The Matrix consists of a world which we can see but in reality is computer code and simulation.    The parallel is based upon HTML.  What you see is in the browser, while the source code is the reality.

            This is very close to gnostcism which states all that we perceive to be real is in fact a deception.  Gnostic theology states that all reality is composed of spiritual truth and the physical reality does not actually exist.  The gnostic view would not fit the Matrix situation because the characters were not spiritual.  The characters operate in a computer generated virtual reality which is more like a Hi Tec transcendentalism.   Neo-orthodox theology states that one can only become authentic by transcending into the story.  Therefore the gospel is actually mythical or not real, yet truth can be found by transcending into the story of Jesus Christ.

Openly Christian terms are deployed for effect as well. Water, a reminder of baptism, is a constant theme. Thus, we see a waterfall digital display in the opening credits, which cuts to a pitch-dark room where we meet the woman we will later know as “Trinity.” (The choice of this name is important not just for its obvious Christian meaning, but also because “Trinity” is the name of one of the aeons in ancient Gnosticism).

Trinity is in contact with Morpheus, a man named for the Greek god of sleep and dreams. Because Trinity is in serious danger in this opening scene, Morpheus directs her to the corner of Lake and Wells (subtle, aren’t they?) so that she may be saved from agents who are trying to capture her.

The Matrix also has characteristics of Buddhism. One of the underlying beliefs of Eastern religion (and in fact what sets them in diametric opposition to Judeo/Christianity) is that enlightenment involves recognizing that the world around us is an illusion.

            Neo was in bondage to the Matrix, unable to free himself.  Neo like mankind was deceived and without intervention could not make a human decision to change (repent) or produce faith. Neo seeks for the truth. Neo seeks out Morpheus (Father) in order to understand the truth of the matrix. Morpheus  initially contacts Neo through Trinity who leads Neo to Morpheus.  Morpheus empowers Neo to overcome the bondage of the matrix.  In order to do this, Neo must trust in Morpheus by selection of the red pill.  The New Covenant is simulated by the red pill (blood). Faith is a gift from Morpheus( i.e. God of Dreams, Ovid).

            Early in the movie, visitors come to Neo's apartment to purchase pirated software.  

Neo opens a book titled Simulacra and Simulation and opens the book to a page on nilhism.  The theme of the book is the concept of the copy without an original.

Choi: "Hallelujah. You're my savior, man. My own personal Jesus Christ." "Yeah, I know, this never happened. You don't exist." "It's called mescaline. It's the only way to fly. Hey, it just sounds to me like you might need to unplug, man."

Morheus will quote Baudrillard : "Welcome to the desert of the real"

 The patron refers  to Neo as Jesus Christ, a personal savior who doesn't exist. In computer programming, object orientated programming is very similar.  A class is like a cookie cutter which produces an object. 

            The immediate problem is that Neo (the one) the copy without an original which denies the authenticity of Christ yet is a type of Christ.  The movie makes deliberate comparisons to a deliverer from bondage of the world (the matrix).  The class would be Christ and the object would be Neo.  Neo is similar to a "Moses object" yet is a simulation of a Christ class. The name Moses means "one drawn from water".  Neo (the one) was drawn from water by the crew of the Nebuchadnezzar directed by Morpheus.  Morpheus believes Neo is the one who will deliver all mankind from the bondage of the Matrix.  God directed and empowered Moses in order to deliver Israel from the bondage of Egypt (the world, matrix).  Neo, like Moses is a created being which becomes dead to the world (aborted) and is born again due to his choice of the red pill.  He is "born again" via the symbolism of his removal from the pod/womb. Moses was placed upon the waters in an ark. The Hebrew meaning for ark is coffin.

            The enemy which Israel was initially defeated by was Ai  which is pronounced Ay eye, (c.f. Joshua 7:2-5).  The enemy Neo faces is A.I.  which are initials for Artificial Intelligence.

            The Lord provided Moses and Israel (Child of Zion) manna for nutrition, which some complained about and wanted meat.  Neo was provided a bland substance which provided for all nutritional needs which Cipher complained about and also wanted meat.  

Cipher's last name was Reagan (according to Agent Smith).  Cipher requested Agent Smith  to be "reborn" and become famous, rich, and an actor; a deliberate link to Ronald Reagan.  Cypher says "I don't wanna remember nothing." Ronald Reagan notoriously said "I don't remember" during the Iran-Contra scandal (covert operations.) Cypher has traits of Satan. Ronald Wilson Reagan was referred to by some as Satan, there are 6 letters in each of his 3 names, 666.

Cipher means code or hidden meaning; "zero." Computer term. The zero part of Cypher's name opposes the Neo (one) acronym - The One... then, you get binary, computer language and the Identity Matrix in Math which is comprised of only 0's and 1's.

Judas: Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Cypher betrays with a cellphone and a sneeze.

Demon: Visual cues: goatee, red spots reflecting in his glasses like red pupils (seen upon return from Oracle), when sitting on Morpheus with headset on, light reflects on headset like little horns. He was the only character to wear red clothing. Cypher: "Don't hate me, Trinity. I'm just a messenger." Satan called himself the messenger. Cypher's deal with the Agents = selling his soul for material pleasures = a deal with the devil.

            The Oracle told Neo that he had the gift but that Neo was not ready to become the One.  Then the Oracle gave Neo a cookie.  In web browsers you can control cookies which are sent to tour computer which enable your software to accomplish a task which the provider wishes to enable you to accomplish.  Cookies operate in the background without your knowledge in order to accomplish the task which the site you are visiting provides.  This theological position is slightly different than most Neo-orthodox views which believe that Christ simply interpreted his ministry from the Word (Oracle) of God.  The cookie that the Oracle provided Neo actually empowered him to accomplish his task.  This would combine the Neo-orthodox views on the baptism of John which the Neo-orthodox view maintains that Jesus became empowered at baptism to accomplish His ministry.  Jesus Christ is the fullness of deity and in no way was changed.  God is immutable.  The concept of empowering the Christ from a human form to a spirit filled being is inconsistent. The baptism of John which was a baptism of repentance.  Christ was sinless.  The descending of the dove was a sign for John so that he would recognize the Messiah (Isaiah 42:1 Luke 3:22 John 1:32). Christ was filled with the Spirit as He went into the wilderness but to assign the baptism of John as something which empowered  Jesus would not be accurate.  John was a Levite and qualified to be a high priest. The baptism of John was more of a sign and act of consecration of the Lamb.  

        Neo is killed by the gatekeeper, yet lives again or is resurrected. Neo conquers death. This is following the Christ class more than the Moses object. 

            Christ is God, and not a created being.

          Christ is authentic. 

            The deliberate simulation of the GODHEAD is unmistakable.

Main characters:

        Neo = New being = savior of the world = Christ, i.e. the one

                = Thomas (Anderson) i.e. doubting Thomas who would only believe after     

                    touching the wounds of Christ. Neo touches his wounds as Agent Smith         

                    shoots him.

                    Anderson: The Greek root "andr" (from "andros") = "man," 

                    therefore "Anderson" may be read as "man's son" or "Son of Man," 

                    i.e., as yet another Christ-reference.

        Trinity =  female = liberation theology = linked to neo-orthodox theology

                      =  most guys think she is male.

                          =  responds to the names Jesus and God even though not directly called. 

                          Take particular notice of Trinity's position being similar to Christ on the cross.

        Morpheus = mythical greek god character from Roman writer Ovid 

                            which means God of Dreams. 

                         = Notice the latin association of similacra and the latin character Morpheus.

                            The oracle will show Neo a latin phrase over the door which means "know thyself".               

                         = Morpheus was called father by his followers.

        The Oracle = tells you what you need to hear at the moment, not necessarily the truth.

                         = CONTRASTED WITH THE ORACLE OF GOD (THE SCRIPTURES) 

                            WHICH IS TRUTH (Psalm 119:160, John 17:17).

The music playing in the background at the Oracle is "I'm Beginning to See the Light" by Duke Ellington.

Daniel 2-5. <<Nebuchadnezzar was a historical king, but there are legends about him in the Book of Daniel. He has a dream and wants it interpreted, but he can't remember what it was! Daniel tells him his dream and interprets it for him. Later, Nebuchadnezzar is striken mad and wanders like a beast in the wilderness.

Morheus' Ship: hovercraft (upon the waters) named Nebuchadnezzar. In Nebuchadnezzar's dream he became a beast.  The Mark of the beast is the model. 

Note that the Model is Mark III volume 11, or Mark 3:11 i.e. 

            Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, "You are the Son of God!"

The name of the hotel containing room 303, which Trinity is in at the beginning of the film, and Neo is in (and shot in the heart, and his heart stops) at the end, is called The Heart o' The City.

I would just like to mention that Neo was not dead for 3 min.  If you time his death from the moment that Agent Brown takes his pulse to the moment that Neo takes his first breath the time you get is 72 sec. (72sec > 72hrs > 3 days).             

The movie ends with the resurrection and assension (flying) of Neo.  The credits roll by and the music ends with the declaration that " what you reap is what you sow " which is the reverse or mirror of the biblical statement.

Galatians 6:7

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 

God is not in the TV.

The movie was released on Easter weekend

            Neo flys so that others can see that they are not bound by rules of the matrix.  The problem for Moses was not Pharoah.  The problem was that Israel had sought refuge in the world under Joseph.  They grew comfortable in Egypt and remained there over 400 years.  The problem was they were in bondage to Egypt, but would not leave for the promised land because of the comfort Egypt offered in return.  Israel called out for deliverance from the oppression of Pharoah. God delivered Israel from the bondage of the world (sin).  God did not remove Pharoah. 

            This movie is a theological target rich environment.

Review all the character names:

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Last modified: Sunday June 30, 2002.