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I am not a true sci-fi fan. Much of it is just…too odd…for me. However there is some I do like, typically (but not always) post-apocalyptic scenarios. I’ve had 2 past blog posts connecting sci-fi to Christian themes:

Sci-fi and Christian fellowship. Because of apocalyptic scenarios, a group forms, who otherwise would have never come together. They unite in unusual circumstances to fight a common enemy or survive in tough times. It reminds me of what the church is suppose to be like – in regards to Christian fellowship – but too often falls short.

Sci-fi and Christianity. Understanding harsh OT laws. Yes, watching a sci-fi show helped me better understand certain harsh OT laws!

– Okay, now a new post! I really liked a sci-fi mini-series called The Triangle from 2005, and recently re-watched it. The wealthy CEO of a shipping company employs a team of four people – a journalist, a psychic, a meteorologist, an oceanographer – to discover the secret of the Bermuda Triangle. These 4 diverse people had to work together.

The journalist is a real skeptic. The psychic is obviously more open to supernatural ideas, and viewed a bit askance by the others. Etc. But the tycoon specifically chose these 4 people because of the differing perspectives and abilities they would bring to the table. It was a success. Yes, the 4 people had their differences and quirks, and had to learn to accept each other – but they worked towards a common goal and soon realized they each brought something necessary to the situation.

That reminded me of the church.

A church we visited Sunday had a sermon about 1 Corinthians 12, focusing on verses 12-31. Chapter 12 is about spiritual gifts, and verses 12-31 is entitled unity in diversity. Each part of the Body of Christ (the church) needs each other. The church is composed of different people with different gifts, and that is a good thing. We know this. But too often the church struggles here. We honor certain gifts above others. We look askance at certain types of people. We may say we like diversity, but our actions reveal we prefer “cookie cutter” Christians – Christians who see and do things the exact way we do.

This can happen for various reasons. We confuse essentials and non-essentials when it comes to beliefs. We confuse acceptance with endorsement. We lack the humility to see how much we need others. Etc. That would be another post.

I’ve observed different groups in society where individuals united, despite differences, around a common cause. As Christians, we should be able to do this well, as we look to Jesus and his life, death, and resurrection as the center of all things.  The church is the Body of Christ, and we all need one another. Pray for Christian unity amid diversity.