Is there sci-fi in the Bible?

Now, before I get branded as either a heretic or a hero, let me assure you that this post isn’t some profound theological treatise.

I have supreme respect for the Bible…but I also respect my readers. You don’t read science fiction as a substitute for Sunday School.

So this will be a place to have some fun. To see what sci-fi tropes we might find in the Bible.

Let’s don our Jedi robes and break out our tricorders. (Okay, now I’m a heretic for blending Star Wars with Star Trek…)

Where is there sci-fi in the Bible? 🚀📖

EPISODE I: THE GARDEN OF EDEN

The book of Genesis seems a good place to start. What a novelist might call “the inciting incident” takes the idyllic world of Adam and Eve and flips it on its head. One of the many dire consequences of their poor choices was banishment from Eden.

And who enforced this banishment?

“…at the east of the garden of Eden [God] placed the cherubim [mighty angels] and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:24, English Standard Version)

Wait…angels and a floating, fiery sword? ⚔

Could that be a lightsaber? And the angels are using the Force to wield it?

(By the way, why wouldn’t a well-trained Jedi remote-operate his/her saber instead of putting themselves within striking distance of an opponent? Some ancient Jedi Academy lightsaber code? Especially if they held a second saber for defense. Just wondering…)

EPISODE II: THE TOWER OF BABEL

Another Genesis account mentions the last time all of humanity actually came together under a common purpose. (Hint: this was a looooong time ago…)

“And they said to one another, ‘Come, let us make bricks, and burn them thoroughly.’ … Then they said, ‘Come, let us build ourselves a city and a tower with its top in the heavens, and let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be dispersed over the face of the whole earth.’” (Genesis 11:3-4, ESV)

Apparently they really enjoyed playing in the mud and making bricks. (No need for daycare when parents and kids can enjoy the fun together, right?) 🧱🧱🧱

And God was unhappy when they failed to heed His command voice to “Please disperse!”

Thus, God gave them all instant subscriptions to Rosetta Stone…and the babbling hasn’t stopped since. (I’m looking at you, cable news. 🤨)

But let’s use our sci-fi scanner.

They were building a tower to the heavens.

If I squint really hard, I can picture a space elevator.

Yes, their building materials are all wrong. And there’s no cable or orbiting anchor point mentioned. But just imagine an all-brick terrestrial anchor point for a space elevator cable. Like the coolest Lego engineering set ever, right?

(Side note: Ted Chiang, the author behind the movie Arrival, wrote an award-winning novelette called the “Tower of Babylon” that is a fun speculative retelling. No space elevator, though…)

EPISODE III: THE SUN STOOD STILL

I’m a guy who believes in the power of prayer…but I’m a prayer weakling compared to Joshua.

After leading the Israelites into the Promised Land, Joshua faced many enemies.

In one instance, Joshua’s army had the advantage, and he wanted to press the attack. But they would run out of daylight before achieving their goal.

What did this military general do? Confer with his staff? Form a committee?

Nope. He prayed for the sun and moon to hold position. ☀🌙

“And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the nation took vengeance on their enemies.” (Joshua 10:13, ESV)

Talk about a “force multiplier…” 🤯

Now, there’s not exactly a sci-fi trope about stopping a planet in mid-spin—unless you count the Death Star blowing one up—although supervillain and Minion boss Gru has been known to move the Moon out of its proper place.

But you’ve got to admit that would be a great superpower.

“Boss, I’ll get you that report tomorrow”—and then you keep the sun from setting and hang out at the beach. 🏖 (You might want SPF 1000…just saying.)

EPISODE IV: PHILIP AND THE EUNUCH

Before I jump into this account from the New Testament, let me say unequivocally that I wouldn’t volunteer to be a eunuch. I’d rather have an audit from the tax man. Enough said. 😬

But look at what happens to an early evangelist (Philip) right after he baptizes a Christian convert from Ethiopia:

“And when [Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch] came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. But Philip found himself at Azotus.” (Acts 8:39-40, ESV)

Teleportation…in the Bible.

All I can say is, “Beam me up, Scotty!” 🌌

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Well, I could go on.

How prayer is like faster-than-light communication. 🙏

How Sodom and Gomorrah were obliterated by a space bombardment. 🌠🌠🌠

Or (my personal favorite) how the Bible constantly mentions “aliens.” 👽

(Don’t believe me? “So show your love for the alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.” Deuteronomy 10:19)

But now it’s your turn, you sci-fi-loving, Bible scholars! (There are at least 7 of us…)

What sci-fi elements in the Bible has your personal tricorder picked up? 📳

Comment below!

And if the sun suddenly stops in the sky…I’ll know it was you.

Dan