Star Wars Salvation
The freedom of an entire life redeemed is really hard to articulate and maybe even harder to comprehend. Our redemption, when viewed as a seamless garment that encompasses our entire existence, becomes what it was always meant to be and is definitely of greater worth than the concept of "being saved." Don't get me wrong, I'm really fond of missing out on an eternity spent sans God, but there is oh, so much more to the equation than that.
The joy of seeing my boy Cam (5), discover the treasure that is the original Star Wars trilogy has really been a treat for me this past week. I would have never imagined in a million years the stories that I loved, lived & died with as a kid would revisit me with so much more depth and fulfillment as an adult. I'm finally seeing the themes of faith, redemption & restoration that are timeless & true displayed along with the thrilling adventure that captured my ever waking hours as a child.
On the way home from church last nite I was able to relate some of the subversive themes of redemption to Cam and even though he can't fully grasp the idea, he knows that he wants to try & do good like Luke, instead of selling out to power like Vader. We also talked of how God created both Luke & Vader as well as other characters/creatures and it was awesome. It's almost as if I'm seeing this stuff for the 1st time, and in a way, I guess that I am.
I had to laugh the other day at the store where a lot of christian stuff is sold, (I'm sworn to not say/type their name for reasons that I won't go into here, but suffice it to say the name is blank-Way) for good, bad or other reasons, as Amy pointed out the new study series according to I Love Lucy. Yet another highly relevant and pertinent way to share the gospel, much akin to the Andy Griffith or Beverly Hillbilly studies, I'm sure. How 'bout we drop the junk & do something with some substance? Anybody for the gospel according to Star Wars?
I say it's time to stop babying our people & patronizing the fool out of 'em and give them something of worth. Let's quit embarrassing ourselves with this "stuff". It's high time we quit paying homage to the nebulous sky fairy and represent an awesome God with guts instead of garbage. Who's with me?
The Gospel
The Setting
Once upon a time...
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.....
In the beginning...(Genesis 1:1; John 1:1)
The Hero
The hero is in an obscure place with nothing extraordinary about him.
Luke Skywalker is living with his Aunt and Uncle on a remote planet called Tatooine.
Jesus Christ, a carpenter from a tiny village named Nazareth, in a remote province called Galilee. (Mark 1:9)
The Call
The call to adventure usually comes through a herald and requires the hero to separate and begin his journey or quest.
Two droids are purchased by Luke's Uncle. One droid, R2D2, has a hidden message that changes Luke's life and begins his adventure.
The forerunner, John the Baptist, prepares the way of the Lord. He identifies Jesus as the Son of God. (John 1:23-34)
The Wise Guide
The hero is given a wise guide.
Luke is given Obi Wan Kenobi as his wise guide
At Jesus' baptism, the Holy Spirit descends and comes upon Him. (Matthew 3:13-17)
The Powerful Weapon
Usually the hero receives a powerful weapon to help him in the battles he must fight.
The Jedi light saber
The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Revelation 19:15)
Hero Partners
The hero is given partners to help him on his quest. (They begin a journey of their own.)
Han Solo and Chewbacca
12 Disciples (Matthew 10:1-4)
Rescuing the Princess
Usually there is a princess being held in a castle or labyrinth that the hero must negotiate in order to set her free.
Princess Leia held captive on the Death Star; also held captive on Tatooine by Jabba the Hut
Jesus Christ came to earth to rescue His Bride and set her free. (Ephesians 5:23-27; Luke 4:18-21)
Hero in Battle
The hero has to go through many battles usually against terrible beasts and evil forces.
Luke engages in battles with beasts and his evil foe, Darth Vader.
Jesus Christ came to destroy the evil trinity of sin, Satan, and death.(Hebrews 2:14-15; I John 3:8; Revelation 17:11-21)
Sacred Groves
The hero must leave and go to a special place alone to be taught and tested.
Luke goes to Dagobah to be trained by Yoda. (Note his emersion in water just prior to leaving for Dagobah.)
After His baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness alone, where He is tempted for 40 days.(Matthew 4:1-11)
Mystical Union
Usually there is some sort of a mystical union with a woman.
Luke's quest is a spiritual one to become a Jedi Knight. He discovers that he has a twin sister, Princess Leia. Han Solo, who has begun his own journey, is more earthly. He enters into and is transformed by his love relationship with Princess Leia.
Jesus Christ lays down His life in order to establish a "New Covenant" with His Bride.(Hebrews 10:12-18)
Sacrifice and Betrayal
The hero often is betrayed and must suffer a type of "death".
Luke experiences a betrayal of sorts when he learns his father is Darth Vader. He would rather "die" than join him; he jumps into the abyss. Han is betrayed by his friend, Lando Calrissian, and experiences a type of death when frozen in carbonite.
Jesus Christ was betrayed by His disciple, Judas Iscariot. Jesus was crucified, dead, and buried. He rose on the third day. (I Corinthians 15:3-7; Luke 22:47-48)
Return of the Hero
After rescuing the Princess, the hero returns home.
Luke returns to Tatooine dressed as a Jedi Knight; rescues Han and Leia.
Jesus Christ returns to His Father's house. (John 14:1-6)
Descent to the Underworld
The hero usually has to make a visit to the "Underworld".
Luke's encounter with Darth Vader on the Death Star.
Jesus Christ descends into the "lower parts of the Earth".(Ephesians 4:9-10)
Reconciliation with the Father
The hero needs to be reconciled with his father.
Luke is reconciled with his father, Darth Vader, because he chose love rather than hate.
Jesus Christ, separated from His Father on the Cross, is restored to His Father's side.(Philippians 2:5-11)
Final Victory
When the journey is over and the quest has been obtained, there is a grand celebration.
Celebration on Endor after the destruction of the evil Emperor and his forces.
Marriage Supper of the Lamb.(Revelation 19:7-9)
The joy of seeing my boy Cam (5), discover the treasure that is the original Star Wars trilogy has really been a treat for me this past week. I would have never imagined in a million years the stories that I loved, lived & died with as a kid would revisit me with so much more depth and fulfillment as an adult. I'm finally seeing the themes of faith, redemption & restoration that are timeless & true displayed along with the thrilling adventure that captured my ever waking hours as a child.
On the way home from church last nite I was able to relate some of the subversive themes of redemption to Cam and even though he can't fully grasp the idea, he knows that he wants to try & do good like Luke, instead of selling out to power like Vader. We also talked of how God created both Luke & Vader as well as other characters/creatures and it was awesome. It's almost as if I'm seeing this stuff for the 1st time, and in a way, I guess that I am.
I had to laugh the other day at the store where a lot of christian stuff is sold, (I'm sworn to not say/type their name for reasons that I won't go into here, but suffice it to say the name is blank-Way) for good, bad or other reasons, as Amy pointed out the new study series according to I Love Lucy. Yet another highly relevant and pertinent way to share the gospel, much akin to the Andy Griffith or Beverly Hillbilly studies, I'm sure. How 'bout we drop the junk & do something with some substance? Anybody for the gospel according to Star Wars?
I say it's time to stop babying our people & patronizing the fool out of 'em and give them something of worth. Let's quit embarrassing ourselves with this "stuff". It's high time we quit paying homage to the nebulous sky fairy and represent an awesome God with guts instead of garbage. Who's with me?
The Gospel
The Setting
Once upon a time...
A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.....
In the beginning...(Genesis 1:1; John 1:1)
The Hero
The hero is in an obscure place with nothing extraordinary about him.
Luke Skywalker is living with his Aunt and Uncle on a remote planet called Tatooine.
Jesus Christ, a carpenter from a tiny village named Nazareth, in a remote province called Galilee. (Mark 1:9)
The Call
The call to adventure usually comes through a herald and requires the hero to separate and begin his journey or quest.
Two droids are purchased by Luke's Uncle. One droid, R2D2, has a hidden message that changes Luke's life and begins his adventure.
The forerunner, John the Baptist, prepares the way of the Lord. He identifies Jesus as the Son of God. (John 1:23-34)
The Wise Guide
The hero is given a wise guide.
Luke is given Obi Wan Kenobi as his wise guide
At Jesus' baptism, the Holy Spirit descends and comes upon Him. (Matthew 3:13-17)
The Powerful Weapon
Usually the hero receives a powerful weapon to help him in the battles he must fight.
The Jedi light saber
The Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God (Revelation 19:15)
Hero Partners
The hero is given partners to help him on his quest. (They begin a journey of their own.)
Han Solo and Chewbacca
12 Disciples (Matthew 10:1-4)
Rescuing the Princess
Usually there is a princess being held in a castle or labyrinth that the hero must negotiate in order to set her free.
Princess Leia held captive on the Death Star; also held captive on Tatooine by Jabba the Hut
Jesus Christ came to earth to rescue His Bride and set her free. (Ephesians 5:23-27; Luke 4:18-21)
Hero in Battle
The hero has to go through many battles usually against terrible beasts and evil forces.
Luke engages in battles with beasts and his evil foe, Darth Vader.
Jesus Christ came to destroy the evil trinity of sin, Satan, and death.(Hebrews 2:14-15; I John 3:8; Revelation 17:11-21)
Sacred Groves
The hero must leave and go to a special place alone to be taught and tested.
Luke goes to Dagobah to be trained by Yoda. (Note his emersion in water just prior to leaving for Dagobah.)
After His baptism, Jesus is led by the Spirit into the wilderness alone, where He is tempted for 40 days.(Matthew 4:1-11)
Mystical Union
Usually there is some sort of a mystical union with a woman.
Luke's quest is a spiritual one to become a Jedi Knight. He discovers that he has a twin sister, Princess Leia. Han Solo, who has begun his own journey, is more earthly. He enters into and is transformed by his love relationship with Princess Leia.
Jesus Christ lays down His life in order to establish a "New Covenant" with His Bride.(Hebrews 10:12-18)
Sacrifice and Betrayal
The hero often is betrayed and must suffer a type of "death".
Luke experiences a betrayal of sorts when he learns his father is Darth Vader. He would rather "die" than join him; he jumps into the abyss. Han is betrayed by his friend, Lando Calrissian, and experiences a type of death when frozen in carbonite.
Jesus Christ was betrayed by His disciple, Judas Iscariot. Jesus was crucified, dead, and buried. He rose on the third day. (I Corinthians 15:3-7; Luke 22:47-48)
Return of the Hero
After rescuing the Princess, the hero returns home.
Luke returns to Tatooine dressed as a Jedi Knight; rescues Han and Leia.
Jesus Christ returns to His Father's house. (John 14:1-6)
Descent to the Underworld
The hero usually has to make a visit to the "Underworld".
Luke's encounter with Darth Vader on the Death Star.
Jesus Christ descends into the "lower parts of the Earth".(Ephesians 4:9-10)
Reconciliation with the Father
The hero needs to be reconciled with his father.
Luke is reconciled with his father, Darth Vader, because he chose love rather than hate.
Jesus Christ, separated from His Father on the Cross, is restored to His Father's side.(Philippians 2:5-11)
Final Victory
When the journey is over and the quest has been obtained, there is a grand celebration.
Celebration on Endor after the destruction of the evil Emperor and his forces.
Marriage Supper of the Lamb.(Revelation 19:7-9)
posted by lee at 2:20 AM
1 Comments:
I usually don't do well with that kind of deal. BUT, I like the paralels.
crapway...oh, excuse me...blankway, sells more fiction than theology. it is liike walking into a stupid zone. jesus mints, gospel bars, bad girls of the bible, really bad girls of the bible? you gotta be stinking kidding me.
what the freak happened that we became a bunch of cheap whores that sell our selves to the highest bidder?
is a life of sacrifice so disgusting that we need the gospel according to barney stinking fife to make it look good to good ole boys?
question...when did scripture become not enough?
preach it bro...the choir
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