"The human adventure is just beginning"
These words flash across the screen as Star Trek: The Motion Picturem comes to a triumphant close. The message is clear: Humanity will fulfill its destiny through fusing the human element with unlimited technology. Mankind and machines will finally unite as one -- intuition and emotion wedded to perfect rationality.
Something in us does want to transcend the restrictions of space-time and matter. Something does want to expand and know without limitation. The question is, can this yearning be fulfilled by supertechnology and unlimited material knowledge, as the movie implies? This view is being seriously challenged today as the limitations of technology become all too apparent. Perhaps what is needed is a fresh look at where humankind's future really lies.When our priorities are right, technology will find its proper place in service of humanity.
Many people feel that in Christ Jesus all questions as to man's ultimate destiny were answered. Each individual is to know himself as God's own son, the very expression of infinite Spirit. Jesus' lifework launched mankind on its greatest adventure -- the discovery of the true nature of reality and individual being. Many have followed and continue to follow -- however slowly -- this magnificent pioneer's footsteps out of matter and into the unlimited possibilities of life in Spirit.
One such follower of Christ Jesus was Mary baker Eddy. Her deep desire to know and obey God and Christ led to her discovery of the rules and laws -- the Science -- by which Jesus triumphed over matter and space-time. She called her discovery Christian Science, the Science of Christ, and attributed it to the revelation of divine Spirit.
"Science reveals the glorious possibilities of immortal man, forever unlimited by the mortal senses," n1 Mrs. Eddy writes in her book Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures.m What are some of these possibilities? To know the infinite Mind of all creation and to be its individualized expression. To know and love every idea and form that constitute reality. Eternal life, unlimited being, unbounded intelligence -- all these are man's as God's manifestation.
n1 Science and Health,m p. 288.
Is this too transcendent a view of man? Too far-out and theoretical? If it were just a matter of high-sounding words, this Christly vision of man would be valueless to a world racked by war, famine, disease, and so much misery. But one of the great truths Mrs. Eddy recognized was this: "To live so as to keep human consciousness in constant relation with the divine, the spiritual, and the eternal, is to individualize infinite power; and this is Christian Science." n2
n2 The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany,m p. 160.
Think of it. We can learn to live in such a way as "to individualize infinite power." Jesus proved this possible and promised, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." n3 The power of thought kept "in constant relation with the divine" brings spiritual regeneration and healing. Christ's Science can and ultimately will answer every need and free us from matter's restrictions.
n3 John 14:12.
One's present position as a homemaker, student, businessman, or whatever, may seem an unlikely launching pad for a Spiritward journey. Yet consider that Jesus began his career as a humble carpenter in an obscure village. His followers included simple fishermen and housewives. The human context is not primary; what does count is the life we live and the thoughts we have.
In Star Trek: The Motion Picture,m the machine entity headed for earth has one goal and desire -- to find its creator and, finally, to become one with that creator. There is something in every one of us that also wishes to know the creator, the onlym creator -- God. This longing cannot be denied. Nothing can stand in its way. Through Christ, we will know God as He is. In the ultimate consummation, we will recognize that man is in full unity with his divine Father , and all our longings will be answered with eternal joy.
