May the Force Be With You
During Advent, I asked the big question, “Is Die Hard a Christmas movie?” I received mixed answers to that question. Now, as we are into the season of Epiphany, or the celebration of the arrival of the wise men to visit the newborn baby Jesus, here is my next question: Are the Star Wars movies influenced by the Bible and Christianity? This is another big question, so perhaps we need to use the non-religious definition of epiphany - a sudden revelation or an ‘aha’ moment. You can use any definition you prefer, but let’s have some fun examining the evidence and seeing what the ‘experts’ have to say.
As all good writers do, I first asked AI this question, and here is its response:
Star Wars and Christianity share resonant themes like good vs. evil, redemption, and a "chosen one," leading many to see parallels, particularly with Anakin Skywalker's fall and redemption mirroring Christian concepts of sin and salvation, while the Force's cosmic presence evokes the Holy Spirit; however, Jedi philosophy leans more towards Eastern ideas like Buddhism (detachment, balance), creating a unique blend that functions as a modern myth exploring deep spiritual questions about grace, sacrifice, and finding light in darkness, distinct from but echoing biblical narratives.
According to most sources, creator George Lucas drew from his Methodist upbringing, classic mythology (like Joseph Campbell's work), and Eastern philosophies (especially Buddhism) to create Star Wars, blending these influences into a modern myth. Lucas himself has been called a “Buddhist/Methodist,” though it’s not clear that he identifies with either religious tradition. “Let’s say I’m spiritual,” he told Time magazine in 1999.
AI concluded, “Star Wars isn't a Christian story, but its narrative structure taps into deep archetypes of fall and redemption, making it feel spiritually resonant for many Christians, allowing it to function as a 'true myth' that explores universal themes of hope, evil, and salvation, even if its specific mechanics differ from Christian theology.” So, let’s consider this and see if Mr/Ms AI is on the right track.
Reverend Dr. Paul Mathole of Christianity.org.uk, who admits to having an almost spiritual connection to Star Wars from a very young age, often thought of Luke Skywalker through the lens of his Christian faith, sensing that it captures the Christian view of humanity: that we don’t always grasp the truth about ourselves. He concludes, “I’m not saying that Star Wars was intended as a Christian story. However, as literature professor C. S. Lewis put it, stories like these resonate in us because they echo the ‘true myth’ of the Christian story. That is, the Christian story works on us with the same power that great myths and legends do. They evoke our emotions of fall and redemption. But in the case of the Christian narrative, the difference is that the myth is actually true. We love those other stories because they channel a greater story deeply wired into us.”
Josh Larsen of Think Christian (TC) watched the original movies as a kid, not associating their fantastical stories with the biblical narratives he learned at church. He has since changed his mind. As the senior producer for Think Christian, where they declare there is “no such thing as secular,” he decided it would be an occasion to turn TC’s distinctive theological lens—with our emphasis on common grace and God’s sovereignty over all things—toward one of the most dominant film franchises in history. Larsen determined that one of the reasons Star Wars has persisted in the cultural imagination, far beyond the daydreams of a little boy in the early 1980s, is because “these movies do indeed speak biblical truths in their own imaginative ways.”
Ryan Dunn and Chris Fenoglio work for the United Methodist Church and offer their take on Star Wars and Christianity:
I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God. [Jesus in John 3:3, New Living Translation]
The Star Wars saga is a library of rebirth stories. It tells of the rebirth of Darth Vader as Anakin. It portrays the rebirth of Luke Skywalker from a lost farm boy to a focused Jedi. There is the rebirth of Han Solo from scoundrel to hero. We witness the rebirth of FN-2187 to Finn. We could go on …
Perhaps the big rebirth story — the one that drives and feeds all the other stories of rebirth within Star Wars — is the rebirth of the galaxy. If that story arc sounds familiar, it might just be because it is the narrative arc of the Christian Bible, which tells the story of the fall of creation (Genesis), creation's dark struggle (contained in much of the Old Testament), and the beginning of its rebirth through Jesus Christ. Remember this the next time you settle in for a Star Wars movie marathon.
Maybe this is all a coincidence. Maybe it's luck for people like us to see our faith story in Star Wars. But may you also remember the words of a wise man: "In my experience, there's no such thing as luck."
We’re never as alone as we sometimes feel. As Yoda mystically says to Rey at the end of The Rise of Skywalker, “Alone, never have you been.” We are one with Love, and Love is with us.
Eileen Brogan