Lessons
This is the first of two lessons where we look at The Lord of the Rings trilogy. We'll be looking at Gandalf, mostly, and how he fits into...
“My Hero!”: Analyzing Scripture and Movie as Myth
“Even the smallest being…” The Hero Archetype in LOTR
The Penultimate Western Hero – Jesus Christ
For Thought
Lesson 2: Lord of the Rings II
This is the second lesson on The Lord of the Rings trilogy. In this lesson, we’ll continue analyzing with the myth structure, this time...
Aragon and Frodo: The Reluctant Saviors
The Hero’s Journey and Society
The Symbols of Evil
For Thought
Lesson 3: The Matrix I: What is this movie trying to say?
We'll start to look at The Matrix, a wonderful combination of many traditional stories and themes. We'll look at Neo as savior, as well as...
The Matrix: Christian, Buddhist, Gnostic, or Existentialist?
“You’re my savior. My own personal Jesus Christ:” Neo and the Hero Archetype
The Underworld and Neo’s Journey to Heaven
For Thought
Lesson 4: The Matrix II: Zion, Trinity, and Christ
In this second look at The Matrix, we'll look at the concept of Zion in the film and in the Bible and examine some of the symbols, themes, and...
“Morpheus says he is the One:” Names from the Bible
Hindus and Babylonians: More Names
The Concept of Zion
For Thought
Lesson 5: Star Wars: The Godfather of Archetype Films
Lucas' storyline is right out of the Campbell playbook for successful tales. We'll look at only one element of the hero myth here: The idea of the...
Little Orphan Luke: The Adopted Hero
Babylon and the Empire: Evil Political Regimes
“I am your Father:” Fathers, Sons and Sacrifices
For Thought
Lesson 6: The Stigmata: Pains of Grace and Gnostic Scripture
In discussing Stigmata, we’ll talk less about the plot and characters of the film itself and talk more about some subjects that the film...
Painful Facts about the Stigmata
Gnosticism
A Question of Grace
For Thought
Lesson 7: City of Angels: Angelology
City of Angels allows us to explore the fascinating theme of angels, their mission, and - most especially - their relationship with hum...
The Mission of Angels
Angels in love with humans: What we have that they don’t.
Angels in competition with humans: Envy and the Fall of Angels
For Thought
Lesson 8: The Omen and The Prophecy: It’s the end of the world as we know it.
Actually, the title of the lesson is a little misleading. This lesson will look at The Omen and The Prophecy and tie in some...
“Never Trust a *%$#@! Angel.” The Prophecy
The Omen: More Father/Son Problems
Class Themes
Course Wrap Up
References
