My dissertation has been marked and is currently being hardbound ready to take its place in the postgrad reading room at Cliff College.
Thank you to everyone who left comments on this blog and encouraged me along the way.
Here is a complete copy of the final draft.
Showing posts with label Firefly. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Firefly. Show all posts
Wednesday, 10 June 2009
Tuesday, 10 March 2009
DISSERTATION DRAFT
I'll be giving my dissertation in soon, it still needs a final 'polish' and proof reading, but I'd appreciate comments about the content if anyone has time to have a look.
The final title is Reimagining Faith and Church in the ’Verse: A dialogue between Joss Whedon’s Firefly and contemporary understandings of belief, ministry and mission.
Here are the links to pdf copies of the four key chapters
Chapter 2 Exploring Mal's loss of faith (188 kb)
Chapter 3 Is Shepherd Book a missional figure? (268 kb)
Chapter 4 The two fanfics + a critique (113 kb)
Chapter 5 Reimagining the church (133 kb)
The final title is Reimagining Faith and Church in the ’Verse: A dialogue between Joss Whedon’s Firefly and contemporary understandings of belief, ministry and mission.
Here are the links to pdf copies of the four key chapters
Chapter 2 Exploring Mal's loss of faith (188 kb)
Chapter 3 Is Shepherd Book a missional figure? (268 kb)
Chapter 4 The two fanfics + a critique (113 kb)
Chapter 5 Reimagining the church (133 kb)
Saturday, 14 February 2009
FANFIC ABOUT SHEPHERD BOOK AND THE EMERGING CHURCH
I have now written a fan fic on Shepherd Book. In this story I have him back in time to the contemporary church in 2009 where is explaining his action on board Serenity to a group studying the emerging church.
From outer space to the margins of the contemporary church
They had some tough and intriguing questions they wanted to ask him. Obviously they all wanted to know about his mysterious past. Was he really a shepherd? Or was he an impostor – a wolf in shepherd’s clothing - perhaps someone recently released from prison or an Alliance operative seeking redemption? The theories were numerous and some quite bizarre, but the students’ curiosity could easily be disguised in a simple request to hear his testimony and find out about his conversion experience.
Some members of the group wanted to interrogate him about the way in which he justified his use of firearms. They’d heard that he advised that although the Bible condemned murder it was ‘somewhat fuzzier on the subject of kneecaps’.
Others were puzzled by the fact that even though he came from the future he seemed to represent a bygone age. To be honest, while they were relieved that their descendants knew the parable of the Good Samaritan, they were disappointed that in 500 years time Christianity would still be characterised by patriarchal images of God, fundamentalist sects and sermons about hell-fire and damnation. They saw this as a warning and wanted the interview to focus on how this situation could be avoided.
So, they had drawn up a list of questions, twenty-seven to be precise, and were anxiously awaiting his arrival in the lecture room.
A hush descended as he entered, smiled at them and took his place at the lecturn. He had not brought any notes – or a PowerPoint presentation. He was dressed in clothes that denoted his vocation; he carried only a light rucksack and a well-worn (and torn) Bible.
‘Shepherd Book’, the convenor said, ‘welcome to our gathering. We’ve been looking forward to meeting you and we have many questions to ask you.’
‘Friends’, Book said in a gentle voice, looking round the room, ‘I hope that I don’t disappoint you, but I’ve come prepared to answer only one question.’
The room held it’s breath. One sceptical member of the class thought that Book was about to come out with one of those pithy sayings of his, which some held in awe as words of wisdom, but which she considered to be merely clichés that he used to avoid actual conversation.
‘One question’, spluttered the convenor, ‘but we’ve compiled quite a list.’ Book took the sheet of paper from his hand and read it silently.
‘Ah, here’s the question’ he said, pointing part way down the page. ‘How might church emerge on board Serenity? I can answer that by telling you a story that starts in a garden …’
After looking round at each of the mystified faces, Book walked away from the lecturn, sat down on a chair, motioned for the others to move their chairs so that they were closer to him and, when everyone was ready, he began his tale.
‘The garden was at Southdown Abbey, where I tended fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Watching the miracle of growth is a delight – though being a gardener does involve backbreaking work and dirty hands – and sometimes things don’t go according to plan. It is hard to put this into words, but I knew that the time had come for me to leave the sanctuary of the Abbey and to venture out once more into the ’Verse. At times it felt like a move from The Order into … total chaos, especially in the hustle and bustle of the crowds at Eavesdown Docks. But it was there that the gardener in me recognised the first tender shoot of church emerging through the words and actions of one of the most caring people I have ever met.
‘Kaylee really paid attention to me; she observed my interest in ships and my indifference about the destination. In addition, she perceived something of my identity – of who I was - that I hadn’t fully realised myself. This helped me to begin to put into words my reason for being there. She was someone who had faith in people and, I would suggest, also in the One in whose image folk are made.
‘Once on board the ship it was plain that we were a very mixed bunch. I met the rest of the existing crew - the gruff captain with the very well hidden tender heart, the goofy pilot and his Amazon-like warrior wife, the loudmouthed hired gun and the high-class prostitute. Fellow newcomers included the extremely proper young doctor hiding behind dark glasses and the quiet chap (Dobson), who looked like he was doing his best to just blend into the surroundings.
‘This was the second shoot – and it would grow to produce many beautiful and fragrant flowers. It would have been wonderful if everyone on board Serenity was like Kaylee – it’s easy to be nice to those who are kind. However, this was something more – this was the chance to be part of a community of very diverse people, people you don’t immediately warm to, people who would disagree with you and challenge you, but, people who through some indescribable process would become family, people who would learn to trust each other and people who, in the captain’s words, “ain’t always looking for the advantage”. This is the sort of community from which church emerges.
‘I was able to offer this community some of the vegetables and herbs that I had brought with me from my garden. The first meal we shared together – though not without its uncomfortable moments – was enriched by this food and as Simon expressed his gratitude to me I requested permission to offer a prayer of thanks. The captain refused to allow me to say grace out loud. So I said it silently, and the others sitting at the table at the time – Kaylee, Simon, Jayne and Dobson – bowed their heads. I don’t know what they said – perhaps some words remembered from their childhood, or a cry from the heart for their needs at that time – maybe they just took the chance to enjoy a moment of silence – but they had the choice to acknowledge God and they took it.
‘Over the months that we lived together the time we spent around the table produced other fruit. It was there that we shared food and told stories. It was there that relationships grew and agreements were sealed. It was there that we made decisions. Of course, the captain would argue that he made of all of the decisions; in reality he always listened to what we had to say and weighed up the alternatives carefully. Whether we were aware of it or not at the time we would each be thinking about the action that was taken and this would stimulate us to reflect upon our beliefs and priorities – another sign of church emerging.
‘I learnt so much from living amongst these people – but most of all I learnt how to be a friend. A sensitive friend both to those who were open to the beliefs that I held and to those who had closed every part of themselves off from God. I also discovered how to recognise the voice of God whether it came through the sensuous and spiritual Inara, the crudely worded common sense of Jayne or the frightening psychic insights of River.
‘I took inspiration from another shepherd, one who had let Jesus down, but who responded to the Lord’s call to “follow me”. The disciple Simon Peter who set out on a journey to an unknown destination, and was continually transformed – or converted - by those he met along the way (like Cornelius, Acts 10).
‘Well, do you think that I am pushing it too far to say that church might emerge on board Serenity?’
Book paused briefly, then continued: ‘Perhaps that says more about your definition of church than anything else. If you were expecting Sunday services to be held, Jayne to sing hymns and the captain to answer an altar call then you will be disappointed. But if your definition of church is a community focused around Jesus maybe you will acknowledge that the seeds that might one day grow into church were already present.’
The time passed quickly and the long awaited session was over. Nodding his goodbyes to the students Book was escorted from the room, leaving them pondering all that they had heard and learnt that morning.
One thing puzzled them, where had that particular question come from, no one could remember suggesting it.
From outer space to the margins of the contemporary church
They had some tough and intriguing questions they wanted to ask him. Obviously they all wanted to know about his mysterious past. Was he really a shepherd? Or was he an impostor – a wolf in shepherd’s clothing - perhaps someone recently released from prison or an Alliance operative seeking redemption? The theories were numerous and some quite bizarre, but the students’ curiosity could easily be disguised in a simple request to hear his testimony and find out about his conversion experience.
Some members of the group wanted to interrogate him about the way in which he justified his use of firearms. They’d heard that he advised that although the Bible condemned murder it was ‘somewhat fuzzier on the subject of kneecaps’.
Others were puzzled by the fact that even though he came from the future he seemed to represent a bygone age. To be honest, while they were relieved that their descendants knew the parable of the Good Samaritan, they were disappointed that in 500 years time Christianity would still be characterised by patriarchal images of God, fundamentalist sects and sermons about hell-fire and damnation. They saw this as a warning and wanted the interview to focus on how this situation could be avoided.
So, they had drawn up a list of questions, twenty-seven to be precise, and were anxiously awaiting his arrival in the lecture room.
A hush descended as he entered, smiled at them and took his place at the lecturn. He had not brought any notes – or a PowerPoint presentation. He was dressed in clothes that denoted his vocation; he carried only a light rucksack and a well-worn (and torn) Bible.
‘Shepherd Book’, the convenor said, ‘welcome to our gathering. We’ve been looking forward to meeting you and we have many questions to ask you.’
‘Friends’, Book said in a gentle voice, looking round the room, ‘I hope that I don’t disappoint you, but I’ve come prepared to answer only one question.’
The room held it’s breath. One sceptical member of the class thought that Book was about to come out with one of those pithy sayings of his, which some held in awe as words of wisdom, but which she considered to be merely clichés that he used to avoid actual conversation.
‘One question’, spluttered the convenor, ‘but we’ve compiled quite a list.’ Book took the sheet of paper from his hand and read it silently.
‘Ah, here’s the question’ he said, pointing part way down the page. ‘How might church emerge on board Serenity? I can answer that by telling you a story that starts in a garden …’
After looking round at each of the mystified faces, Book walked away from the lecturn, sat down on a chair, motioned for the others to move their chairs so that they were closer to him and, when everyone was ready, he began his tale.
‘The garden was at Southdown Abbey, where I tended fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. Watching the miracle of growth is a delight – though being a gardener does involve backbreaking work and dirty hands – and sometimes things don’t go according to plan. It is hard to put this into words, but I knew that the time had come for me to leave the sanctuary of the Abbey and to venture out once more into the ’Verse. At times it felt like a move from The Order into … total chaos, especially in the hustle and bustle of the crowds at Eavesdown Docks. But it was there that the gardener in me recognised the first tender shoot of church emerging through the words and actions of one of the most caring people I have ever met.
‘Kaylee really paid attention to me; she observed my interest in ships and my indifference about the destination. In addition, she perceived something of my identity – of who I was - that I hadn’t fully realised myself. This helped me to begin to put into words my reason for being there. She was someone who had faith in people and, I would suggest, also in the One in whose image folk are made.
‘Once on board the ship it was plain that we were a very mixed bunch. I met the rest of the existing crew - the gruff captain with the very well hidden tender heart, the goofy pilot and his Amazon-like warrior wife, the loudmouthed hired gun and the high-class prostitute. Fellow newcomers included the extremely proper young doctor hiding behind dark glasses and the quiet chap (Dobson), who looked like he was doing his best to just blend into the surroundings.
‘This was the second shoot – and it would grow to produce many beautiful and fragrant flowers. It would have been wonderful if everyone on board Serenity was like Kaylee – it’s easy to be nice to those who are kind. However, this was something more – this was the chance to be part of a community of very diverse people, people you don’t immediately warm to, people who would disagree with you and challenge you, but, people who through some indescribable process would become family, people who would learn to trust each other and people who, in the captain’s words, “ain’t always looking for the advantage”. This is the sort of community from which church emerges.
‘I was able to offer this community some of the vegetables and herbs that I had brought with me from my garden. The first meal we shared together – though not without its uncomfortable moments – was enriched by this food and as Simon expressed his gratitude to me I requested permission to offer a prayer of thanks. The captain refused to allow me to say grace out loud. So I said it silently, and the others sitting at the table at the time – Kaylee, Simon, Jayne and Dobson – bowed their heads. I don’t know what they said – perhaps some words remembered from their childhood, or a cry from the heart for their needs at that time – maybe they just took the chance to enjoy a moment of silence – but they had the choice to acknowledge God and they took it.
‘Over the months that we lived together the time we spent around the table produced other fruit. It was there that we shared food and told stories. It was there that relationships grew and agreements were sealed. It was there that we made decisions. Of course, the captain would argue that he made of all of the decisions; in reality he always listened to what we had to say and weighed up the alternatives carefully. Whether we were aware of it or not at the time we would each be thinking about the action that was taken and this would stimulate us to reflect upon our beliefs and priorities – another sign of church emerging.
‘I learnt so much from living amongst these people – but most of all I learnt how to be a friend. A sensitive friend both to those who were open to the beliefs that I held and to those who had closed every part of themselves off from God. I also discovered how to recognise the voice of God whether it came through the sensuous and spiritual Inara, the crudely worded common sense of Jayne or the frightening psychic insights of River.
‘I took inspiration from another shepherd, one who had let Jesus down, but who responded to the Lord’s call to “follow me”. The disciple Simon Peter who set out on a journey to an unknown destination, and was continually transformed – or converted - by those he met along the way (like Cornelius, Acts 10).
‘Well, do you think that I am pushing it too far to say that church might emerge on board Serenity?’
Book paused briefly, then continued: ‘Perhaps that says more about your definition of church than anything else. If you were expecting Sunday services to be held, Jayne to sing hymns and the captain to answer an altar call then you will be disappointed. But if your definition of church is a community focused around Jesus maybe you will acknowledge that the seeds that might one day grow into church were already present.’
The time passed quickly and the long awaited session was over. Nodding his goodbyes to the students Book was escorted from the room, leaving them pondering all that they had heard and learnt that morning.
One thing puzzled them, where had that particular question come from, no one could remember suggesting it.
Thursday, 12 February 2009
WRITING AS AN ATHEIST
Just musing - I got a real buzz out of writing 'The Myth of Serenity' (see my last post) and discovering how the story related to the experiences of biblical characters and stumbling over key words that seemed so appropriate - lost, save, independence. Then, when I posted it and read it back I was quite odd - I'm trying to work out why.
Joss Whedon, as an atheist, writes a script for a Christian who finds meaning in his faith. I, as a Christian, write a script for an atheist coming to terms with the belief that there is no God. But was I really putting myself into the shoes of an atheist? Only to a certain extent because I see Mal's original faith as immature and misplaced and I see his atheism as transitional. Mmmh - that sounds like I'm feeling superior to him, which I don't want and which is probably why I'm feeling odd.
It could also be because I don't know if I'm ready for the question, 'What did you do your dissertation on?' 'Oh, I wrote a story about how there is no God.'
Joss Whedon, as an atheist, writes a script for a Christian who finds meaning in his faith. I, as a Christian, write a script for an atheist coming to terms with the belief that there is no God. But was I really putting myself into the shoes of an atheist? Only to a certain extent because I see Mal's original faith as immature and misplaced and I see his atheism as transitional. Mmmh - that sounds like I'm feeling superior to him, which I don't want and which is probably why I'm feeling odd.
It could also be because I don't know if I'm ready for the question, 'What did you do your dissertation on?' 'Oh, I wrote a story about how there is no God.'
Wednesday, 11 February 2009
THE MYTH OF SERENITY
For my dissertation I have taken Mal’s crisis of faith, juxtaposed it with several different biblical images and written it out in the form of a myth which reflects its setting at the start (genesis) of the very first episode.
From the light of certainty into the dark night of the soul[1]
In the beginning darkness covered the valley of the shadow of death. And light shone in the darkness – the light of gunfire – and in the light stood the man and the woman. Side by side they fought, united with others in their battle for disunion and independence.[2] Nothing was impossible for this man, he felt full of the Spirit of God. He wore the symbol of his faith close to his heart. God was on his side; God would not let him down.
And the man stood in the darkness and proclaimed victory. He was oblivious to the scene of chaos and destruction all around him. He knew that even if he fell the angels would catch him. He kissed the symbol of his faith … and in that kiss experienced betrayal.
The woman brought the word to him: ‘Our orders are to surrender. No one is coming to save us.’
The war was lost and so was the man.
The look in his eyes said it all.
‘My God, why have you forsaken me?’
After long days and nights of further suffering he walked away from that valley – though some say that he never really left. He returned, for a brief time to the ranch where he was brought up and to the church community where the seeds of his faith had been planted and nurtured. And his return stirred up something in those he met. They did not know what to say to him, but his brokenness spilt out through the only part of the Bible that made any sense. He told his own story through Naomi’s words:
Call me no longer, Malcolm (which means ‘follower of St Columba’)
Call me Mal (which is Latin for ‘bad’)
For the Almighty has dealt with me badly.
I went away full
But the Lord has brought me back empty;
Why call me Malcolm,
When the Lord has dealt harshly with me,
And the Almighty has brought calamity upon me.[3]
In his rage he cried out to God: ‘How could you let the Alliance win?
I put my trust in you; I was doing the impossible for you! You abandoned me!’
Then he turned to the congregation and said: ‘How could you have so deceived yourselves and deceived me into believing that there was a God who loves and cares for us? Well I aim to make sure no one else makes that mistake. See, I cried out to God for help and he didn’t come. I listened for his voice and the silence was deafening. Now I gotta go on living in a ’Verse that’s going to be very different from the one I fought for. And only one thing is certain in this new life – there is no God – we live and die alone.’
[1] Based on Genesis 1-3; Job 30-31; Psalms 22; 23 and 91:11-12 ; Matthew 4:6; 26:49 and 27:46; Luke 1:37.
[2] A line inspired by a description of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia: ‘It is an army of remarkable unity, fighting for disunion.’ Shaara, Killer Angels pp.xxv-xxvi.
[3] Based on Ruth 1:19-21.
Meaning of the name Malcolm taken from http://www.babynames.co.uk/meaning_origin_name_Malcolm.htm accessed 31 January 2009. River points out in The Train Job (Whedon, Firefly Episode 1.2) that Mal means bad. There is no evidence in Firefly that his name changed at this point. ‘Mal’ seems to be his preferred name, he is usually only called ‘Malcolm’ on official records.
From the light of certainty into the dark night of the soul[1]
In the beginning darkness covered the valley of the shadow of death. And light shone in the darkness – the light of gunfire – and in the light stood the man and the woman. Side by side they fought, united with others in their battle for disunion and independence.[2] Nothing was impossible for this man, he felt full of the Spirit of God. He wore the symbol of his faith close to his heart. God was on his side; God would not let him down.
And the man stood in the darkness and proclaimed victory. He was oblivious to the scene of chaos and destruction all around him. He knew that even if he fell the angels would catch him. He kissed the symbol of his faith … and in that kiss experienced betrayal.
The woman brought the word to him: ‘Our orders are to surrender. No one is coming to save us.’
The war was lost and so was the man.
The look in his eyes said it all.
‘My God, why have you forsaken me?’
After long days and nights of further suffering he walked away from that valley – though some say that he never really left. He returned, for a brief time to the ranch where he was brought up and to the church community where the seeds of his faith had been planted and nurtured. And his return stirred up something in those he met. They did not know what to say to him, but his brokenness spilt out through the only part of the Bible that made any sense. He told his own story through Naomi’s words:
Call me no longer, Malcolm (which means ‘follower of St Columba’)
Call me Mal (which is Latin for ‘bad’)
For the Almighty has dealt with me badly.
I went away full
But the Lord has brought me back empty;
Why call me Malcolm,
When the Lord has dealt harshly with me,
And the Almighty has brought calamity upon me.[3]
In his rage he cried out to God: ‘How could you let the Alliance win?
I put my trust in you; I was doing the impossible for you! You abandoned me!’
Then he turned to the congregation and said: ‘How could you have so deceived yourselves and deceived me into believing that there was a God who loves and cares for us? Well I aim to make sure no one else makes that mistake. See, I cried out to God for help and he didn’t come. I listened for his voice and the silence was deafening. Now I gotta go on living in a ’Verse that’s going to be very different from the one I fought for. And only one thing is certain in this new life – there is no God – we live and die alone.’
[1] Based on Genesis 1-3; Job 30-31; Psalms 22; 23 and 91:11-12 ; Matthew 4:6; 26:49 and 27:46; Luke 1:37.
[2] A line inspired by a description of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia: ‘It is an army of remarkable unity, fighting for disunion.’ Shaara, Killer Angels pp.xxv-xxvi.
[3] Based on Ruth 1:19-21.
Meaning of the name Malcolm taken from http://www.babynames.co.uk/meaning_origin_name_Malcolm.htm accessed 31 January 2009. River points out in The Train Job (Whedon, Firefly Episode 1.2) that Mal means bad. There is no evidence in Firefly that his name changed at this point. ‘Mal’ seems to be his preferred name, he is usually only called ‘Malcolm’ on official records.
Monday, 2 February 2009
INTERPRETING MAL'S EXPERIENCE THROUGH THE EYES OF NAOMI
Been thinking about the similiarities between the experience of Mal in and after the battle at Serenity Valley (pilot episode) and the story of Naomi from the biblical book of Ruth.
What do you think?
Call me no longer, Malcolm (which means ‘follower of St Columba’)
Call me Mal (which is Latin for ‘bad’)
For the Almighty has dealt with me badly.
I went away full
But the LORD has brought me back empty;
Why call me Malcolm,
When the Lord has dealt harshly with me,
And the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?
Call me Mal (which is Latin for ‘bad’)
For the Almighty has dealt with me badly.
I went away full
But the LORD has brought me back empty;
Why call me Malcolm,
When the Lord has dealt harshly with me,
And the Almighty has brought calamity upon me?
What do you think?
Saturday, 17 January 2009
FIREFLY FANFIC
For Chapter 4 of my dissertation I'm attempting to creatively explore faith within the 'verse by writing a fanfic. The three ideas that I am pursing at the moment are:
1.) During the pilot episode 'Serenity', the crew, with the exception of Mal, bow their heads and say grace silently - I'm going to attempt to write their prayers.
2.) I'm going to juxtapose the meal that the crew share in 'Out of Gas' and the subsequent experience that Mal goes through when he is left to die alone (and sheds much blood in the process) with the biblical story of Jesus and his disciples at the Last Supper and in the Garden of Gethsemane.
3.) I intend to look at some of the characteristics that are begining to be named as being part of the Emerging Church (e.g. http://www.emergingchurch.info/reflection/stevetaylor/index.htm) whilst asking the question 'what sort of church would Shepherd Book lead?' and let the answer take a narrative form.
Help please - anyone know of similar fanfics/stories? Any ideas will be gratefully received and acknowledged.
1.) During the pilot episode 'Serenity', the crew, with the exception of Mal, bow their heads and say grace silently - I'm going to attempt to write their prayers.
2.) I'm going to juxtapose the meal that the crew share in 'Out of Gas' and the subsequent experience that Mal goes through when he is left to die alone (and sheds much blood in the process) with the biblical story of Jesus and his disciples at the Last Supper and in the Garden of Gethsemane.
3.) I intend to look at some of the characteristics that are begining to be named as being part of the Emerging Church (e.g. http://www.emergingchurch.info/reflection/stevetaylor/index.htm) whilst asking the question 'what sort of church would Shepherd Book lead?' and let the answer take a narrative form.
Help please - anyone know of similar fanfics/stories? Any ideas will be gratefully received and acknowledged.
FLOATING IDEAS - ANY SUGGESTIONS?
I'm still playing around with the overall title for the dissertation and with titles for each of the chapters, but these are some of the ideas I've had:
Re-imagining the Church in the ’Verse
Just Keep On Walking, Preacher Man
Faith in a Vacuum
The Search for Serenity
Give me some [sacred] space
Firefly: a small natural light in the darkness
Journey into the black
Why do you always assume I'm talking about God?
Comments and suggestions welcome ...
Re-imagining the Church in the ’Verse
Just Keep On Walking, Preacher Man
Faith in a Vacuum
The Search for Serenity
Give me some [sacred] space
Firefly: a small natural light in the darkness
Journey into the black
Why do you always assume I'm talking about God?
Comments and suggestions welcome ...
READING THEOLOGY ALONGSIDE FIREFLY
Other things that have fascinated me as I've alternated reading books about Firefly with theological/emerging church/spirituality texts are:
Thinking about 'Earth-that-was' (which had to be left behind) alongside inherited church or 'the-church-as-it-has-been' to quote John Pritchard (page 131 in 'The Life and Work of a Priest'.)
The way in which Whedon's version of the future incorporates ideas and images from so many different cultures and time periods alongside the 'ancient-future' nature of the emerging church.
River's words to Shepherd Book: 'Just keep on walking Preacher Man!' alongside Austin Farrer's image of the priest as a 'walking sacrament' (quoted in Pritchard, J, The Life and Work of a Priest, (London: SPCK, 2007) p.86.
Thinking about 'Earth-that-was' (which had to be left behind) alongside inherited church or 'the-church-as-it-has-been' to quote John Pritchard (page 131 in 'The Life and Work of a Priest'.)
The way in which Whedon's version of the future incorporates ideas and images from so many different cultures and time periods alongside the 'ancient-future' nature of the emerging church.
River's words to Shepherd Book: 'Just keep on walking Preacher Man!' alongside Austin Farrer's image of the priest as a 'walking sacrament' (quoted in Pritchard, J, The Life and Work of a Priest, (London: SPCK, 2007) p.86.
Thursday, 15 January 2009
CLIFF COLLEGE DISSERTATION
Right, this is the outline of my dissertation as it stands at the moment (just about ten weeks left until submission date) ...
Introduction 800 words
Outline of dissertation and of methodology used
i.e. how do you study popular culture theologically?
Chapter 1 2000 words
Description of the show
i.e. the characters & the ship, key storylines, the fans and Joss Whedon
Chapters 2 & 3 3700 words
Exploration of some of the spiritual themes that can be identified in the show
i.e. is the fact that there are no aliens (i.e. nothing supernatural) in Firefly, symbolic of a world in which there is no God? The nature of faith/belief and doubt as illustrated in the show. Darkness and silence in the 'verse. Brokenness and ways of trying to fix it.
Chapter 4 1700 words
The writing of a fanfic
Chapter 5 1700 words
How does this exercise challenge the Church in 2009?
I will explore this through the question: is Shepherd Book a missional character? From an emerging church/missional point of view how does he inspire/challenge/disappoint?
Chapter 6 1600 words
Reflection upon the usefulness of the above exercise
Conclusion 500 words
Summary
I've got about 20,000 words of notes and quotes. I'm still doing a lot of reading - alternating books about Firefly with theological/emerging church/spirituality texts which is proving very inspiring.
For instance I find myself reading about the 'dark dwelling place of God' in Rollins, P, How (Not) to Speak of God, (London: SPCK, 2006) p.82 and then coming across this statement about the episode 'Bushwacked' - 'What River sees when she gazes into the blackness of space is not the harsh emptiness of Mal, the psychotic insanity of the Reavers, or the absent God the (the) Book, but instead the divine Nothing of the mystics, a recognition of a void, an emptiness that is not good or bad, right or wrong, sacred or profane, upside down or right side up, but a possibility for creation, a tentative wandering path for the future.’ Erickson, G, ‘Humanity in a “Place of Nothin’” in Firefly’ in Wilcox, RV & Cochran, TR (editors), Investigating Firefly and Serenity: Science Fiction on the Frontier, (London: I.B. Tauris, 2008) p.179
Introduction 800 words
Outline of dissertation and of methodology used
i.e. how do you study popular culture theologically?
Chapter 1 2000 words
Description of the show
i.e. the characters & the ship, key storylines, the fans and Joss Whedon
Chapters 2 & 3 3700 words
Exploration of some of the spiritual themes that can be identified in the show
i.e. is the fact that there are no aliens (i.e. nothing supernatural) in Firefly, symbolic of a world in which there is no God? The nature of faith/belief and doubt as illustrated in the show. Darkness and silence in the 'verse. Brokenness and ways of trying to fix it.
Chapter 4 1700 words
The writing of a fanfic
Chapter 5 1700 words
How does this exercise challenge the Church in 2009?
I will explore this through the question: is Shepherd Book a missional character? From an emerging church/missional point of view how does he inspire/challenge/disappoint?
Chapter 6 1600 words
Reflection upon the usefulness of the above exercise
Conclusion 500 words
Summary
I've got about 20,000 words of notes and quotes. I'm still doing a lot of reading - alternating books about Firefly with theological/emerging church/spirituality texts which is proving very inspiring.
For instance I find myself reading about the 'dark dwelling place of God' in Rollins, P, How (Not) to Speak of God, (London: SPCK, 2006) p.82 and then coming across this statement about the episode 'Bushwacked' - 'What River sees when she gazes into the blackness of space is not the harsh emptiness of Mal, the psychotic insanity of the Reavers, or the absent God the (the) Book, but instead the divine Nothing of the mystics, a recognition of a void, an emptiness that is not good or bad, right or wrong, sacred or profane, upside down or right side up, but a possibility for creation, a tentative wandering path for the future.’ Erickson, G, ‘Humanity in a “Place of Nothin’” in Firefly’ in Wilcox, RV & Cochran, TR (editors), Investigating Firefly and Serenity: Science Fiction on the Frontier, (London: I.B. Tauris, 2008) p.179
Sunday, 30 November 2008
QUESTIONS FOR FIREFLY/SERENITY FANS
In the episode ‘Objects in Space’ River hears the thoughts of the other folk on board Serenity.
Uncharacteristically Shepherd Book fiercely looks at River and thinks: ‘I don’t give half a hump if you’re innocent or not! So where does that put you?’
What does that mean?
Also, what is the significance of the name ‘Book’ for the character for whom the Bible is so important?
And is it just coincidence that the names ‘River’ and ‘Reaver’ (both victims of the Alliance) are so similar?
Uncharacteristically Shepherd Book fiercely looks at River and thinks: ‘I don’t give half a hump if you’re innocent or not! So where does that put you?’
What does that mean?
Also, what is the significance of the name ‘Book’ for the character for whom the Bible is so important?
And is it just coincidence that the names ‘River’ and ‘Reaver’ (both victims of the Alliance) are so similar?
Saturday, 29 November 2008
CAN SIMON FIX RIVER OR SHOULD HE JUST HAVE FAITH IN HER?
If I haven't referred to Inara much then I've said even less about Simon and River. Time to address that, but first a pithy statement from Book which could have come straight out of a conversation in the Emerging Church.
In the episode Jaynestown, Shepherd Book finds River editing his Bible in order to remove the contradictions.
Commenting on this dialogue, and on the relationship between Simon and River, Alyson Buckman writes:
In the episode Jaynestown, Shepherd Book finds River editing his Bible in order to remove the contradictions.
Book: ‘River you don’t fix the Bible!’
River: ‘It’s broken, it doesn’t make sense!’
Book: ‘It’s not about making sense. It’s about believing in something. And letting that belief be real enough to change your life. It’s about faith. You don’t fix faith, River. It fixes you.’
Commenting on this dialogue, and on the relationship between Simon and River, Alyson Buckman writes:
‘Ironically, River is like the Bible – she “doesn’t make sense,” and her brother attempts to fix her as she attempts to fix the Bible. As Book says about the Bible, the crew of Serenity must come to have faith in River, which they do by the end of [the episode] “Objects in Space.”’Buckman, AR, ‘Much Madness is Divinest Sense’ in Wilcox, R & Cochran, TR (editors), Investigating Firefly and Serenity: Science Fiction on the Frontier, (London: I.B. Tauris,2008) p.46.
MORE ON INARA & BOOK
Some of Inara's wisdom from the episode 'Serenity' (Maybe this proves that Book isn't Jonah.)
Book: ‘I've been out of the Abbey two days. I've beaten a lawman senseless. Fallen in with criminals. I watched the captain shoot the man I swore to protect. And I'm not even sure if I think he was wrong. I believe I just … I think I’m on the wrong ship.’
Inara: ‘Maybe. Or maybe you're exactly where you ought to be.’
INARA vs BOOK - MEANINGFUL OR MEANINGLESS CONVERSATION
There seem to be some similarities between the characters of Shepherd Book and Inara. Both have left behind communities; Book left the ‘Order’ of Southdown Abbey for the ‘chaos’ of Serenity, whereas Inara left the Companions’ House in Sihnon where she had at one time harboured ambitions to be the House Priestess. They are both known by their occupation/vocation/calling. Are they both running away from something/someone? Is Book looking for a ticket to Joppa even though he should be going to Nineveh?
Shepherd Book often comes out with pithy statements - as in this exchange from episode 1:
Or is it wisdom?
Cynthea Masson thinks that some of the pithy sayings used by Inara ‘verge on cliché’ and rather than being full of meaning they are actually used as a way of avoiding actual conversation - ‘an aspect of verbal etiquette in which a Companion would surely be well versed’. Masson, C, ‘But she was naked! And all articulate!’ in Wilcox, R & Cochran, TR (editors), Investigating Firefly and Serenity: Science Fiction on the Frontier, (London: I.B. Tauris,2008) p.20.
Could the same accusation (obviously without the reference to Companion training) be made against Shepherd Book – or against the Church/Emerging Conversation?
Shepherd Book often comes out with pithy statements - as in this exchange from episode 1:
As I re-watch the series I am going to look out for ways in which Inara exhibits the same sort of wisdom in what she says.Kaylee: ‘How come you don’t care where you’re going?’
Book: ‘’Cause how you get there is the worthier part.’
Or is it wisdom?
Cynthea Masson thinks that some of the pithy sayings used by Inara ‘verge on cliché’ and rather than being full of meaning they are actually used as a way of avoiding actual conversation - ‘an aspect of verbal etiquette in which a Companion would surely be well versed’. Masson, C, ‘But she was naked! And all articulate!’ in Wilcox, R & Cochran, TR (editors), Investigating Firefly and Serenity: Science Fiction on the Frontier, (London: I.B. Tauris,2008) p.20.
Could the same accusation (obviously without the reference to Companion training) be made against Shepherd Book – or against the Church/Emerging Conversation?
THE SPIRITUALITY OF INARA
I haven't said much about Inara yet, but she comes over as a very spiritual character, both as a result of her training and through her lifestyle.
Whedon explains that:
After describing temple/sacred prostitution in ancient Middle Eastern society, Andrew Aberdein writes:
Whedon explains that:
'Companions trained in all the arts, extremely well-schooled. They lived not unlike nuns, worked not unlike geishas, and often rose to political or social prominence when they retired,’Whedon, J, Serenity: The Official Visual Companion, (London: Titan Books, 2005) pp.12-13.
After describing temple/sacred prostitution in ancient Middle Eastern society, Andrew Aberdein writes:
‘Inara also exhibits a strong spiritual side. She is frequently associated with religious iconography, primarily Buddhist, and both she and Nandi invoke the Buddha in Chinese imprecations. Moreover, Inara explicitly links the sacred to her practice as a Companion, referring to her shuttle as ‘a consecrated Place of Union’ (Jaynestown).’Aberdein, A, ‘The Companions and Socrates’ in Wilcox, R & Cochran, TR (editors), Investigating Firefly and Serenity: Science Fiction on the Frontier, (London: I.B. Tauris,2008) p.67.
Thursday, 13 November 2008
USEFUL RESOURCES AGAIN 3
Some great insights into the characters and storylines in the 'Firefly Diaries' on http://www.steved.org/articles.html
KEY SPIRITUAL THEMES IN 'FIREFLY' & 'SERENITY'
Listed all of the key spiritual themes that I have identified so far:
- Brokenness
- Sacrifice
- Lost/Found
- Community/Family
- Table Fellowship
- Death
- Morality/Ethics/Conscience
- Betrayal
- Fear/Hope
- Prayer
- Safe/Saved
- Promised Land
- Good/Evil
- Myths
- No Aliens = No God?
- Psychic Powers
- Personhood/Being Human
- Doubt
- Nomadic Lifestyle
- Music
- Belief
Saturday, 18 October 2008
THEORIES ABOUT SHEPHERD BOOK
Jeffery on Savvygeek has a post about possible theories concerning the question 'Who was Shepherd Book?'
He points out that the storyline in the movie 'Serenity' includes a character known as 'The Operative' who was introduced to 'the true background of the reavers' and as a consequence 'relinquished his role as an Operative'.
Commenting on the theory that Book had served as an Operative he says:
Certainly Book 'wasn't born a Shepherd' and presumably must have been through some sort of conversion experience.
He points out that the storyline in the movie 'Serenity' includes a character known as 'The Operative' who was introduced to 'the true background of the reavers' and as a consequence 'relinquished his role as an Operative'.
Commenting on the theory that Book had served as an Operative he says:
'It is possible a similar experience happened to Book. It is possible he went through something that forced him to see the errors of whom he served, and left to become a shepherd, or at least to pose as one.'
http://savvygeek.com/2007/04/30/who-was-shepherd-book/
Certainly Book 'wasn't born a Shepherd' and presumably must have been through some sort of conversion experience.
Tuesday, 14 October 2008
MORE ON FIREFLY CHARACTERS
I really like Bruce Bethke's description of the characters in Firefly. These descriptions are attributed to his friend 'John the screenwriter':
Mal is 'Han Solo [Star Wars] with an actual backstory ... Rick Blaine [Casablanca] with a spaceship instead of a night club. He's a classic lost paladin; an embittered losing-side war vet with a junk freighter, struggling to eke out a living on the fringes of civilization and the law. But underneath his rough exterior he's still got his honour, his pride, and that sense of justice that forces him to get involved and become a big damn hero, from time to time.'
Wash is a 'classic comic-relief sidekick, who gets to have all the emotional reactions the paladin can never show.'
Zoe is a 'tough chick' who served with Mal in the war - 'she's got the whole calls-him-"sir"-even-when-she-doesn't-say-it-out-loud thing going.'
Kaylee - 'it's really nice to see a woman in the role of the engine room grease-monkey.'
Simon, the doctor - 'there's obviously some bad blood between him and Mal, so I'd have to guess he has a little black bag full of patent medicines that save the day on a regular basis and make him worth putting up with.'
River - 'Buffy' - 'the ninety-pound pixie who can toss around men three times her size when she gets mad ... [probably] the focus of the entire plot.'
Jayne - 'big and tough, none too bright, obsessed with weapons, and probably worth his weight in gold in a fight.' Is the name like 'A boy named Sue'? Or is JAYNE a reference to John WAYNE?
Book - 'the preacher with the troubled past'.
Inara - 'the hooker with a heart of gold'.
Bethke, B, ‘Cut 'Em Off at the Horsehead Nebula!', J (ed), Serenity Found: More Unauthorized essays on Joss Whedon's Firefly Universe, (Dallas, TX: Benbella Books, 2007) p176.
Mal is 'Han Solo [Star Wars] with an actual backstory ... Rick Blaine [Casablanca] with a spaceship instead of a night club. He's a classic lost paladin; an embittered losing-side war vet with a junk freighter, struggling to eke out a living on the fringes of civilization and the law. But underneath his rough exterior he's still got his honour, his pride, and that sense of justice that forces him to get involved and become a big damn hero, from time to time.'
Wash is a 'classic comic-relief sidekick, who gets to have all the emotional reactions the paladin can never show.'
Zoe is a 'tough chick' who served with Mal in the war - 'she's got the whole calls-him-"sir"-even-when-she-doesn't-say-it-out-loud thing going.'
Kaylee - 'it's really nice to see a woman in the role of the engine room grease-monkey.'
Simon, the doctor - 'there's obviously some bad blood between him and Mal, so I'd have to guess he has a little black bag full of patent medicines that save the day on a regular basis and make him worth putting up with.'
River - 'Buffy' - 'the ninety-pound pixie who can toss around men three times her size when she gets mad ... [probably] the focus of the entire plot.'
Jayne - 'big and tough, none too bright, obsessed with weapons, and probably worth his weight in gold in a fight.' Is the name like 'A boy named Sue'? Or is JAYNE a reference to John WAYNE?
Book - 'the preacher with the troubled past'.
Inara - 'the hooker with a heart of gold'.
Bethke, B, ‘Cut 'Em Off at the Horsehead Nebula!', J (ed), Serenity Found: More Unauthorized essays on Joss Whedon's Firefly Universe, (Dallas, TX: Benbella Books, 2007) p176.
Sunday, 12 October 2008
THE SEARCH FOR TRUTH
What is learnt from the way in which community is formed on board the spaceship ‘Serenity’?
That's one of the key spiritual themes that I want to tease out in the second chapter of my dissertation.
Matt Stevens highlights this aspect of the storyline in his article about Firefly which can be read on the Damaris website http://www.damaris.org/content/content.php?type=5&id=527
He even goes as far as to say that 'in Firefly we see the beginnings of a community of grace'.
I have been thinking about the way in which Shepherd Book leaves one community (Southdown Abbey) and becomes part of another (Serenity). I wonder if these words from Mike Riddell encapsulate something of Book's experience:
The last two sentences of that quote really speak to me. Might even retitle my dissertation "Making sense of the 'verse."
That's one of the key spiritual themes that I want to tease out in the second chapter of my dissertation.
Matt Stevens highlights this aspect of the storyline in his article about Firefly which can be read on the Damaris website http://www.damaris.org/content/content.php?type=5&id=527
He even goes as far as to say that 'in Firefly we see the beginnings of a community of grace'.
I have been thinking about the way in which Shepherd Book leaves one community (Southdown Abbey) and becomes part of another (Serenity). I wonder if these words from Mike Riddell encapsulate something of Book's experience:
'I have tried to get by on my own, to be a rugged individual. Apart from the fact that I lack ruggedness, it doesn't work anyway. Sure I need my spaces; but without people around they don't seem like spaces - more like a vacuum. At last I have had to face up to it: I need people. I need relationships. Only in the context of belonging somewhere can I make sense of who I am. Over the years I have come to value the shaping power of community. I'm not sure any more that it's possible to be human apart from community. All of us need a place to stand - a group of people who know us as we really are and yet still love us. A community is a place where you can fight without fear of rejection. The search for truth is not a solo venture. We need to hear all the voices if we are going to make sense of the universe.'Riddell, M, alt.spirit@metro.m3: Alternative spirituality for the third millennium, (Oxford: Lion Publishing, 1997) pp62-63.
The last two sentences of that quote really speak to me. Might even retitle my dissertation "Making sense of the 'verse."
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