Tonight we continue our study of the Kingdom of God. In her book, Spiritual Formation in the Church and Classroom, Susanne Johnson provides twelve statements about the Kingdom of God that I find to be extremely helpful in summarizing the material we’ve covered so far. Our plan for tonight’s meeting is to discuss each of the statements below and then ask: what would a church that takes these statements about the Kingdom of God seriously look like? Should be fun.

Working definition of Kingdom of GodGods creative and redemptive activity in all of creation.

1. The Kingdom of God is a shocking and radical reversal of the usual order of things.
2. Jesus Christ is the decisive revelation of Gods Reign/Realm in human history.
3. Gods Reign is received and not generated by human effort.
4. The invitation to Gods Reign is an invitation to embrace a covenantal way of life.
5. The community of faith, the church, is called to be the sign and sacrament of the world God wills (demonstration plot).
6. Participation in the coming of Gods Reign requires our complete and ongoing reorientation, a permanent metanoia or conversion.
7. Participation is the coming of Gods Reign requires freedom and creates freedom.
8. Since we live between the times, our participation in the Reign of God is provisional
9. By the power of the Holy Spirit we participate in the coming of Gods Reign.
10. The Reign of God embraces the fullness of the human condition, as well as all creation.
11. The spiritual disciplines, especially the sacraments, make visible Gods Reign in the world.
12. Baptism is our ordination into the ministry of Gods Reign in the world.

Theology of the Matrix by Bill Sherman of the Tulsa World

Dazzling special effects and action do not explain the almost cult-like following of the 1999 blockbuster movie “The Matrix,” whose sequel opened Wednesday.
Thousands waited in long lines outside of Tulsa theaters to see “The Matrix Reloaded,” the second part of the trilogy. Several books, more than 1,000 Web sites, a Time magazine cover story, a PBS religion special and numerous sermons all have explored the spirituality of the movie that has become a cultural phenomenon. “‘The Matrix’ has not just touched a nerve for Christian young people, but all across the culture,” said Wade Hodges, senior minister at Garnett Church of Christ, who took his church staff to the movie Thursday afternoon. “The story touches on the deepest philosophical, spiritual themes of existence, and it does that better than any movie in recent times.”

In a comment posted below, Sam wrote: I have to be honest about “reloaded”. Incredible special effects…. horrible movie. Can we get any more unoriginal? The thing that drew me to the Matrix in the first place was a storyline that was entirely unheard of. Now, it’s turned into a rehashed Superman, just with a different costume and a different Lois Lane (Trinity).

The special effects were the only original aspect of the first movie as well. Almost all of the story of the Matrix (parts 1 and 2) is derivative of or inspired by something else, be it a comic book, ancient myths, the bible, the Gnostic gospels, philosophy, or kung fu movies. What made it seem fresh was the way the story was told and the use of obscure source material to which most people hadn’t been exposed.

The original Star Wars movies seemed original at first, but then it became evident that they were actually Joseph Campbell’s “The Hero’s Journey” dressed in a wookie suit. Lucas didn’t say anything new in Star Wars, he just changed the stage, costumes, and weaponry.

There are no original stories left to be told, only variations of ancient and universal themes to be freshly articulated.

I’ve been told that I was quoted in an article about the relationship between “The Matrix” and the Christian faith in today’s Tulsa World, but I haven’t seen it yet.

I’m looking forward to watching “Reloaded” again. Some of the dialogue was pretty dense and I need to hear it again.

The first movie was about freedom. The second movie is about choices, or more specifically, do we really have any? The age old question of chance vs. fate, free-will vs. predeterminism gets dusted off and clothed in cool black clothes and techno-philosophical language.

As one who is finding the discussion about the openness of God and the universe he created to be compelling and profitable, I think “Reloaded” will generate plenty of discussion among Christians about just how free to choose we really are and just how closed or open a system our world really is. Whether anything good will come out of these discussions I’m not sure, but it is a good way to make a cup of coffee disappear.

I already have a sneaking suspicion that what was happening in the first movie wasn’t as “real” as we originally thought it was. After I see “Reloaded” a second or third time, I may change my mind.

That’s another thing I really appreciate about “The Matrix” movies. They demand to be seen more than once. There is no way you can absorb everything the first time around. There are things in the early part of the movie that make no sense until you see it the second time already knowing how the movie ends. In this way, “The Matrix” is a lot like the Bible, especially the narrative sections. I’m teaching a class on the Gospel of Mark and I’m amazed at how many hidden clues are imbedded in the early parts of the story that aren’t evident until you’ve read the gospel over and over again and finally start to get what Mark is trying to say. The writer of Genesis does the same thing. The stories in Scripture are meant to be read over and over again, front to back, back to front. Each time through, something new shows up. The Bible rewards the diligent and attentive reader. The Matrix rewards the same kind of viewer.

Fred Peatross has a new website called futuremargins.com. Check it out. I’ll think you’ll like it.