The Sci-Fi Christian – 9/1/12 “The Sci-Fi Christian: Top 5 Sci-Fi Visionaries” featuring Matt Anderson and Ben De Bono
Episode 80: Top 5 Sci-Fi Visionaries
– September 1, 2012Posted in: Books, Comics, Fantasy, Graphic Novels, Movies, News, Podcast, Sci-Fi, Television
H.G. Wells not only invented the time machine story but also talked about genetic engineering in “The Island of Doctor Moreau” and, as you mentioned, single-handedly invented the alien invasion genre in “The War of the Worlds.” That was in 1898, though, I think – the radio version, which Matt alluded to, was not H.G. Wells, but Orson Welles in 1938. Based on Wells’ novel, of course, but not the same thing. Another of Wells’ famous stories is “The Shape of Things to Come” (so I am really taken aback that Ben doesn’t consider him a visionary…! And you’ve never seen “The Twilight Zone” or “2001″? Sheesh! The SFC needs more historical perspective!)
What’s the beef with Eugene Peterson? The guy’s a trained Presbyterian minister. I don’t think “The Message” should supplant any actual, scholarly Bible translations, but as a devotinal paraphrase well-informed by knowledge of the original Greek and Hebrew, it has its place.
Matt, your mom made a great call on Arthur C. Clarke. Not only is his sci-fi visionary, but he actually invented the modern communications satellite.
Satan is not a visionary because evil cannot create. It can only pervert what is already created. Evil is therefore never original, only derivative, and thus, by definition, non-visionary. Q.E.D.!
Fun episode, guys!
Never saw 2001 or Twilight Zone…
Still trying to wrap my head around that.
Watch that show and that movie!
People say this kind of thing a lot. I really mean it. You should watch 2001 and a handful of Twilight Zone episodes soon. Like tomorrow. Or tonight.
So much of the sci-fi world we know today is informed by themes introduced in TZ. So much of the imagery we know is sourced in TZ and 2001.
I really love that Ben is back on the show. The give and take between Matt and Ben is always a fun listen.
I echo most of what Michael already said above. I’m not really a huge fan of Eugene Peterson’s Message translation but I do feel that his pastoral theology books are among the best that have been written in the last 100 years. If N. T. Wright, Thomas Merton, and Wendell Berry all wrote a book together, I’m fairly sure the result would be Eugene Peterson. I would encourage you to read any of his books, especially: “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction”, “Five Smooth Stones for Pastoral Work “, “The Contemplative Pastor: Returning to the Art of Spiritual Direction”, “Working The Angles: The Shape Of Pastoral Integrity”, “Under the Unpredictable Plant: An Exploration in Vocational Holiness “, and “Eat This Book: A Conversation in the Art of Spiritual Reading “.
Although the Message is not my favorite translation, I at least appreciate that unlike most paraphrases, Peterson actually wrote his using his mastery of the Greek and Hebrew languages knowing that there is no equivalent in English to many of the words that get translated. Although, In trying to give a broader meaning to the words by putting them in a contemporary context, it does become dated very quickly.
Anyway, enough about Peterson. I’m really loving the podcasts and look forward to each new episode. I’d love for you guys to check out one Twilight Zone show in particular called, “The Monsters Are Due On Maple Street”. I think you could have a great discussion about it in the context of the “Fear and Paranoia” propaganda of our society. The message of that show is possibly more relevant today than it was when it aired in 1960 with it’s anti-cold war message.