The Bible vs. The Matrix
The Matrix is a current movie and the Bible is a piece of inspired literature that has withstood scrutiny throughout the ages. The Matrix has many biblical themes and it parallels the Bible in numerous ways.
Let me briefly explain a simplified plot of The Matrix. The story centers around a computer-generated world that has been created to hide the truth from humans. In this world people are kept in slavery without their knowledge. This world is designed to simulate the peak of human civilization which had been destroyed by nuclear war. The majority of the world's population is oblivious to the fact that their world is digital rather than real, and they continue living out their daily lives without questioning their reality. The main character, Neo, is a matrix-bound human who knows that something is not right with the world he lives in, and is eager to learn the truth. He is offered the truth from a character named Morpheus, who proclaims that Neo is “the One” (chosen one) who will eventually destroy the Matrix, thereby setting the humans “free.” For this to happen, Neo must first overcome the Sentient Program agents who can jump into anyone's digital body. They are the Gate Keepers and hold the keys to The Matrix.
Our other work for comparison is the Bible. Briefly summarized, the Bible’s message is truth about this world we live in. We are told our world is controlled by evil powers in high, spiritual places; “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms” (Ephesians 6:12). However, the earth and the universe were created by God; “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). The world system was created by man, but inspired by Satan; “The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4). This world is full of deception and contains every imaginable lie in the form of philosophies and religions, but persecutes the truth. The people who trust in the world are not willing to be “unplugged” in order to see the truth, and the truth is revealed to those who are searching for it.
Both Fahrenheit and Matrix, having a savior, a teacher, and an evil villain, are one of many stories that are parallel, yet, as one can see, Matrix and Fahrenheit 451 are almost exact copies. A soldier for the truth tries to enlighten the world after he, himself, is enlightened. In the end all the characters mirror each other. It?s easy to see that Ray Bradbury?s book was the basis for Matrix.
This student of Philosophy now sees the movie The Matrix in a whole new way after gaining an understanding of some of the underlying philosophical concepts that the writers of the movie used to develop an intriguing and well thought out plot. Some of the philosophical concepts were clear, while others were only hinted at and most likely overlooked by those unfamiliar with those concepts, as was this student when the movie first came out in theaters all those many years ago. In this part of the essay we will take a look at the obvious and not so obvious concepts of: what exactly is the Matrix and how does it related to both Descartes and Plato, can we trust our own senses once we understand what the Matrix is, and how Neo taking the Red Pill is symbolic of the beginning of the journey out of Pl...
Trinity, Cypher, to Apoc all want to know if Neo is 'the one.' Is he
There are many similarities between the motion picture, Matrix, and Orson Scott Card’s Ender’s Game. The most striking of these is the way the movie and the book begin. The first chapter of the book begins with a conversation between two IF agents about how one believes that ender is the one. Similarly, in the movie the first words are from Trinity, also stating her belief that Neo is “the one”. The theme of the “chosen one” who is destined to save the human race is dominant in both the movie and book.
As stated by Wachowskis the Matrix is a contemporary adaptation of “Allegory of the Cave” by Plato. The similarity can simply be seen between the prisoners in the cave and the people that live in the Matrix. As the wall in the cave depicts the life that people in the matrix have, nothing is truly real but to the eye of the spectator it is. If one grows up in a world that seems to be authentic they will adapt to the environment, which will make it very difficult to escape, that is why when Neo was pulled out of the Matrix he couldn’t accept what he perceived, this brings another point of comparison that Neo can be compared to the hypothetical prisoner that escapes the cave. Neo being an anagram of “One” is said to be chosen, he is the prophecy that was promised and in the cave the prisoner is the one that sees the reality, he is the one that sees the sun and finds the true light. But other prisoners are confronted by puppeteers in the cave. The resemblance between the puppeteers and the agents is clearly visible as both try control existence
While many may appreciate The Matrix for it’s over-the- top fight scenes, there is much to be gained from the film’s biblical references that gives us a deeper and richer understanding of the film.
Faith in The Matrix and Christianity relays in the prophecy of someone special and unique that has the power to bring hope and peace to humanity. Both of these prophecies traveled from time to time, transferring this hope from old generations to future generations. Additionally, these prophecies were made by extra-ordinary people. For example, Jesus Christ’s coming was announced by an angel to Mary. On the other hand, the prophecy of Neo’s coming was made by the Oracle, a special program which its purpose is to bring imbalance to the matrix and to analyze the psychological parts of humans.
Neo throughout the entire film has always been searching for answers, even through the end asking, “is he really the one”? The Matrix is centered on a program that is sort of a dream world, basically like a real life Sim’s. Neo, before he is introduced to the Matrix is always having nightmares, or so he thinks. Although he doesn’t know it, this is Neo’s first introduction to the Matrix. He believes that the integration was a nightmare. Trinity, who is introduced later in the film, removes the bug that the agents put inside of him. Neo truly did not realize that there was a bug in his stomach, and believed it was a nightmare. Neo throughout the film not only changes physically, by learning all forms of fighting techniques, but he also changes
In Charles Colson and Nancy Pearcy's essay, "Worldviews in Conflict," the authors evaluate the shifting cultural context of today's society and how Christianity fits into this situation. The essay compares the differing views between Christianity and today's worldview, and informs the reader on how to engage in today's culture. The "Worldviews in Conflict" is a reliable source because its authors, audience, publication, and purpose make it credible.
The Matrix modernizes the originality of the Allegory of the cave and adds a more feelings towards the question of reality and how others interperts it. The film and the Allegory have many similarities and differnces but they revolve around the same metaphysical question. Even thought they have many similarities and differnces but the important ones for me are: the film and the allegory's view on reality to others, Neo and the freed man are controlled and the final, the difference between Neo and the freed man are the experince of life.
The Matrix, directed by the Wachowski brothers, a film about the journey of Neo discovering the real and simulation world, revolves around how he is “The One” destined to save mankind. As critics may say that The Matrix is either an action packed movie containing philosophy or a philosophical movie containing action, critics also miss the fact that it could possibly be considered as a religious themed movie because it contains a plethora of Biblical references, such as symbolic evidence. In Gregory Bassham’s article, “The Religion of The Matrix and Problems of Pluralism”, he discusses how the film contains Christian themes, non-Christian themes, and lastly, religious pluralism. The rhetorical
The world keeps changing and advancing, but what if humans did not? The norm is what many seem to follow. The dangers of conformity are that it blinds many from reality and assume meaning from what was learned in the past. As discussed in “Effects of Mass Media” Robert Liebert and Neala Schwartzberg write how “It is well documented that male and female roles are presented very differently though the mass media. In print, in television entertainment, an in commercials, females are numerically underrepresented and shown as more passive and deferent than males” (146). This is a perfect example of how images that are reproduce can be manipulated and control to the point it changes its meaning completely. Berger writes about how “Yet although every image embodies a way of seeing, our perception or appreciation of an image depends also upon our way of seeing” (10). What Berger is trying to imply is that an individual will view an image the way their mind is set up to see things. People idolize anything that they see. Since images can be manipulated it puts many individuals at risk by idolizing something that is mystifying. As a result, individuals will live in a matrix their whole life without realizing it because they have no knowledge of it. In todays society, many teens and adults look up to images and celebrities who are portrayed to be perfect. Neo has difficulties accepting what is being said of the world because he is oblivious to the lie he has been living in. When Morphues tells Neo, “The matrix is everywhere, its all around us, here even in this room. You can see it out your window or on your television” (29). Morpheus is implying that everything is mystified, far from reality. Morpheus wanted Neo to realize the matrix he had been living the whole time and open his
in the plot. The symbol that caught my eye was a symbol of reflection, many people in
The Matrix is a science fiction movie about artificial intelligence computers replacing mankind. I believe that this movie is a common type of display from the media is common paranoia so that they can get a reaction from people and sell their story. In the case of The Matrix, the movie dazzles people with awesome special effects using modern computer technology, which I find ironic. I find it self-conflicting and hypocritical for the media to use modern computer technology for their own good to show people how bad technology is. Amy Bruckman and Howard Rheingold would probably find this movie interesting in that it disagrees and agrees with certain aspects about their beliefs about the use of computers.
In the movie The Matrix we find a character by the name of Neo and his struggle adapting to the truth...to reality. This story is closely similar to an ancient Greek text written by Plato called "The Allegory of the Cave." Now both stories are different but the ideas are basically the same. Both Stories have key points that can be analyzed and related to one another almost exactly. There is no doubt that The Matrix was based off Greek philosophy. The idea of freeing your mind or soul as even stated in "The Allegory of the Cave" is a well known idea connecting to Greek philosophy. The Matrix is more futuristic and scientific than "The Cave" but it's the same Idea. Neo is trapped in a false reality created by a computer program that was created by machines that took over the planet. Now the story of course has many themes such as Man vs. Machine, Good vs. Evil, and our favorite Reality vs. Illusion. Neo is unplugged from the matrix and learns the truth and becomes "the one" who is to save the humans from their machine oppressors. "The Cave" is similar in that it has humans trapped in a cave and chained up to only face one direction. The "puppeteers" then make shadows against the wall the humans face using the fire from the outside as a light source. One big difference is that "The Cave" is about two philosophers conversing about the cave as one explains what needs to happen and that the prisoners must free their souls to find truth. The Matrix is the actions of what the philosopher describes actually happening. The comparing of the two stories will show how things said in "The Cave" are the same as in The Matrix, of course with the exception that one is futuristic ...