Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon with Eli from the Bible

The "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" game is a popular pastime where players connect actors to Kevin Bacon in six steps or less. Let’s put a biblical twist on this game and see if we can connect Eli, a significant figure in the book of Samuel, to Kevin Bacon.

Step 1: Eli was a high priest in Israel during the time of Samuel, who anointed Saul and David as kings. In 1 Samuel 1, we learn that Eli’s family had served as priests for generations.

Step 2: One of Eli’s sons was named Phinehas, who served as a priest alongside his father. According to Numbers 25, Phinehas was known for his zeal in defending God’s honor and stopped a plague by killing an Israelite man and Midianite woman who were engaging in sexual immorality.

Step 3: In the New Testament, we learn of a man named Phinehas who was the father-in-law of a priest named Zechariah. Zechariah was the father of John the Baptist, who prepared the way for Jesus.

Step 4: John the Baptist was a prophet who baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. After Jesus’ baptism, the heavens opened, and a voice from heaven declared, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased" (Matthew 3:17).

Step 5: In the movie "Apollo 13," Tom Hanks played astronaut Jim Lovell, who famously stated, "Houston, we have a problem" when things went awry during the mission. Kevin Bacon played the character of Jack Swigert, one of Lovell’s crewmates.

Step 6: In the movie "X-Men: First Class," Kevin Bacon played the villainous Sebastian Shaw, who can absorb and manipulate energy. The film also starred James McAvoy as Professor Charles Xavier, a telepath who can read minds and control others’ thoughts.

Wrap up with a Bible verse related to the Biblical Character:

Eli was known for his devotion to God and his role as a priest in Israel. However, his sons were corrupt and caused great harm to the people. In 1 Samuel 2:30, God says to Eli: "Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained." This verse reminds us of the importance of following God’s ways and not allowing corruption or sin to take hold in our lives.