A Jedi prophecy said the chosen one would bring the Force back into balance. Did Anakin fulfill it? If so, how? Obi-Wan thought he would “destroy the Sith, not join them”. But how would that be balance?
The prophecy can be understood, but it requires an unorthodox explanation of the Force, heretical to the Jedi, but true to the films. This even reconciles key tenets of Eastern and Western spirituality and exhorts us to attain a balanced life, while purely good, uncompromising with evil.
In Plato’s dialogue Euthyphro, two characters discuss the nature of the divine. While Euthyphro considers himself an expert in pious living, Socrates dismantles his arguments. In so doing, he not only shows that Greek polytheism is internally inconsistent, but the logical extension of this reasoning gives multiple insights into the identity of God or gods, endorsing and discrediting various religious tenets. We find that the Trinity, perhaps uniquely, remains viable in the face of Socrates’s scrutiny.
Continue reading From Plato to the Trinity
At first glance, it may seem that Independence Day: Resurgence is just another story about saving the world. Not so! For former President Thomas Whitmore, it’s about saving Patty, his daughter. While the original movie focused on saving the world, the sequel gives attention to mature people saving the ones they love.
Twenty years after the events of Independence Day, an alien race returns to our planet to destroy all life. Many of the same people who repelled the first attack now lead the efforts (contains spoilers), along with their children and new heroes.
Continue reading Saving Patty (and the World) from Aliens
Ever wonder what it would be like if Jesus came as a Japanese Anime superhero for children? Well, now you don’t have to. Meet Anpanman, who’s head is made of bread called anpan. Even though he has typical superhero powers such as flying and delivering the incredibly powerful “anpunch”, he often saves hungry children by sacrificially giving them a piece of his head to eat. In so doing, he becomes incredibly weak until his father figure bakes him a new head and his strength returns.
Contains Spoilers
As Once Upon a Time expands the fairy tale world, it explores the most fundamental questions asked by humanity. As the theme of “True Love” recurs frequently, Once Upon a Time gives the definitive answer to the question: “Is there love at first sight?” (Whether or not they intended this answer, I don’t know.) But, the answer is a resounding “Yes!” Well, sometimes.
Continue reading Proving Love at First Sight
It’s 10 degrees outside, so we figured this would be an appropriate blog.
This post is about Frozen. Cue obnoxious song.
Continue reading Perfect Love Casts Out Fear, Ice, & Disney Tropes
A Spiritual Analysis of Once Upon A Time, Episode “The Evil Queen”
Contains Minor Spoilers
The Evil Queen does not have the best track record. It’s the whole “evil” thing. As she hunts Snow White, she questions the people of a town where Snow took refuge. When the people don’t give any information on Snow’s whereabouts, she has them all killed. So is this woman, able to murder an entire town without a second thought also able to repent? Is it still possible, after all this brutality, that she can let go of evil and embrace love, selflessness, and kindness?
Continue reading Can the Evil Queen be Forgiven?
In the last Star Wars post, I explored why good triumphs in the original Star Wars trilogy. Now we must turn to the prequel trilogy to see how evil triumphs, or better put, why good fails.
A brief look at literature and history would show that people critique evil better than they foster the alternative. Unfortunately for Anakin Skywalker, Jedi wisdom could better identify the path to the Dark Side than help him follow the Light. Nevertheless, the truth in Star Wars shines forth.
