Yes I can see how certain elements of Luke’s story resonated with your Christian belief. Not being one, I guess I didn’t connect with that in the same way, but it’s an interesting take.

It reminds me of an interview I read once with Bryan Singer before Superman Returns came out, where he said what he loved about Donner’s original were the themes of adoption, since Singer himself was adopted. I was taken aback by this as was also a huge fan of Donner’s Superman: The Movie, but I’d always seen the film as a metaphor for bullying; the adoption angle had never occurred to me. I think a huge part of watching a film is what you bring to it.

With Last Jedi, I think a large number of fans (myself included) brought a massive appreciation and love for Luke, and wanted to see that Johnson was of the same mindset. That Luke got to be the only one of the original cast that got dragged through the mud (especially given the veneration afforded Han & Leia) was troubling. But then, unlike Ford & Fisher, Hamill isn’t a world famous movie star or feminist icon. I guess Disney gambled on winning younger fans over angering older ones. I hope it was worth it.

I wrote a longer piece about my frustrations (& fixes) for the film, but I think after what you’ve said here I can make my peace with it and move on. The harder lesson is that Star Wars isn’t for me anymore: it’s done with me as much as I’m done with it.