Hollywood Heroes by Frank Turek & Zach Turek

Author:Frank Turek & Zach Turek [Turek, Frank & Turek, Zach]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: RELIGION / Christian Theology / Apologetics, LITERARY CRITICISM / Comics & Graphic Novels
ISBN: 9781641583534
Publisher: The Navigators
Published: 2022-04-05T00:00:00+00:00

The Redeemer Strikes Back

Anakin’s fall to the dark side was tragic, especially since he had the capacity to choose a better path. He was not predestined to fall to the dark side. While prophecy and destiny are key topics in Star Wars, we are also led to believe characters make their own moral choices. In Star Wars, like real life, our choices determine our destiny. Anakin was supposed to be “The Chosen One” to bring balance to the Force. Unfortunately, Anakin’s choices brought his own nightmare.

But that nightmare doesn’t have to last forever. Redemption is another powerful and prevalent theme in Star Wars, reminding us that no one is beyond saving—even someone as horrible as Darth Vader. This is particularly true when someone loves Vader enough to never give up on him.

Luke never gives up. As Anakin’s son, Luke in many ways functions as his counterpoint—how Anakin could have turned out had he made better choices. Luke has similar gifts as his father, but Luke makes much better choices to end up on the light side. Anakin’s actions in the prequel trilogy lead to the fall of the Jedi, while Luke’s actions in the original trilogy lead to their triumph over the Sith.

Like his father, Luke starts his journey in A New Hope on the desert planet of Tatooine, where he quickly encounters an aged Obi-Wan Kenobi, who introduces him to the Force and the Jedi. Luke quickly proves himself to be fearless. He assists in the rescue of Princess Leia from the clutches of Darth Vader and subsequently destroys the Death Star by following Obi-Wan’s advice and trusting the Force instead of his targeting computer.

In The Empire Strikes Back, Luke escapes with the rest of the Rebel Alliance from the ice planet Hoth and begins his training as a Jedi on Dagobah under Master Yoda’s tutelage. Similar to his father’s experiences, Luke has a vision that his friends are in danger on Cloud City. He wants to go off immediately and assist them, but Master Yoda warns against it. Yoda knows Luke’s training isn’t done and sees the potential for him to follow his father’s footsteps. Like the rest of us, Luke could ruin his life and those of his loved ones if he gives in to temptation or acts on emotional impulse.

But here again Luke shows he is different from his father. In the prequels, Anakin seems like he is in a constant state of panic. He is consumed with fear, first for his mother and later for his wife. That fear causes him to make foolish and immoral decisions. Luke, on the other hand, controls his fear and makes more rational decisions. He knows the danger of going to help his friends, but he controls his fear and goes anyway. While in Cloud City, Luke’s arm is severed (another parallel to his father’s life), but he also learns that Darth Vader is his father.

Return of the Jedi sees Luke assume his rightful place as a Jedi (they’re really not trying to trick anyone with the title, are they?).

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