The Matrix-Blog Response
The film The Matrix focuses on the journey of the main character Thomas Anderson, also known under the alias as Neo (played by Keanu Reeves). Neo’s occupation is a software programmer for a respectable computer company in the year 1999. However, he works as a computer hacker in his spare time and is obsessed with researching and understanding a phenomenon known as “the matrix”.
In the film, Laurence Fishburne (Morpheus) explains the matrix to Neo as “…the world that has been pulled over your eyes to blind you from the truth…that you are a slave Neo. Like everyone else, you were born into bondage, born into a prison that you cannot smell, taste, or touch; A prison for your mind.” He further explains the matrix by calling it a “computer-generated dream world” where everyone is living under a singular consciousness designed to “keep us under control”.
In regards to material in the class, a special emphasis can be placed on the idea that the matrix is a world that has been pulled over our conscious minds to blind us from true reality. True reality according to the bible emphasizes the falleness of mankind and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross to redeem mankind from their fallen sinful nature and to save them from suffering an eternal punishment: Permanent, eternal separation from God. Humans often focus on material objects of the world such as monetary wealth, success, or prestige. All material things of the world can be categorized as objects of a “Matrix” type realty. According to God’s word, everything on earth is of temporary value and eventually worthless compared to the salvation that saves mankind from eternal punishment and suffering. Both examples reveal mankind’s obsession with materialistic and hedonistic lifestyles/tendencies that bring about the “Matrix” type reality.
In another scene, Morpheus has journeyed into the Matrix with Neo for the first time and they visit the “real world”. This “real world” has been virtually destroyed as a result of technology, or the “machines”. The “machines” became fully functional and independent of human control as a result of A-I, or artificial intelligence. A few concepts from class exist in this scene: Elements of Modernism. 1) Belief that technology can overcome creation-humans apparently developed technology to the point where it overcame humanity, rather than just the elements of the Earth. 2) Belief in progress- that the gradual development of technology leads to well being, instead of mankind’s demise as the film suggests.
Good choice to check out for this exercise, Scott. However, I have to take issue with your overly spiritualized understanding of salvation. You write, "According to God’s word, everything on earth is of temporary value and eventually worthless compared to the salvation that saves mankind from eternal punishment and suffering." However, C.S. Lewis writes, "God likes matter. He invented it." Moreover, the vision of the full realization of God's Kingdom that we are given in scripture is one of heaven coming to earth, of a holy city (Isaiah 65, Revelation 21).
ReplyDeleteBe careful of embracing a view of salvation that is so heavenly minded it's no earthly good. Humans were created for the earth and the earth for humans--and it was very good! A salvation that's all about saving our disembodied souls from eternal punishment has little to say about what Christian faithfulness looks like here and now on this earth, or in the future when the reign of God is complete. For more on this, check out a book called Bringing Heaven Down to Earth by Nathan Bierma, who works at Calvin.
I don't think The Matrix is condemning all material goods, and neither would Jesus. But both would condemn idolatry of technology and systems of control that do not allow humans to flourish (shalom) as they were intended.
Scott, you wrote: "Both examples reveal mankind’s obsession with materialistic and hedonistic lifestyles/tendencies that bring about the “Matrix” type reality."
ReplyDeleteI think Augustine has a lot to say here.
For Augustine, everything in this world is a signpost that is meant to lead us to God. Augustine affirms the goodness of creation, but he's sensitive to keep everything in its place. Creation should be an "icon" through which we worship our creator.
All things should be considered a means to an end: worship of God. It's when human beings make items into ends-unto-themselves that they commit idolatry.