Bibles And Lightsabers

I once heard someone jokingly state that if God were so inclined, he could file the mother of all copyright infringement lawsuits against George Lucas. I’m not certain that the original Bible is covered by any sort of copyright, but I understand the sentiment behind the statement just the same.

Perhaps some would begin by comparing the general themes of these two great works. Both contain stories of good versus evil. Both center around epic heroes, including at least one born of a virgin. And both propose the possibility of redemption for the fallen sinner.


I, on the other hand, am more inclined to look for the quirky similarities. A short list might include the following:

1. Much like the Jedi, the Christian missionaries in the book of Acts tend to travel in pairs. Consider, for example:

Acts 14:1: At Iconium Paul and Barnabas went as usual into the Jewish synagogue.

Acts 15:27: Therefore we are sending Judas and Silas to confirm by word of mouth what we are writing.

Acts 19:22: He sent two of his helpers, Timothy and Erastus, to Macedonia.

Of course, the seventy-two disciples in Luke 10 were also sent out in pairs.


2. Like Jedi, Christians are provided with a “sword” as their primary weapon. Much like the lightsaber of Star Wars, this weapon is useful only in the hands of one correctly in tune with “The Force.”

Ephesians 6:17: Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Hebrews 4:12: For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

The weapon in Genesis 3:24 sounds eerily similar to a lightsaber, in any event: “After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.”


3. Similar to Obi Wan Kenobi, we observe Elisha performing something akin to a Jedi mind trick upon the men sent to capture him. Compare the relevant quotes:

Obi Wan: These aren’t the droids you’re looking for.

2Kings 6:18-19: As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, “Strike these people with blindness.” So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked. Elisha told them, “This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for.”


I’ll leave you with these final two comparisons:

Anakin Skywalker: The Jedi are selfless. They only care about others.

Paul (Philippians 2:3-4): Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.


Luke: I can’t believe it.
Yoda: That is why you fail.

Matthew 17:19-21: Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”