The recent documentary, Trekkies, is a fascinating look into one of pop-culture's greatest phenomenons and most captivating myths. In this 90-minute documentary we encounter the tremendous power of a shared narrative in shaping a people.

Star Trek is one of the most successful science fiction franchises of all time, having become the focus of TV, movies, books, videos, action-figures, and endless paraphernalia. Over time, its numerous spin-offs have only increased its popularity and appeal.

Fans of Star Trek are known as "Trekkies". Actually, the term fan does not fully describe their devotion. Trekkies are people whose lifestyle, philosophies, friendships, and interests have been influenced by their love for Star Trek.

Such devotion is expressed in countless ways. Some go to great lengths to make exact replicas of hardware used in their favorite episodes. Some dress in the clothing of Star Fleet officials, or make themselves up to look like Klingons, Vulcans, and other space aliens. Others devote themselves to their favorite character or actor, amassing large catalogs of pictures and paraphernalia while others spend countless hours learning the Klingon language. Whatever the case, Trekkies are people who express more than a passing interest in Star Trek. Their dedication takes on near-religious proportions. Indeed, their devotion often overshadows the commitments of religious adherents, and Christians can learn volumes from their example.

Star Trek paints a futuristic picture full of hope. A future where hunger has been eliminated, racism no longer exists, and ignorance has been banished. As a result, a harmonious humankind has the ability to devote all its attention to research and progress, advancing beyond all previous boundaries. This is a remarkably bright outlook in contrast to the dark apocalyptic futures that pervade much of science fiction literature and films.

Over the years, Star Trek and its multiple spin-offs have consistently combined well-developed characters, thought-provoking dialogue, hair-raising action, and mind-blowing special effects to create an inimitable and inspiring show. Such popularity is understandable.

Yet, what is fascinating about Trekkies is not so much their rabid and insatiable interest in Star Trek. It's the Trekkies themselves that are fascinating! The devotion they demonstrate, the allegiance they express, and the commitment they display evoke in me a strange admiration and curious respect. Trekkies have embraced the story of Star Trek and made it their own. They are no longer external observers, but active participants in a phenomenon bigger than themselves. The stories and characters of Star Trek have given them identity, inspiration and hope. This is the power of a good story -- the power of narrative.

Trekkies cover a wide spectrum. They range from the seemingly idiotic to the exceptionally gifted. Doctor and ditch-digger, heterosexual and homosexual, white and black, young and old, male and female, rich and poor -- all can be found at any Star Trek convention. Hardly a homogenous group except for one factor -- their interest in Star Trek. United by this, they display remarkable harmony. They are all aware that their lives have been altered by the narrative of the Star Trek universe and are not afraid to express it. Race, social status, financial profile, religious affiliation, and intellectual attainments value little in comparison. Their unity stems from a shared narrative. Simultaneously, they reject as relatively unimportant the value system of the world around them concerning the things that could possibly divide them.

Trekkies identify with the philosophical worldview of Star Trek. They are captivated by recurring narratives of triumph over competing worlds and philosophies. The world of Star Trek has faced extinction countless times and again and again, through human initiative and intelligence, their heroes have beaten the odds. The threat is conquered! Without fail, an enlightened and harmonious humanity prevails over every danger. This optimism is a guiding light to Trekkies, a refuge in the midst of a dark and divided world. The hopeful future that Star Trek presents motivates fans to continue on in their own personal trek into tomorrow and beyond.

Trekkies know they are different and are willing to be ridiculed for their devotion. They don't mind appearing odd or abnormal to others. Convinced of the value of the Star Trek universe and its accompanying philosophies, they are willing to appear counter-cultural (though Star Trek is a cultural phenomenon) and eccentric.

The unity they display, the common identity they receive from an overarching narrative that embraces and inspires them, their hope for a bright tomorrow through science and knowledge, and their willingness to be considered odd are all commendable qualities. But, there is a galactic problem -- the universe they inhabit is not real. It is imagined. Imagination at its best perhaps, but imagination, at best. Accordingly, the narrative that they embrace and that embraces them is merely a myth. Myth at its best, but myth nonetheless. This is where the tragedy of the Trekkie is unveiled. The world they wish for is an illusion.

Like Trekkies, the Christian's life centers around the participation in a story larger than one's self. The claims of Christianity forge an all-embracing narrative, its focal point and climax being the life, death, burial, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ. It is this good news which defines the Christian and gives him identity, purpose, mission, and hope. This narrative, far from being an invention of the imagination, is the truth of the universe. It is ultimate reality, not creative fiction. We, as Christians, must embrace this story and make it our own just as Trekkies have done with their defining story. We have much to learn from their example.

Like Trekkies, Christians must identify with their metanarrative and derive their identity, purpose, and hope from it. Salvation is not primarily about us and our interests. It is about God's kingdom and His interests! Indeed, salvation revolves around receiving and proclaiming good news -- events that God has accomplished in Christ.

The story of God's redemptive actions in Christ is the backdrop for understanding our place in God's kingdom and purposes. Our identity and significance are found in being identified with this narrative. The goal is to advance and display the interests of His story. Our hope is grounded in the good news that Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension have inaugurated a new creation, culminating in the complete restoration of the cosmos to pristine righteousness and beauty.

Like Trekkies, Christians have one common confession that unites and bonds radically diverse individuals. We are a people that transcend culture, social strata, financial status and racial backgrounds. Despite our vast differences, we are united together as one people through the story of Christ. Our commitment to one another reveals that we find ultimate value in Christ and are willing to forsake all differences in order to unite around Him.

Like Trekkies, Christians must be shaped by an over-arching narrative, in this case, the metanarrative of Biblical revelation. In contrast to the gleeful doomsayers, our narrative is ultimately a positive narrative of hope and joy. Too often our picture of the future extends only to apocalyptic forecasts of mind-numbing despair and destruction. We neglect to picture a bright and hopeful future of perfect righteousness, harmonious relationships, and joy forevermore. "But according to His promise we are looking for new heavens and new earth, in which righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13).

Like Trekkies, Christians should be willing to face ridicule and oddity. There is a great difference, however, between our eccentricities and those of the Trekkies. Our "alienness" is an appropriate expression in light of truth. But it conforms to reality rather than to a science-fiction fantasy. That is because the world apart from God is truly the perversion. Only those who live in light of God's Kingdom with all of its counter-cultural and upside-down practices are those who live in accordance with ultimate reality.

We can learn much from those wondrous, strange, and endearing creatures called Trekkies. They appear to be more shaped and directed by narrative than many Christians. Indeed, their commitment often rivals that of the most devoted Christians. As aliens and strangers in this world, and possessors of the greatest narrative ever revealed, Christians can learn a practical lesson from the Trekkies. We must embrace the story of God and make it our own, finding our identity, inspiration and hope in and through it. We must be people shaped by a story -- the greatest story ever told concerning God and the gospel of His kingdom. This is the power of a good story -- the power of narrative.

© Richard J. Vincent, March 30, 1999