One might say that I'm on a crusade against Star Wars...and they just might be right. Time and time again I have met people of all ages in Reformed circles who just love Star Wars! I wonder why they cannot (or will not) see the blatantly anti-Christian philosophy that Star Wars contains. Yes, the language of Star Wars is embedded in our culture, Star Wars is part of our culture--but that does not mean we have to watch it or let our children watch it. I watched Episodes 1-6 and as each film built upon the previous episode, my horror got deeper and my hate for these films stronger. So...without any further ado....
The Star Wars Menace
The Star Wars saga has captivated audiences for decades and has a strong fan base, even within the church. There is much more to this high-flying mystical tale than light saber duels, mid-galactic explosions, and a lock-horned struggle between the Jedi and the Sith. Christians have allowed their young children to watch these movies and have taken no heed to the philosophy being taught through them. The blatantly unscriptural philosophy being promoted is not hidden subtly, but placed in plain sight. Accordingly, young children, and particularly boys, who likely enjoy the action most, ought not be exposed indiscriminately to these movies.
Star Wars is the chronicle of Anakin Skywalker’s life. It details “how he fell from grace” and his “redemption”, to use author George Lucas’ own words from an interview accompanying one of the films. As shall be seen, Anakin is presented as a Christ-like character in several ways. Parallels are drawn between the true history of the Son of God and the imaginary tale of the son of Shmi Skywalker; but while Jesus Christ is God, holy and omnipotent, Anakin is a human, imperfect and weak even in his greatest triumphs.
The first parallel drawn between Christ and Anakin has to do with Anakin’s nativity. He was born of a virgin. He was discovered by Qui-Gon Jinn, a Jedi Master. From what he could determine, Anakin had been conceived in his mother by the Midi-cholorians, which dwell in all living creatures. These Midi-cholorians are the means whereby the Force is made known to man. According to Obi-Wan Kenobi, “The Force is what gives the Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together.” He also says, “a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him.” When questioned by Luke Skywalker, son of Anakin, “You mean it controls your actions?” he responds, “Partially. But it also obeys your commands.” Again, “It’s an energy field and something more. An aura that at once controls and obeys. It is a nothingness that can accomplish miracles.”
The Force is a pantheistic idea in which there is no god; but all living creatures are imbued with a spirit of divinity. The apostle Paul declares the truth concerning God and the earth:
"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth … He gives to all life, breath,
and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has
determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in
the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live
and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' Therefore,
since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone,
something shaped by art and man's devising.” (Acts 17:24-29)
When Paul speaks of us having our being in God, he does not mean that we are literally a part of God, but that we only exist because He created us and preappointed our lives; and therefore it is through Him that we live and breathe and have our being. While we have a soul that shall never cease to exist, we are by no means divine.
In Star Wars, the Force is the paradoxical Eastern idea of Ying Yang, advocated under the guise of a mysterious and fascinating power. It has a good side, which the Jedi embrace, and an evil side which the dangerous Sith employ. For there to be peace, these two contradictory elements of the Force must be ‘in balance’, existing together rather than the good side actually subduing the evil side. During the years previous to Anakin’s birth and early life, the Dark Side of the Force had been steadily growing stronger. The Sith, of whom there are always two, “a master and an apprentice”, had returned after a long absence. These lords of the Dark Side were stealthily spreading their power and influence. The Jedi, guardians of democracy and justice, were finding it hard to maintain the balance of the Force. Thus, when Qui-Gon Jinn found Anakin, he felt he had located the One prophesied to “bring balance to the Force.” Therefore, he strove to get the Jedi Council to allow him to take Anakin on as his apprentice, even though the boy was too old. Before the Council could decide, Qui-Gon was slain by Darth Mor [Maul], the Sith Lord’s apprentice. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon’s former pupil, therefore took on Anakin’s training.
Because the Force was unusually strong in Anakin, his instruction consisted of attempts to teach him how to harness the power of the Force and how to clear his mind of passions. His arrogance and his emotions caused trouble with the Jedi. Anakin was extremely passionate, not only in his love for his mother and for Padme (whom he eventually married secretly), but also in his hates and in his fear of certain things, namely death and suffering. The Jedi’s doctrine consisted of unemotional love and devotion to the good of all living creatures and the galaxy, with fear and hate forbidden. Anakin told Padme at one point prior to their marriage, “Attachment is forbid. Possession is forbidden. Compassion, which I would define as selfless love, is essential.”
Yoda, the great Jedi Master, gave this instruction, “Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger to hate, and hate to suffering.” This
teaching is not scriptural. God commands us to fear Him and to fear to give His glory to any other. “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Revelation 14:7) We are not to fear man, however. Christ declares, “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more they can do.” (Luke 12:4) Fear, as used here, denotes a reverential, awed emotion resulting from belief—which leads to a desire to serve. This type of fear could be toward God or toward a devil—in this case a Sith. However, this kind of fear is not the same as the fright and worry that one experiences naturally in the face of danger and uncertainty.
Such anxiety, so long as it does not descend into a controlling, abject, servile terror, is not wrong. Likewise, anger, of itself, is not necessarily sinful. Ephesians 4:26-27 says, “‘Be angry and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Righteous anger, such as
Christ displayed when He drove the merchants out of the temple, is virtuous. Also, Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 11:29b, “Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?” God Himself hates: “You hate all workers of iniquity,” (Psalm 5:5b); and we are commanded to hate evil “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13) As for suffering, it is due alone to mankind’s rebellion against our good and perfect God.
'Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I
commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: "Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil shall you eat of it all
the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field.
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground for out of it you were taken; for dust you are,
and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:17-19)
Among the Jedi teachings in the Star Wars films, there is one which reoccurs time after time throughout all six movies…“Concentrate on the moment, feel, don’t think.” “Trust your feelings…then you will be invincible.” “Stretch out with your feelings.” “Let go your conscious self. Rely on instincts.” “You will know [the good side of the Force from the bad] when you’re calm, at peace, passive.” What is being commanded here is an emptying of the mind of all conscious thought in order to follow one’s instincts. Obeying instinct, whether taught or innate, is not necessarily wrong. However, rational thought processes reveal God’s image in humanity and therefore ought to be exercised. “He created man…with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after His own image,” (Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch. 4, sec. 2). Rationality separates humanity from the other creatures. The King of Babylon’s letter to his subjects declares this very fact, “And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me…At the same time my reason returned to me,” (Daniel 4:34, 36). God gave mankind logic so that we could employ it, not only to make judgments concerning life, but also to override our sinful instincts. Indeed, the innate instincts of men are often evil and vile. Since God blessed us with the ability to use reason, we should not rebel against Him and attempt to throw off His image by destroying reason and emptying our minds of rational thought.
It is important to note that there is a difference between ‘feelings’ and ‘passions’ as used by George Lucas in Star Wars. ‘Feelings’ are instincts which one senses and can (rationally) act upon. It was these feelings, or instincts, that the young Jedi were trained to sense and exercise. Bluntly stated, the Force is acting through the Jedi, yet under their control—sometimes. One of the most famous lines from the movies, “Use the Force, Luke” is a prime example of this. By refusing to use the technology and his knowledge in order to follow his feelings from the Force, Luke was victorious in crisis. ‘Passion’, on the other hand, is viewed as romantic and affectionate love, personal hate, envy, jealousy, and fear. These emotions were to be revoked by the Jedi. They were to love justice, in the sense of impartial devotion. The Jedi were not to fear evil, though indeed it seems they all hated evil—and that was not forbidden.
This is one of the many contradictions in the Star Wars series; it is impossible to miss them. The following is a brief and by no means a comprehensive collection of contradictions. Obi-Wan commanded Anakin, “Use the Force; Think!” and “Come to your senses!” while the young man was attempting to follow his passions. True, he was calling Anakin back into a less agitated state, one of ‘feeling’, not emotion, but the fact that he calls on him to think is ironic. When Qui-Gon was killed, it was Obi-Wan’s passionate anger and grief over the death of his master that gave him the strength and courage to defeat Darth Mor [Maul]. This demonstrates the affectionate love that the apprentice Jedi had for his Master. The characters use language such as ‘I pray…’ though there is nothing to which they could pray—not even an idol. It is a superfluous use of the word, for how could they pray, if the Force is not personal or sovereign? Along a similar line is the prophecy—for, if the Force is an impersonal, non-sovereign power, where do prophecies originate? How can there even be prophecy, if one can choose his own destiny, as Qui-Gon said to Anakin? But he also said “Our meeting was not a coincidence. Nothing happens by accident.” This is quite clearly incongruent, for how can one be in control of their personal destiny while at the same time “nothing happens by accident”? Finally, in direct contradiction to the imperative ‘do not hate’, Obi-Wan Kenobi uses ‘I hate…’ several times in connection to Anakin’s daring, and at times, disobedient antics.
After Anakin had reached young manhood, he began dreaming that his mother was in jeopardy. When finally he could stand the uncertainty no longer, he set out, (following his passions again), to rescue her from the danger she was in. He arrived just in time to free her before she died in his arms. He was furious at himself for not being powerful enough to save her life and vowed that he would not let someone he loved die again. When Padme attempted to console him, saying, “Anakin, you are not all powerful,” he responded, “I should be! I will become the most powerful Jedi—ever. I will even learn to stop people from dying!” This is another Christ-like parallel—the difference: Christ died to save people’s souls from eternal death, and rose again—King Eternal; Anakin never learned how to keep death from overtaking those he loved, nor himself for that matter. The second Person of the Trinity humbled Himself to take on the form of sinful man, to die for him that he might live eternally. The young Jedi apprentice in his arrogance thought to overcome death by his own strength—and failed.
The situation surrounding his mother’s death confused Anakin’s already conflicted mind even more about the nature of ‘good’ and ‘right’. After he and Padme were married and she told him she was pregnant, he began dreaming she would die in childbirth. Since the death of his mother and the promise he had made were still fresh in his mind, he began casting around to find a way to help his beloved wife. Darth Sidious, the Dark Lord, assured Anakin that if only he surrendered to the Dark Side, he would become powerful enough to save Padme from death. This seduction resulted just as the Dark Lord had expected: Anakin submitted himself to the evil Emperor. Anakin aptly described himself as a Sith just days prior to his switch of allegiance when he stated, “The Sith rely on their passion for their strength. They think only about themselves. The Jedi are selfless. They only care about others.” Padme did die during childbirth from a broken heart (she had twins), for Anakin betrayed everything she stood for in his attempt to save her life through turning to the Dark Side.
That Anakin’s attachment to the women in his life led to his turning to the Dark Side is a significant point. This is a very important concept because what is being encouraged here is the pagan idea that highly ‘spiritual’ people are to revoke all emotional human attachments. The Jedi were to live for the good of all, while being emotionally distant from all. Christ loved His people so much that He became a man in order to die and save His elect from eternal damnation. In John 15:12-13, He says, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one that this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Christ Himself had emotions, for we are told that after Lazarus died, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)
Christians are not commanded to be unemotional and distant creatures, rather they are to be fully engaged with each other, caring for one another. For a person to rid himself of emotions is to strip himself of his humanity. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving
preference to one another,” (Romans 12:10). Nevertheless, the brotherly love that God requires of His children is not outside the bounds of His
morality, free to do anything in the name of ‘love’. Rather, true love keeps the commandments of God towards one’s neighbor. Because of his emotional love for his wife, Anakin followed his selfish passions, displaying that his love for her was not selfless. Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,” which is selfless love. Anakin’s passions were his highest law; and they led him into darkness.
Anakin’s name was changed to Darth Vader upon his surrender to the Sith Lord. Darth Sidious, now the Emperor of the Galactic Empire (formerly a Republic) issued Order 66. This order commanded the destruction of all Jedi—from the oldest and most experienced Jedi to the younglings—the children in training to be Jedi. As his first act of allegiance to his new master, Anakin helped to destroy the Jedi younglings who knew and trusted him. In this act of betrayal, Anakin is both betrayer and betrayed, in a fine example of the true paradox making up Lucas’ worldview. It is interesting to note regarding the decree of treachery, Order 66, that O is the 15th letter of the alphabet. If the 1 and the 5, which constitute 15, are added together, the sum is six. By placing this 6 before the 66 leaves you with 666, the number of the anti-Christ. We read in Revelation 13:18b, “His number is 666.” Anakin is an Antichrist figure as well as the Christ figure, once again portraying Ying Yang.
Only two Jedi escaped when Darth Sidious commanded the destruction of the Order: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. Obi-Wan fought Anakin at Yoda’s bidding and much to his own sorrow; it was in this final dual before Anakin’s transformation was completed that a significant exchange was held. Darth Vader, trying to convince his former Master to convert with him, declared, “If you’re not with me, then you are my enemy.” Obi-Wan’s response, “Only the Sith deal in absolutes,” discloses volumes. George Lucas believes that those who subscribe to absolutes (like true Christians) are an evil threat to the harmony of the universe. This is a dangerous philosophy. For if absolutes are evil, then truth is subjective. And, if truth is subjective, then everything is true and therefore nothing is actually true. If this notion is followed to its conclusion, it leaves only confusing and insufficient answers to life’s questions. Lucas is using a potent story to unmistakably teach that truth is subjective. For, as Obi-Wan told Luke, “many of the truths we cling to depend greatly upon our own point of view.” This clearly portrays a view of life which denies any universal standards. Since the subjectivity of truth implies that nothing is really ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, how is anyone to know what is right and best for himself, for the peace of mankind, and therefore, for the harmony of the universe? This ‘harmony’ is one of the main focuses of Lucas’ story—the balancing of the Force. Nevertheless, true harmony and peace will only result from the application of God’s Law and surrendering to His sovereign will.
Anakin and Obi-Wan carried out their duel in a fiery inferno. The burning pit of the volcanic planet Mustafar is a semblance of Hell. During the
struggle Obi-Wan said to Anakin, “you’re lost”. This is an absolute, a judgment, and therefore, a contradiction to Lucas’ (and Obi-Wan Kenobi’s)
premise of subjective truth. As the two former friends battled through the lava flow, Obi-Wan finally gained the high ground. As Anakin sprang viciously upon him, Obi-Wan terribly wounded him, cutting off both his legs and an arm with one stroke. As Anakin lay before him, Obi-Wan, with tears choking his voice, briefly reproached him for abandoning the good for the evil, “You were to be the chosen One” the one to restore the balance of the Force. The wounded Anakin bursts into flames—his burning alive is symbolic of his death, for the people of the Galactic Republic burned the bodies of their dead. This is his ‘crucifixion’. Lucas says the “suffering he had to go through” was “the consequences of the bad things he had done.” Contrast this with the suffering that Christ underwent, paying the consequences of His people’s evil deeds. As Anakin smoldered, physically and mentally, Obi-Wan hurried off, believing that the miserable young man would die. However, Anakin did not die, for the Dark Lord rescued him and restored him to functionality. As the mask, which allowed him to breathe, was placed over his head, Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader was complete. This action symbolizes Anakin’s burial. Darth Vader’s rising from his reconstruction back to usefulness is seen as his ‘birth’ as Vader. In a similar way, Christ was lifted up—however, that was on a cross to die for His own, not from a surgical table to live for himself. Christ says of Himself, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John 12:32) Likewise, Christ rose through His own power, while Anakin was ‘reborn’ through the power of the prince of darkness. No matter how desperately Anakin desired power, the control he gained from Darth Sidious is nothing in comparison to the power of God. The power of God Almighty is beyond all comprehension. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)
Years passed as Anakin and Padme’s twins, Luke and Leia, matured with no knowledge of each other, or of their father. After Luke was mostly grown, Obi-Wan Kenobi began training him as a Jedi. Shortly after Obi-Wan began instructing Luke, Darth Vader killed the old Master Jedi. Lucas does not see death to be the result of sin, as demonstrated when Yoda told Anakin, “Death is natural. Rejoice for those who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not.” When Vader killed Obi-Wan he did not destroy him as he thought to because Obi-Wan and Yoda, who eventually finished Luke’s training, became separate entities within the Force upon their deaths. Unlike all other living beings, they did not become part of the Force at death, their Midi-cholorians simply melting back into the supply. They had enough power and control over the Force to hold their physical forms and their individuality together, even as they ceased to breathe. (This would also explain why their bodies disappeared mysteriously upon death.)
When Luke finally faced his father, now knowing who he was, he strove to return him to the good side of the Force informing him, “I feel the good in you; the conflict.” To which Vader firmly retorted, “There is no conflict.” Luke refused to fight him, except in self-defense and continued his attempts to influence him back to the good side. Meanwhile the Emperor, Darth Sidious, used psychological arguments in his determination to crush Luke’s spirit and bring him over to the Dark Side. While trying to ignore Darth Sidious, Luke told his father, “You couldn’t bring yourself to kill me before, and I don’t believe you’ll destroy me now.” Eventually the Emperor, exasperated with young Skywalker’s resistance to evil, began electrocuting him. Luke, while writhing in excruciating pain, begged his father to have mercy on him. After a moment’s hesitation, Darth Vader pitched the evil Emperor down a long open shaft, killing him, but in doing so, destroyed himself as well. In addition to the electrical current shorting out Vader’s circuits, (after all, he was an artificial man since his burning), Darth Sidious was keeping him alive through his power while using Darth Vader’s great knowledge of the Force to conquer the galaxy. As Vader lay dying, he had his son remove his mask. This is yet another Christ-like parallel, the death and resurrection of the savior. In his death, he brought balance back to the Force, through rejecting evil by his own strength. This is autonomy. The removal of the mask symbolizes his having been ‘resurrected’ as Anakin. Upon his death, he joined Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda as separate entities in the Force. This is a semblance, an imitation, of the Trinity. Whether intentionally or not George Lucas was making mock of Christianity and Christianity’s God when he wrote Star Wars. Anakin is portrayed as both the Christ and the Antichrist. He was one man, yet he had two natures, one ‘good’ and one ‘evil’. This is Ying Yang again, for by being both he brought balance to the Force.
George Lucas says of Darth Vader, “The one people thought was the villain was actually the victim. The story is really about the villain trying to regain his humanity.” Lucas views true humanity as innately good, even when one has faults. This is observed when Padme, upon discovering that Anakin had turned to evil, cried, “You’re a good person, Anakin! Don’t do this!” Lucas believes that evil people never see themselves as evil, “they think they are doing good.” He also calls Darth Sidious the Devil. This brings up the point that George Lucas, though he would say that he does not believe in absolutes, uses both absolute terms and ideas in his movies and in his own interviews. He uses ‘good’ and ‘evil’ in a standard of right and wrong, (though not the true Biblical standard), as displayed in Star Wars; however, it is influenced, unconsciously, by the Truth. Concrete words mean exactly what they are supposed to mean, but ironically, they are used by a man who would declare that he does not believe in absolutes. This contradiction is a marvelous tribute to God and the fact that His law is written in the hearts of mankind. Romans 2:14-15 declares:
"for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law,
are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness,
and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them…”
As hard as men try to live consistently with their false philosophies and worldviews, they never can truly do so, for God’s truth is stronger and more
powerful than any so-called truth that man can invent. They must live in reality, even when they claim otherwise.
As a footnote to the fundamentally philosophical aspects of this myth, there are a few items of interest. Some ought to remind us to be wary, while others are just interesting. First off, there is some near nudity in these films, along with some sensuously suggestive material. This has mainly to do with Jabba the Hut, a repulsive sadistic tyrant. He had a harem, for which he cared nothing, except what sensual pleasure he could derive from them. He enjoyed watching the pain and suffering of any creature that displeased him. In Star Wars, humans are not the only creatures able to think rationally. Nearly every creature is to some extent rational. Some living things are more ‘advanced’ than others as well, i.e. the dwellers on Kamino seem to be in some ways more ‘intelligent’ (they specialize in cloning), than the Gugadin (a sort of ‘primitive’ creature). This shows the evolutionary aspect of the work. Han Solo (a bold independent man who disliked authority) is a sort of galactic American-cowboy. He grows from being an untrusting man with no friends, loyal to no one but his Wookie pal, Chewbacca, to having several very close friends for whom he would lay down his life. The music used in these movies often has a Wagnerian flair. Personally, I find this of interest for several reasons. 1) Wagner hated Christianity; 2) he was both Nietzsche and Hitler’s favorite composer; 3) in his ‘Ring Cycle’ operas he put forth the ideal of the Superman. To tie this in to the subject at hand, Lucas as well has no love for Christianity (if he did he would not twist the truth as he has). Anakin is a ‘Superman’ in a manner of speaking. Also, the Emperor’s military dresses like Hitler’s Nazis. This draws us into one of the more fascinating facets in the series. George Lucas uses architectural styles from all cultures and ages, along with an eccentric conglomeration of clothing, hairstyles, and customs. Gothic architecture is blended with Moroccan in one place; in another you have the stark sterile look of empty modern philosophy coupled with alien creatures. There is the Roman Colosseum complete with the ‘sport’. In other locales are modern factories; and in yet another, Afghani mud hovels. The Jedi temple is a cross between a Babylonian temple, an Islamic mosque (the minarets), an Aztec temple, and an Egyptian tomb. Lucas attempted to combine all world religions in one non-religion, which is of course, a religion, (in fact it is even called a religion by the subjects of the Emperor and Vader uses the word ‘faith’ to describe belief in the Force). The Emperor’s bodyguards are clothed in red, much like Roman Catholic Cardinals. The Jedi are dressed as a cross between Japanese warriors and Roman Catholic monks. They have a similar code in some ways to the monk’s asceticism. Be wary of these things, for when secular man mockingly uses images which to the world spell “Christian” or “Church”, then grave danger hides in plain sight.
Biblical language and imagery is used extensively in these movies. It is disturbing when those who have no reverence for the God of Scripture use
Biblical language. At least three times in these films, the Bible is quoted almost verbatim. Here is a catalog of the uses of Biblical imagery and
language. Anakin’s virgin birth is first. He was conceived by the Midi-cholorians, which could be called the ‘god particle’ of the Force. The prophecy of ‘the one to bring balance back to the Force’ is similar to the Scriptural prophecies of the Redeemer of the God’s people. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel, [which means ‘God-with-us.]” (Isaiah 7:14b) “But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’” (Matthew 1:20-21) In Matthew 2:13b-15 we read,
"behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother,
flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose,
he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "'Out of Egypt have I called My son.”’”
This quotation comes from Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.” This was originally applied to the nation of Israel being brought out of Egypt where they had been enslaved. In much a similar fashion, Anakin was brought from a wilderness planet where he had been a slave. Here we see the Christ-figure coming out of slavery in a desert land, as Israel and Christ came forth in their own times, according to the prophecy. When Anakin swore to discover the way to keep people from dying, he was attempting to do what no mere man can do—rebel against the natural order of things. (In the Biblical view, death is the result of sin and is therefore not truly natural, so Anakin was rather attempting to reverse the work of the fall.) Only through Christ Jesus can death be defeated, first spiritual death and secondly physical death, through the resurrection. There is one very brief mention of a ‘netherworld’ (an afterlife) in one of these films. Yoda had discovered that Qui-Gon Jinn had found the way to return from this netherworld, where it appears one is immortal. (Through contact with Qui-Gon, Yoda and Obi-Wan learned how to become powerful enough to hold their individuality together at death.) A netherworld is in complete contradiction to the pantheistic idea of the Force, where at death one disintegrates back into the Midi-cholorian pool. However, in the Biblical worldview, there is a physical afterlife. One has either eternal life with the Father or eternal separation from Him. Anakin’s fear of loss through death led him down a dark path. Darth Sidious, who knew his weaknesses well, told Anakin the legend of a certain Sith lord, who was so powerful that he could influence the Midi-cholorians so far as to make life or keep someone alive. This Darth Plagueis was killed by his apprentice. Darth Sidious remarked, “It’s ironic; he could save others from death, but not himself.” This is what the Pharisees said about Jesus, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” (Luke 23:35b) However, it was not Christ’s plan to ‘save Himself’ but rather to save His people from their sins. The Emperor quoted Christ on the cross as he said, “It is finished,” when the Jedi were destroyed. In Christ’s case though, “It is finished,” was in reference to the completion of the work of salvation, not of the work of destruction. The Jedi Council consisted of twelve members, for the most part Jedi Masters, a parallel to the Twelve Apostles. As the Emperor took control of the Galactic Senate, thereby transforming the Republic into the Empire, he lifted his hands in the fashion usually associated with a priest or minister blessing his congregation. When Anakin told Obi-Wan, “If you are not with me, then you are my enemy,” he nearly quoted Matthew 12:30 “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” As the Dark lord came to rescue Vader after his defeat by Obi-Wan (the evil by the good), Vader rolled over into the sign of the cross, or as close as can be gotten while missing both legs and an arm. (Remember, this was his ‘crucifixion’.) Anakin’s ‘death’ and ‘rebirth’ as Darth Vader, and then his ‘death’ and ‘resurrection’ back into Anakin, is a play upon Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection on the third day…the work of salvation being completed. Then of course there is the semblance of the Trinity—Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Anakin. (Yoda portrayed as the Father, Anakin, the Son, and Obi-Wan, the Holy Spirit.) This is mockery. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)
Here let us take a brief pause. This may be complete speculation, yet I believe it is not completely unfounded. Return to the story Darth Sidious told Anakin, stirring the unrest in him. The story of Darth Plagueis is interesting. This Dark Lord had the power to make life. I think it reasonable to deduce that he was the one who ‘seeded’ Anakin within his mother’s womb. If this is the case, then Anakin originated from the dark side of the Force, was brought to the good side by Qui-Gon, conquered by Sidious (whom I believe killed Plagueis), and finally through his own strength re-embraced the good side, dying as he did so and bringing balance back to the Force. If my reasoning is correct than we see yet another way in which George Lucas has perverted the true account of our Lord’s life and death. A devil character created the savior, who for a great deal of his life, was evil. The savior then dies, returning to good in the process. Anakin brought about the full circle of life (Ying Yang), an eastern concept which Western minds find hard to grasp.
While the primary subject of interest has been Anakin Skywalker and his Biblical parallels, let us turn our attention briefly to Luke Skywalker and the Biblical imagery associated with him. Luke was, in a manner of speaking, the means of his father’s redemption. George Lucas says as much when he stated that Vader “is redeemed by his son.” He offered, through his refusal to surrender to evil and his firm belief that Darth Vader was not completely bad, a means of redemption for his father. After a fashion then, Luke is also a Christ-figure. He is what his father could have been. Indeed, in many ways Luke was his father, a skillful daring pilot, and a rather passionate, impetuous young man. The difference was that Luke learned to control his passions and developed a correct (Jedi-like) understanding of the Force. As Yoda explained to him, “A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense. Never for attack.” It was during the time that Yoda was training him that Luke had a ‘regeneration’ experience, a putting to death of the old man, as it were. While alone in the jungle of the Degabas system, he was confronted in a vision by ‘Darth Vader’, whom he ‘killed’. As he stood looking at the severed head, the mask melted away, and horrified, Luke saw his own face within. This vision showed him that he was part of his father and that he would have to destroy that part of himself. It is also symbolic of his complete rejection of the Dark Side and his true ‘conversion’ to belief in the Force. This is also in many ways parallel to Christ’s temptation by the Devil, “And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.” (Mark 1:13) From this experience, Luke went on to redeem his father at the moon En Dor, where the second Death Star was being built. The interesting thing here is that En Dor was the place where Saul consulted a medium to call up the prophet Samuel, the day before his death! (I Samuel 28:7-25) En Dor means fountain (or well) of habitation, also interesting as this was where the new Republic gained its freedom to exist.
Another instance in which Luke and Anakin were alike was the fact that they both lost their right arm and/or hand in combat with a Sith Lord Apprentice. Anakin’s right arm was severed fighting a certain Dooku—the consequences of Anakin’s rash passion. Dooku had formerly been a Jedi
Master. Later Anakin killed Dooku, upon Chancellor Palpatine’s directions. (Palpatine was Sidious, though none knew it at that point. He was setting up for his entrapment of Anakin.) Luke lost his right hand to his father Darth Vader, who also had been a Jedi, though not a Master. After a fashion, Luke killed Vader by removing the mask. [edit--both, in essence, beheadings.] The significance of the right arm is great in Scripture. It signifies great strength and power, as found in Psalm 20:6 “Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.” It is a position of great honor and glory, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool." (Psalm 110:1) The right hand also defines the type of man, “Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouth speaks lying words, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood”. (Psalm 144:11) Both men received a mechanical replacement for the severed limb that was stronger than the human arm. Through the sacrifice of the body, they gained greater strength.
There is but one more subject of interest to be discussed. The names Lucas chose for his characters are very significant. To some much of the following may seem far-fetched, but having seen how nothing in this story is accidental, I seriously question that Lucas would give his characters names with no significance. In fact, I view the names as a clinching argument that the parallels are not just coincidental accidents. Whether the names are identical or extremely similar to other names, or are derived from other languages, it is interesting to sit back and reflect on them. The following is certainly not an evaluation of all the names in the movies, but it glances at many of the most important characters’ appellations. (Due to ignorance of Eastern languages, most of the Jedi’s names are not discussed. However, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s alias ‘Ben’ means ‘son’ in Hebrew.) The hero and villain of the story, Anakin’s name is derived from the Greek anakainóō, meaning ‘to make new’ or ‘renew’. His nickname, Ani is very significant as well. It appears to be derived from the Hebrew ani or 'anokiy, meaning ‘I’, ‘me’, or ‘which’. To one who knows the tale, the symbolism of Anakin’s name will be quite clear—‘I renew’. He was the balancer (or renewer) of the Force. Padme’s name, whether or not this is where Lucas obtained it, is found in a Tibetan meditation formula “Om Mane Padme Hum” meaning something like “Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus” (The Universe Next Door by James Sire, pg 124). It seems that perhaps her name means Jewel, which would be rather appropriate since she was her husband’s prize jewel. If my analysis of these two names is correct, they are from the East and West and symbolize the balance of nature, the Ying Yang concept. Anakin’s mothers name was Shmi. This appears to be from shim’ath, meaning ‘annunciation’. Note yet again the parallel between Christ and Anakin’s virgin births—Mary had an annunciation of Jesus’ birth, Shmi’s name means annunciation. Darth Sidious is taken from the Latin īnsidiae, meaning a ‘snare’ or ‘trap’, a very fitting name. His other name, Palpatine, comes from the Latin palpō, meaning ‘to stroke’, ‘touch softly’ or ‘caress’. As Chancellor Palpatine, Darth Sidious subtlety hid his true self behind the front of a soft, kindly seeming, palpable man. Darth Mor’s name is clearly Latin. Mors means death, (the removal of the ‘s’ leaves the word steam--mor.) *[I have since been informed that this character's name is actually "Maul"--which is in itself rather self-explanatory. Though it appears to come from the Latin malleus, meaning 'hammer'.] This particular character looks much like a depiction of death or a devil which you find in old manuscripts. Darth Plagueis’ name could be derived from the word ‘plague’ or from the Latin plāga, which means, “blow”, “wound”. Darth Vader comes from the Latin invādō, “to invade”. In a manner of speaking, Darth Vader invaded Anakin and overcame him, transforming the one into the other. Darth, the title of the Sith lords, seems to be derived from Arthur, which in the Celtic means “exalted” or “noble”. The Sith’s name itself is the same as the ancient Egyptian god of death. His name was called Sith, or Seth. In Hebrew, Seth means ‘substituted’. Sith is also the Gaelic for fairy. (The Irish tales have some very demonic ‘fairies’ in them.) ‘Jedi’ appears to be derived from Hebrew as well, form the same word from which Yoda comes. Yada means to ascertain by seeing (Yoda had that power), as well as knowing. Jedi, I believe, may come from Jediael which means ‘knowing God’. Remove the ‘–ael’, God, and you have ‘Jedi’—knowing. Or leave the ‘–ael’. Either way it would be fitting since the Jedi ‘knew’ the Force and the Force was their god. Han Solo’s name means ‘man alone’, from Andrew, derived from the Greek anthropos, ‘man’, and from the Latin, solus, ‘alone’. This is an apt name for him, because a solitary man is what he was. Luke’s name means ‘light’ (from the Latin lūx, lūcis). He was the one who brought light to the galaxy. It is very interesting that George Lucas named Luke after himself, for the names mean the same thing. Luke’s sister Leia’s name is very similar to Leah, the Hebrew of which means ‘the forsaken’. If this is where the name came from, then how Padme named her children tells the story of their father. In order of birth, their names mean 'light forsaken’ which is what Anakin became upon his turning into Darth Vader.
With a greater understanding of the tale, let the Christian ask concerning the Star Wars saga, “Is this just a captivating story with good guys and bad guys, appealing light-saber fights, exciting action, and cool sound effects? Is this an epic depiction of the Christian struggle between good and evil?” Certainly not! The worldview being perpetrated by these movies is gaining ground, even in Reformed Churches. It is unsettling when the sons of elders exchange sharp words over who gets to impersonate Darth Vader, and when young men who have grown up in the church strive to emulate the arrogant, unsettled, and intense Anakin. The pantheistic philosophy of this fable, which claims there is no Sovereign Creator God, undermines humanity’s value. The belief that truth is subjective, that there are no absolutes, and reason is not to be exercised, is a danger to all that Christianity is. George Lucas has taken the only true religion, Christianity, and has blended it with other religions. He has twisted it and mangled it hideously by switching the nature of the Savior from infallible God to that of a very human, fallible man, who cannot even save himself. He has taken our faith and ridiculed it by perverting it from pure Truth to a muddled, mixed up fairy tale. He insults Christ and laughs up his sleeve for the Church had surrendered to the Dark Side…totally unaware that his destructive philosophy is directly in front of their blind, uneducated noses. (Ignorance is not bliss; it is deprivation.) You can see his philosophy easily if only you know how to observe. It is true that whatever you steep yourself in, whether books, movies, art, or music, it will shape who you are and what you believe. Therefore, beware of the menace of Star Wars…it is not something to be trifled with!
Copyrighted 2011 by Racheal Parker
The Star Wars saga has captivated audiences for decades and has a strong fan base, even within the church. There is much more to this high-flying mystical tale than light saber duels, mid-galactic explosions, and a lock-horned struggle between the Jedi and the Sith. Christians have allowed their young children to watch these movies and have taken no heed to the philosophy being taught through them. The blatantly unscriptural philosophy being promoted is not hidden subtly, but placed in plain sight. Accordingly, young children, and particularly boys, who likely enjoy the action most, ought not be exposed indiscriminately to these movies.
Star Wars is the chronicle of Anakin Skywalker’s life. It details “how he fell from grace” and his “redemption”, to use author George Lucas’ own words from an interview accompanying one of the films. As shall be seen, Anakin is presented as a Christ-like character in several ways. Parallels are drawn between the true history of the Son of God and the imaginary tale of the son of Shmi Skywalker; but while Jesus Christ is God, holy and omnipotent, Anakin is a human, imperfect and weak even in his greatest triumphs.
The first parallel drawn between Christ and Anakin has to do with Anakin’s nativity. He was born of a virgin. He was discovered by Qui-Gon Jinn, a Jedi Master. From what he could determine, Anakin had been conceived in his mother by the Midi-cholorians, which dwell in all living creatures. These Midi-cholorians are the means whereby the Force is made known to man. According to Obi-Wan Kenobi, “The Force is what gives the Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us, penetrates us, and binds the galaxy together.” He also says, “a Jedi can feel the Force flowing through him.” When questioned by Luke Skywalker, son of Anakin, “You mean it controls your actions?” he responds, “Partially. But it also obeys your commands.” Again, “It’s an energy field and something more. An aura that at once controls and obeys. It is a nothingness that can accomplish miracles.”
The Force is a pantheistic idea in which there is no god; but all living creatures are imbued with a spirit of divinity. The apostle Paul declares the truth concerning God and the earth:
"God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth … He gives to all life, breath,
and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has
determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in
the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live
and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, 'For we are also His offspring.' Therefore,
since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone,
something shaped by art and man's devising.” (Acts 17:24-29)
When Paul speaks of us having our being in God, he does not mean that we are literally a part of God, but that we only exist because He created us and preappointed our lives; and therefore it is through Him that we live and breathe and have our being. While we have a soul that shall never cease to exist, we are by no means divine.
In Star Wars, the Force is the paradoxical Eastern idea of Ying Yang, advocated under the guise of a mysterious and fascinating power. It has a good side, which the Jedi embrace, and an evil side which the dangerous Sith employ. For there to be peace, these two contradictory elements of the Force must be ‘in balance’, existing together rather than the good side actually subduing the evil side. During the years previous to Anakin’s birth and early life, the Dark Side of the Force had been steadily growing stronger. The Sith, of whom there are always two, “a master and an apprentice”, had returned after a long absence. These lords of the Dark Side were stealthily spreading their power and influence. The Jedi, guardians of democracy and justice, were finding it hard to maintain the balance of the Force. Thus, when Qui-Gon Jinn found Anakin, he felt he had located the One prophesied to “bring balance to the Force.” Therefore, he strove to get the Jedi Council to allow him to take Anakin on as his apprentice, even though the boy was too old. Before the Council could decide, Qui-Gon was slain by Darth Mor [Maul], the Sith Lord’s apprentice. Obi-Wan Kenobi, Qui-Gon’s former pupil, therefore took on Anakin’s training.
Because the Force was unusually strong in Anakin, his instruction consisted of attempts to teach him how to harness the power of the Force and how to clear his mind of passions. His arrogance and his emotions caused trouble with the Jedi. Anakin was extremely passionate, not only in his love for his mother and for Padme (whom he eventually married secretly), but also in his hates and in his fear of certain things, namely death and suffering. The Jedi’s doctrine consisted of unemotional love and devotion to the good of all living creatures and the galaxy, with fear and hate forbidden. Anakin told Padme at one point prior to their marriage, “Attachment is forbid. Possession is forbidden. Compassion, which I would define as selfless love, is essential.”
Yoda, the great Jedi Master, gave this instruction, “Fear is the path to the Dark Side. Fear leads to anger, anger to hate, and hate to suffering.” This
teaching is not scriptural. God commands us to fear Him and to fear to give His glory to any other. “Fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.” (Revelation 14:7) We are not to fear man, however. Christ declares, “And I say to you, My friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more they can do.” (Luke 12:4) Fear, as used here, denotes a reverential, awed emotion resulting from belief—which leads to a desire to serve. This type of fear could be toward God or toward a devil—in this case a Sith. However, this kind of fear is not the same as the fright and worry that one experiences naturally in the face of danger and uncertainty.
Such anxiety, so long as it does not descend into a controlling, abject, servile terror, is not wrong. Likewise, anger, of itself, is not necessarily sinful. Ephesians 4:26-27 says, “‘Be angry and do not sin’: do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.” Righteous anger, such as
Christ displayed when He drove the merchants out of the temple, is virtuous. Also, Paul declares in 2 Corinthians 11:29b, “Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation?” God Himself hates: “You hate all workers of iniquity,” (Psalm 5:5b); and we are commanded to hate evil “The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverse mouth I hate.” (Proverbs 8:13) As for suffering, it is due alone to mankind’s rebellion against our good and perfect God.
'Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I
commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: "Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil shall you eat of it all
the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field.
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground for out of it you were taken; for dust you are,
and to dust you shall return.” (Genesis 3:17-19)
Among the Jedi teachings in the Star Wars films, there is one which reoccurs time after time throughout all six movies…“Concentrate on the moment, feel, don’t think.” “Trust your feelings…then you will be invincible.” “Stretch out with your feelings.” “Let go your conscious self. Rely on instincts.” “You will know [the good side of the Force from the bad] when you’re calm, at peace, passive.” What is being commanded here is an emptying of the mind of all conscious thought in order to follow one’s instincts. Obeying instinct, whether taught or innate, is not necessarily wrong. However, rational thought processes reveal God’s image in humanity and therefore ought to be exercised. “He created man…with reasonable and immortal souls, endued with knowledge, righteousness, and true holiness, after His own image,” (Westminster Confession of Faith, Ch. 4, sec. 2). Rationality separates humanity from the other creatures. The King of Babylon’s letter to his subjects declares this very fact, “And at the end of the time I, Nebuchadnezzar, lifted my eyes to heaven, and my understanding returned to me…At the same time my reason returned to me,” (Daniel 4:34, 36). God gave mankind logic so that we could employ it, not only to make judgments concerning life, but also to override our sinful instincts. Indeed, the innate instincts of men are often evil and vile. Since God blessed us with the ability to use reason, we should not rebel against Him and attempt to throw off His image by destroying reason and emptying our minds of rational thought.
It is important to note that there is a difference between ‘feelings’ and ‘passions’ as used by George Lucas in Star Wars. ‘Feelings’ are instincts which one senses and can (rationally) act upon. It was these feelings, or instincts, that the young Jedi were trained to sense and exercise. Bluntly stated, the Force is acting through the Jedi, yet under their control—sometimes. One of the most famous lines from the movies, “Use the Force, Luke” is a prime example of this. By refusing to use the technology and his knowledge in order to follow his feelings from the Force, Luke was victorious in crisis. ‘Passion’, on the other hand, is viewed as romantic and affectionate love, personal hate, envy, jealousy, and fear. These emotions were to be revoked by the Jedi. They were to love justice, in the sense of impartial devotion. The Jedi were not to fear evil, though indeed it seems they all hated evil—and that was not forbidden.
This is one of the many contradictions in the Star Wars series; it is impossible to miss them. The following is a brief and by no means a comprehensive collection of contradictions. Obi-Wan commanded Anakin, “Use the Force; Think!” and “Come to your senses!” while the young man was attempting to follow his passions. True, he was calling Anakin back into a less agitated state, one of ‘feeling’, not emotion, but the fact that he calls on him to think is ironic. When Qui-Gon was killed, it was Obi-Wan’s passionate anger and grief over the death of his master that gave him the strength and courage to defeat Darth Mor [Maul]. This demonstrates the affectionate love that the apprentice Jedi had for his Master. The characters use language such as ‘I pray…’ though there is nothing to which they could pray—not even an idol. It is a superfluous use of the word, for how could they pray, if the Force is not personal or sovereign? Along a similar line is the prophecy—for, if the Force is an impersonal, non-sovereign power, where do prophecies originate? How can there even be prophecy, if one can choose his own destiny, as Qui-Gon said to Anakin? But he also said “Our meeting was not a coincidence. Nothing happens by accident.” This is quite clearly incongruent, for how can one be in control of their personal destiny while at the same time “nothing happens by accident”? Finally, in direct contradiction to the imperative ‘do not hate’, Obi-Wan Kenobi uses ‘I hate…’ several times in connection to Anakin’s daring, and at times, disobedient antics.
After Anakin had reached young manhood, he began dreaming that his mother was in jeopardy. When finally he could stand the uncertainty no longer, he set out, (following his passions again), to rescue her from the danger she was in. He arrived just in time to free her before she died in his arms. He was furious at himself for not being powerful enough to save her life and vowed that he would not let someone he loved die again. When Padme attempted to console him, saying, “Anakin, you are not all powerful,” he responded, “I should be! I will become the most powerful Jedi—ever. I will even learn to stop people from dying!” This is another Christ-like parallel—the difference: Christ died to save people’s souls from eternal death, and rose again—King Eternal; Anakin never learned how to keep death from overtaking those he loved, nor himself for that matter. The second Person of the Trinity humbled Himself to take on the form of sinful man, to die for him that he might live eternally. The young Jedi apprentice in his arrogance thought to overcome death by his own strength—and failed.
The situation surrounding his mother’s death confused Anakin’s already conflicted mind even more about the nature of ‘good’ and ‘right’. After he and Padme were married and she told him she was pregnant, he began dreaming she would die in childbirth. Since the death of his mother and the promise he had made were still fresh in his mind, he began casting around to find a way to help his beloved wife. Darth Sidious, the Dark Lord, assured Anakin that if only he surrendered to the Dark Side, he would become powerful enough to save Padme from death. This seduction resulted just as the Dark Lord had expected: Anakin submitted himself to the evil Emperor. Anakin aptly described himself as a Sith just days prior to his switch of allegiance when he stated, “The Sith rely on their passion for their strength. They think only about themselves. The Jedi are selfless. They only care about others.” Padme did die during childbirth from a broken heart (she had twins), for Anakin betrayed everything she stood for in his attempt to save her life through turning to the Dark Side.
That Anakin’s attachment to the women in his life led to his turning to the Dark Side is a significant point. This is a very important concept because what is being encouraged here is the pagan idea that highly ‘spiritual’ people are to revoke all emotional human attachments. The Jedi were to live for the good of all, while being emotionally distant from all. Christ loved His people so much that He became a man in order to die and save His elect from eternal damnation. In John 15:12-13, He says, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one that this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” Christ Himself had emotions, for we are told that after Lazarus died, “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35)
Christians are not commanded to be unemotional and distant creatures, rather they are to be fully engaged with each other, caring for one another. For a person to rid himself of emotions is to strip himself of his humanity. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving
preference to one another,” (Romans 12:10). Nevertheless, the brotherly love that God requires of His children is not outside the bounds of His
morality, free to do anything in the name of ‘love’. Rather, true love keeps the commandments of God towards one’s neighbor. Because of his emotional love for his wife, Anakin followed his selfish passions, displaying that his love for her was not selfless. Ephesians 5:25 says, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her,” which is selfless love. Anakin’s passions were his highest law; and they led him into darkness.
Anakin’s name was changed to Darth Vader upon his surrender to the Sith Lord. Darth Sidious, now the Emperor of the Galactic Empire (formerly a Republic) issued Order 66. This order commanded the destruction of all Jedi—from the oldest and most experienced Jedi to the younglings—the children in training to be Jedi. As his first act of allegiance to his new master, Anakin helped to destroy the Jedi younglings who knew and trusted him. In this act of betrayal, Anakin is both betrayer and betrayed, in a fine example of the true paradox making up Lucas’ worldview. It is interesting to note regarding the decree of treachery, Order 66, that O is the 15th letter of the alphabet. If the 1 and the 5, which constitute 15, are added together, the sum is six. By placing this 6 before the 66 leaves you with 666, the number of the anti-Christ. We read in Revelation 13:18b, “His number is 666.” Anakin is an Antichrist figure as well as the Christ figure, once again portraying Ying Yang.
Only two Jedi escaped when Darth Sidious commanded the destruction of the Order: Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda. Obi-Wan fought Anakin at Yoda’s bidding and much to his own sorrow; it was in this final dual before Anakin’s transformation was completed that a significant exchange was held. Darth Vader, trying to convince his former Master to convert with him, declared, “If you’re not with me, then you are my enemy.” Obi-Wan’s response, “Only the Sith deal in absolutes,” discloses volumes. George Lucas believes that those who subscribe to absolutes (like true Christians) are an evil threat to the harmony of the universe. This is a dangerous philosophy. For if absolutes are evil, then truth is subjective. And, if truth is subjective, then everything is true and therefore nothing is actually true. If this notion is followed to its conclusion, it leaves only confusing and insufficient answers to life’s questions. Lucas is using a potent story to unmistakably teach that truth is subjective. For, as Obi-Wan told Luke, “many of the truths we cling to depend greatly upon our own point of view.” This clearly portrays a view of life which denies any universal standards. Since the subjectivity of truth implies that nothing is really ‘right’ or ‘wrong’, how is anyone to know what is right and best for himself, for the peace of mankind, and therefore, for the harmony of the universe? This ‘harmony’ is one of the main focuses of Lucas’ story—the balancing of the Force. Nevertheless, true harmony and peace will only result from the application of God’s Law and surrendering to His sovereign will.
Anakin and Obi-Wan carried out their duel in a fiery inferno. The burning pit of the volcanic planet Mustafar is a semblance of Hell. During the
struggle Obi-Wan said to Anakin, “you’re lost”. This is an absolute, a judgment, and therefore, a contradiction to Lucas’ (and Obi-Wan Kenobi’s)
premise of subjective truth. As the two former friends battled through the lava flow, Obi-Wan finally gained the high ground. As Anakin sprang viciously upon him, Obi-Wan terribly wounded him, cutting off both his legs and an arm with one stroke. As Anakin lay before him, Obi-Wan, with tears choking his voice, briefly reproached him for abandoning the good for the evil, “You were to be the chosen One” the one to restore the balance of the Force. The wounded Anakin bursts into flames—his burning alive is symbolic of his death, for the people of the Galactic Republic burned the bodies of their dead. This is his ‘crucifixion’. Lucas says the “suffering he had to go through” was “the consequences of the bad things he had done.” Contrast this with the suffering that Christ underwent, paying the consequences of His people’s evil deeds. As Anakin smoldered, physically and mentally, Obi-Wan hurried off, believing that the miserable young man would die. However, Anakin did not die, for the Dark Lord rescued him and restored him to functionality. As the mask, which allowed him to breathe, was placed over his head, Anakin Skywalker’s transformation into Darth Vader was complete. This action symbolizes Anakin’s burial. Darth Vader’s rising from his reconstruction back to usefulness is seen as his ‘birth’ as Vader. In a similar way, Christ was lifted up—however, that was on a cross to die for His own, not from a surgical table to live for himself. Christ says of Himself, “And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” (John 12:32) Likewise, Christ rose through His own power, while Anakin was ‘reborn’ through the power of the prince of darkness. No matter how desperately Anakin desired power, the control he gained from Darth Sidious is nothing in comparison to the power of God. The power of God Almighty is beyond all comprehension. “For with God nothing will be impossible.” (Luke 1:37)
Years passed as Anakin and Padme’s twins, Luke and Leia, matured with no knowledge of each other, or of their father. After Luke was mostly grown, Obi-Wan Kenobi began training him as a Jedi. Shortly after Obi-Wan began instructing Luke, Darth Vader killed the old Master Jedi. Lucas does not see death to be the result of sin, as demonstrated when Yoda told Anakin, “Death is natural. Rejoice for those who transform into the Force. Mourn them, do not.” When Vader killed Obi-Wan he did not destroy him as he thought to because Obi-Wan and Yoda, who eventually finished Luke’s training, became separate entities within the Force upon their deaths. Unlike all other living beings, they did not become part of the Force at death, their Midi-cholorians simply melting back into the supply. They had enough power and control over the Force to hold their physical forms and their individuality together, even as they ceased to breathe. (This would also explain why their bodies disappeared mysteriously upon death.)
When Luke finally faced his father, now knowing who he was, he strove to return him to the good side of the Force informing him, “I feel the good in you; the conflict.” To which Vader firmly retorted, “There is no conflict.” Luke refused to fight him, except in self-defense and continued his attempts to influence him back to the good side. Meanwhile the Emperor, Darth Sidious, used psychological arguments in his determination to crush Luke’s spirit and bring him over to the Dark Side. While trying to ignore Darth Sidious, Luke told his father, “You couldn’t bring yourself to kill me before, and I don’t believe you’ll destroy me now.” Eventually the Emperor, exasperated with young Skywalker’s resistance to evil, began electrocuting him. Luke, while writhing in excruciating pain, begged his father to have mercy on him. After a moment’s hesitation, Darth Vader pitched the evil Emperor down a long open shaft, killing him, but in doing so, destroyed himself as well. In addition to the electrical current shorting out Vader’s circuits, (after all, he was an artificial man since his burning), Darth Sidious was keeping him alive through his power while using Darth Vader’s great knowledge of the Force to conquer the galaxy. As Vader lay dying, he had his son remove his mask. This is yet another Christ-like parallel, the death and resurrection of the savior. In his death, he brought balance back to the Force, through rejecting evil by his own strength. This is autonomy. The removal of the mask symbolizes his having been ‘resurrected’ as Anakin. Upon his death, he joined Obi-Wan Kenobi and Yoda as separate entities in the Force. This is a semblance, an imitation, of the Trinity. Whether intentionally or not George Lucas was making mock of Christianity and Christianity’s God when he wrote Star Wars. Anakin is portrayed as both the Christ and the Antichrist. He was one man, yet he had two natures, one ‘good’ and one ‘evil’. This is Ying Yang again, for by being both he brought balance to the Force.
George Lucas says of Darth Vader, “The one people thought was the villain was actually the victim. The story is really about the villain trying to regain his humanity.” Lucas views true humanity as innately good, even when one has faults. This is observed when Padme, upon discovering that Anakin had turned to evil, cried, “You’re a good person, Anakin! Don’t do this!” Lucas believes that evil people never see themselves as evil, “they think they are doing good.” He also calls Darth Sidious the Devil. This brings up the point that George Lucas, though he would say that he does not believe in absolutes, uses both absolute terms and ideas in his movies and in his own interviews. He uses ‘good’ and ‘evil’ in a standard of right and wrong, (though not the true Biblical standard), as displayed in Star Wars; however, it is influenced, unconsciously, by the Truth. Concrete words mean exactly what they are supposed to mean, but ironically, they are used by a man who would declare that he does not believe in absolutes. This contradiction is a marvelous tribute to God and the fact that His law is written in the hearts of mankind. Romans 2:14-15 declares:
"for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law,
are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness,
and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them…”
As hard as men try to live consistently with their false philosophies and worldviews, they never can truly do so, for God’s truth is stronger and more
powerful than any so-called truth that man can invent. They must live in reality, even when they claim otherwise.
As a footnote to the fundamentally philosophical aspects of this myth, there are a few items of interest. Some ought to remind us to be wary, while others are just interesting. First off, there is some near nudity in these films, along with some sensuously suggestive material. This has mainly to do with Jabba the Hut, a repulsive sadistic tyrant. He had a harem, for which he cared nothing, except what sensual pleasure he could derive from them. He enjoyed watching the pain and suffering of any creature that displeased him. In Star Wars, humans are not the only creatures able to think rationally. Nearly every creature is to some extent rational. Some living things are more ‘advanced’ than others as well, i.e. the dwellers on Kamino seem to be in some ways more ‘intelligent’ (they specialize in cloning), than the Gugadin (a sort of ‘primitive’ creature). This shows the evolutionary aspect of the work. Han Solo (a bold independent man who disliked authority) is a sort of galactic American-cowboy. He grows from being an untrusting man with no friends, loyal to no one but his Wookie pal, Chewbacca, to having several very close friends for whom he would lay down his life. The music used in these movies often has a Wagnerian flair. Personally, I find this of interest for several reasons. 1) Wagner hated Christianity; 2) he was both Nietzsche and Hitler’s favorite composer; 3) in his ‘Ring Cycle’ operas he put forth the ideal of the Superman. To tie this in to the subject at hand, Lucas as well has no love for Christianity (if he did he would not twist the truth as he has). Anakin is a ‘Superman’ in a manner of speaking. Also, the Emperor’s military dresses like Hitler’s Nazis. This draws us into one of the more fascinating facets in the series. George Lucas uses architectural styles from all cultures and ages, along with an eccentric conglomeration of clothing, hairstyles, and customs. Gothic architecture is blended with Moroccan in one place; in another you have the stark sterile look of empty modern philosophy coupled with alien creatures. There is the Roman Colosseum complete with the ‘sport’. In other locales are modern factories; and in yet another, Afghani mud hovels. The Jedi temple is a cross between a Babylonian temple, an Islamic mosque (the minarets), an Aztec temple, and an Egyptian tomb. Lucas attempted to combine all world religions in one non-religion, which is of course, a religion, (in fact it is even called a religion by the subjects of the Emperor and Vader uses the word ‘faith’ to describe belief in the Force). The Emperor’s bodyguards are clothed in red, much like Roman Catholic Cardinals. The Jedi are dressed as a cross between Japanese warriors and Roman Catholic monks. They have a similar code in some ways to the monk’s asceticism. Be wary of these things, for when secular man mockingly uses images which to the world spell “Christian” or “Church”, then grave danger hides in plain sight.
Biblical language and imagery is used extensively in these movies. It is disturbing when those who have no reverence for the God of Scripture use
Biblical language. At least three times in these films, the Bible is quoted almost verbatim. Here is a catalog of the uses of Biblical imagery and
language. Anakin’s virgin birth is first. He was conceived by the Midi-cholorians, which could be called the ‘god particle’ of the Force. The prophecy of ‘the one to bring balance back to the Force’ is similar to the Scriptural prophecies of the Redeemer of the God’s people. “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a Son, and shall call His name Immanuel, [which means ‘God-with-us.]” (Isaiah 7:14b) “But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’” (Matthew 1:20-21) In Matthew 2:13b-15 we read,
"behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, ‘Arise, take the young Child and His mother,
flee to Egypt, and stay there until I bring you word; for Herod will seek the young Child to destroy Him.” When he arose,
he took the young Child and His mother by night and departed for Egypt, and was there until the death of Herod, that
it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying, "'Out of Egypt have I called My son.”’”
This quotation comes from Hosea 11:1 “When Israel was a child, I loved him, and out of Egypt I called My son.” This was originally applied to the nation of Israel being brought out of Egypt where they had been enslaved. In much a similar fashion, Anakin was brought from a wilderness planet where he had been a slave. Here we see the Christ-figure coming out of slavery in a desert land, as Israel and Christ came forth in their own times, according to the prophecy. When Anakin swore to discover the way to keep people from dying, he was attempting to do what no mere man can do—rebel against the natural order of things. (In the Biblical view, death is the result of sin and is therefore not truly natural, so Anakin was rather attempting to reverse the work of the fall.) Only through Christ Jesus can death be defeated, first spiritual death and secondly physical death, through the resurrection. There is one very brief mention of a ‘netherworld’ (an afterlife) in one of these films. Yoda had discovered that Qui-Gon Jinn had found the way to return from this netherworld, where it appears one is immortal. (Through contact with Qui-Gon, Yoda and Obi-Wan learned how to become powerful enough to hold their individuality together at death.) A netherworld is in complete contradiction to the pantheistic idea of the Force, where at death one disintegrates back into the Midi-cholorian pool. However, in the Biblical worldview, there is a physical afterlife. One has either eternal life with the Father or eternal separation from Him. Anakin’s fear of loss through death led him down a dark path. Darth Sidious, who knew his weaknesses well, told Anakin the legend of a certain Sith lord, who was so powerful that he could influence the Midi-cholorians so far as to make life or keep someone alive. This Darth Plagueis was killed by his apprentice. Darth Sidious remarked, “It’s ironic; he could save others from death, but not himself.” This is what the Pharisees said about Jesus, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” (Luke 23:35b) However, it was not Christ’s plan to ‘save Himself’ but rather to save His people from their sins. The Emperor quoted Christ on the cross as he said, “It is finished,” when the Jedi were destroyed. In Christ’s case though, “It is finished,” was in reference to the completion of the work of salvation, not of the work of destruction. The Jedi Council consisted of twelve members, for the most part Jedi Masters, a parallel to the Twelve Apostles. As the Emperor took control of the Galactic Senate, thereby transforming the Republic into the Empire, he lifted his hands in the fashion usually associated with a priest or minister blessing his congregation. When Anakin told Obi-Wan, “If you are not with me, then you are my enemy,” he nearly quoted Matthew 12:30 “He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters abroad.” As the Dark lord came to rescue Vader after his defeat by Obi-Wan (the evil by the good), Vader rolled over into the sign of the cross, or as close as can be gotten while missing both legs and an arm. (Remember, this was his ‘crucifixion’.) Anakin’s ‘death’ and ‘rebirth’ as Darth Vader, and then his ‘death’ and ‘resurrection’ back into Anakin, is a play upon Christ’s death on the cross and resurrection on the third day…the work of salvation being completed. Then of course there is the semblance of the Trinity—Yoda, Obi-Wan, and Anakin. (Yoda portrayed as the Father, Anakin, the Son, and Obi-Wan, the Holy Spirit.) This is mockery. “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life.” (Galatians 6:7-8)
Here let us take a brief pause. This may be complete speculation, yet I believe it is not completely unfounded. Return to the story Darth Sidious told Anakin, stirring the unrest in him. The story of Darth Plagueis is interesting. This Dark Lord had the power to make life. I think it reasonable to deduce that he was the one who ‘seeded’ Anakin within his mother’s womb. If this is the case, then Anakin originated from the dark side of the Force, was brought to the good side by Qui-Gon, conquered by Sidious (whom I believe killed Plagueis), and finally through his own strength re-embraced the good side, dying as he did so and bringing balance back to the Force. If my reasoning is correct than we see yet another way in which George Lucas has perverted the true account of our Lord’s life and death. A devil character created the savior, who for a great deal of his life, was evil. The savior then dies, returning to good in the process. Anakin brought about the full circle of life (Ying Yang), an eastern concept which Western minds find hard to grasp.
While the primary subject of interest has been Anakin Skywalker and his Biblical parallels, let us turn our attention briefly to Luke Skywalker and the Biblical imagery associated with him. Luke was, in a manner of speaking, the means of his father’s redemption. George Lucas says as much when he stated that Vader “is redeemed by his son.” He offered, through his refusal to surrender to evil and his firm belief that Darth Vader was not completely bad, a means of redemption for his father. After a fashion then, Luke is also a Christ-figure. He is what his father could have been. Indeed, in many ways Luke was his father, a skillful daring pilot, and a rather passionate, impetuous young man. The difference was that Luke learned to control his passions and developed a correct (Jedi-like) understanding of the Force. As Yoda explained to him, “A Jedi uses the Force for knowledge and defense. Never for attack.” It was during the time that Yoda was training him that Luke had a ‘regeneration’ experience, a putting to death of the old man, as it were. While alone in the jungle of the Degabas system, he was confronted in a vision by ‘Darth Vader’, whom he ‘killed’. As he stood looking at the severed head, the mask melted away, and horrified, Luke saw his own face within. This vision showed him that he was part of his father and that he would have to destroy that part of himself. It is also symbolic of his complete rejection of the Dark Side and his true ‘conversion’ to belief in the Force. This is also in many ways parallel to Christ’s temptation by the Devil, “And He was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan, and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered to Him.” (Mark 1:13) From this experience, Luke went on to redeem his father at the moon En Dor, where the second Death Star was being built. The interesting thing here is that En Dor was the place where Saul consulted a medium to call up the prophet Samuel, the day before his death! (I Samuel 28:7-25) En Dor means fountain (or well) of habitation, also interesting as this was where the new Republic gained its freedom to exist.
Another instance in which Luke and Anakin were alike was the fact that they both lost their right arm and/or hand in combat with a Sith Lord Apprentice. Anakin’s right arm was severed fighting a certain Dooku—the consequences of Anakin’s rash passion. Dooku had formerly been a Jedi
Master. Later Anakin killed Dooku, upon Chancellor Palpatine’s directions. (Palpatine was Sidious, though none knew it at that point. He was setting up for his entrapment of Anakin.) Luke lost his right hand to his father Darth Vader, who also had been a Jedi, though not a Master. After a fashion, Luke killed Vader by removing the mask. [edit--both, in essence, beheadings.] The significance of the right arm is great in Scripture. It signifies great strength and power, as found in Psalm 20:6 “Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with the saving strength of His right hand.” It is a position of great honor and glory, ‘The LORD said to my Lord, "Sit at My right hand, till I make Your enemies Your footstool." (Psalm 110:1) The right hand also defines the type of man, “Rescue me and deliver me from the hand of foreigners, whose mouth speaks lying words, and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood”. (Psalm 144:11) Both men received a mechanical replacement for the severed limb that was stronger than the human arm. Through the sacrifice of the body, they gained greater strength.
There is but one more subject of interest to be discussed. The names Lucas chose for his characters are very significant. To some much of the following may seem far-fetched, but having seen how nothing in this story is accidental, I seriously question that Lucas would give his characters names with no significance. In fact, I view the names as a clinching argument that the parallels are not just coincidental accidents. Whether the names are identical or extremely similar to other names, or are derived from other languages, it is interesting to sit back and reflect on them. The following is certainly not an evaluation of all the names in the movies, but it glances at many of the most important characters’ appellations. (Due to ignorance of Eastern languages, most of the Jedi’s names are not discussed. However, Obi-Wan Kenobi’s alias ‘Ben’ means ‘son’ in Hebrew.) The hero and villain of the story, Anakin’s name is derived from the Greek anakainóō, meaning ‘to make new’ or ‘renew’. His nickname, Ani is very significant as well. It appears to be derived from the Hebrew ani or 'anokiy, meaning ‘I’, ‘me’, or ‘which’. To one who knows the tale, the symbolism of Anakin’s name will be quite clear—‘I renew’. He was the balancer (or renewer) of the Force. Padme’s name, whether or not this is where Lucas obtained it, is found in a Tibetan meditation formula “Om Mane Padme Hum” meaning something like “Hail to the Jewel in the Lotus” (The Universe Next Door by James Sire, pg 124). It seems that perhaps her name means Jewel, which would be rather appropriate since she was her husband’s prize jewel. If my analysis of these two names is correct, they are from the East and West and symbolize the balance of nature, the Ying Yang concept. Anakin’s mothers name was Shmi. This appears to be from shim’ath, meaning ‘annunciation’. Note yet again the parallel between Christ and Anakin’s virgin births—Mary had an annunciation of Jesus’ birth, Shmi’s name means annunciation. Darth Sidious is taken from the Latin īnsidiae, meaning a ‘snare’ or ‘trap’, a very fitting name. His other name, Palpatine, comes from the Latin palpō, meaning ‘to stroke’, ‘touch softly’ or ‘caress’. As Chancellor Palpatine, Darth Sidious subtlety hid his true self behind the front of a soft, kindly seeming, palpable man. Darth Mor’s name is clearly Latin. Mors means death, (the removal of the ‘s’ leaves the word steam--mor.) *[I have since been informed that this character's name is actually "Maul"--which is in itself rather self-explanatory. Though it appears to come from the Latin malleus, meaning 'hammer'.] This particular character looks much like a depiction of death or a devil which you find in old manuscripts. Darth Plagueis’ name could be derived from the word ‘plague’ or from the Latin plāga, which means, “blow”, “wound”. Darth Vader comes from the Latin invādō, “to invade”. In a manner of speaking, Darth Vader invaded Anakin and overcame him, transforming the one into the other. Darth, the title of the Sith lords, seems to be derived from Arthur, which in the Celtic means “exalted” or “noble”. The Sith’s name itself is the same as the ancient Egyptian god of death. His name was called Sith, or Seth. In Hebrew, Seth means ‘substituted’. Sith is also the Gaelic for fairy. (The Irish tales have some very demonic ‘fairies’ in them.) ‘Jedi’ appears to be derived from Hebrew as well, form the same word from which Yoda comes. Yada means to ascertain by seeing (Yoda had that power), as well as knowing. Jedi, I believe, may come from Jediael which means ‘knowing God’. Remove the ‘–ael’, God, and you have ‘Jedi’—knowing. Or leave the ‘–ael’. Either way it would be fitting since the Jedi ‘knew’ the Force and the Force was their god. Han Solo’s name means ‘man alone’, from Andrew, derived from the Greek anthropos, ‘man’, and from the Latin, solus, ‘alone’. This is an apt name for him, because a solitary man is what he was. Luke’s name means ‘light’ (from the Latin lūx, lūcis). He was the one who brought light to the galaxy. It is very interesting that George Lucas named Luke after himself, for the names mean the same thing. Luke’s sister Leia’s name is very similar to Leah, the Hebrew of which means ‘the forsaken’. If this is where the name came from, then how Padme named her children tells the story of their father. In order of birth, their names mean 'light forsaken’ which is what Anakin became upon his turning into Darth Vader.
With a greater understanding of the tale, let the Christian ask concerning the Star Wars saga, “Is this just a captivating story with good guys and bad guys, appealing light-saber fights, exciting action, and cool sound effects? Is this an epic depiction of the Christian struggle between good and evil?” Certainly not! The worldview being perpetrated by these movies is gaining ground, even in Reformed Churches. It is unsettling when the sons of elders exchange sharp words over who gets to impersonate Darth Vader, and when young men who have grown up in the church strive to emulate the arrogant, unsettled, and intense Anakin. The pantheistic philosophy of this fable, which claims there is no Sovereign Creator God, undermines humanity’s value. The belief that truth is subjective, that there are no absolutes, and reason is not to be exercised, is a danger to all that Christianity is. George Lucas has taken the only true religion, Christianity, and has blended it with other religions. He has twisted it and mangled it hideously by switching the nature of the Savior from infallible God to that of a very human, fallible man, who cannot even save himself. He has taken our faith and ridiculed it by perverting it from pure Truth to a muddled, mixed up fairy tale. He insults Christ and laughs up his sleeve for the Church had surrendered to the Dark Side…totally unaware that his destructive philosophy is directly in front of their blind, uneducated noses. (Ignorance is not bliss; it is deprivation.) You can see his philosophy easily if only you know how to observe. It is true that whatever you steep yourself in, whether books, movies, art, or music, it will shape who you are and what you believe. Therefore, beware of the menace of Star Wars…it is not something to be trifled with!
Copyrighted 2011 by Racheal Parker