MAY THE 'FORCE' BE WITH YOU
The True Force
CBN.com
-- Motion picture trade magazines predicted that Star Wars would become the all-time, top-grossing picture in box-office history. And indeed it did, beating out such blockbusters as Jaws, The Godfather, The Sound of Music, and Gone with the Wind.
What the trades did not predict was that Star Wars would become the cultural phenomenon that it has. What child, or adult for that matter, isn’t on a first-name basis with Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, Ben (Obi-Wan) Kenobi and Darth Vader? Or hasn't learned the names of Star Wars’ exotic creatures, space hardware and far away places? — R2D2, Chewbacca, light sabers, Alderaan, and the Death Star.
Star Wars , The Empire Strikes Back, and Return of the Jedi are episodes IV, V and VI in a planned six-part saga, according to George Lucas, the creative force behind the series. Episode I, The Phantom Menace, was released in 1999. Episode II, Attack of the Clones, was a 2002 release, with Episode III, Revenge of the Sith, debuting in 2005.
The Secret of “Star Wars’” Success
George Lucas said that people love Star Wars because it allows them to live out childhood fantasies. But fantasy is only a pretty wrapper around the real gift of Star Wars. For these films deliver more than fantasy: they teach about morality — good and evil, virtues and
values — the stuff real life is made of.
Star Wars is at once an all-new experience — and yet familiar. It is new because it deals with a time and place far distant from our own. It is familiar because its characters and plot (good vs. evil) are borrowed from our favorite stories and fairy tales. Beyond the sheer entertainment, there is another reason people see these films again and again. Star Wars has a deeper meaning that speaks to our innermost needs. We want a sort of Force in our lives ... and we want to know its ways so we can surpass our mortal potential.
The Force
The central, supernatural figure in Star Wars is, of course, a deity called the Force. But what exactly is the Force? What is Lucas trying to show us? George Lucas seems to have genuine concern for people — particularly young people — and a deep commitment to do what he believes God wants him to do. Lucas says, “I am simply trying to struggle through life; trying to do God’s bidding.” However, threaded throughout his films is the story of the Force — an impersonal entity with a dual nature — a good and an evil side. The good side of the Force responds when those who have adequate faith call upon it for power to do their own bidding. Its dark side, however, is seductive and can tempt people into doing evil. “Beware of anger, fear, and aggression, the dark side are they,” Yoda warns Luke in Jedi. “Once you start down the dark path, forever will
it dominate your destiny.”
Because the Force can be manipulated for good or evil purposes, it possesses no morality of its own. God, of course, has only a good side; He is holy and righteous. And Jesus never committed a single sin. While Lucas’s Force is a composite god of many religions — including Christianity — it does not clearly represent any one deity. It is certainly not the True Force— the Holy and personal God of the Bible.
The True Force
The Bible tells us there is one True Force, who is God. He is the Creator of all things (John 1:3), revealed to man in three persons: God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ), and God the Holy Spirit (2 Corinthians 13:14).
The True Force loves us.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
The True Force is pure.
“God is light; in him there is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
There is an evil — or dark side — separate from the True Force.
“For our struggle is ... against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil...” (Ephesians 6:12).
But God has conquered the powers of darkness!
“For [God] has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves” (Colossians 1:13).
God’s Son, Jesus Christ, is the light of this world.
Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness” (John 12:46).
The way to live with Christ forever.
A person is not a Christian merely by being religious, moral, doing good things, or intellectually acknowledging that God exists. A Christian is one who, by faith, believes in Christ as Savior. You can tell Christ, by talking to Him through prayer, that you believe He is God and that He died for your sins and rose again. Receive Him as your Savior. Invite Him into your heart — either in your own words — or through this suggested prayer.
Lord Jesus, thank You for loving me and giving Your life on the cross in my place. I now receive You as my Savior. Thank You for forgiving my sins, for sharing with me Your eternal life, and for making me a new creature. Amen.
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Used with the permission of the American Tract Society.
This tract expresses solely the editorial views of ATS and is not associated in
any way with the film’s creators, producers, or actors.
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