Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984)

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) is a Christian movie review which explores the spirituality of the film and compares it with the Bible.

Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984) continues the adventure that began in the previous film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. In that film, Spock sacrificed his life to save the USS Enterprise. In this film, the crew of the Enterprise discover that Spock is not really dead. His “katra” (the Vulcan version of the soul) was given to Dr. McCoy. Sarek, Spock’s father, visits the crew and informs them that Spock could return when he is made whole (soul and body). The crew sacrifice their careers in order to get Spock from the Genesis Planet to Vulcan. There, Spock returns to life, illustrating the picture of Christ. (I describe this in The Holy Trinity in the Star Trek Trilogy.)

Genesis and the Creation of Life

In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, the Federation has created a planet which they call Genesis. Dr. McCoy mentioned that “according to myth, the world was created in six days. Now watch out! Here comes Genesis! We can do it for you in six minutes!”

In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, one learns that creating life is not that simple. Dr. David Marcus explains that in making a new world, he used the wrong ingredients. The Genesis planet eventually falls apart because humanity could not create a sustainable planet. Humans do not have enough technology to create what God created. Humanity has trouble creating life. God does not have that same problem.

The book of Genesis begins with God creating life. He created the heavens and the earth. He creates life on Earth first with creation, followed by humanity. Genesis 1:1 and Psalm 8:3-8 recall the creation event.

QUESTION: Star Trek shows that creating life is hard. It takes faith to believe that God created life. How do you view God as your Creator?

Nature of the Soul

Through Spock, Star Trek III explores the idea of a soul. Kirk recalls to Sarek that “if Spock really does have a soul, then I need to help him.” Kirk may be hesitant in the belief of a soul that lives forever. However, the film reveals that a soul that lives can unite back in a body.

The Bible talks about the soul. Some believe that the Bible teaches that humanity exists as a body and a soul. Others believe that the Bible teaches that we exist as a body, soul, and spirit. No matter which interpretation one believes, the Bible teaches that at death, the spirit and soul separates from the body. For the Christian, that soul resides in heaven until the resurrection (Revelation 19:14, Revelation 20:4). For the unbeliever, that soul resides in hell temporary until the final judgment when the soul will reunited with the body, judged and then sent to an eternal hell (Revelation 20:11-15). The Bible teaches that there will be a resurrection of soul which unites with the body (1 Corinthians 15:52-55).

QUESTION: In the film, Spock did not count on a resurrection. The film showed that for the Vulcans, reuniting the body and the soul is hard work, and not a certainty. That is different for the Christian, The Christian looks forward to a resurrected body. Do you look forward to a resurrection? How does this assurance help you live your life?

Sacrifice

In Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan, Spock sacrificed his life to save the ship and the crew. In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, many people and things are sacrificed to save him in this film. The USS Enterprise is sacrificed by Captain Kirk in order to have in the words of Dr. McCoy a “fighting chance to live.” The crew sacrifice their careers by breaking orders to save both Dr. McCoy and Spock.

The film highlights the risks that are associated with sacrifice. Sacrifice must cost me something. Otherwise it is not a sacrifice.

David gave financial sacrifice to save his people from judgment by God for his own personal sin (2 Samuel 24:24). Moses sacrificed a life of privilege to help lead the Israelites out of Egypt (Hebrews 11:24-27). Jesus willingly sacrificed His life so that people who trust Him with their lives can have eternal life.

QUESTION: The Bible states that sacrifice is the definition of Christian love (1 John 3:16). How does the sacrifice of crew of the USS Enterprise illustrate this kind of love? Who has made a similar sacrifice in your life? How can you make that kind of sacrifice for others?