Transcendence, Immanence and Star Wars!

1. WELCOME TO MODULE 3: TRANSCENDENCE AND
IMMANENCE INCORPORATING STAR WARS

2. SYLLABUS REQUIREMENTS
Students Learn About:
Religion as a worldview that:
– acknowledges the supernatural
dimension
– has a belief in a divine being or powers
beyond the human and/or dwelling within
the individual
Students Learn To:
– discuss a transcendent religious
worldview which has a belief in a divine
power and/or powers beyond the human
– discuss an immanent religious worldview
which has a belief in a divine being or
powers dwelling within the individual

3. SYLLABUS OUTCOMES
P3 investigates religious traditions and belief
systems
P4 examines significant aspects of religious traditions
P6 selects and uses relevant information about
religion from a variety of sources
P8 uses appropriate terminology related to religion
and belief systems

4. PROBLEM STATEMENT
MODULE 3
Use STAR WARS to demonstrate the concepts of
Transcendence and Immanence

5. The Goal of this 6P is to answer the problem
Statement, via the following Plan:
What is Transcendence? What is Immanence? If and where do the two cross over in
belief?
Demonstrating the above in STAR WARS...Where is Transcendence demonstrated?
Where is immanence demonstrated? If and where do these two concepts ‘cross
pollinate’?
Viewing how Transcendence Immanence and the crossover of two are revealed
within a Semitic Religion. In this case Christianity
Viewing how Transcendence, Immanence and a possible cross over are shown within
an Indus Faith Tradition. In this scenario the Hindu Faith.

6. Glossary and DEFINITION: What is Immanent? What is Transcendent?
TRANSCENDENT RELIGION
1. A religion that holds that there are beings that exist beyond the known
universe that are not subject to the laws of nature; polytheism and monotheism
are the two principal types of transcendent religion. (Oxford Studies of Religion Text)
2.The belief in a divine being or powers whose existence’goes beyond’ human
limitations. It is opposed to the term ‘immanent’ (Living Religion 4th Edition)
IMMANENT RELIGION
1. A religion that holds that gods, goddesses or divine spirits live within nature
and that the universe was created by these spirits and is maintained by their
power.(Oxford Studies of ReligionText)
2. A world view that recognises a divine being or powers as a constant reality-an
active and continuing presence among believers and in this world (Living Religion 4th

7. In the movie A NEW HOPE the scene Use The Force potrays evidence that there are
forces and expression of both Transcendence and Immanence
When we hear “Use The Force” and “Let Go Luke” it is as though a great being
beyond the surrounding realm of existence is guiding Luke in his gallactic battle
against evil forces. It is interesting to hear the evil representation: Darth Vader
comment: The force is strong” This would relate to a being beyond the known
universe (see definition)
Where is immanence linked in this scene? Could it be in the action of Luke switching
off his contact “ You’ve switched off your targeting Computer, what’s wrong?” Luke
responds determined “ Nothing I’m allright” Here we move to an angle of cross
pollination. Is the God within Luke the master of his destiny here ?or, is it that the
superior Universal force has saved him from pending death?

8. Han Solo applauds the action as though it was a reference to both the transcendence
an immanence of God, “Great shot Kid, that was one in a million...remember, the
Force will be with You Always” Here we tend to see how in Star Wars the concepts
of Transcendence an Immmanence are demonstrated in the form of a hybrid,
manifested not as a distinct deliniation as previously hoped for.
Earlier on in Episode IV A New Hope Obi-wan Kenobi enlightens Luke on the ways of
a Jedi Pilot. He initiates Luke’s spiritual calling by stating “ You must learn the ways of
the Force”
What is this FORCE? Obi teaches: “It is what gives a Jedhi his power, It’s an energy
field created by all living things, it surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy
together.” Is this the vital link that sways STAR WARS towards immanence rather
than transcendence? ( See Syllabus Definition Slide 2)

9. Below is one academic summation relating to the quest in understanding How
Transcendence and Immanence are placed within STAR WARS
The Force is Lucas’s distillation of religious thought and
feeling throughout human history. In his understanding of
this history, and at the core of Star Wars, the divine is no
separate deity controlling events from the outside, but
the inner God-force that impels the hearts and minds of
all of us to seek to fulfill our inner truth (James Lawler in STAR WARS
and Philosophy)

10. CHRISTIANITY
Pope Paul VI wrote in Credo of the People of God: “We believe in only one God, Father,
Son and Spirit, creator...”(The Trinity, Neil Ormerod) This shift from thinking that God the Father
was THE creator, to creation as being the role of all three persons in the Trinity is
significant in dispelling the simplistic notion that Christianity is only delivered within a
Transcendent worldview.
Christianity, although a Semitic based religion, can be experienced as a “marriage”
between both Transcendence and Immanence.
HOW? It is believed that in the theology and practice of the Christian Faith Tradition,
Transcendence and Immanence interpenetrate in a most exceptional manner. As God
is the three persons of the Trinity, it is within the second person of the Godhead that
the answer lies. It is the mysterious and paradoxical nature of The Christ where a
link, a bridge is built between infinite deity and finite man. Thus, the God of Abraham
(Transcendent) dwelt amongst us (Immanent) as Man (Incarnate and Divine)

11. HINDUISM
An Indus based religion, Hinduism is not a monolithic(single and uniform) religion.
Rather it embraces a wide diversity of religious belief. Transcendently, Hindus define
the God-spirit as being universal, eternal and the creator of the universe. God is
without form and name.
Immanently, (emphasises the presence of God or gods within human existence) so
that God can be understood by common people, God is given human form and
attributes.
Generally, it can be said that Hindus have One divinity which is worshipped in many
appearances under different names. Contrary to the above understandings, a sense of
transcendence and immanence cross pollinating may be difficult to ascertain because
there are forms of Hindu philosophy that did not assume the existence of God.

12. CONCLUSION
STAR WARS demonstrated Transcendence, Immanence and the cross referencing of
both concepts in Luke Skywalker’s spiritual quest as a Jedi Knight trusting that the
FORCE was beyond and within him.
Christianity, more than any other Faith tradition, through the incarnation of Jesus The
Christ, reveals an inter-penetrable experience of Transcendence and Immanence.
Hinduism presents aspects of both, leaning towards a divine being or beings dwelling
within the individual adherent, hence Immanent in fundamental direction.

13. SOURCES
Excel Studies of Religion; Fleming, Louise; 1998
Living Religion; Morrisey et al 4th edn; 2010
NSW Board of Studies website
Oxford Studies of Religion; King et al; 2010
PMonline Module 3 resources
STAR WARS and Philosophy; Decker et al; 2005
The Trinity; Ormerod , Neil; 2006