's journey story of "Star Wars" parallels the Bible -- as it does many myths. George Lucas had studied Joseph Campbell's "Hero With a Thousand Faces" (published 1948) in college and reacquainted himself with it while writing the scripts. There's a lot of smart marketing going on here. Lucas understands how compelling a good story can be. He may or may not buy into Campbell's belief that "Every religion is true one way or another. It is true when understood metaphorically. But when it gets stuck in its own metaphors, interpreting them as facts, then you are in trouble."

Lucas, however, surely knows how to get people into theater seats!

There are many ways to live a decent life. I think rational consideration of long-term, global consequences without reference to anything supernatural makes the most sense. I don't need to base that thought on a god or "the Force," but many other people need something to believe in.

The pastor is cleverly using current culture to keep the stories appealing to a younger generation. And there is an overlap. "Star Wars" fans act in a similar way as religious people. Both groups respond to ritual, symbolism and fantasy and like to get together dressed in ways recognizable to one another. The "Gospel According to Star Wars" is just a way to get people into the pews. He can use "The Matrix" next year. It's another hero's journey with different trappings.

SHARON WEISMAN

Atheist

Glendale

 

The "Star Wars" world view is not Christian, but it powerfully illustrates some timeless spiritual truths.

God calls us to have faith in the unseen. At first, Han Solo scoffed at the idea of "the Force." Later he became a "believer." The Bible says, "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1).

God warns us about the seductive and enslaving nature of sin. Darth Vader told Luke: "You don't know the power of the Dark Side!" Paul told Titus: "For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another" (Titus 3:3).

God assures us that no one is beyond redemption. In the end, Darth Vader gets "saved." Paul proclaimed: "Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!" (Romans 7:24-25).

God has sacrificed greatly for us all. Ultimately, Darth Vader gave his own life to save his son's. Speaking about Jesus, John wrote: "We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us ... " (1 John 3:16).

Have a great time at the movie, and as Jonathan told his friend David, "...may the Lord be with you..." (1 Samuel 20:13).

PASTOR JON BARTA

Valley Baptist Church

Burbank

 

The question, "Can these films be a way to convey spiritual themes?" must be answered, "Yes, of course!"

I believe truth is where you find it, whether in "sacred" confines such as church or in "profane" areas, such as out in the world someplace.

In many ways, the cinema houses across the world are our new "temples." We go inside a darkened space (think old cathedral), we are supposed to be quiet (just like in church or temple), and then the Great Light appears on the screen. What we take away from a particular movie is the "sermon subject," sometimes worthwhile, sometimes not.

Filmmakers are aware of the great power of what we see on the screen, so what we see is what they are "preaching," even if the message is oh-so-subtle.

So can a popular film series make us rediscover the universal truths that we have in the Bible? Certainly! And I tip my hat to those who are willing to try new ways of teaching those universal truths. I think Jesus did the same when he spoke his parables in a language that his contemporaries would easily understand. Standing in the Jewish tradition, he taught the universal truths from his tradition, using new wineskins and new ways of telling the old, old story: of God's love for all people. I doubt if "Revenge of the Sith" can match the marvelous stories of the Good Samaritan and the Prodigal Son, but I plan to go to the movies to find out!

PASTOR SKIP LINDEMAN

Congregational Church of the

Lighted Window

United Church of Christ

La Cañada Flintridge

 

The morality plays (the movies for that time) prior to and during the life of Jesus had a message that good will triumph and the hero even returns from death.

In the Baha'i faith, we teach that religion that does not agree with science is superstition.

Religionists have for centuries tried to appeal to the masses of their time with some type of gimmick. In the United States of America, everyone has the unalienable right to their spiritual understanding.

Religion is on the wane in the United States, and the leaders will go to any length to gain the attention of their people.

Gospel, as we understand it, means "The Good News." Gospel truth indicates anything accepted as the actual truth.

Gospel according to "Star Wars" seems sacrilegious.

The movies are just movies.

Some could find a spiritual message from them, and others may not.

BARBARA CRAMER

Secretary

Baha'i Faith Glendale