I would like the opinion of others who saw the movie, The Matrix. I have seen them all. Neo, the One. Trinity, Ship named the Nebuchadnezzar, city name Zion. There were a lot of biblical references in this movie. In the first one when Neo takes the pill and winds up in this incubator, was he being "born again"?

Was matrix suppose to be the "world" system? I have tried to ask others about this but, the saved people claim to have not seen it and my worldly friends don't know enough about the Bible to have an intelligent conversation.

Throughout the series, Neo and a few others are fighting the Matrix system (demons) that jump into anyone's body at anytime.

In the last movie of the series, Neo sacrifices his life to save all the people in Zion. Of course, his arms are outstretched like Our Lord on the cross.

1/20/2008 6:43:35 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I LOVED the Matrix, and unlike most people, I also loved the two sequels. There are so many Christian references in the movie it's crazy. The trouble is, there's lots of other references in there too. I have seen a few "making of" and "behind the scenes" features, and the impression I get is that the writers tried to cram as much eastern and western religion, as well as some philosophy in there as well. There were a few books on philosophy (I forget which ones) that all the actors had to read before they started filming. I love the mental image I get of Keanu Reaves, (Mr. "Bill and Ted"), himself, reading some existential philosophy and saying, "whoa!"

So, the obvious Christan stuff is nice, but sadly, from the writers perspective, it was just one of many "mythologies" they drew on. They might have said that it was no better or worse than Hindu mythology - just a collection of neat stories from the past. They used it to enhance the depth of their movie, not to generate an interest in the Gospel.

Still great movies, though!

1/22/2008 6:58:50 AM by addison-x, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/29/2007

Thank you for the information you contributed. I took a lot of philosophy courses in college, mostly relating to ethics. One course dealt with man's ego of course and I didn't like it. EGO= Edging God Out.

I received an "A" in the course, mostly because I spent half the course defending my beliefs. I guess I should checkout the "making of" to see what book it was. Hopefully, it wasn't about the "Superman."

Thanks again. At least now I know I wasn't the only person to see the biblical references.

1/22/2008 9:52:31 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

I have gotten the Matrix movie, tried to watch it, but it seemed to "dark."
A verse kept coming into my mind:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."
Philippians 4:8
(I ended up turning the movie off.)

2/21/2008 1:43:18 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

I love that scripture. I have it printed and framed.

Yes, it was dark until Neo was born again. I think that's part of what I'm getting at.

I thought of 2Corinthians 2:11, we should not be ignorant of satan's schemes.

Once Neo was born again, the whole movie got brighter. It took him some time to believe, but he finally did. There was so much to this movie. At least as I saw it. They were forever fighting "the world" and trying to save the people of Zion. I liked the way the world was shown to go along with whatever even when the people's bodies were possessed by "demons"(Smith). I thought it was a good movie.

Jesus said," Let he who has eyes see, and he who has ears, hear." Maybe I saw something different from other people. Which is why I broached the topic here. I did not mean to offend anyone.

2/21/2008 5:23:37 PM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Mrspiggy,
Please do not think that I was offended. I wasn't!
I am new to this site, and I am thrilled to find other people who love the Lord!!! I was wondering about things like your topic here...
and I hope to be able to keep lines of communication open.
(I hope I did not offend you as well!) I'd like to explain something,
I used to enjoy Science Fiction, and what I now call Scarry movies. (before I came to know Christ) Now when I see that kind of thing
(which I now choose not to watch) I see the darkness as so great,
it reminds me of the darkness I was in before I met Christ.
I want to stay in the light! (I ask God if this means I am weaker
in my faith...like the person in the Bible who refused to eat meat because it was sacrificed to idols...)
For you (MrsPiggy, it is ok to watch these movies!)
For me, I'd rather not! Yet I see that we both love the Lord,
and one can do that and watch movies and one can do that and skip the movies! Praise the Lord!

2/21/2008 11:57:32 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008

I hope I have found the right balance when it comes to movies. When I became a Christian, I went through my movie collection with a very critical eye and sold or gave many away. Some decisions were very easy - where the was vulgarity or foul language for no purpose or reason (or to get laughs or a shock) - out they went. I did keep some R rated movies where I felt that they were trying to tell an important, mythic story and the violence or language was critical to the story. For example, I did keep the Matrix and Braveheart, to name two.

I do like the criterion of imagining that Jesus was watching the movie with me. Would he watch Braveheart? Yes, I believe so, and at some point in the movie, he would turn to me and say, "He was one of my great warriors". During the Matrix, he may turn to me and ask, "do you understand the powerful analogies at work here?"

My all time favorite is "Leaving Las Vegas" which does have significant language and some minor nudity, but those are necessary to tell a VERY powerful and moving story of addiction and loss, so I think that's fine too. That movie has really helped me understand the power that alcohol can hold over a person.

2/22/2008 6:57:03 AM by marklang, Member of Delve into Jesus since 4/3/2007

Ignited Faith,

I cannot be offended as it is not about me, it's about Him. I have read your words and understand what you are saying. I am reminded of the words of Paul in 1st Corinthians 10: 22, "Everything is permissible" - but not everything is beneficial. Everything is permissible but not everything is constructive.

I know that the eyes and ears are the gates to the soul and am very careful about what I watch myself. This movie was introduced to me by a very close family friend who happens to be a pastor. I'm always careful as to who suggests a movie to me. I thank you for your contribution to this discussion and others I have read. You are really on fire for God. May He continue to bless you and keep you.

2/23/2008 11:37:14 AM by mrspiggy, Member of Delve into Jesus since 1/18/2008

Mrspiggy,
I highly agree "it's about Him!!!"
Thank you for your very kind words.
The same to you Mrspiggy!

2/23/2008 3:33:02 PM by Ignited~Faith, Member of Delve into Jesus since 2/20/2008