Teleology in Star Trek

References:
Star Trek: Nemesis; Chapter 16: But Through a Glass Darkly; 1:15:10-1:16:12
http://www.freshministry.org/illustrations.html

Keywords: identity

In Star Trek: Nemesis, Captain Jean-Luc Picard is speaking with the holographic image of Praetor Shinzon of Remus, his own clone. Captain Picard is literally to face to face with himself.

Picard urges Shinzon to turn away from his plans to destroy all life on Earth. Despite the years of abuse and pain Shinzon has endured, Picard says, "I know you. I see what you could be." Shinzon refuses to listen and rise above his past. He can only see his life as a sum total of all that has happened to him. He responds by referring to himself in the third person. "He is what his life has made him."

Then Picard asks, "What will you do with that life? Waste it in a blaze of hatred? There is a better way! You still have a choice, make the right one now." Despite Picard's pleadings, Shinzon says sadly, " I can't fight what I am." Picard then pleads one last time, "Yes, you can..."

A short pause follows, before Shinzon makes his decision. He replies "I'll show you my true nature, our nature..." He has chosen to remain the same and not take a new path. Shinzon ignores his potential, choosing to remain as he is.

Application: Jesus sees the true potential in every person. He knows what we can be, if we will surrender to His will. He pleads with us to make the right choice, while we struggle to see how life could be different. We look through a mirror clouded by our fears, pain and the past. Though we only know in part, one day we will know fully as we have been fully known.

1 Corinthians 13:12 (NIV) "Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known."