Christian Themes In Pop Culture

“ The force will be with you, always.” This is advice given to Luke Skywalker by his mentor Obi Wan Kenobi. In the archetypal hero’s journey a wise and experienced mentor such as Obi Wan will often help guide or offer advice to the youthful and budding hero. Throughout time and across different cultures there are certain symbols, events and characters which can be found in literature and Star Wars IV: A New Hope follows this trend step by step. During the film Star Wars IV: A New Hope, the main protagonist Luke undergoes a stereotypical, or in literary terms an archetypal hero’s journey. Luke starts from humble beginnings and when he is called upon to save the galaxy; he then faces various tests which help him hone skills that he will need for the final life or death battle.

Unfortunately, Anakin believes Darth Sidious and he is now his new master, thinking that this is the right way to handle the situation of his vivid dreams. In Anakin's dreams he see's his wife struggling through her birth procedure and ultimately ends up dying during labor. Committed to do anything to save his family, he feels he has no other choice but to join the darkside to better them. His first order of business is to kill all the remaining Jedi's across the galaxy, wiping them out, leaving the dark side superior. Obi – Wan Kenobi comes to the realization that it is Anakin committing all this wrath across the galaxy, and knows now he only has a couple options; persuade Anakin in staying good, or fight to the finish. Anikan refuses to switch back over, but is devisated when he see's his wife, Padme is on Obi – Wan's side. Considering how furious he is, Anakin uses the force to choke his wife leaving her in critical condition. Obi – Wan and Anakin battle it out with Obi –wan whom is the heroin. When Anakin's wife goes into labor after the battle she unfortunately

to destroy the Death Star is made. Luke is chased by Vader and Solo comes to the

In the 1967 prison film Cool Hand Luke, directed by Stuart Rosenberg, there are many examples of theological symbolism and religious themes. Most of the symbolism alludes to Jesus Christ, which is often utilized in film to add depth to the protagonist in the story. Such Christ figure symbolism can also be seen in films such as the 1999 hit The Matrix and the original Star Wars film (1977). Along with these visual suggestions, there are also thematic elements that underlie Cool Hand Luke which involve Biblical allusions and metaphysical questions.

Christianity is one of the most influential religions on both ancient and modern Western society, with the religion based on the teachings of the prophet Jesus Christ who lived approximately between the years of 5 BC and 33 AD. It is claimed that Christ was the son of God whose spirit was embodied and sent to Earth as a human being to bring peace and prosperity to the less fortunate, and absolve the world of its sin. Jesus preached a doctrine of a supreme monotheistic god who ruled over the universe, as well as ethics and morals especially centred on the concept of faith and forgiveness. If one was to live their life in accordance to the Will of God and the teachings of Christ found in the written word of the Holy Bible, one would be absolved of their sin and ascend to the spiritual realm of God, known as Heaven, after their physical death.

In just the course of A New Hope, Luke’s character changes immensely. The critical incident that sparks a change of his

Some people in our culture view the Christian gospel as a list of do’s and don't's that each person must fulfill to get into heaven. Others have no concept of what the good news is. Based on conservations I have had with people, many simply do not about the Christian gospel. Other think that the gospel is what we must do, good works to counteract the bad things we have done.

Oftentimes when I get asked who’s my most favored character is in a movie or TV show, it is usually the hero and not necessarily the darker characters. In The Stranger and “Cool Hand Luke”, there are both messianic roles that are connected with their main characters. In both the novel and the movie, symbolism of Christ is one of the main relations that connect these stories together. In the movie “Cool Hand Luke”, the main character Luke is the messianic archetype throughout the whole movie. His name is related to the apostle Luke in the bible.

Episode IV was set during a time of war between the Rebellion, the good side, and the Empire, which is considered the evil side. The science fiction story is about a young man, Luke Skywalker, who travels into space to fight against the Empire. Luke is from the planet Tatooine, a desert, where he farms water with his uncle. Luke’s uncle buys two droids, R2D2 and C3PO, who happen to have been involved in the war and worked for the rebellion. Luke discovers a recording in one of the droids of Princess Leia saying she needed help, and that sparks the beginning of his journey. He meets Ben, also known as Obi-Wan Kenobi, who becomes his mentor, and teaches him how to use “the force”. In Star Wars, “the force” is a magical way for people to control things using their unconscious minds. Luke sets out on a journey into space to rescue the princess and join the Rebellion in the war effort. Luke and Obi-Wan meet Han solo, a pilot, and ask him to take them into space. They plan to go to Alderaan, Princess Leia’s home planet; however, they are unintentionally sucked into the Death Star, the spacecraft and weapon of the Empire. They find out that Princess Leia is being held in the Death Star, and they plan to help her escape. While Han and Luke try to help Leia, Obi-Wan is fighting Darth Vader, the evil leader of the Empire. Unfortunately, Obi-Wan is killed by Darth Vader; although, Luke, Han and Leia escape the Death Star. They go to a Rebellion headquarter and find the weak spot of the Death Star.

From when Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire in 380 A.D. to the postmodern age, the Christian Church had varying degrees of control on Western society as an authoritative figure, dictating moral decisions and controlling mass culture. This cultural super-influence, of course, bleed into literature, music and film as well as everyday life. With the decline of believers, Jesus’ contribution to American culture has surely not shaken. The

Heroes are seen all around us, in life, literature, and movies. Heroes like Superman, Captain America, and Thor are common, but have you ever thought of Luke Skywalker as an archetypal hero? Luke Skywalker is an aspiring young Jedi Knight, who is called to the quest of defeating the empire in the movie Star Wars IV: A New Hope, written and directed by George Lucas. Luke Skywalker demonstrates certain characteristics before, during, and after his quest that makes him an archetypal hero.

The author's main purpose for writing A Myth of a Christian Nation is to explain how the world has claimed to be founded on christian principles but has neglected to see that this is a lie that we as christians and people in society have told ourselves to make it seem like we are “ one nation under God”. Boyd also focuses in on and introducing our role in the kingdom of God vs the kingdom of the world and our role in politics and society.

The entire plot of Return of the Jedi is the conclusion of a story of a young man and his friends trying to find their way in a battle between good and evil. Throughout the film, the characters each have their own, unique, inner struggle while all fighting in the same galactic battle. While the theme of darkness versus light is strong, there are also hints of other themes, such as power, corruption, love and sacrifice. All of these components are set in front of the backdrop of a nonstop battle between the freedom seeking Rebels and the evil Galactic Empire.

Satan again reverses roles, portraying himself as good and God as evil. Many people fall for this lie. For example, many see Satan as noble liberator in the garden of Eden but judge God as a stingy jailer – instead of seeing God as providing an idyllic environment, while selfish man just had to have one more tree despite the abundant orchards! Man, imitating Satan, said "I will be like God" and rebelled against his benevolent Creator – a Creator Who in turn humbly took the form of a man to be crucified for the willful sins of His own creation so that a way of redemption could be open to all by simply trusting the Rescuer. To regard someone as 'evil' that dies on your behalf is the height of deception.

In his classic work Christ and Culture, H. Richard Niebuhr asserts that the relationship between earnest followers of Jesus Christ and human culture has been an "enduring problem."1 How should believers who are "disciplining themselves for the purpose of godliness" (1 Tim. 4:7) relate to a world whose culture is dominated by "the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the boastful pride of life" (1 John 2: 16)? Culture is God's gift and task for human beings created in His image and likeness. At creation humanity received a "cultural mandate" from the sovereign Creator to have dominion over the earth and to cultivate and keep it (Gen. 1:26, 28; 2:15). But sin's effects are total, and