Star Trek, Lord of the Rings, and the Bible
We’ve started re-watching Star Trek: The Next Generation some 30 years after we watched it the first time. In one way it’s a lot more interesting this time around, not so much for its entertainment value (although there is that) as much as for the images and spiritual truths that it brings to the surface in light of ideas that have been brewing during that 30-year interim.
We just watched season 1, episode 10, titled “Hide and Q” which seems strikingly similar to the theme underlying Lord of the Rings and the biblical theme of redemption.
In this episode, Captain Picard is challenged by “Q” — a character described as “an extradimensional being of unknown origin who possesses immeasurable power over time, space, the laws of physics and reality itself.”* In a sense, he’s an “omnipotent” being who roams around the galaxy and whose main concern (at least during this phase of his existence) is to reveal to Picard how insignificant humanity is in the larger scheme of the universe. In this episode Q attempts (as is his usual practice) to prove to Picard that human nature is weak and small-minded. He does this by “testing” Commander Ryker (Picard’s second in command) by giving him the ultimate gift — the gift that Q himself possesses — the gift to perform miracles — the gift of omnipotence. True to his nature as a cosmic cynic, Q is sure that Ryker will use the gift for self-serving purposes. Ryker accepts the “gift,” confident that he will use it for the good of the crew and for the good of humanity, and confident that he won’t eventually be corrupted by it (just as the power of the Ring in LOTR, even if purposed for good, eventually corrupts its possessor).
The test (or more precisely, the temptation) is essentially the same as that put before Frodo in LOTR — to determine whether Ryker will use his newly-acquired power for the good of humanity or for his own selfish purposes. Anyone familiar with the theme knows already that the temptation will be almost too much to bear; more specifically, that although the acquisition of this kind of power is overwhelmingly tempting, it will eventually almost certainly corrupt the person to whom it is given. But Ryker is taken in by Q’s irresistible challenge, accepts the offer of omnipotence, and starts using his power to perform good deeds — deeds that preserve the lives of his friends. Ryker has, in fact, justified his decision to accept that awesome power by convincing himself that he would not eventually be corrupted by it.
The “confrontation” between Q and Captain Picard (the real hero of the story) occurs back on the Enterprise. Picard invites the confrontation, knowing that the loyalty of his crew will overcome all of the temptations that Ryker (motivated by Q) will offer — temptations that are seemingly irresistible because they are motivated by Ryker’s genuine affection for his friends. But one by one, the members of the crew reject Ryker’s offers in favor of the natural developments that life would bring (both the good and the bad). That’s because one by one, they come to realize that life’s best can’t be gained deceitfully — it can’t flow out of a false reality — that is, a reality that’s devised by a self-absorbed “superpower” for whom this is all just a game… entertainment on a cosmic scale. Such power would be self-serving, and the crew members recognize that; they realize that it would not be for the good of humanity. In other words, life — to be authentic life — must be lived out naturally — joys and sorrows alike; you can’t short-circuit the pain and suffering that naturally accompany real life and growth (not only the individual growth, but our growth as a civilization).
Picard (like Gandolf in LOTR) understands this truth, and therefore he’s willing to challenge Q — to allow him to offer his crew a choice: unlimited fulfillment and happiness, fulfilled fantasy, eternal existence — things that they could never otherwise dream of attaining. More specifically for the crew of the Enterprise, Q offers true love and companionship for one, restored sight for another, and even the prospect of the gift of humanity for Data. Riker (with Q’s backing) offers the temptation of those gifts (again seemingly good gifts) to his crew members. One by one (and not surprisingly) they reject the offers, to the amazement of both Ryker and Q. But Picard (trusting in the proven character of his people) knows all along that his crew members will do the right thing — they’ll reject the corrupting influence of false hopes in favor of the natural course of humanity.
In the end, Q recognizes that all of the “gifts” that he (an omnipotent being) can offer to humanity are worthless in light of humanity’s driving desire to “live life out” naturally and discover for themselves, within their limitations, what life will bring to the future of humanity. He certainly doesn’t understand humanity’s decision; how could he? He himself has been corrupted by the unlimited power of his own existence. Incidentally, an interesting side note — The one thing an omnipotent being like Q can’t understand is the idea of loyalty).
One is left more fully grasping the truth that life must be lived out; humanity must fail in order to eventually succeed, they must try and fail in order to develop; we must endure the sorrow and pain that are necessary in order to recognize and welcome the joys and successes that can only be learned through trial and error, through living life as it has been given.
Underlying both stories (although granted, Tolkein seems to have overtly understood something that perhaps Roddenberry didn’t; or maybe he did…) — is the notion of redemption that the Judeo-Christian faith offers, maybe most clearly portrayed by two biblical stories…
In the story of Job, the Deceiver challenges God: If God were to take everything from Job (health, wealth, family… all the best things in life that Job possessed), Job would reject God. God agrees to the challenge and what follows is the gripping account of Job’s loyalty and devotion in the face of his overwhelming temptation to end the suffering and give up, then God’s reward of restoring Job to his former status. Like God himself in the story of Job, Picard knows that his people will make the right choice.
Then we have the story of the temptation of Jesus in the wilderness, that same Deceiver tempts Jesus with the prospect of unlimited power and omnipotence. Jesus (apparently not tempted by Satan’s offer) rejects the deceiver decisively, and Satan goes away. In that story as well, it’s as if God (again, like Picard) is sitting back, confident that his person will make the right choice.
In both stories, what seems to be the best course of action (that is, the most expedient and personally satisfying course of action) is rejected because (again, as we learn from LOTR), that seeming “goodness” that’s gained through deception is false and self-serving; in the end, it will reveal itself for what it is. As Ryker himself comes to realize, and in fact, he quotes the famous words of Sir John Dalberg-Acton: “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” Which is, in fact something very much like the message that Job understood, when God asks Satan: “Have you considered my servant Job?” to which Satan responds: “Take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you…” Satan accepts the challenge, and his deception is laid bare.
In both biblical stories the great Deceiver grossly miscalculates the resolve of his “victim.” Job holds fast to his first loyalty; Jesus rejects what seems to be the quick and easy way to establish his kingdom on earth. The irony is clear — the great Deceiver is himself deceived and ultimately defeated.
In short, both stories: Star Trek and Lord of the Rings (granted, both pure fantasy, but even so, why discount their message?) as told by Tolkein and Roddenberry, summarize the basic message of the Bible’s redemption theme — answering the question: how will humanity respond — even in the face of suffering — to the tempting but ultimately empty promises of the here and now?
* See Wikipedia entry “Q Star Trek”: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Q_(Star Trek)
