Preface
This article aligns with my article submission for the Young Writers Program, managed by Press Services International. This program helps to provide a ready-source of content for the magazine publication Christian Today Australia.
The PSI/Christian Today article is my 27th and is available here.
View the full list of my articles here.
Introduction
This saying should automatically make you think of the now-owned Disney franchise of Star Wars. I have long been a fan of this galaxy far, far away. This is my attempt to harmonise the two worlds – Star Wars and the Christian faith.
The stories of Star Wars all carry themes that can find a parallel in the Bible, but I exclude the Sequel Trilogy/storylines from this article… that’s a whole topic in itself!
I am One with the Force & the Force is With Me
Obi-Wan Kenobi teaches Luke in Episode IV: A New Hope [ANH], that, the force is “…an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us; it binds the galaxy together.” That was our introduction to the mysterious nature of the force.
Our understanding of the force is later complicated by the introduction in Episode I: The Phantom Menace [TPM] that actually, Midi-chlorians play a role. Midi-chlorians are intelligent microscopic life-forms that live symbiotically inside the cells of all living things in the Star Wars universe. Force sensitivity is enabled via Midi-chlorians so the more Midi-chlorians a being possessed, the higher the force potential.
Anakin Skywalker possessed a count of over 20,000 Midi-chlorians, and some believed he was conceived by the Midi-chlorians/force. You could also go one step further to argue the force did this in retaliation to the dark practice attempts by Sith Lord Darth Plagueis to manipulate the Midi-chlorians to create new life.
Consider the Biblical position. The apostle Paul teaches us that there is “one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all,” and that Jesus Christ holds all things together. In both narratives, the implication is mind-blowing: from the smallest particle to the expanse of space, this power is all-consuming and arguably unfathomable.
We also believe that God is the one who creates life. He called us into existence by His Word and voice. One key part of the Genesis creation story is that God spoke things into existence. “Let there be…” is akin to the force/Midi-chlorians at work.
The title of this section is the quote made famous from Rogue One, where Chirrut, as a believer in the Force, chanted it as part of his meditative routine. We definitely embrace meditation as part of our Christian discipline, but we try to refrain from repetitive, religious routine.
However, we can appreciate the principle behind Chirrut’s effort and his attempts to be one with the Force. For Christians, we can be one with the Holy Spirit, who is the Helper sent to be with and guide us. For us, God sometimes provides angels who provide protection and ensuring our safety.
Fulfil Your Destiny
In the Original Trilogy, Darth Vader challenged Luke Skywalker to “fulfil your destiny”. Vader of course had evil Sith-based plans but the challenge can resonate with much of the Christian message.
Jesus himself had his own destiny to fulfil. We see this in Luke 19:10, “For the son of Man came to seek and save the lost.” Part of Jesus mission was to provide a “spiritual destiny” – to those who would believe in Him the words from John 10:10 state “I have come that they may have life, and have it to abundance.”
God has given each of us a unique destiny. God offers us guidance through His Word, His people and other means and signs. Similarly, the Force helps to guide – more so the Jedi rather than the Sith, since their differing philosophies show us clearly the difference in how they understand the concept of destiny.
From Obscurity to Identity & Purpose
The parallels within the Star Wars universe – of Episode IV: A New Hope and Episode I: The Phantom Menace show the young protagonist (Luke and Anakin respectively) beginning their story as a nobody. Both were thrust into adventure through their encounters with the Jedi – Obiwan/Old Ben for Luke, and Quigon for young Anakin. The transition also came with discovering their identity.
The Christian concept of destiny is also combined with Christian identity. Similarly, until we come to faith, we are in relative obscurity. But, part of the faith journey is the discovery that we have been chosen by God. As an extension of the Jews being God’s chosen people, the believers of Jesus become children of God. Identity, destiny and vision all come together under Christ and God. We can know who we are, we can all unite in purpose in serving God, and we can all look forward to returning to His Holy presence in heaven.
Lightsabers & Swords
Lightsabers have been compared to laser swords. We learn that to a Jedi, their lightsaber is their life. Considering a Jedi padawan’s journey includes finding the Kyber crystal and then they are to build their lightsaber using the force, the two form a close relationship. Fun fact – Obiwan takes Anakin’s lightsaber after defeating him at the of Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – representing him taking away the symbol of Anakin’s life. Furthermore, we learn when watching Star Wars: the Clone Wars animation series that for Jedi padawan, their mission to find the kyber crystal that becomes their personal lightsaber is a unique bond that the force guides.
This creativity and story-telling hold a close familiarity in the Biblical analogy of the Bible being the Sword of the Spirit. In Ephesians 6 Paul uses the Roman military armour to highlight aspects or attributes important to the spiritual battle. The sword represents the Word of God – it is the sole offensive weapon in the list. Hebrews chapter four, verse 12 also calls the Word of God living and active, presenting it as “sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing the soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
Beware: The Dark Side
The dark side of the force represents evil. We learn more about the Sith in the Prequel Trilogy and their code – but it is inherently selfish and self-seeking:
Peace is a lie. There is only Passion.
Through Passion I gain Strength.
Through Strength I gain Power.
Through Power I gain Victory.
Through Victory my chains are Broken.
The Force shall free me.
Compare this to the Jedi code:
There is no emotion, there is peace.
There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
There is no passion, there is serenity.
There is no chaos, there is harmony.
There is no death, there is the Force.
Side by side, the two are clearly diametrically opposed. Both acknowledge – there is the Force. The Force just is; its existence is paramount and unchallengable. When you introduce the Star Wars Rebels animation series and consider beings like the Bendu, who claimed to be at the centre of the Force, things get a little complicated.
The Sequel Trilogy also corrupted the whole point of balance in the Force – and promoted this whole Grey Jedi concept – or an alternative to the good vs evil dichotomy which grounded both the Original and Prequel Trilogies.
The Chosen One
In Star Wars, the Original Trilogy and Prequel Trilogy also had a focal point on the prophecy of the Chosen One, who would bring balance to the Force. Both trilogies show that Anakin would fulfil his destiny as the Chosen One. This is also why the recent Sequel Trilogy should really be ignored.
Anakin, like Jesus was born to a virgin. Both had no earthly/human father. Indeed, if you dig deeper into the origin story of Star Wars and the Journal of he Whills material, George Lucas was indeed drawing from the Bible:
… And in the time of greatest despair there shall come a savior,
and he shall be known as: THE SON OF THE SUNS.
— Journal of the Whills, 3:127″
The title “The Son of the Suns” is clearly a play on various names for Jesus Christ. Think Revelation 19:16. “And on His robe and on His thigh He has a name written, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.”
Jesus is our Chosen One. The Old Testament prophecies all point to His first coming, and also His second coming. It is through Jesus that we can find forgiveness of our sins. As John 14:6 states, “Jesus answered, I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me”. Only faith in Christ can restore us to God and provide us with the true peace.
The redemption of Darth Vader is also a key lesson – there is always time to change and repent. His redemption and return of good in the form of Anakin is an example of the power of our Gospel – no one is ever too far gone to be saved – in our case – by Jesus.
Star Wars offers an imperfect, yet intriguing look at spiritual themes which we can apply in our real life, and ultimately point to Jesus through them. I also like to think of the Force being the equivalent of the Holy Spirit in our world. God from our galaxy could indeed be the Force in the Star Wars galaxy!