Our Murderous Heritage
by Lance Ponder(95)http://fkiprofessor.xanga.com
The following dialog is from an episode of a popular sci-fi series, Battlestar Galactica. The character Gaius Baltar, a civilian, was forced to shoot someone in his own group to protect someone else in the group in a battlefield situation. This poignant dialog addresses a deep theme - what does it mean to be human? Good science fiction - or any kind of fiction for that matter - not only allows but causes us to think...
Six: I'm so proud of you Gaius.
Baltar: Why? Because I've taken a life?
Six: It what makes you Human.
Baltar: Is it? Not conscience thought? Not poetry, or art or music, literature? Murder. Murder is my heritage. Is that the lesson I'm supposed to pass on to our child?
Gen 2:15-17 The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.”
Gen 3:4 But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die."
Is Six right? Isn't being human, at least being a fallen human, all about loosing life? Aren't we in a dying world, ourselves dying?
Jn 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.
Jesus Christ alone can claim victory over death. It is only when we can claim him that we can claim victory over death ourselves.
Perhaps to take life is human, but to give life is divine.
What do you think?
Article submitted Tuesday, July 20, 2010 & read 128 times.
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» left by Teresa Ortiz from California (51 days 22 hours ago.)
Hi Lance, great connection! You are right. SO much can be gleaned, and is in fact, purposely implied in fiction.In our humanity, we tend to break the spirit of others by how we treat them. But to offer support and lift the spirit of another often takes effort and living in the Spirit - yes to give life, whether literally or figuratively, is divine. Love this little, but powerful devotional. Thanks for sharing another part of your personality and wisdom, what a gift. Blessings, TeresaRespond to this comment
» left by Lance Ponder(95) (51 days 20 hours ago.)
I am a BIG fan of sci-fi. I can see great allegorical lessons in many places such as Matrix, BSG, Superman, Star Wars, and a few other places many Christians prefer not to go. The thing is, if you want to communicate with the people of the world you need to be able to relate to them, show them what they think of as simple entertainment and how those things reflect the truths of the greatest story ever told.
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» left by Teresa Ortiz (51 days 16 hours ago.)
I am a big fan of sci-fi as well! I used to watch Batlestar faithfully when I was a kid. Love Star wars - tons of lessons there, same with Matrix. Alot of Stephen King's sci-fi stuff too. We do have to be relateable. Do you like Ted Dekker ? He writes the best allegory stories out there!
Have you seen Avitar? One of my favorites!
Jesus used allegories all of the time, He was relateable and we need to be the same.
May the Lord continue to bless the work of your hands as you continue to serve him!
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» left by Lance Ponder(95) (50 days 18 hours ago.)
A friend recently gave me a Dekker book to read. I haven't had time yet, but eventually I will.
As for Battlestar, I remember the original series fondly, though it was very campy. The reimagined Battlestar is nothing like the original except for the very general plot of post-apolocypse run for your lives. If you don't know the new series, I suggest renting it or checking it out through your library, but start at the beginning and watch it in order. That's the only way it will really make sense. It is kind of like Tolkein in that it is an epic story with a clear start, middle and end - and many threads woven together into a dramatic tapistry. Some of the things I like about BSG (new) is its approach to religion, politics, and the role of the military and interplay between political, military and religious forces. The writers go out of their way to raise challenging questions but step back from preaching their own answers. I have a lot of respect for that. The cast was actually invited to the UN a couple of years ago to speak to the assembly about race and culture relations. The series did ground-breaking stuff rivaling the first interracial TV kiss from Star Trek. In one BSG episode a principle character is humbled in a prison cell, afraid of dying, and repents to the "one true God" begging to be spared and offering to dedicate "whatever is left of my miserable existance to Your service." We actually get to see this deeply flawed character be born again and rescued by God for a higher purpose - not something I've ever seen in ANY other sci-fi.
Star wars is an interesting story with a clear plot as well. There were both good and evil forces at work, a certain mysticism, and then there were normal people caught up in the middle having to make tough choices, and all the stuff of good fiction. But then it was full of aliens and nonsense.
The Matrix is probably the best all time allegory for Christianity, often overtly. The principle character is liberated from the lies of the world, literally born again, able to see with his real eyes for the first time, and taught how to interact with the false world and overcome its lies in order to set other captives free. As for me, I'll take the red pill, thank you very much.
I have not yet seen Avitar. My wife is the King nut in our family. I guess that about covers the basics.
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» left by Teresa (45 days 16 hours ago.)
I agree with your commentary :-)
You will appreciate Ted Dekker's style. My favorite is Black, Red, and White.
You'll have to let me now what you think of the one he gave you.
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» left by Patricia Davis from Live Center (45 days 2 hours ago.)
Hey Lance. Good stuff! We'll have to talk!Respond to this comment
