Beyond the Force

Interview | Author Dick Staub on young "Jedi Christians" in search of a Yoda | Marvin Olasky

Dick Staub is a veteran radio interviewer, a blogger, and the director of the Center for Faith and Culture, which takes a Bible-based look at highly influential popular culture products such as the Star Wars saga. Out of that work comes his new book, Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters (Jossey-Bass, 2005).

WORLD: Some of our readers are probably thinking, "Whoa—he's mixing up biblical and Buddhist-based concepts."

STAUB: There is no question that Lucas, under the influence of Joseph Campbell, has ended up with a decidedly Eastern theology and hodge-podge of ideologies and mythologies. As one reviewer said, "Lucas has taken all the religions, put them in a blender and hit the button." I was not attempting to do a theology of Star Wars. My book was born after a conversation with a young Microsoft guy, who after seeing one of the prequels commented that he wanted to go deeper in his faith, but wouldn't ask most boomers for advice. His reason: Members of my generation were idealists in the '60s but sold out and never did the radical Christian deal. I said, "Oh, so you want to be a Jedi Christian and my generation didn't produce a Yoda!" My book picks up on Luke Skywalker's development from a directionless young man to a heroic Jedi knight, who discovered his life purpose only after finding his mentors, Obi-wan and Yoda. This is a rich metaphor for what can happen when a young follower of Jesus finds a worthy mentor.