It comes as a surprise to no one who knows me well, that I am a huge anime fan. Anime has been the longest, most consistent input in my life aside from my faith as a Christian, and my immediate family. I generally find anime considerably more innovative and insightful than Western media. It’s characters explore the depths of the human psyche. You may or may not be a fan of anime, regardless there is one show that I’d like to put on your radar and encourage you to watch: Orb: On the Movements of the Earth.

Orb, as I will refer to it, takes place in medieval Poland, and follows the lives of several characters who are trying to prove the Heliocentric theory (The now know fact that the Earth revolves around the sun). They are opposed by the strict state Church, cracking down on such heretical beliefs. It is well known that the Church believed that the Earth was the center of the universe for a long time, and cracked down on those who believed otherwise as heretics. It may seem strange that such a show would be portrayed through a medium that we generally associate with children’s television, but I assure you, it works.
Fantastic Character Depth
The content of this show is interesting, but the characters are what will keep you watching. Rafal, is a young prodigy who is about to attend university at the age of twelve. An adopted orphan, Rafal has always excelled at understanding how to win the admiration of others, and to make the right decisions. He informs his primary school class that he intends to study theology to roaring applause, only to have his teacher alert him to the fact that this means he must devote everything to theology. This means giving up his interests in astronomy. Hubert, a first-time offender heretic who has recanted his belief in Heliocentricism, joins Rafal’s household on parole, explains his theory, and convinces the boy of the value in not always making the “right” , “practical” decision. Rafal begins to practice astronomy again, helping Hubert with his research, who needs him as the Church’s torture has left Hubert blinded. Nowak, an ex-mercenary inquisitor, an interesting man himself, closes in on Hubert and Rafal…
Another thing the show has is a fantastic opening theme, a hallmark of anime. A good opening theme primes the audience’s thoughts and emotions for what’s in store. Check out Orb’s theme here:
Thought-provoking Quotes
“Your enemy is a resilient one. The thing you all oppose isn’t me. Nor is it heretics. It’s part imagination and part curiosity. In short, it’s the truth itself. It spreads like an epidemic. Not even the host can control it. It’s not the sort of harmless thing that can be tamed by an organization.
An apt and thought provoking interpretation of truth. All truth exists, but it must be discovered. In order to be discovered, someone must have the imagination, curiosity, and indeed the faith, to believe in it before it is the Truth. In this way all knowledge comes from faith. Furthermore, if something is true, it cannot be stopped or controlled. Falsehoods, on the other hand, may contain a grain of the truth fortifying it, but the truth will eventually derail them. Truth does not need defending, only advocating.
Hubert: “In that case, is there beauty in such truth? Is the universe you described beautiful?” Rafal: “Well, it does seem a little too complicated. With this model, every planet has to be calculated separately. The way the movements fail to form a single orderly system.. doesn’t seem rational. In that sense.. it’s not very beautiful.”
Rafal: “Do you wish to deny the existence of God?” Hubert: “It’s the opposite. I do it because I believe in God. Most people believe that this world is an ugly place filled with greed and corruption, while the afterlife is pure and beautiful. But, I can’t accept that. This world created by God is surely the most beautiful of all.”
The God of this universe is the God of science, rationality, and beauty. The way everything comes together in a single, orderly, rational way proclaims His majesty. An all powerful being that has the ability to create everything we see and know wouldn’t make a flawed universe where the rules of the universe happen randomly “just because.” It would be an ordered universe of patterns and laws, beautiful and perfect. Many Christians today believe and defend falsehoods. They used to defend Earth-centrism. Today, they campaign against the accepted age of the world, evolution, and more accepted, scientific thought. These Christians are hurting our faith more than helping, because they are driving away individuals who could otherwise believe, and straining on a gnat.
Orb’s Lesson to Christians: Faith and Truth
Some Christians hold that the entire Bible is absolute in Truth, and that each word should be taken literally. This is a stumbling block that must be corrected in order to save more souls. I do not mean to say that supernatural things in the Bible are impossible. I believe in the supernatural as well as the natural, and that an all powerful God has domain over both. Rather ask yourself, is this supernatural thing happening exactly as described critical to the story of the Bible, or not? That is to say, is it critical that the creation of the world happens in six days or that the great flood story happen exactly as described? No. Is it critical that Jesus Christ was born of a virgin, capable of miracles, without sin, died, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven? Yes.
The origins of this world are prelude to the greatest redemption story of all time, and I believe that God guided man’s hand towards a Bible that first in foremost is a tool. It’s primary purpose is not to be a history book, but to draw us towards Him. Human knowledge is gradual and based in story-telling. For thousands of years our progress was sustained through stories around the campfire. Ancient humans may not have been able to comprehend complex ideas like dark-matter or black holes, and they definitely wouldn’t have been able to sustain the knowledge absent writing. Truth would have best been preserved if condensed into a story. “Let there be light” and a six day origin story where stages of the universe are created over time sounds a lot like a great way to convey creation to ancient humans, while still alluding to the scientific truth.
Conclusion
Circling back, Orb: On the Movements of the Earth examines the relationship between those who seek the Truth and those who would try to confine it for the sake of power. It explores interesting concepts, and interesting characters faced with difficult human challenges. As Christians we must remember that we are on the side of Truth; Jesus is the greatest truth. By propping up clear falsehoods beside that, we are damning souls. I encourage you all to join me in watching this interesting show. I am interested in seeing where it goes. The first three episode are available to stream on Netflix.
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