MR. SPIELBERG HAVE I GOT A SCRIPT FOR YOU

Once every few years a major Hollywood motion picture is filmed in the area where I live. I remember one time I was working as a delivery man downtown and a few blocks had been shut down for a film in progress. In pondering all the trucks and equipment around, thinking of what celebrity might be right around the corner, I imagined a situation where I would walk into an elevator and low and behold, some great director would be standing beside me. The company “Dreamworks SKG” produces many films and has even done two epic Bible animated versions of the stories of Joseph and Moses (“Joseph ---“ and “The Prince of Egypt”). I know that Steven Spielberg is the “S” in “SKG” so in my imagined scenario I think of him and say “How about this for your next animated Bible film ‘Adam and Eve – A Love Story’? Give me your card and I’ll send you a treatment”.

If I ever got to pitch someone this idea in reality what I would send would be something like what you will see in the rest of this chapter, a story not of Adam’s love for Eve, but of God’s love for all humankind. The following words are taken from an author who lived in the 19th century. She wrote on a number of different faith related topics including many of the themes we have discussed here in this blog. What I find to be especially fascinating is the way in which she wrote. You get the impression as you read that you are watching the whole story play out on video inside your mind. I would like to ask you to imagine this as a script for a film as grandiose as Star Wars complete with special effects and a riveting score.

Of course no matter how good a job a team of filmmakers could do in bringing this story to life on the big screen, the general public probably wouldn’t like it. The modern mind that needs to be “wowed” with special effects is not the mind that seeks to find truth. The “wow factor” has to come from the truth itself, which I think it does do here. Combine that with the two opposing points of view that have run through this whole blog (the Star Trek mentality versus the 14th century one) and likely those who live one side or the other would not be willing to give up their preconceived notions in order to adopt such a radical idea. However I will hold until my dying day to the truth of all that has been discussed in this blog:

Science and the modern mindset has not defeated the Bible.

The story of the plan of salvation is just as exciting as any science fiction. It is not only true, it is truth and meets the deep seated spiritual needs that sci-fi is an attempt to meet.

That the ‘Heaven’ of the Bible is in the same physical reality as this world. And so is all that we can see of the universe, including any planets we may discover.

Holding to a balanced understanding as this blog describes therefore makes the gospel very practical for the 21st century.

And one final point, STAY FAITHFUL TO THE LORD AND YOU’LL GET THERE!

Here’s my script, taken from a number of books. From this point on the only words of mine are clearly indicated in parentheses:

Part 1 – How Lucifer became Satan

To many minds the origin of sin and the reason for its existence are a source of great perplexity. They see the work of evil, with its terrible results of woe and desolation, and they question how all this can exist under the sovereignty of One who is infinite in wisdom, in power, and in love. Here is a mystery of which they find no explanation. And in their uncertainty and doubt they are blinded to truths plainly revealed in God's word and essential to salvation. There are those who, in their inquiries concerning the existence of sin, endeavor to search into that which God has never revealed; hence they find no solution of their difficulties; and such as are actuated by a disposition to doubt and cavil seize upon this as an excuse for rejecting the words of Holy Writ. Others, however, fail of a satisfactory understanding of the great problem of evil, from the fact that tradition and misinterpretation have obscured the teaching of the Bible concerning the character of God, the nature of His government, and the principles of His dealing with sin.

It is impossible to explain the origin of sin so as to give a reason for its existence. Yet enough may be understood concerning both the origin and the final disposition of sin to make fully manifest the justice and benevolence of God in all His dealings with evil. Nothing is more plainly taught in Scripture than that God was in no wise responsible for the entrance of sin; that there was no arbitrary withdrawal of divine grace, no deficiency in the divine government, that gave occasion for the uprising of rebellion. Sin is an intruder, for whose presence no reason can be given. It is mysterious, unaccountable; to excuse it is to defend it. Could excuse for it be found, or cause be shown for its existence, it would cease to be sin. Our only definition of sin is that given in the word of God; it is "the transgression of the law;" it is the outworking of a principle at war with the great law of love which is the foundation of the divine government.

Before the entrance of evil there was peace and joy throughout the universe. All was in perfect harmony with the Creator's will. Love for God was supreme, love for one another impartial. Christ the Word, the Only Begotten of God, was one with the eternal Father,--one in nature, in character, and in purpose,--the only being in all the universe that could enter into all the counsels and purposes of God. By Christ the Father wrought in the creation of all heavenly beings. "By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, . . . whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers" (Colossians 1:16); and to Christ, equally with the Father, all heaven gave allegiance.

The law of love being the foundation of the government of God, the happiness of all created beings depended upon their perfect accord with its great principles of righteousness. God desires from all His creatures the service of love--homage that springs from an intelligent appreciation of His character. He takes no pleasure in a forced allegiance, and to all He grants freedom of will, that they may render Him voluntary service.

But there was one that chose to pervert this freedom. Sin originated with him who, next to Christ, had been most honored of God and who stood highest in power and glory among the inhabitants of heaven. Before his fall, Lucifer was first of the covering cherubs, holy and undefiled. "Thus saith the Lord God; Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God; every precious stone was thy covering. . . .Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee." Ezekiel 28:12-15.

Lucifer might have remained in favor with God, beloved and honored by all the angelic host, exercising his noble powers to bless others and to glorify his Maker. But, says the prophet, "Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty, thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness." Verse 17. Little by little, Lucifer came to indulge a desire for self-exaltation. "Thou hast set thine heart as the heart of God." "Thou hast said, . . . I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation....I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the Most High." Verse 6; Isaiah 14:13, 14. Instead of seeking to make God supreme in the affections and allegiance of His creatures, it was Lucifer's endeavor to win their service and homage to himself. And coveting the honor which the infinite Father had bestowed upon His Son, this prince of angels aspired to power which it was the prerogative of Christ alone to wield.

All heaven had rejoiced to reflect the Creator's glory and to show forth His praise. And while God was thus honored, all had been peace and gladness. But a note of discord now marred the celestial harmonies. The service and exaltation of self, contrary to the Creator's plan, awakened forebodings of evil in minds to whom God's glory was supreme. The heavenly councils pleaded with Lucifer. The Son of God presented before him the greatness, the goodness, and the justice of the Creator, and the sacred, unchanging nature of His law. God Himself had established the order of heaven; and in departing from it, Lucifer would dishonor his Maker, and bring ruin upon himself. But the warning, given in infinite love and mercy, only aroused a spirit of resistance. Lucifer allowed jealousy of Christ to prevail, and he became the more determined.