Monday, January 23, 2006

The Sith and I, Spiritual Insights from Star Wars.

Well, it's Monday 23 January, 2006 and all is quiet on the front. It is strange how I resolved to blog more and on the 3rd I had an entry and I look up and it's 20 days later. My apologies. If you're wondering what's new in my life I am sick with a cold. I hate being sick, except when it lets me off work, but I should be better soon.
I am now completely moved out of Denton and back in with Ma and Pa. Many people ask me how it is. To you I would have to say that 1.) Life just got a lot slower and 2.) The food just got a heck of a lot better. I hear people often say they couldn't move back in with their parents after being on there own so long. That their parents' authority and what knot would bother them. For me it is not an issue. My parents are cool about letting me do my own thing, they always have been. It's not like I'm 15 and they are going to put a curfew or something on me. Anyways, it is good to spend time with the folks and be closer to the nursing home for my grandmother. Was it the best decision? I guess. It's where I am so I guess it's where I'm supposed to be, right? I do miss my cat though.


The Sith and I:
By now you are probably incredibly curious as to the title of this entry and I shall delay explanation no longer. The other day I was thinking about how cool it would be if we had some sort of Force like powers in Star Wars. Then I realized that if we did have these kinds of powers I would undoubtedly be a Sith Lord.
Now for those of you who know me, I am sure this comes as no surprise. You are probably thinking to yourself, "Well duh, it's about time he realized that." This holds especially true for my friends in Memphis. Yes this is true, but I have discovered it from a new angle. Let me explain.
To sum it up in two words: total depravity. Yes, the idea that man in and of himself can do nothing pleasing to God or know Him. I was thinking about my own inability to overcome sin, my own appetites, my own dark desires and how much of a struggle they are. I know from my own personal experience that man cannot overcome these things on his own. I realized that if it were left up to me I would fall every time. Not only fall every time, but I woul look for and create ways to fall.
The Light side teaches balance through self-discipline and self denial. This is impossible for me. I would give in to my own lusts, selfishness, hatred, jealousy, arrogance and every other sin I might struggle with every time. There is no way to balance these things or overcome them on my own. I would have been a Sith Lord by junior high. That's right, Darth Jefferson, sitting in his class room, getting ready to force choke the bullies who picked on me and then zap the jocks with lightning. I know Darth Jefferson isn't as sexy as Vader or Sidious but it's the truth all the same.
I think maybe the biggest lie in the Star Wars philosophy isn't the Pantheistic, New Age, mystical spirituality that is easy to see through. I think that maybe it is the idea that man can balance his walk through life on his own. That he can be good all by himself. It is quite obvious to me that I need somebody from the outside to reach in and save me. Fortunately as a Christian I have just that. Now if I could just get that light saber.

Well guys, that's one for the road. Catch you later.

3 comments:

Andrew McMahan said...

i just want a wookie

Anonymous said...

yo, darth
did you call me last night. because i thought it might be you on the voicemail, but, it was staticky (sp?) and i'm not sure.
plus, the phone number did not appear in my missed calls. so if it was you. call again, cause i don't have your digits.
thx,natalie

benji said...

ALERT: COMPLETE NERDDOM COMING

Dude, I am so with you on this. I know I would have chosen the Dark Side, I do every day. Or like in X-2, when Pyro chages allegiance and follows Magneto and Mystique. That would have totally been me.

Why couldn't Calvin have explained total depravity in such a clear manner? "Light side, dark side, nobody chooses the light, all become Sith." Maybe we should let our powers combine and re-write The Institutes for today's audience.