I saw the teaser trailer for Superman Returns the other day. As you watch scenes from the movie, you hear the voice of Jor-El, played by Marlon Brando. This isn’t an exact quote, but he says, “They are not a bad people. They can be a great race. All they need is someone to guide them. That’s why I’m sending you, my only son, to be a shining light to guide the way.” I immediately recognized what I’m sure is an intentional comparison by the movie writers – Jesus. Jesus, God’s only son, called himself the “Light of the world”. He was sent to save us from the destruction caused by sin.
Watching that trailer made me think about all the other parallels to Jesus you find in the movies or even in literature. I could write for days and never exhaust the list. George Lucas borrowed many elements from Christianity in the theology of Star Wars. Phenomenon, starring John Travolta, gives us a Jesus-like character with suddenly miraculous powers, brought about by sudden flash of light one night ( a star of Bethlehem perhaps?). Eleven year old Trevor McKinney in Pay it Forward shows us how we ought to live and then gives his life for a friend. You certainly can’t leave out Neo from the Matrix Trilogy.
There are others that might not seem so obvious like John Conley from The Green Mile. He performs miracles and even has the same initials. Some movies never set up a perfect or even miraculous hero, but always end with a moment of self-sacrifice for the good of the world – Bruce Willis in Armageddon or Robert DeNiro in Sudden Impact. Mr. Spock even said the “good of the many outweigh the needs of the few” right before giving up his life in Star Trek 2: The Wrath of Khan, only to be resurrected in Star Trek 3:The Search for Spock.
Here’s my question. Why is this such a popular theme or motif? Is there something within us that is naturally searching for such a person? If so why is that need there? Why don’t we find obvious widespread use of Hindu themes and theology in film and literature or any other religion for that matter? Is it because down deep we somehow know there really is only one way and it is through Jesus Christ?
Just a thought. What are yours?
When is the right time?
-
This past week I had coffee with the pastor of the church we're now
attending. I talked for about an hour straight, telling my story. All the
while he prov...
15 years ago
1 comment:
True, but most people do not recognize the parallels I mention above. It's only after I point them out that the light goes on and they say "ahhh." I don't believe it's as simple as this is a familiar theme so let's use it. How many times do we get tired of the underdog story or the tragic lovers who can't seem to get it together or the star-crossed lovers who finally do get it together?
Post a Comment