| ON
RESURRECTION
To
renounce all is to gain all; to descend is to rise; to die is to
live.
--KARL RAHNER (1904–1984)
Jesus
is risen! he shall the world restore!
Awake, ye dead! dull sinners, sleep no more!
--JOHN WESLEY (1703–1791)
Our
Lord has written the promise of the resurrection not in books alone,
but in every leaf in springtime.
--MARTIN LUTHER (1483–1546)
ON SPIRIUAL CONNECTIONS
Morpheus
=
the mythical Orpheus, who descended into the underworld to be a
savior. Clear Biblical connections here. Also the holy name of God,
YHWH (meaning: I Am The Becoming One) connects to Morpheus -the
changing one.
Enlightenment
=
in Buddhism this is a state of entering nirvana. In Jesus's teaching
this is spiritual new birth.
Violence
=
the difference between strict Buddhism and the Matrix. Violence
is prohibited by Buddhists. Violence is part Jesus' understanding
of life: "The kingdom of heaven has been coming violently"
(Mat 11:12 NRSV footnote). The violence against the crucified Jesus
liberates the world. Also, spiritual warfare against powers in Paul's
writings. Etc. Life-as-isolation Thomas Kinkade type Christians
will not get it.
New
Life =
Both Trinity and Neo have a death and resurrection to new life.
The idea of life through death is a clear biblical insight.
Zion
=
The holy city of God. The kingdom on earth. "On earth as it
is in heaven" (Mat 6:10). "And the gates of hell shall
not prevail against it" (Mat 16:18). Also, Isaiah 14:32 (Message Bible):
What does one say to outsiders who ask questions? Tell them, "God
has established Zion. Those in need and in trouble find refuge in
her."
Thomas
Anderson =
Neo's other name comes from The Gospel of Thomas (about Jesus),
and Son of Man (Ander + son) the title of Jesus in the gospels.
Providence,
destiny, choice =
The Matrix series finds balance between choice and destiny in the
context of providence. This is a very Biblical understanding of
life. So many religions view life as set, and fixed (as the machines
represent). Life, however, is dynamic with ebb and flow, reaping
and sowing, choices and consequences. Yet, all this within a specify
destiny. Life is like its creator, its creative. |
