Insights from the Academy Awards

Last night’s Academy Awards had the usual mix of celebration, surprises, and, of course, some disappointments.

What stood out was how modern storytelling continues to wrestle with the theme of human evil. Again and again, narratives introduce new creators and judges—aliens, scientists, or political systems—often sidestepping what Christianity has suggested all along.

It’s interesting how this year’s Best Picture winner, *One Battle After Another*, reflects this pattern. The film centers on humanity’s political struggles as the main issue, with injustices deeply rooted in the system that must be confronted through earthly struggle.

Examining Evil

This year’s other nominees tackle the problem from various perspectives. *Frankenstein* serves as a cautionary tale about the risks of humans taking on the role of creator, while *The Sinner* views Christianity as a corrupting influence rather than a solution for human flaws. Despite their different tones and messages, they collectively address a common inquiry: why do humans repeatedly fall into violence, brutality, and exploitation?

Then we have Yorgos Lanthimos’ ambitious sci-fi drama, *Bugonia*. Although it didn’t win any Oscars, its unsettling message sheds light on our post-Christian mindset.

The film offers a controversial premise—that humanity was originally seeded on Earth by an alien race known as the Andromedans. When humans fail to live up to their expectations by destroying the planet and waging war, the aliens opt to erase this experiment and start anew.

Spoiler alert: they succeed.

A Failed Experiment

In its final act, the Andromedans conclude that humanity cannot be redeemed. Our history marked by violence, greed, and environmental harm speaks against us. Much like scientists who abandon a failed experiment, they choose to annihilate humanity and initiate a fresh start.

This premise is morally intricate as it hints at an uncomfortable truth: humanity has indeed fallen short of our known ideals. Our past is riddled with wars, atrocities, and the exploitation of other beings and the environment. After watching the film, one might understand why external observers could believe humanity is beyond saving.

Yet, the film’s main idea raises deeper philosophical questions that remain unexplored.

In *Bugonia*, aliens replace God.

Cosmic Theory

The idea presented is that, rather than an eternal creator, advanced beings from another star system cultivated life on Earth. In essence, humanity is portrayed as a result of a cosmic experiment. This concept draws on a pseudoscientific theory made popular by Swiss author Erich von Däniken in his 1968 book, *Chariots of the Gods*, which suggested that ancient structures and religious traditions indicated extraterrestrial influence in human civilization.

While these assertions have largely been dismissed by scientists and historians as speculative or misleading, the underlying idea still resonates within popular culture, appearing in films, TV shows, and literature like *Bugonia*.

The challenge with such theories is that they don’t genuinely address the profound questions; they merely push them one step back. If the Andromedans are responsible for humanity’s creation, then who is responsible for the Andromedans themselves?

The issue with theories attempting to explain existence without a divine being is that they often conclude illogically that the material universe exists without a cause. Essentially, matter, life, and consciousness would have to manifest from nothing, suggesting that the universe could create itself.

Every effect has a cause, every creation a creator. Even if extraterrestrial beings exist, they are still part of the creation, ultimately reliant on something greater and eternal.

A Different Narrative

While *Bugonia* depicts an alien overseer who judges humanity, reality tells a contrasting story.

According to the Bible, there was a point when God chose to “reset” the world. In Noah’s story, humanity’s violence and corruption led God to save only Noah and his family, allowing for a fresh start. Essentially, humanity has undergone a reboot.

However, even after this, humanity fell back into turmoil. We’ve continued to fight, exploit, and destroy. Our narratives remain filled with both grace and brokenness.

The significant difference between the God of the Bible and the Andromedans in *Bugonia* pertains to mercy, not power.

While the alien concludes that humanity’s failures warrant destruction, God arrived at a profoundly different understanding. Instead of abandoning His creation, He chose to engage with it.

The eternal God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, not to condemn but to save mankind. Where the Andromedans opt for extinction, God opts for sacrifice.

This encapsulates the essence of the Christian narrative. Humanity may fail repeatedly, but rather than discarding us as failed projects, God extends forgiveness and transformation.

A Quiet Revolution

Still, the narrative isn’t without its shortcomings. Followers of Christ face struggles; they are not perfect. The distinction lies not in their newfound perfection but in a clear path to salvation.

John the Baptist summarized that path effectively through his words about Christ:

This statement represents a fundamental shift within Christianity. True transformation doesn’t stem from self-empowerment or moral high ground; it results from embracing humility and positioning God at the center, rather than oneself.

This humility alters perspectives. A world driven by self-interest breeds the very issues highlighted in *Bugonia*: violence, greed, and environmental destruction. Conversely, a world fostered by love and respect for the Creator begins to shift significantly.

A Fundamental Vision

Interestingly, *Bugonia*’s grim conclusion inadvertently underscores the allure of the alternative.

In *Bugonia*, humanity is solely assessed by its failures—there’s no grace, no salvation, no chance for a flawed being to evolve into something better.

In contrast, Christian narratives assert that salvation is the overarching theme. Following the flood, God vowed never to destroy the world in that manner again. The ultimate reset arose not through annihilation but through rebirth via Christ.

For all its creative depth, *Bugonia* ultimately envisions a universe governed by distant creators who abandon their creations when expectations aren’t met.

The Christian perspective offers a much deeper truth: a Creator who loves his creation enough to save it.