What's Christian about Star Trek? Nothing. That's the way most people see it and that certainly seems to be the way the franchise is intended. There's no question that the Trek universe is based on a doggedly humanistic worldview and is set in a future time when religion has essentially vanished from Earth. If that's the case, how can there even be a Gospel According to Star Trek? In The Gospel According to Star Trek, you'll discover how the continuing voyages of Kirk and company aboard the Enterprise - from the Original Series to Star Trek Beyond - tell us more about our human quest for God than you ever imagined. You'll learn how Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry's own spiritual quest informed the franchise, what he and the series really have to say about God and religion, and the amazing image of Christ contained in Star Trek's most popular character. You'll also see how Star Trek can help us recover a deeper, more fully human gospel that embraces our humanity instead of denigrating it and echoes the call of both Spock and Christ: 'Live long and prosper!' (John 10:10).
What’s Christian about Star Trek? Nothing. That’s the way most people see it and that certainly seems to be the way the franchise is intended. There’s no question that the Trek universe is based on a doggedly humanistic worldview and is set in a future time when religion has essentially vanished from Earth. If that’s the case, how can there even be a Gospel According to Star Trek? In The Gospel According to Star Trek, you’ll discover how the continuing voyages of Kirk and company aboard the Enterprise – from the Original Series to Star Trek Beyond – tell us more about our human quest for God than you ever imagined. You’ll learn how Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry’s own spiritual quest informed the franchise, what he and the series really have to say about God and religion, and the amazing image of Christ contained in Star Trek’s most popular character. You’ll also see how Star Trek can help us recover a deeper, more fully human gospel that embraces our humanity instead of denigrating it and echoes the call of both Spock and Christ: ‘Live long and prosper!’ (John 10:10).
In this thorough and engaging book, Gabriel McKee explores the inherent theological nature of science fiction, using illustrations from television shows, literature, and films. Science fiction, he believes, helps us understand not only who we are but who we will become. McKee organizes his chapters around theological themes, using illustrations from authors such as Isaac Asimov and H. G. Wells, television shows such as Star Trek and The Twilight Zone, and films such as The Matrix and Star Wars. With its extensive bibliography and index, this is a book that all serious science fiction fans--not just those with a theological interest--will appreciate.
McDowell explores the many spiritual themes that weave throughout the six films and shows the moral and spiritual complexity of the movies. The author contends that George Lucas, creator of the series, did not intend for his films to be mere entertainment.
When cultures such as ours toss Jesus out one door, He comes in – albeit disguised – through another. That’s why author Jim Papandrea turned to Star Wars, Star Trek, The Matrix, Terminator, Spider-Man, Batman, Dr. Who, and half-a-dozen other modern shows, discovering in each one powerful images of Christ and salvation. Nor is that surprising. In stories of alternative universes, people always need rescuing; somebody needs to save the day; and sometimes the whole world cries out for a savior . . . which is just what a hero is. About the heroes of some of the most popular sci-fi stories of all time, author Papandrea here answers questions that concern Christians who are also Trekkies, Whovians, Matrix Dwellers, or aficionados of popular science fiction: What kind of “Christ-figure” is the hero of this story, and what does that say about the show’s vision of Christ, humanity and salvation? In the interest of being scientific, Papandrea even gives each hero a Numerical Orthodoxy Score based on the description of Christ in the Nicene Creed, Christianity’s common definition of orthodoxy. Included herein are astute Christian analyses of: Batman * Captain * America * Doctor Who * The Fifth Element * I, Robot * Iron Man * LOST * The Matrix * Planet of the Apes * Pleasantville * Spider-Man * Star Trek * Star Wars * Superman * The Terminator * The Time Machine * Tron * Wonder Woman Here you’ll read about: The pervasive Christian imagery in Doctor WhoStar Trek’s predicted “death of God”Free-will: the stumbling block in the first MatrixThe crucifixion of Spider-ManWhy Wonder Woman is an image of a gnostic saviorThe meaning of salvation in Star Wars (It masquerades as Christian)How Superman’s life begins as a parallel of Moses.I, Robot: the religious reason why the robot is called “Sonny”Whether, in any Christian sense, Neo is The One?Captain American and Iron-Man: one defends the innocent, the other brings justice to the guiltyThe tomb scene in the Fifth Element: it’s not the resurrection we needMatter vs. Spirit in Tron: gnostic to the coreThe anti-Christian bias of Planet of the ApesWhy the Force in Star Wars is no analogy to Grace or the Holy SpiritThe Star Wars Christ figure: Obi-Wan? Luke? Or even, ultimately, Darth VaderWhat Heaven is understood to be in the LOST universeTime travel as incarnation in The Terminator: a compelling analogyRegeneration as resurrection in Doctor Who: Is it Christ-like?How Pleasantville reverses the dynamism of the FallThe baptismal significance of the plane crash in LOSTPleasantville: a twisted version of EdenThe incarnation of the Christ-figure in Planet of the ApesTron’s parallels between Christianity and the Roman Empire . . . and much more about other science fiction and superhero shows! Christians who enjoy popular culture will greet this fun book with interest and acclaim.
For more than three decades, Walt "Baby" Love has touched the lives of more than ten million listeners across the world. Every week he shares his triumphs, challenges, and soul-stirring moments through his award-winning radio programs. He has built a following of millions of listeners and repeatedly shattered racial barriers as a black man in an industry long dominated by whites. Yet this former army paratrooper with the famed 82nd Airborne Division, who served in Southeast Asia, also broke ground as a man of disciplined, abiding faith who refused to bow to corrupt influences. His enormously popular syndicated rhythm-and-blues show lost its spot on a Chicago radio station because Walt would not refrain from counseling his listeners to look to Jesus. Though beloved by his devoted listeners, Walt was often treated as an outcast by other African-American broadcasters and industry executives because of his outspoken and steadfast devotion to the Christian way of life. Still, both earthly and heavenly rewards have come in great abundance to the man raised by his great-grandparents in rural Pennsylvania. In The Gospel According to Rev. Walt "Baby" Love he offers reflections and inspirational thoughts drawn from his life. He shares how his religious convictions helped him survive and thrive in an industry he believed to be rife with corruption and ungodly influences. And he recounts the story of his progression of faith from a player of gospel and R&B music to an ordained minister and preacher of God's Word. Each chapter focuses on a Bible verse, reflecting on its significance to him and guiding you on how to incorporate its teachings into your own daily life. An uplifting story of faith, family, and forgiveness in the face of God's plan, The Gospel According to Rev. Walt "Baby" Love is inspirational reading at its best.
From pre-New Testament texts comes a true picture of Jesus as savior, sage, and common man--allowing readers to see an image of Jesus unadulterated by 2,000 years of myth and interpretation. Photos & maps.
In the forty-year history of Star Trek®, none of the television show's actors are more beloved than DeForest Kelley. His portrayal of Leonard "Bones" McCoy, the southern physician aboard the Starship Enterprise™, brought an unaffected humanity to the groundbreaking space frontier series. Jackson DeForest Kelley came of age in Depression-era Georgia. He was raised on the sawdust trail, a preacher's kid steeped in his father's literal faith and judgment. But De's natural artistic gifts called him to a different way, and a visit to California at seventeen showed a bright new world. Theater and radio defined his early career -- but it was a World War II training film he made while serving in the Army Air Corps that led to his first Paramount Studios contract. After years of struggle, his lean, weathered look became well known in notable westerns and television programs such as You Are There and Bonanza. But his work on several pilots for writer-producer Gene Roddenberry changed his destiny and the course of cultural history. This thoroughly researched actor's life is about hard work and luck, loyalty and love. It is a journey that takes us all...from sawdust to stardust.
A young Irish nun finds herself the guardian of a mysterious manuscript claiming to be the lost gospel of Mary, when she realizes that church authorities are willing to kill to get their hands on it . . . An old and dying nun has turned up at Deirdre's monastery in Ireland with an ancient manuscript on a papyrus roll. When Deirdre reads the first line, she realizes it claims to be a previously unknown gospel written by Mary, the mother of Jesus. The church authorities in Rome have been seeking to destroy this gospel for centuries, claiming it is a forgery that threatens the very foundations of the faith. Deirdre begins to translate the gospel, but when a delegate of the pope arrives in Kildare searching for the text, she must set out across Ireland seeking safety as the church and its henchmen are hot on her trail. What does the gospel say? And why is the church so afraid of it?
The Gospel of Hip Hop: First Instrument, the first book from the I Am Hip Hop, is the philosophical masterwork of KRS ONE. Set in the format of the Christian Bible, this 800-plus-page opus is a life-guide manual for members of Hip Hop Kulture that combines classic philosophy with faith and practical knowledge for a fascinating, in-depth exploration of Hip Hop as a life path. Known as “The Teacha,” KRS ONE developed his unique outlook as a homeless teen in Brooklyn, New York, engaging his philosophy of self-creation to become one of the most respected emcees in Hip Hop history. Respected as Hip Hop’s true steward, KRS ONE painstakingly details the development of the culture and the ways in which we, as “Hiphoppas,” can and should preserve its future. "The Teacha" also discusses the origination of Hip Hop Kulture and relays specific instances in history wherein one can discover the same spirit and ideas that are at the core of Hip Hop’s current manifestation. He explains Hip Hop down to the actual meaning and linguistic history of the words “hip” and “hop,” and describes the ways in which "Hiphoppas" can change their current circumstances to create a future that incorporates Health, Love, Awareness, and Wealth (H-LAW). Committed to fervently promoting self-reliance, dedicated study, peace, unity, and truth, The "Teacha" has drawn both criticism and worship from within and from outside of Hip Hop Kulture. In this beautifully written, inspiring book, KRS ONE shines the light of truth, from his own empirical research over a 14-year period, into the fascinating world of Hip Hop.
