I find your lack of faith disturbing. The first thing to do is to acknowledge that things ain’t right–that the Matrix has us by the proverbial nuts.
Then we remeber Indy. Only the penitent man will pass–the penitent man is humble before God.
That’s where the journey to the unseen begins. I emphasize that this is where the journey begins not ends.
You are right young learner. Paul knew of folks in the church who syncretized. That was the focus of much of his teaching. What is troubling is that modern Christians can’t see it. The Matrix has blinded them to the truth.
You’ve forced Fr. Neo’s hand. Fr. Neo loves the church because it is the vehicle to the unseen world, but it falls short so much.
Kevin is right. Not all popular art misses the mark. Otherwise we wouldn’t be going with the Matrix motiff.
There is, however, a disease in our world that keeps us from seeing beyond our own perception of what is real.
Sadly, this disease goes undedected–especially when it is in the most beloved institution, the Church.
So called mainline Christianity has lost its bearings and its center. Mainline churches are so absorbed in the Matrix, they cannot make their way out. They want the fantasy that society listens to them, that the culture actually cares that they exist, therefore they will do anything to say nothing.
The Matrix takes many forms in our world. In the Western world, we have a worldview that says there is no other realm but the one we can observe with our senses. The recent curiosity with ‘spirituality’ is really just a front for pleasure of the mind and emotions, it has little to do with the spirit. We only desire the ancient spiritual practices on our terms; only if it enhances good feeling. The ancient path to the world of the unseen is through self-denial and humility—it is to realize that there is someone larger and vastly different from us.
As for the artists and stars, many prattle about what can make them look the most favorable—you’ll never find the timeless among the popular.
Why is Fr. Neo really Paleo?
The Matrix really does have you. It surrounds you when you go to work, when you go to school, when you come home and turn on the T.V. It even has you in its grip when you go to church (especially if your denomination has a USA after it). The Matrix is a system of control, yet it is not in the places you might think.
The Matrix is not in authority, or in Tradition, or in custom, or in the Holy Books. In fact in our world it is in the opposite realm. Fr. Neo wants to open your eyes to the real world. A world where there is true freedom. A metaphysical world where names like Macrina and Basil are commonplace. Join in to find out about the real world.