The Q collective tempt Riker with the "realization of impossible dreams" but to accept he must leave humanity forever.
We finally find out why Q keeps bothering the crew of the Enterprise. Turns out, the collective is stagnant and will apparently atrophy or die without some sort of fresh infusion of life force. Of all the creatures in the galaxy they choose humans because we're so gosh darn adventurous. This quality is so powerful that it is now obvious to the Q that humans will eventually evolve beyond what Q has obtained. So really what Q is attempting is a kind of sabotage. We finally get to see these super beings for what they really are, a meddling, dying race of hyper-dimensional beings. I think there is a great truth here for Christians. We know from the scriptures that we live in a world ruled by the Prince of the Power of the Air and his cronies, for now. But we also know that his days are numbered. Right now he's trying with all his mite to change his fate. There really is no chance that the story won't end as it's written, so Air Prince's only play is to try and drag down as many people with him as he can.
The other big idea in this episode is what Riker does when he's bestowed with the power of the Q. This is the bait to get him to come join the Q. While Riker is thinking it over, his new power drives a wedge between him and his friendships on board the Enterprise. There's a great scene where he gives Wes pre-mature adulthood, La Forge his sight and Worf a Klingon woman. But it only makes them all sad because to accept would mean the loss of Riker as a friend. Riker is confused by the results of his gifts but then understands that even though the Q offer the path of ease, it's not the path to happiness.
Showing posts with label the Devil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label the Devil. Show all posts
14 January 2013
10 December 2012
Blogging through STTNG: Justice
The Enterprise is faced with yet another chance to prove humans are special to a hyper-dimensional being; this time Wes' life and the ignorance/innocence of the Edo are on the line.
First of all, I love the continued interest in exploring what life that has access to higher dimensions would be like on this show. Since it's a purely naturalistic show, I guess it makes sense that each encounter with these types of life forms (like Q) is usually fairly distressful.
Life on Rubicun III is perfect, an Eden, governed with an iron hand by an invisible force in the sky. Laws are straightforward and easy to understand, but punishments are steep; death for the slightest infraction. Sound familiar? Isn't that just like an all-powerful invisible force to give paradise while threatening to kill you for putting one toe out of line? Isn't that what happened to Adam and Eve?
Short answer: NO. This isn't what it was like for Adam and Eve to fall from grace. I think that's what this episode is riffing on, but the story falls dreadfully short. The God of the Old Testament is not a God of cold justice, but of love; just like we recognize Him in the New Testament. When we talk about sin in the Bible, we also have to talk about the promise! They go together. The original story is in Genesis 3. Immediately after Adam and Eve sin they're confronted with God's mercy. They don't die physically (it can be argued I think that they did spiritually) and there is even a promise of a descendant of Eve who will overcome the evil started by the snake.
There are consequences of sin which cannot be ignored. To prove this, I played devil's advocate in the children's church lesson I taught a few weeks ago. I had prepared a section of 2x4 with a nail partly driven into it. I told the kids that I needed someone strong to help me drive it in the rest of the way. After my volunteer came up to the front and put on his safety goggles I presented him with a tool: my cheap plastic flashlight. There was doubt in his eyes, but I reassured him that it would be fine and encouraged him to strike with gusto. In his mind I could tell he didn't think it was a good idea probably because his dad had taught him the right way to drive a nail. But he also had a gleam of mischief and curiosity in his eye. It only took a couple blows for the flashlight to shatter, flinging batteries, springs and casing all over the platform. Now what? He foolishly believed an adult even though he knew the flashlight wouldn't drive the nail. And a real debt had been accumulated. When I walked into the classroom I had one flashlight. When I walked out I had none. I choose to forgive my volunteer the debt, so if I want to replace it, I'm on my own.
This illustration is closer to what happens when we break Gods law than the situation the Star Trek episode. God is always providing a way for us to be with Him still. Even to the first man and woman, he promised a solution. And God keeps His promises. Sometimes it takes a while. Depending on your math, it took between 4 and 10 thousand years for God to finally send Jesus. But he did it. And in the meantime, we have people like David & Michah writing about God's love and forgiveness.
I just read a story about this very topic. It's in Penelope Wilcock's book The Hawk & The Dove Trilogy. The Story is called "Who's the Fool Now." In it there is a debate between some monks about which of God's qualities, justice or mercy, is the primary (Riveting I know! The book is not about theological debates I promise. The stories are all about the strength of weakness and humility in the Christian life. They're heart-wrenching and will help you appreciate the suffering of Christ on a whole new level). The hero, Father Peregrine, has this to say about the topic:
"Justice is a path, yes a way; it is not a home. It is a framework, or a setting, but it was made to carry another jewel. Justice, like John the Baptist, is the forerunner, clears the road, for the coming of the Christ himself. And when he comes, he is compassion. He is love... Oh God forbid that our lives display the sterile correctness of men who have learned what justice is, but never tasted mercy.
...He clung like a terrier to a rat to his insistence on God's merciful love as the one, central, all-supporting fact of life." -p 195
These stories are amazing and if you have time, I highly recommend the book (it goes great with Tim Keller's book, The Prodigal God).
Back on Rubicun III, the only solution for the crew of the Enterprise is to point out that a society based on pure justice isn't possible. Picard says there is no such thing as justice as long as laws are absolute. This violates the prime directive, shatters the Edo's ignorance, and frees Wes. Riker closes the episode by wondering if justice has ever been as simple as a rulebook. Both Picard and Riker fail to see the genius and love in the self-sacrifice of the law giver that we have access to on this planet. How else can a debt be paid back to an infinite God? Star Trek can't address this issue fully because there's no room for a creator God in the narrow universe the Enterprise is exploring. Thankfully we have the benefit of a God who makes Himself known, who shouts His message of love and mercy into anyone's heart who will be brave enough to look for truth.
First of all, I love the continued interest in exploring what life that has access to higher dimensions would be like on this show. Since it's a purely naturalistic show, I guess it makes sense that each encounter with these types of life forms (like Q) is usually fairly distressful.
Life on Rubicun III is perfect, an Eden, governed with an iron hand by an invisible force in the sky. Laws are straightforward and easy to understand, but punishments are steep; death for the slightest infraction. Sound familiar? Isn't that just like an all-powerful invisible force to give paradise while threatening to kill you for putting one toe out of line? Isn't that what happened to Adam and Eve?
Short answer: NO. This isn't what it was like for Adam and Eve to fall from grace. I think that's what this episode is riffing on, but the story falls dreadfully short. The God of the Old Testament is not a God of cold justice, but of love; just like we recognize Him in the New Testament. When we talk about sin in the Bible, we also have to talk about the promise! They go together. The original story is in Genesis 3. Immediately after Adam and Eve sin they're confronted with God's mercy. They don't die physically (it can be argued I think that they did spiritually) and there is even a promise of a descendant of Eve who will overcome the evil started by the snake.
There are consequences of sin which cannot be ignored. To prove this, I played devil's advocate in the children's church lesson I taught a few weeks ago. I had prepared a section of 2x4 with a nail partly driven into it. I told the kids that I needed someone strong to help me drive it in the rest of the way. After my volunteer came up to the front and put on his safety goggles I presented him with a tool: my cheap plastic flashlight. There was doubt in his eyes, but I reassured him that it would be fine and encouraged him to strike with gusto. In his mind I could tell he didn't think it was a good idea probably because his dad had taught him the right way to drive a nail. But he also had a gleam of mischief and curiosity in his eye. It only took a couple blows for the flashlight to shatter, flinging batteries, springs and casing all over the platform. Now what? He foolishly believed an adult even though he knew the flashlight wouldn't drive the nail. And a real debt had been accumulated. When I walked into the classroom I had one flashlight. When I walked out I had none. I choose to forgive my volunteer the debt, so if I want to replace it, I'm on my own.
This illustration is closer to what happens when we break Gods law than the situation the Star Trek episode. God is always providing a way for us to be with Him still. Even to the first man and woman, he promised a solution. And God keeps His promises. Sometimes it takes a while. Depending on your math, it took between 4 and 10 thousand years for God to finally send Jesus. But he did it. And in the meantime, we have people like David & Michah writing about God's love and forgiveness.
I just read a story about this very topic. It's in Penelope Wilcock's book The Hawk & The Dove Trilogy. The Story is called "Who's the Fool Now." In it there is a debate between some monks about which of God's qualities, justice or mercy, is the primary (Riveting I know! The book is not about theological debates I promise. The stories are all about the strength of weakness and humility in the Christian life. They're heart-wrenching and will help you appreciate the suffering of Christ on a whole new level). The hero, Father Peregrine, has this to say about the topic:
"Justice is a path, yes a way; it is not a home. It is a framework, or a setting, but it was made to carry another jewel. Justice, like John the Baptist, is the forerunner, clears the road, for the coming of the Christ himself. And when he comes, he is compassion. He is love... Oh God forbid that our lives display the sterile correctness of men who have learned what justice is, but never tasted mercy.
...He clung like a terrier to a rat to his insistence on God's merciful love as the one, central, all-supporting fact of life." -p 195
These stories are amazing and if you have time, I highly recommend the book (it goes great with Tim Keller's book, The Prodigal God).
Back on Rubicun III, the only solution for the crew of the Enterprise is to point out that a society based on pure justice isn't possible. Picard says there is no such thing as justice as long as laws are absolute. This violates the prime directive, shatters the Edo's ignorance, and frees Wes. Riker closes the episode by wondering if justice has ever been as simple as a rulebook. Both Picard and Riker fail to see the genius and love in the self-sacrifice of the law giver that we have access to on this planet. How else can a debt be paid back to an infinite God? Star Trek can't address this issue fully because there's no room for a creator God in the narrow universe the Enterprise is exploring. Thankfully we have the benefit of a God who makes Himself known, who shouts His message of love and mercy into anyone's heart who will be brave enough to look for truth.
05 December 2012
Blogging Through STTNG: Code of Honor
Yar becomes the prize to the winner of a diplomacy and patience contest between Picard and a planet chief named Lutan.
The Prime Directive is really the star of this episode. It's all about how the crew deals with having to respect a threatening culture they don't understand. Everyone realizes that there is a way to solve the problem with patience, eventually. It would only be destructive to force Lutan to give them what they want. In the end it pays off to obey the dictates of their duty.
How hard it is to do this! Especially when someone has done something wrong and we want to 'make it right again.' I know I spend way too much mental energy on phantom off-tellings in my head, or even wishing violence towards someone who has threatened me. But two wrongs don't make a right.
In this episode you get to see the crew manage their anger and confusion and fear. They have to take the time to thoroughly understand their situation and build a plan that honors their enemy. How can we be expected to honor our enemy?! Isn't this asking too much?
Think about this: is it OK to put down the Devil? I think some Christians feel like doing that gives them strength, or maybe helps them get over their fear of demons or something. Shouldn't we be getting our strength and peace from the all powerful God of Peace? What does the Scripture say about putting down the Devil? Check out Jude. In verse 8 we are given the example of Michael the archangel who, when given the chance, DOES NOT even judge, let alone put down, the Devil. Michael calls on the Lord. We are to appeal to our Creator and His order when faced with evil.
Also, does it make any sense to get over fear or draw strength from someone else's weakness? Yes, the Devil's days are numbered, but we're still not allowed to defame him or his agents, let alone those under their wicked control. With the power of the Holy Spirit (what other power could accomplish this?) we can acknowledge our enemy like Michael did and talk about our Lord.
Yet in the same way these men [sinners], also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties. But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil[false accuser] and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" - Jud 1:8-9 NASB
The Prime Directive is really the star of this episode. It's all about how the crew deals with having to respect a threatening culture they don't understand. Everyone realizes that there is a way to solve the problem with patience, eventually. It would only be destructive to force Lutan to give them what they want. In the end it pays off to obey the dictates of their duty.
How hard it is to do this! Especially when someone has done something wrong and we want to 'make it right again.' I know I spend way too much mental energy on phantom off-tellings in my head, or even wishing violence towards someone who has threatened me. But two wrongs don't make a right.
In this episode you get to see the crew manage their anger and confusion and fear. They have to take the time to thoroughly understand their situation and build a plan that honors their enemy. How can we be expected to honor our enemy?! Isn't this asking too much?
Think about this: is it OK to put down the Devil? I think some Christians feel like doing that gives them strength, or maybe helps them get over their fear of demons or something. Shouldn't we be getting our strength and peace from the all powerful God of Peace? What does the Scripture say about putting down the Devil? Check out Jude. In verse 8 we are given the example of Michael the archangel who, when given the chance, DOES NOT even judge, let alone put down, the Devil. Michael calls on the Lord. We are to appeal to our Creator and His order when faced with evil.
Also, does it make any sense to get over fear or draw strength from someone else's weakness? Yes, the Devil's days are numbered, but we're still not allowed to defame him or his agents, let alone those under their wicked control. With the power of the Holy Spirit (what other power could accomplish this?) we can acknowledge our enemy like Michael did and talk about our Lord.
Yet in the same way these men [sinners], also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties. But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil[false accuser] and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" - Jud 1:8-9 NASB
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