Battlestar Galactica Bible Study Week 14

Season 4- Episode: “Faith”

Romans 4:9-25

Is this blessedness only for the circumcised, or also for the uncircumcised? We have been saying that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness. ¹⁰ Under what circumstances was it credited? Was it after he was circumcised, or before? It was not after, but before! ¹¹ And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. ¹² And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised.

¹³ It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. ¹⁴ For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, ¹⁵ because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.
¹⁶ Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. ¹⁷ As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.
¹⁸ Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.” ¹⁹ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. ²⁰ Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, ²¹ being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. ²² This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” ²³ The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone, ²⁴ but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. ²⁵ He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Jeremiah 1:4-10

The word of the Lord came to me, saying,

⁵ “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,
    before you were born I set you apart;
    I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”

⁶ “Alas, Sovereign Lord,” I said, “I do not know how to speak; I am too young.”

⁷ But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am too young.’ You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. ⁸ Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you,” declares the Lord.
⁹ Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, “I have put my words in your mouth. ¹⁰ See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant.”

1 Kings 5

Reflect on the Bible passages in light of the episode.

What is ‘faith’ to you?

What does it mean to take ‘a leap of faith’?

What leaps of faith do we see in the episode?

How did Abraham take ‘a leap of faith’?

If Abraham is our example of faith and its power, what kind of example is that? What do we learn about faith from the 

figure of Abraham?

What leaps of faith have defined your life?

What do you think of the Cylons reaching out to Cara for a truce?

Reflect upon the mutiny: the reasons behind it, the act itself, and what it all means.

Reflect upon the choice to send Sharon Athena with Cara and the various reactions to this plan?

What has life become for Laura and Tori?

What do you think it is like to be in a situation like Laura’s?

Reflect on this quote: “Do you feel that? The anticipation? God’s plan is about to be revealed.”

What ‘plan’ guided Abraham’s life?

Reflect upon the conversation about music.

What is the significance of the ship for Cara? What does it say that she has seen this prophecy all her life?

What does Sharon/ “8” find on the Cylon ship? What happens with them? What do you think of this?

What message did Jeremiah receive as a child? How did he see this vision play out in his life?

What is the significance of Laura meeting the dying woman?

What do the Cylons need from Cara? What does Cara need from the Cylons?

What did Namaan need from Elisha.

Compare the conversation among the Cylons about Cara seeing the Hybrid with Namaan’s argument with his servant 

over his healing.

Reflect on the fight over the death of Barrowman and of the Six.

Reflect on the way Elisha punished his servant.

Reflect on this quote: “I had an experience that made me rethink all my misconceptions.”

What experiences do we see like this in the Bible passages?

Why would her experience turn her to Gaius and his philosophy?

Reflect on this quote: “There is more to this existence than we can see with our naked eye…there is a power we can’t 

begin to understand.”

What kinds of things does Cara hear from the Hybrid? What does the Cylon tell her about encountering God through the 

Hybrid’s words?

Reflect upon this.

 Reflect on this quote: “you are a spark of God’s fire, corrupted yet complete.”

Reflect on this quote: “you are the harbinger of death, Cara Thrace, you will lead them all to their end.”

What do Laura and the woman talk about concerning Gaius’ conception of God?

What does the woman say about the human polytheistic religion?

Reflect on the conversation about metaphor and literalism. Who do you think is right in this conversation?

What is the conversation about death between them all about?

Reflect on Laura’s vision of heaven and her monologue about ‘not being ready’.

Reflect upon the conversation between Adama and Laura at the end of the episode.