The Martian Review *Spoilers*

Ridley Scott's "The Martian" has delighted audiances and defeated all other releases. The film stars Matt Damon, Sean Bean, Jeff Daniels, and host of other familiar faces. The plot isn't complex, Damon gets left behind on Mars during a storm and must survive 400+ Sols (days on Mars) until a rescue can be arranged. The cinematography as usual for Ridley Scott film is breathtaking, but what really sways your heart is the collaboration. Between NASA, The Crew that left Damon accidently on Mars, the Chinese, and the plethora of engineers shows you what it means to "serve one another." (Galatians 5:13).

The entire film is filled with faith messages, unsual for a Ridley Scott film, which tend to be full of nihilism or Universalism. In one scene Matt Damon takes a wooden crucifix (Jesus on the cross) to use a kindling to make water for crops, he says, "I know you arn't going to have problem with this, I am counting on you." The scene does not mock Christ but has many profound meanings, firstly Damon is professiong to trust in Christ, secondly it is literal because the wood is what will lite the device he's made for food and give him water which will keep Him alive; here there is major scriptural symbolisms. The first is that the crucifix is wood, for Jesus said "those who wash their robes shall inherit the Tree of Life."  (Revelation 22:14-15). The Tee of Life is eternal life and so it is an allusion to Jesus Christ. The second symbolism comes from fact that Damon uses the fire to create water for his crops. Jesus said, "but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life." (John 4:14, cross ref John 6:35, John 7:38). Again, water is the symbol of eternal life and thus alluding to Jesus. Finally, the wooden crucifix being used to make fire to ignite the device to make water and water the crops is an allusion to Jesus being "The Light of the World," (John 8;12), "and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels," (2 Thessalonians 1:7), and for "God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:29).

The Martian makes the best film this year because it is entirely Christian without being preachy. The film is full of "love one another," (John 13:34, cross ref John 15:12) as seen in the Crew's decision to risk thier lives to save Damon, and "there is no greather love than for a man to lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13). The Crew even risks thier jobs, knowing that rescuing Damon against orders will automatically demerit them and put them into retirement. This pays homage to, "Sell all your possessions, and come follow me," (Matthew 19:21) and "You can only serve one of two masters, God or Mammon (Money)." (Matthew 6:24). The crew chooses God, because they decide "One life matters," more than their material wealth and safety.

We also see unity in a way Christ wanted. The Chinese have a method of using rockets that the United States does not know. The General when told if he gives the Americans the secret, they will have to postpone thier military plans does not hesitate to do the right thing and help the Martian (Matt Damon). Jesus said, "I desire that they be one, as you and I are One." (John 17:21). While we do not see a church, we see how the church should operate around the world; with one goal in mind, "You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love." (Galatians 5:13). It is serving in love that destroys the hate, suspicion, and distrust in people. Jesus Christ knew this and preached "But the greatest among you shall be your servant. Whoever exalts himself shall be humbled; and whoever humbles himself shall be exalted," (Matthew 23:11-12), "Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant," (Matthew 20:26), and "Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all," (Mark 9:35). In the Martian we see the Kingdom of God at work and as it was intended, only without the direct references to Jesus as Lord and God unfortunately.

At the same time it could be argued that this is an Unitarian message. Ridley Scott has been quoted saying, "All faiths are the same, everyone is praying to the same god." Scott made this film and so that probably was his intent, and that is manifested when one character is asked, "do you believe in God?" The character responds, "Well my father is Hindu and my mother is Baptist. So yeath, I believe in many." However, what stands out in The Martian is Ridley Scott is not putting down Christianity for once.

I believe that people are tired of conflict. The world is already riddled with raising voices and rifles. While the blockbuster epics and bombastic action films have a turn out, I think people are sick of watching people slaying one another and want to see people serve each other. Obviously, we must avoid Universalism and Unity based on all religions being one, for Jesus said, "I am the Way, The Truth, and the Life. The Only way to the Father is through me." (John 14:6). There is no other way to Heaven or God but through Jesus who is God. I may enjoy the servant oriented message of "The Martian," I am wary to let it take 'flight' in the realm of Universalism. Rather, I see an allegory of what the Kingdom, the Church should look like. We should strive to serve one another and lay down our lives for each other the way the Crew in this film does for Matt Damon.

Finally, the entire film can be considered an allegory of how we as Christians should treat our lives on earth. Matt Damon the Martian wants to get home and treats Mars as place he has to live on, but wants to leave. This echoes the verse, "Be not of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind,"(Romans 12:2) and "Friends, this world is not your home, so don’t make yourselves cozy in it. Don’t indulge your ego at the expense of your soul. Live an exemplary life among the natives so that your actions will refute their prejudices. Then they’ll be won over to God’s side and be there to join in the celebration when he arrives.." (1 Peter 2:11-12 MSG). We are living on Mars, our home is Heaven and the New Earth to come: The Kingdom of God. This is temporary and our life on this planet is full of perils. Unlike the final words of the film which include, "This is how I end.." we know there is no end for us who believe in Jesus Christ, that "to live is Christ, to die is gain," (Philippian's 1:21) because Jesus said, "I am the resurrection and the lie, all who believe in me shall never die, though they die they shall live." (John 11:25).