AG Church Ministry Creates A Unique Combination of Fellowship and Entertainment
Read time: 3 minutes 39 seconds
In today’s science fiction (sci-fi) cinema as well as in sci-fi movies and books of past generations, the quest for ultimate power seems to be a common theme. But could humans or even superhumans be given or attain even a sliver of godlike power and remain uncorrupted?
That type of question along with many others are thoughts explored by Jason W. Karpf, the creator of the ministry, Christian Sci-Fi Night with Professor K.
Karpf, a science fiction author and adjunct professor at North Central University in Minneapolis and the University of Valley Forge in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, attends Life Assembly Church in Maple Grove, Minnesota, with his wife, Anni. A former Hollywood child actor and screenwriter, Karpf teaches courses such as Film Appreciation, Advertising, Public Speaking and Freelance Writing.
“In my ministry, we look at science fiction from the Christian perspective,” Karpf says. “In fact, Scripture and science fiction teach the same lesson: Playing God leads to trouble.”
Karpf’s conversational message and use of sci-fi cinema resonates with the more mature generations who recall “Frankenstein” with Boris Karloff or Rod Serling’s original “Twilight Zone” masterpieces as well as those generations who had their first tastes of sci-fi through shows and movies such as “Star Trek,” “Star Wars,” or even just the latest Marvel movie.
Jim Olson, 66, is the associate pastor at Life Assembly Church. He enjoys science fiction and has attended Christian Sci-Fi Nights led by Karpf, who launched the fledgling ministry last year.
“I lead the men’s ministry at Life Assembly, and I was looking for different ways to engage the men,” Olson says. “Jason’s Christian Sci-Fi Night seemed to be a very interesting way to engage a broader spectrum of men—as a science fiction appeals to a wide variety of ages.”
Alan Lundberg, a recently retired engineering manager, says he has thoroughly enjoyed the Sci-Fi Nights, noting how they open avenues of communication between generations.
“It (the night) gave exposure to science fiction to all the age groups,” he says. “Everyone—the younger men and some of the guys who are really older—had some context in order to discuss the evening together.”
Karpf, who has had a lifelong passion for science fiction, says that he was encouraged by friends and family to pursue his passion.
“I thought, Can I do this and still serve Jesus?” Karpf says. “And I realized, Of course I could – God is everywhere and Christian science fiction is a thriving sub-genre . . . so, I went with my heart, began writing Christian sci-fi (“Brimstone 1” and “The Deliverer” are his latest sci-fi releases), and that has led to this ministry, Christian Sci-Fi Night with Professor K.”
However, even though Sci-Fi Nights do create common ground for multiple generations to intermix, the focus of the evenings reaches beyond sci-fi to the message the episode or movie is communicating in light of Scripture.
Evan Lundberg, a high school sophomore who is more of a Marvel movie fan, says that in addition to the building of relationships, Sci-Fi Night has enhanced the way he watches science fiction.
“I’m looking more at what’s important, what’s in the background—the villains and the role they play and who exactly has the power . . . who is playing the role of God,” he says. “In Scripture, the power points to Christ, while in the shows, it often points to people trying to take the place of God.”
Olson notes that the lessons communicated also guide Christians to consider their responses to life’s challenges.
“Jason is able to point to the human condition (within the episode or movie) and what the response should be from the Bible—what we should do in light of the Bible,” Olson says. “Scripture reinforces the fact that the world without Jesus is a dark world and how people who don’t have Jesus react and how we, as Christians, should let the Holy Spirit show through us instead of our flesh.”
Prior to every Christian Sci-Fi Night, Karpf prepares questions from a Christian worldview for people to consider as they view the evening’s sci-fi episode or movie.
“It’s very much like a life group,” he explains. “We watch the episode or movie and then discuss it. I’ll identify specific points and ask people to offer supporting Scripture. For example, I might ask which Scripture passages do an episode or certain character violate or uphold. This leads to a very interactive and Scripture-based discussion.” {eoa}
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