Dallas Comic Con (and The Rapture!)
May 22nd, 2011
The announcement came over the loudspeaker in the Dealers’ Room: “Dallas Comic Con is officially over [for the day]. More importantly, we all survived the Rapture!”
Those of us who hadn’t left yet applauded and cheered triumphantly. Of course, the Rapture isn’t an event that’s actually supposed to kill anyone, so why everyone is “surviving” it, I’m not sure I understand. Is it like, “Hooray, we didn’t get raptured?” “Hooray, we get to stick around for the Tribulation and the reign of the Antichrist?” I’m not sure I get it.
It seems to me that, like “Armageddon” and “Apocalypse,” the word “Rapture” is losing its meaning in the broader culture and has come to mean “The End of the World.” I’m not a nut about eschatology, but “Rapture” used to be synonymous with joy and elation and being “caught up” to be with Christ. Now it’s…what? I’m not sure anyone who “survived” it really knows. Still, it was fun to cheer the non-end of the world.
I met a lot of cool people at DCC – comic book writers and artists, fellow Trekkies and other geeks. I even spent some time with Richard Jefferies, brother of the late Walter “Matt” Jefferies, designer of the original U.S.S. Enterprise. Now that was cool. I also learned (or re-learned) a few things from the DCC experience:
1. Atheists like to talk religion and faith when you don’t bring up the existence or non-existence of God issue.
2. Star Trek people are really surprised when you say there’s Christian insight in the Trekiverse. (I just coined that word. Consider it trademarked.) And they often want to hear more. (So do Atheists, by the way.)
3. While much has been made of the fact that “Trekkies are normal people,” largely, we are not. And some of us are really, really weird. But I like us that way.
4. If the Church had the appetite for diversity that Trekkies have, we’d be a far, far better image of Christ in this world.
Case and point, I met the Captain and (Yeoman? First Officer? I didn’t catch her rank) of the U.S.S. Joshua, a local sci-fi fan club. Most Starfleet “ships” are pretty well Star Trek-obsessed. Many are very serious about it. On the U.S.S. Joshua‘s table, there were representations of everything from Trek to Dr. Who to Firefly. They made a point of opening their group, which was formed to share their love of Star Trek, to all kinds of sci-fi fans. I thought that was very cool. And very Star Trek.
Also very Jesus. You know, Yeshua…Joshua…I’m just sayin’.
I had another conversation with an atheist comic book artist about IDIC, the Vulcan credo of “Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.” I related it to the idea that “all truth is God’s truth” – a common axiom among many Christian scholars. It means that truth is truth and truth is from God, no matter where you find it.
I find deeply Christian truths in Star Trek. It’s God’s truth, even if the franchise’s creators had no such intentions. Truth is truth, and it all belongs to God. And the biggest Star Trek truth that I was reminded of today was a sense of openness and acceptance and unity around a common love. I’m sad that today’s Christians are best known for their judgmental attitudes and divisions. I’m sad that the loudest “Christian” voice of the moment happens to be one that has separated itself off, made itself superior, asked people to abandon their lives for it and has been proven to be utterly false.
The declaration that today would be Judgment Day was a divisive doctrine, one that has hurt many people and further fractured the body of Christ, which is already marred by disunity. My friend David Hopkins, who is also a brilliant comic book writer and essayist, said that there are Christians camped out at Harold Camping’s church today. But they’re not there to mock or to laugh or to protest; they’re waiting to counsel and support those whose faith will be shattered by the day’s end – the ones who sold out entirely to Camping’s promises out of a desperate need to believe in something.
While most of us laugh and cheer that we survived, these people realize that there are some who have not come through unscathed. There are those who have quit jobs and sold homes to be where they are. And they won’t be leaving with Jesus tonight. Those who wait outside are not there to judge, but to love and embrace brothers and sisters they have not yet met.
So, sad as I am at the unity in diversity that we lack as followers of Christ, I am hopeful that we may yet learn to live like a family. I am hopeful that, though we may not yet be Raptured, we will be “caught up” – in love.
Those of us who hadn’t left yet applauded and cheered triumphantly. Of course, the Rapture isn’t an event that’s actually supposed to kill anyone, so why everyone is “surviving” it, I’m not sure I understand. Is it like, “Hooray, we didn’t get raptured?” “Hooray, we get to stick around for the Tribulation and the reign of the Antichrist?” I’m not sure I get it.
It seems to me that, like “Armageddon” and “Apocalypse,” the word “Rapture” is losing its meaning in the broader culture and has come to mean “The End of the World.” I’m not a nut about eschatology, but “Rapture” used to be synonymous with joy and elation and being “caught up” to be with Christ. Now it’s…what? I’m not sure anyone who “survived” it really knows. Still, it was fun to cheer the non-end of the world.
I met a lot of cool people at DCC – comic book writers and artists, fellow Trekkies and other geeks. I even spent some time with Richard Jefferies, brother of the late Walter “Matt” Jefferies, designer of the original U.S.S. Enterprise. Now that was cool. I also learned (or re-learned) a few things from the DCC experience:
1. Atheists like to talk religion and faith when you don’t bring up the existence or non-existence of God issue.
2. Star Trek people are really surprised when you say there’s Christian insight in the Trekiverse. (I just coined that word. Consider it trademarked.) And they often want to hear more. (So do Atheists, by the way.)
3. While much has been made of the fact that “Trekkies are normal people,” largely, we are not. And some of us are really, really weird. But I like us that way.
4. If the Church had the appetite for diversity that Trekkies have, we’d be a far, far better image of Christ in this world.
Case and point, I met the Captain and (Yeoman? First Officer? I didn’t catch her rank) of the U.S.S. Joshua, a local sci-fi fan club. Most Starfleet “ships” are pretty well Star Trek-obsessed. Many are very serious about it. On the U.S.S. Joshua‘s table, there were representations of everything from Trek to Dr. Who to Firefly. They made a point of opening their group, which was formed to share their love of Star Trek, to all kinds of sci-fi fans. I thought that was very cool. And very Star Trek.
Also very Jesus. You know, Yeshua…Joshua…I’m just sayin’.
I had another conversation with an atheist comic book artist about IDIC, the Vulcan credo of “Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations.” I related it to the idea that “all truth is God’s truth” – a common axiom among many Christian scholars. It means that truth is truth and truth is from God, no matter where you find it.
I find deeply Christian truths in Star Trek. It’s God’s truth, even if the franchise’s creators had no such intentions. Truth is truth, and it all belongs to God. And the biggest Star Trek truth that I was reminded of today was a sense of openness and acceptance and unity around a common love. I’m sad that today’s Christians are best known for their judgmental attitudes and divisions. I’m sad that the loudest “Christian” voice of the moment happens to be one that has separated itself off, made itself superior, asked people to abandon their lives for it and has been proven to be utterly false.
The declaration that today would be Judgment Day was a divisive doctrine, one that has hurt many people and further fractured the body of Christ, which is already marred by disunity. My friend David Hopkins, who is also a brilliant comic book writer and essayist, said that there are Christians camped out at Harold Camping’s church today. But they’re not there to mock or to laugh or to protest; they’re waiting to counsel and support those whose faith will be shattered by the day’s end – the ones who sold out entirely to Camping’s promises out of a desperate need to believe in something.
While most of us laugh and cheer that we survived, these people realize that there are some who have not come through unscathed. There are those who have quit jobs and sold homes to be where they are. And they won’t be leaving with Jesus tonight. Those who wait outside are not there to judge, but to love and embrace brothers and sisters they have not yet met.
So, sad as I am at the unity in diversity that we lack as followers of Christ, I am hopeful that we may yet learn to live like a family. I am hopeful that, though we may not yet be Raptured, we will be “caught up” – in love.
Comments (Closed in Archive)
- Steven New says:
May 23, 2011 at 12:17 AM
I blame part of it on the misunderstanding, but very popular christian idea of living in the world, but not being of the world. The phrase seems to make since when you just read it. We are living in this world, it is ours and we need to take care of it, understand its people and its quarks, but realize it is not our kingdom or, but we belong to Christ above.
However, often it is taken to this idea that we must reject the world to point where we are not actually living in it or caring for it or it’s people. Basically, we treat it as if we are aliens invading the planet, in such away, that we don’t make it our home and our desires are to make others aliens and “weirdos.” It is all in good intentions, Christians are trying to help people meet their creator, God, and find enlightenment to guide their life…but it is done in such a way that outsiders must see it as elitism or selfish desire.
Diversity is needed, but diversity is scary, because ultimately diversity can be seen as dangerous…and it does add a sense of danger with the fact that diversity brings uncertainty.
I personally, hope Christians relearn what it means to live in the world, but not be of the world. Follow the example of Christ and Paul…which poured themselves out to everyone, and was not afraid of danger or diversity. Christianity should never be safe…and when it is, it becomes quite shallow in my opinion.
I think the best example is to think of how we should live is Superman or Jo’n Johns (The Green Martian) who is not of this world, but has made the world their own.) However, they do not live as normal people but give their lives to protect normal people, without living above them.- Kevin C. Neece says:
May 23, 2011 at 1:47 PM
I agree that the “in not of” mantra has become dangerous. It’s interesting that you mention Superman and J’on Johns, since they are actually aliens!
For me, one of the ideas I draw from Star Trek is that we are created as humans to be humans and not something else. That is, our very grounded nature, our connectedness to Earth and to one another is a vital part of our identity and therefore of our destiny. Kirk has a wonderful speech in “Who Mourns for Adonais?” in which he says, “…the only thing that’s truly yours is the rest of humanity. That’s where our duty lies.” Our humanity itself is sacred and intrinsic to our calling.
That vision of humanity, however, is a vision of the best that humanity can be and seeks to live in a state that is closer to a redeemed, restored condition, unmarred by sin. This is what Jesus seems to have been saying when he told his disciples that they were not of the world. In another passage, he tells them they are still of the world – they had not made it yet to where he wanted them to be. Being “not of the world” is not a state of our nature or something magically bestowed upon us when we become followers of Christ, but a stage of development to which we strive by becoming the best humans we can be. We do this by following Christ’s teachings and keeping his commandments, many of which (loving one’s neighbor, doing good for one’s enemies, etc.) are frequently exemplified by Star Trek.- Steven New says:
May 23, 2011 at 10:54 PM
I mentioned them…because they were aliens.
I think Christians are kinda aliens, but what kind of aliens are we supposed to be. And I think the Superman/Green Martian types are what we are called to be…but more often than not we are more like the Pod people or Body Snatcher types.- Kevin C. Neece says:
May 24, 2011 at 1:49 AM
I guess I have a hard time with the concept of Christians as aliens on Earth. I suppose, from a certain perspective, we are aliens in the sense of being cultural outsiders. We are referred to in the scriptures as aliens and strangers, but I think it’s meant to express the idea that a Christian way of life seeks to run counter to many of the corruptions that often define human societies.
The trouble I have is with the concept of being strangers to this place, like we don’t belong on the planet somehow. I think that idea is dangerous and gets us into a lot of trouble. It helps to disconnect us from our humanity (and therefore other humans) and causes us to fail to make a difference in this life and this world. We can be cultural outsiders, but lets not disconnect ourselves from the human community.
So, I see the distinction you’re making. If we are outsiders, let us be invested outsiders. I guess it’s just a different metaphor because from a Star Trekperspective, it’s very important that we are from this place – that we are humans who belong to Earth. Where we are outsiders is on Vulcan or Romulus or whatever part of the galaxy we’re in this week.
On the one hand, this means finding unity with other humans in the things that we have in common as a species. In another sense, encountering aliens in Star Trek has always been a metaphor about how we encounter people of other cultures, belief systems and ways of life. The image of the human as alien outsider occurs in the landing party (even though there may be a Vulcan or a Betazoid amongst us!).
The question then becomes, “What kind of aliens doesStar Trek encourage us to be?” The answer there gets a little foggy because, while the ultimate goal seems to be diplomacy and common ground, fairness and justice, when certain laws of justice Starfleet personnel see as universal are violated, we intervene to correct those violations. (That in itself is often seen as a deviation from the Prime Directive, but that’s a whole other issue.)
So, if we are to use Superman and J’on Johns as alien metaphors, let us have Earth stand in for other cultures and peoples the way an alien world or species would in Star Trek. That’s where I wasn’t following you. I don’t see us as aliens to Earth. Rather, we become set apart by seeking to live by a different authority and to counteract the brokenness of humanity that many others embrace. The reason we do this, of course, is that we share the same origins as other humans – we are part of the same family.
This is one thing I like about Star Trek. It calls all humans to a higher purpose and says that if we choose to let (if I may use Christian terminology) our Fallen nature rule us, if we are bound by our baser selves, we have, in essence, become less than human. It tells us that striving for something better is essential to our humanity. I believe that, through the lens of Christian redemption, that comes to signify a Divine calling – the destiny our Creator has in mind.- Steven New says:
May 24, 2011 at 2:16 PM
Ahhh, but the Prime Directive is never really supposed to broken. Only the “cowboys” break the Prime Directive. I actually love the P.D. as it is one of the few elements that shows there is still politics and humanity within the system that has developed in Star Trek. It is actually a reminder that it is quite sad we haven’t had a series further explain what Earth would be like in the Trek universe, and the deeper underbelly of this society that is so perfect.
But back to the Alien comments. I understand your statements, and it reminds me of a funny story. I told CP (a Korean friend) that I was an Alien, and he looked shocked. He assumed I was calling myself a monster, or some sort of freak. You are not an alien, he kept on repeating. But, I am…I have the alien registration card to prove it, all your foreigner friends are. I showed him my card and he was blown away. Often we misinterpret the alien word to mean not of this world, instead of not of this country or nation, which is perhaps a more accurate interpretation of scripture. Seeing that Christ often speaks that we our Sons in the kingdom of heaven. And if we are part on one kingdom, we would be aliens to any other.- Kevin C. Neece says:
May 24, 2011 at 10:43 PM
Well said. It’s about citizenship in a different Kingdom – a Kingdom “not of this world,” as Jesus put it. I always take that to mean a Kingdom not defined by this world as this world defines a Kingdom. This relates also to Augustine’s concept of dual citizenship in the City of God and the City of Man. Being good citizens of Christ’s Kingdom necessarily includes the way we participate in the life and culture of the City of Man. By its very nature, citizenship in the City of God includes citizenship in the City of Man. I think most modern Christians ignore the city of Man and therefore deprive themselves the opportunity of living a more robust, rewarding citizenship in of the City of God.
- Kevin C. Neece says:
- Steven New says:
- Kevin C. Neece says:
- Steven New says:
- Kevin C. Neece says:
- Mark Boone says:
May 23, 2011 at 12:34 PM
“And the biggest Star Trek truth that I was reminded of today was a sense of openness and acceptance and unity around a common love.”
Indeed. A community is defined by what it loves. Thus said Augustine in City of God. The City of Man is a community centered on pride and the instinct of fallen man to rule and reign over one others for selfish benefit; it is based on love of self. The love of God constitutes the City of God, the community of those who love God and seek to know God. In this they are doing what they are meant to do, which leads to the natural, if surprising, result that in loving God first they love themselves and one another properly.
Absent an explicity Trinitarianism there will be no perfect image of this in Star Trek; but there will probably be pretty good images. E.g., Kahn’s community as the City of Man and the Enterprise Crew as a community united by a love of higher things.- Kevin C. Neece says:
May 23, 2011 at 1:28 PM
“Absent an explicity Trinitarianism there will be no perfect image of this in Star Trek”
Well, for a Trinity, you always have Kirk, Spock and McCoy!
To me, what Star Trek can be a reminder of is the concept of loving God by loving others. The Trek ethos concentrates on this through a sense of justice and equality and sees such for its own sake for the good of all. There’s certainly nothing wrong with that, though its best, most proper focus is as an act of love and worship toward God.
Of course, in an odd way, given Roddenberry’s belief that we are all a part of God, that is in some sense what Star Trek is ultimately doing. By exalting humanity, it exalts at least its own (if somewhat unspoken) concept of God. That might be, as you would say, reaching a bit, but it’s there nonetheless.
- Kevin C. Neece says:
- Mark Boone says:
May 29, 2011 at 6:42 PM
I wouldn’t call that reaching. It’s just your discovery of Egyptian gold. (Editor’s Note: Famous analogy for Christian cultural engagement. See here.)Star Trek has a rich vein of the stuff, as I think is the central theme running through your website.
In cases of Egyptian gold, I think it’s helpful to clearly state what true insight the source contains (find the gold), state what false ideas the insight is mixed up with (plunder it from the Egyptians), and resituate the idea among Christian doctrine (build a tabernacle in the desert to the one true God using that gold).
Here the insight is that human happiness depends on two inseparable loves, the love of God and the love of one another. The false, non-Christian idea with which it is associated is that human beings are actually a part of God. And the true Christian doctrines which liberate the idea for its proper use are, first, that God as divine Creator is distinct from creation and, second, that God is essentially one yet essentially three, three persons in one holy God, possessing both irreducible individuality and irreducible community, the holy Trinity.
By the way, I think this is basically the same move a Christian philosopher needs to make with the Bhagavad Gita in Hindu philosophy.- Kevin C. Neece says:
June 2, 2011 at 12:52 AM
I agree and hoped you’d see it that way as well! I see so many things in Star Trek and other places that are just a step to one side from Christian doctrine. But, for me, the exciting thing is that they arethere – that Scriptural ideas are deeply resonant with our greatest human longings. Add to this the fact that, to my mind, the Messianic story ties all things things together in a more compelling and unique fashion than so many competing ideologies and I think you have a strong case for a Christian worldview.
Sadly, our propositional Gospel has for some time fallen short of the Incarnational Gospel where these great ideas and truths are at their boldest and best. Because of that, many – like Gene Roddenberry – have found modern Christianity lacking as a picture of the world we inhabit and have therefore abandoned the Christian narrative. But what’s amazing is that those same individuals – here again, Roddenberry is an excellent example – have created things that can point us as Christians back to the deeper, Incarnational truths we have lost. I hope that, through a deep discussion of Star Trek, we can reclaim a kind of Christian Humanism that helps us find the “undiscovered country” of our own humanity.
- Kevin C. Neece says: