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Star Trek.
The original series, premiered September 9, 1966, 50 years ago.
[reference: Star Trek, imdb.com]
So ....
Happy 50th
Many celebrations were/are planned this year to mark this anniversary of such an iconic SciFi series. Not to mention its many spin offs. And movies. As well as how it's left its mark on culture and our vision of the future.
Yet through this SciFi series, we find
Yet through this SciFi series, we find
Faith - in unexpected places
So on that note, begins another thread.
Fifty years ago, American culture had reflected some traditional Judeo-Christian values. And one of Star Trek's 1968 episodes, season 2, episode 25, so boldly echoed that, entitled...
Bread and Circuses
Historically, the term Bread and Circuses was coined to refer to a mob control tactic used in the 1st century Roman Empire. To keep the poor working class from rioting, Emperor Augustus instituted a program of state bribery, which kept the plebeians fed and entertained - mostly for free. [reference: The Roman Empire - in the First Century: Plebeians]
In this episode, the crew of the Enterprise investigates the disappearance of a merchant ship on a planet, which is the 20th century version of the Roman Empire. There, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy find the missing ship's Captain Merik as a government pawn.
In this episode, the crew of the Enterprise investigates the disappearance of a merchant ship on a planet, which is the 20th century version of the Roman Empire. There, Kirk, Spock, and McCoy find the missing ship's Captain Merik as a government pawn.
In the scene below, Spock and McCoy are forced to fight in Roman-like game - which is a small reminder of the original gladiator games and how brutal life was back then, especially for slaves:
(reference: https://youtu.be/aVAiCX7chTk )
But there are rebels, who love peace, and resist the tyranny. They are sun worshipers, who worshiped a different deity than their overlords.
After making their escape, the team discovers the identity of the sun worshipers as Son worshipers. As in they worship not the sun up in the sky, but the Son of God.
(reference: https://youtu.be/bnD-rjPJ3Xw )
(reference: https://youtu.be/jxSc3kx2wp8)
After making their escape, the team discovers the identity of the sun worshipers as Son worshipers. As in they worship not the sun up in the sky, but the Son of God.
(reference: https://youtu.be/bnD-rjPJ3Xw )
And the late Chuck Colson makes a great commentary in his Two-Minute Warning about this classic Star Trek episode and its lesson on history and our society:
(reference: https://youtu.be/jxSc3kx2wp8)
Truly this SciFi testifies to the power of Christianity, which 1st Century Romans made this complaint concerning the ministry of St. Paul:
Whether in the belly of the beast of the Roman Empire or a SciFi series set in outer space, Faith can be found in unexpected places.
Bonus:
For another Judeo-Christian reference in the Original series, check out...
Live Long and Prosper: The Jewish Story Behind Spock, Leonard Nimoy's Star Trek Character
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Related post:
Proverbs (part 2) - Live Long and Prosper (2013)
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photo: star trek/wikipedia.com
These that have turned the world upside down
are come hither also ...
are come hither also ...
Act 17:6 (KJV)
Whether in the belly of the beast of the Roman Empire or a SciFi series set in outer space, Faith can be found in unexpected places.
Bonus:
For another Judeo-Christian reference in the Original series, check out...
Live Long and Prosper: The Jewish Story Behind Spock, Leonard Nimoy's Star Trek Character
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
Related post:
Proverbs (part 2) - Live Long and Prosper (2013)
----------------------------------
----------------------------------
photo: star trek/wikipedia.com
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