Reflection
I want to share with you a reflection on Christian themes in Star Wars. Now before you get all anxious about either not wanting Christianity to ruin your watching experience of Star Wars, or about not having watched any Star Wars before (there are some of you out there, shocking, I know), or you get worried that this is going to be a boring sermon, just bear with me. I have waited years to do this service and I am excited about it. So, I ask, rather I implore you to listen with open minds and hearts. I have spoken.
My sermon this morning is an adaptation of one that was posted on the United Methodist Church’s website Rethink church. It is called Jedi Jesus: Revealing Christan themes in Star Wars.
The authors of the sermon start out with a story: A child joined his parents at the front of the sanctuary while they served communion during a Christian worship service. Dad gave each recipients pieces of bread with the words “The body of Christ broken for you.” Mom offered the communion cup saying, “Jesus’ blood shed for you.” Wanting a job, the boy parked himself next to his parents and blessed each recipient before they went back to their seats saying, “And may the Force be with you.” It’s possible that no one noticed. “May the Force be with you” is so well integrated into our cultural mindset that the phrase doesn’t stand out, even when uttered in strange circumstances.
Many of us who count ourselves as Star Wars fans feel a deep sense of connection with the lore, and those of us of the Christian tradition often see the connection of between the movies and religious tradition. So much so that it just is a reflexive response to say “And also with you” every time we hear “may the force be with you”. Of course it could just be that the words are similar to ones we hear every week in church. OR, it could be that the stories and themes of Star Wars so closely resemble some of the stories and themes in our religious tradition that we feel an innate connection between the two. Could we even go as far as to say that the stories of Star Wars could even be illustrations of themes present in religion. I would hazard a guess and say it is all of the above.
So how does Star Wars (all 9 of the Skywalker Saga, not to mention the numerous TV shows, TV movies and the standalone movies like Rogue One and Solo) illustrate Christian faith? Well, my padawan, let me offer you a peek at Christian themes laced into the Star Wars stories…
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 5:10
Blessed are those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven
The first six films of the Skywalker saga (episodes 1 through VI – the phantom menace, attack of the clones, the revenge of the sith, a new hope, the empire strikes back, the return of the jedi) are, essentially, the lore surrounding the rise, fall and redemption of Anakin Skywalker. As is often the case, our main character starts with such potential, such promise. Anakin was the Chosen One… he was destined to be the one who would bring peace and order to a tumultuous galaxy. His special way of seeing the world and his talent for solving big problems were going to make the world a better place. He started off by focusing on helping the people around him and eventually helping people beyond his little community. He left his mother and his home to be mentored by Qui-Gon Jinn and his apprentice Obi-Wan Kenobi. With their guidance, Anakin was able to overcome his fear of separation and he eventually joined the Jedi – an order of righteous knights.
The Jedi order was very clear that in order to be a true Jedi, one had to keep emotion in check, not allowing emotion to cloud judgment or action. A calm presence at all times. Except Anakin struggled with fear, and the doubt, greed and anger that often travels along with fear. Slowly, a dark influence took hold, and Anakin started toward the dark side, allowing those intense feelings to flow and take over. Eventually, Anakin encases his humanity in a machine and becomes an instrument of the dark side of the force.
A puppet of an evil emperor Darth Vader (Anakin’s new name) became an instrument of violence and oppression. But deep within that black plastic helmet and suit, the humanity of Anakin still lingered, dormant until kindled by the unconditional love of his own son. Even in the heat of battle, Darth could see this steadfast faith and unconditional love, despite the horrific actions of the moment.
At journey’s end, when faced with the finality of evil’s triumph, Anakin regains his humanity briefly, symbolized by the removal of his helmet. He breaks the connection with the dark side, with evil, even though he knew doing so would be fatal. But with his sacrifice, he fulfilled a destiny. He succeeds in bringing about peace and order to the galaxy – although the path to this fulfillment was fraught and unexpected.
A righteous cause worth dying for….
Speaking of dying for causes…
Scripture: John 15:13
No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
This is one of the final teachings that Jesus shared before he journeys to the cross in Jerusalem. He was predicting several things. First, Jesus is going to lay down his life for theirs so that they are protected from further trouble with the authorities of the time who are definitely out to get them (as we well know). Second, Jesus is stepping aside in a sense so that the advocate, the Holy Spirit can come to them. Finally, Jesus offers himself as a witness to his friends – and to the world – showing the extent of God’s love. The witness he offers is that God’s love can overcome all sorts of complicated emotions and behaviors.
Friends who have watched Star Wars – where do we see sacrifice like this? In the first move, which is actually the fourth movie depending on how you order the chronology (that’s a whole other sermon) – we have Obi Wan Kenobi who sacrifices his life in a battle with Darth Vader so that Luke and his friends can escape. It’s not the end of Obi Wan – the Jedi master’s body disappears but his spirit lingers through the Force to Luke. In some ways, Obi-Wan becomes a ghostly representation of the Holy Spirit, offering counsel and encouraging courage.
Then there’s the scene in the Force Awakens (Episode VII) where the big bad, Kylo Ren (who wants desparately to meet or exceed Darth Vader’s level of evil) confronts his biological father, who just so happens to be Hans Solo. Han, in a moment of parental desperation, tells Ben (aka Kylo Ren) that he would do anything, literally anything to help his son out of the situation Ben has fallen into – that being firmly entrenched in the dark side of the force. Kylo Ren takes full advantage of Han’s offer, momentarily alleviating this internal conflict by literally sticking it to his dad (as in stabbing with a light saber). While the Kylo’s situation is not immediately lifted by his dad’s death, we do get a sense that Han’s sacrifice will somehow lead to a form of redemption for Kylo/Ben
Rogue One, one of the stand alone movies of the Star Wars universe, is one long story of sacrifice. The story follows a group of rebels who make one sacrifice after another in order to achieve freedom for the galaxy. The monk, Chirrut Imwe, in an incredible moment of self sacrifice steps into the line of fire during the climactic battle in order to flip the power switch that allows the rebels to broadcast the secret plans for the Death Star. Chirrut was willing to lay down his life for his friends…
Speaking of Rogue One
Scripture: John 12:24
Very truly I tell you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains just a single grain; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.
This kind of growth is what we see in Rogue One. When we first meet Jyn Erso, we see a self centered, stubborn person who has no interest in helping others, let alone playing any kind of role in saving the galaxy. She just wants to survive. When she is challenged with the question of how she could live under the banner of the Empire flying over the galaxy, her response was “it’s easy if you never look up.”
But that Jyn fades away as events of the film transform her into someone who is no longer solely focused on self preservation, but is indeed interested in giving hope and freedom to her friends and the people of the galaxy. She moves beyond surviving to being someone who sacrifices herself for others.
And what about rebirth….
Scripture: John 3:3
I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.
The Star Wars saga is full to the brim of rebirth, transformation stories. Anakin becomes Darth Vader is reborn as Anakin. Water farmer Luke Skywalker is reborn as a powerful, focused Jedi. Han Solo grows from hustler and scoundrel to unlikely, and somewhat grumpy hero. Then there’s stormtrooper FN-2187 who refuses to kill innocents which leads to his rebirth as Finn. You get the point.
One could argue that the biggest rebirth of the saga is that of the galaxy -it’s the one that drives and feeds all the other stories of transformation in the movies. The story arc moves the galaxy from being a broken, corrupt existence (please watch episodes 1 through 3), to a time of despair and struggle (see episodes 4 to 6), finally coming to a hopeful rebirth into a more idealistic existence (Episodes 7 to 9).
If that story arc feels somewhat familiar, it might just because it echoes that of the narrative arc of the Christian bible, which tells of the fall of creation (Genesis), creations and humanity’s struggle (most of the Hebrew Scripture) and the beginning of humanity’s rebirth through the love and ministry of Jesus. Don’t believe me, just keep it in mind the next time you dedicate two days to a Star Wars (Skywalker Saga) movie marathon.
You know, maybe this is all coincidence contrived so that churches can draw in the geek crowd by hosting a Star Wars themed worship. May be it’s just a lucky thing for people like us to see echoes of our faith story in Star Wars. However, the words of a wise Jedi master lingers in my mind, who said: “IN my experience, there is no such thing as luck.”
May we continue to find ways in which holy, hopeful messages intertwine the reality and the imagination of our daily lives. May we continue to imagine ways in which we envision the rebirth of creation. And remember, may the Force be with you, always. This is the way.
