We’ve returned to the studio to record the second part of our discussion on the action-packed, sci fi thriller, I, Robot. (Though actually we never left the studio after recording the first discussion. If you sent us feedback after hearing the first part of this discussion, we’ll be sure to discuss in some future episode, but we didn’t get it before recording this segment.)
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Divorce
In I, Robot, Del has an ex-wife who is referred to in several conversations. From a biblical perspective, divorce is a very serious act that is too be avoided. While Moses made concessions for divorce, Jesus in his Sermon on the Mount turns it back on his listeners, putting divorce up with adultery [which was a crime punishable by death]:
“It was said, ‘WHOEVER SENDS HIS WIFE AWAY, LET HIM GIVE HER A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE’; but I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except for the reason of unchastity, makes her commit adultery; and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery. Matthew 5:31-32 (NASB) [also Mark 10:1-12; Luke 16:18]
“For I hate divorce ,” says the LORD, the God of Israel. Malachi 2:16 (NASB)
But to the married I give instructions, not I, but the Lord, that the wife should not leave her husband (but if she does leave, she must remain unmarried, or else be reconciled to her husband), and that the husband should not divorce his wife. 1 Corinthians 7:10-11 (NASB)
The unfortunate truth of the matter is that the divorce rate is just as high in the American church is it is in the world. There are many ways that Christians justify divorce, but they are not abiding by Scripture when they do it.
What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin so that grace may increase? May it never be! How shall we who died to sin still live in it? Romans 6:1-2 (NASB)
But to the rest I say, not the Lord, that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he must not divorce her. And a woman who has an unbelieving husband, and he consents to live with her, she must not send her husband away. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified through his wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified through her believing husband; for otherwise your children are unclean, but now they are holy. Yet if the unbelieving one leaves, let him leave; the brother or the sister is not under bondage in such cases, but God has called us to peace. 1 Corinthians 7:12-15 (NASB)
Walk on Water
“A robot could no more kill a human than a person could walk on water” . . . “Well you know there was this one guy a long time ago.”
If you don’t know the account from the Bible that is being referred to here, check out these references: Matthew 14:22-33, Mark 6:45-52; John 6:15-25
The subtle reference in this statement is between Sonny and a savior figure because Sonny has killed a human.
Pro-Life
“11 percent was enough . . . a human being would have known that.”
Life matters and human being do know that. We can’t care about percentages when it’s a human being, made in the image of God
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friend. John 15:13
Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her. Ephesians 5:25
Life is more than a problem that can be solved with simple arithmetic. Robots cannot rationalize the law about killing or harming humans in the manner that humans would, and this is the hole that Del sees that he’s trying to get everyone else to see.
Prejudice
Robots are the second class citizens, and so there are quite a few references that display prejudice throughout the movie.
You called me someone and not something.
Why did you give them faces?
While robots aren’t really people, I, Robot shows how prejudice can look. There’s a lot of Scripture
Opening his mouth, Peter said: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him. Acts 10:34-35 (NASB)
There will be tribulation and distress for every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek, but glory and honor and peace to everyone who does good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. For there is no partiality with God. For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law, and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; Romans 2:9-12 (NASB)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, Romans 3:23 (NASB)
I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 1 Timothy 5:21 (NASB)
My brethren, do not hold your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ with an attitude of personal favoritism. James 2:1 (NASB)
But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. James 2:9 (NASB)
The only true racial issue is between those who are saved (grafted into the family of God) and those who are not saved.
Purpose
“I believe my father made me for a purpose. We all have a purpose . . . “
The underlying theme of I, Robot is individuals having a purpose.
Commit your works to the LORD
And your plans will be established.
The LORD has made everything for its own purpose,
Even the wicked for the day of evil. Proverbs 16:3-4 (NASB)
“For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep, and was laid among his fathers and underwent decay; Acts 13:36 (NASB)
In the movie, Sonny didn’t know what to do after he had fulfilled his purpose. Biblically, we haven’t fulfilled out purpose until the day we die, and our relationship with God is eternal—we never fulfill our full obligation to God.
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28 (NASB)
with a view to an administration suitable to the fullness of the times, that is, the summing up of all things in Christ, things in the heavens and things on the earth. In Him
also we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will,
to the end that we who were the first to hope in Christ would be to the praise of His glory. Ephesians 1:10-12 (NASB)Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 1 Corinthians 10:31 (NASB)
Better Not to Die
For if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. Romans 14:8 (NASB)
But I have used none of these things And I am not writing these things so that it will be done so in my case; for it would be better for me to die than have any man make my boast an empty one. 1 Corinthians 9:15 (NASB)
And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment, so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. Hebrews 9:27-28 (NASB)
Created Protect the Creator
Some people seem to think that they need to defend God, but Scripture stands up for itself. We don’t need to defend or protect God. His Word is a sword, and we just have to learn how to use it.
What did you think?
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