From Booklist
Using Star Wars as his dig, Staub excavates the Christian meaning in pop-cultural artifacts. Like Harry Potter, Frodo Baggins, and even Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Luke Skywalker, Staub figures, is an everyman who is transformed into a heroic figure. Staub believes that as Christianity is Western culture's prevailing myth, Star Wars exemplifies a prevailing Western pop-cultural myth. In the cinematic story about the ultimate struggle between good and evil, Staub finds profoundly Christian wisdom. Christianity, he warns, is always one generation from extinction, since spiritual practices pass from generation to generation via individuals. The contemporary lack of spiritual mentors--Yodas--has led to an irrevocable decline in the next generation of Christians. Staub yearns for an authentic Christianity, such as he found in his youth but that now has virtually disappeared. Entertaining and very subjective--Staub refers to it as a journal of remembrances--this discussion of how Star Wars relates to Christianity also refers to such currently immensely popular writers within the Christian tradition as C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien. June Sawyers
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
Review
Biblically literate Star Wars fans have long recognized similarities between Jedi teachings and biblical wisdom. Staub, a broadcaster and director of the Center for Faith and Culture in Seattle, artfully lays out many similarities for Christians who want to claim Jedi wisdom as their own. After seeing a Star Wars prequel, Staub realized that a young man he was mentoring wanted "to be a 'Jedi Christian,' " but Staub's generation had not produced a Yoda. To correct that, Staub takes on the role of a modern-day Yoda (the wise sage) by speaking directly to readers as aspiring Jedi Christians and doling out his understanding of Christian theology. Thankfully, Staub resists the urge to fit all-things-Jedi into a Christian framework, but instead picks and chooses from Jedi (as well as Buddhist, Jewish, Taoist and mystical) teachings, comparing what he finds with biblical wisdom. Because the book is so biblically oriented, it seems to be reaching out to young evangelical Christians, asking them to consider a more progressive tradition of Christian faith—one that embraces liberal Christian philosophers, theologians and mystics, and social and environmental activism. Using Jedi culture as a draw, Staub builds a number of bridges with this book that will keep coffeehouse theological discussions going at least as long as Star Wars films are popular. (Apr.) (Publishers Weekly, February 28, 2005)
“…details spiritual themes in Star Wars that echo Christian theological truths.” (Publishers Weekly, February 14, 2005)
Review
"...Staub artfully lays out many similarities for Christians who want to claim Jedi wisdom as their own." (Publishers Weekly, February 28, 2005)
“…details spiritual themes in Star Wars that echo Christian theological truths.” (Publishers Weekly, February 14, 2005)
Review
"Dick Staub's tour through the spirituality of Star Wars is inspiring and fun. Anyone, like me, who grew up lionizing Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia should read this book. It will both carry you back to your childhood and support your spirit as you make your way through adulthood."
--Lauren Winner, author, Girl Meets God and Real Sex: The Naked Truth about Chastity
"For years Dick Staub has been digging into popular culture to expose the threads of spiritual gold that run through it. Star Wars is his mother lode, and with eloquence he echoes Master Yoda announcing to young seekers, ‘Already know you that which you need."
--Jeffrey Overstreet, film columnist/critic, Christianity Today and Paste Magazine
"Dick Staub is a Christian warrior sage who unashamedly trains and equips the present generation for this one true mythic battle."
--Marty O’Donnell, audio director, Bungie Studios, winner, Rolling Stone Magazine’s 2003 “Best Game Soundtrack” of the Year (for HALO)
"Star Wars seems to have stolen our message, wrapped it in science fiction, and changed entertainment. Dick Staub challenges us to take it back, wrap it around our everyday reality, and change people's lives."
--Rand Miller, CEO, Cyan Worlds; cocreator, Myst, Riven, URU
"Like a Jedi master, Dick Staub delivers sharp, counter-intuitive insights that the next generation seeks. Prepare to discover a force far greater than any you ever imagined."
--Craig Detweiler, author, A Matrix of Meanings: Finding God in Pop Culture
"Few public figures have as much experience brokering the conversation between media culture and Christianity as Dick Staub. Both pop culture artists and inquisitive Christians know that his reputation rests on his ability to speak to both audiences, to keep it real."
--Tom Beaudoin, author, Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spiritual Quest of Generation-X and Consuming Faith
Book Description
Written by award-winning radio personality Dick Staub, this compelling book is filled with anecdotes from the Star Wars films that serve as a launching pad into rediscovering authentic Christianity. Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters also contains quotes from revered “Jedi Christians” such as Thomas Merton, Teresa of Avila, the Apostle Paul, G. K. Chesterton, and other theologians, mystics, writers, and philosophers. The author sheds new light on the struggles and challenges of living faithfully in postmodern life and offers a reintroduction to what C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien called the “one true myth,” Christianity.
From the Inside Flap
Star Wars, one of the most enduring pop cultural phenomena of our day, is a spiritual mythology built around a universal energy called "the Force" and a Jedi's ability to use it. The overt spiritual themes in the Star Wars films convey remarkable theological truths to a younger generation that is dissatisfied with religion but hungry for a spiritual quest. They want to be "Jedi Christians" and are looking for Yoda! Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters opens the door to a fresh exploration of spiritual truth in Christianity by viewing it through the lens of the Jedi Masters.
Written by award-winning radio personality Dick Staub, this compelling book is filled with anecdotes from the Star Wars films that serve as a launching pad into rediscovering authentic Christianity. Christian Wisdom of the Jedi Masters also contains quotes from revered "Jedi Christians" such as Thomas Merton, Teresa of Avila, the Apostle Paul, G. K. Chesterton, and other theologians, mystics, writers, and philosophers. The author sheds new light on the struggles and challenges of living faithfully in postmodern life and offers a reintroduction to what C. S. Lewis and J. R. R. Tolkien called the "one true myth," Christianity.
From the Back Cover
Spiritual Themes in Star Wars That Reflect the "One True Myth"—Christianity
"Dick Staub's tour through the spirituality of Star Wars is inspiring and fun. Anyone like me, who grew up lionizing Luke Skywalker and Princess Leia, should read this book. It will both carry you back to your childhood and support your spirit as you make your way through adulthood." —Lauren Winner, author, Girl Meets God and Real Sex: The Naked Truth About Chastity
"For years Dick Staub has been digging into popular culture to expose the threads of spiritual gold that run through it. Star Wars is his mother lode, and with eloquence he echoes Master Yoda announcing to young seekers, 'Already know you that which you need.'" —Jeffrey Overstreet, film columnist/critic, Christianity Today and Paste Magazine
"Dick Staub is a Christian warrior sage who unashamedly trains and equips the present generation for this one true mythic battle." —Marty O'Donnell, audio director, Bungie Studios; winner, Rolling Stone Magazine's 2003 "Best Game Soundtrack" of the Year (for HALO)
"Star Wars seems to have stolen our message, wrapped it in science fiction, and changed entertainment. Dick Staub challenges us to take it back, wrap it around our everyday reality, and change people's lives." —Rand Miller, CEO, Cyan Worlds; cocreator, Myst, Riven, URU
"Like a Jedi master, Dick Staub delivers sharp, counterintuitive insights that the next generation seeks. Prepare to discover a force far greater than any you've ever imagined." —Craig Detweiler, author, A Matrix of Meanings: Finding God in Pop Culture
"Few public figures have as much experience brokering the conversation between media culture and Christianity as Dick Staub. Both pop culture artists and inquisitive Christians know that his reputation rests on his ability to speak to both audiences, to keep it real." —Tom Beaudoin, author, Virtual Faith: The Irreverent Spiritual Quest of Generation X and Consuming Faith
About the Author
Dick Staub is an award-winning broadcaster, writer, and speaker whose work focuses on interpreting faith and culture. The director of the Center for Faith and Culture and adjunct professor at Seattle Pacific University, he is also the radio personality behind the Dick Staub Show, an award-winning, nationally syndicated daily broadcast he hosted for fifteen years. Dick's interviews are a popular feature on Christianity Today 's website, and his daily blog (www.dickstaub.com) draws thousands of visitors each month. He serves on the board of Image: A Journal of Religion & the Arts and plays a strategic role in the C.S. Lewis Foundation.
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