Michael McGowan finds many theological and philosophical elements in the film Star Trek that I did not recognize while watching the movie. One of the themes he briefly touches on is the idea of self-sacrifice. In the opening scene of the film, Kirk’s father, as captain of the ship, remains on the ship so that people can escape off it. He sacrifices himself and saves hundreds of people.
Another theme McGowan delves into more is the apocalyptic imagery throughout the movie. He notes that the destruction by fire under the leadership of Nero ties into Christian theology. McGowan writes, “In Star Trek and ancient Rome, Nero chooses suicide rather than submission to encroaching forces.” He parallels the historical Nero that New Testament documents describe to the one in the movie and makes a compelling argument about the religious correlation between the two. McGowan suggests that the “cosmic battle which eventuates in good triumphing over evil” is evident in both the film and John’s revelation of the beast in the Bible.
Although I have seen Star Trek quite a few times, I have never thought about the connection between the names of the antagonists in the film or in the Bible. Additionally, I never thought of the imagery as apocalyptic. However, I think McGowan makes a compelling argument and I have to agree with his religious findings in a secular film.
McGowan, Michael W. “Film Review: Star Trek.” The Journal of Religion and Film. Vol. 13, No. 1, April 2009.
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