Star Trek (2009)

Star Trek (2009) is a reboot (produced and directed by J.J. Abrams) of the classic Star Trek series of movies. The story takes place in an alternate reality due to time travel by both Nero and the original Spock (Leonard Nimoy). The alternate timeline was created in an effort to free the film and the franchise from established continuity constraints while simultaneously preserving original story elements.

I found this film to be a great introduction to general audiences of the Star Trek series. The major two themes include (1) beginnings and (2) lostness. The film establishes the characters and it deals with the beginnings of Kirk, Spock as well as how the crew come together. So in a sense, the film is about beginnings.

The film also touches on the theme of lostness. Kirk loses his father in the opening sequence of the film. In this case, Kirk is born and grows up without the benefit of a biological father. Spock loses his home-world Vulcan during the course of the film. The sense of lostness or losing something important to oneself is felt throughout. The answer to this lostness is true friendship and community. As the crew comes together they form a special bond. Kirk and Spock form a bond that will affect them for the rest of their lives. Spock Prime even says at the end of the film that this was necessary. As an “act of faith,” Spock Prime tried to get Spock and Kirk to work together. Spock Prime thought it was necessary in building true friendship.

The Bible speaks of the importance of friendship and having faith in friendship. Proverbs 18:24 and John 15:13 describe the importance of this kind of friendship. The Christian life is about relationships. Beginning in Genesis, God said that man was not meant to be alone (Genesis 2:18). We were built to develop deep friendships in our lives to help us. We also build friendships in community. Just as the crew of the Enterprise grows together, people grow in community. The church is that community God uses to grow Christians into mature believers. He uses experiences, the community of the church, and special friendships to help us.

Questions:

1. What do you think about your friends? How much do you values your friends?
2. Just as the crew of the USS Enterprise grows as a family, people of faith should grow as a family when they are in community. Are you part of a faith community (Sunday School, church, small group)? How does it feel to have this community? Does this community help you grow?