Ken Jr

Inception: Thoughts and Reactions

Rumor has it that some people still read this blog, so I better post something.

Have you heard of Inception? If you haven’t, chances are that you don’t own a TV or have a computer connected to the Internet. Inception is Christopher Nolan’s latest epic film (the term movie really doesn’t do justice to what this man creates). If you’ve seen the previews you know that the plot revolves around a character whose job is breaking into peoples’ minds through dreams. If you haven’t seen the movie yet and don’t want anything spoiled, you’ll probably want to read the rest of this post later. If you aren’t sure about the movie and want to hear me review it let me just tell you that you won’t be disappointed. My only warning to you is this: pee right before you enter the theater and don’t chug a white-cherry Icee during the first half.

…OK, enough rambling, here are some of my thoughts on this mind-bending sci-fi thriller. Inception is a movie that looks very complex. Just like the final dream sequences, you can continue to peel back the layers and find meaning in every level. Nolan put plenty of thought into the script and it clearly shows.

As much as Inception can be dissected and debated, there is a very clear story that forms the core of the movie. DiCaprio’s character, Cobb, struggles with guilt over the death of his wife. He attributes her death to his actions and as much as he tries to hide his feelings and recapture good memories things in his head are clearly not “under control.” In the movie his subconscious acts out in very startling ways, trying to derail the other characters, inflicting random chaos and ultimately forcing him to confront his memories in the final climactic scene. What’s so great about Inception’s portrayal of Cobb is not just that he is a likable character, but that his guilt and inner struggle become a very believable part of this surreal escapade.

The film offers a sublime resolution to Cobb’s problems. He completes his final mission successfully and is reunited with his children at last. He is only able to do this when he definitively says no to living in the fantasy world of his dreams—the world where his dead wife still lives as a projection of his subconscious desires. Thus the final note in the movie is one of hope that despite the pain we may experience in this life, it is ultimately better to avoid the snare of “ignorance is bliss.” Limbo may be the place where anything is possible, but compared to the vibrancy of real human relationships it may as well be a crumbling wasteland.

Reaction:

So, having presented how the movie causes us to identify with Cobb’s guilt and the resolution of that guilt, what reaction should I have as a thinking audience member? The film of course simply offers its own vision and doesn’t work as much of a “sparring partner,” so I’m going out on a bit of a limb here. My take on Nolan’s world is that the resolution he offers to human pain and suffering (of the emotional and spiritual kind) isn’t satisfying enough. It seems like a warm elixir—pain must be overcome by struggle and inner confrontation, right? We have to face our fears and then learn to leave them in the past where they belong. The problem with such an approach is not its goals but its methods. In the Christian world-view there is only one way to erase the past, and that is through death. As much as we want to believe that we have the capacity to heal ourselves of the demons that haunt us, such power truly belongs to God alone. His means for having us realize that power is by having us participate, in a spiritual and incomprehensible sense, in the death and resurrection of Jesus. By being reborn as new creatures we can see that life isn’t all about the pain and sorrow that we experience now, but the glorious riches and fellowship that belong to those who are in Christ. When we have a heavenly focus we don’t feel attached to the things of this world and we also don’t feel bound by them. In the world of the film, however, the main character has simply traded his grief over the past for worldly happiness. His happiness is admirable but it is also something that will fade away and die in its own time. The benefit of choosing life in Christ is that though our happiness in this world may have its ups and downs, we know that the future holds full reconciliation with God and the peace that we ache for.

Anyways, those are some of my initial thoughts on the film. Please leave your own reactions below. How do you see Inception fitting in with your view of the world? Does Nolan do a good job of presenting inner character struggle?

Running the Race

This morning I did something new. I went jogging with a friend. OK, that’s not too profound. Many people thoroughly enjoy jogging and running as ways to stay in shape and stay positive (endorphins, w00t!). The last time that I jogged for more than five minutes (the time it takes me to sprint to the next bus-stop when I’m running late) was in high school. Why the sudden interest? The LDI 5k fundraising race is coming up and I plan to give it my best. The plan is to raise at least 5,000 dollars for the small program by having each sponsored runner acquire $100 dollars in pledges. As a current LDI intern (Trek 1) I definitely want to do my part and that means being able to run a 5k in the first place.

Anyways, all of this got me thinking about the often-used metaphor of the Christian life. You’ve heard it before, right? Run the race (Hebrews 12:1). Running is a challenge. But it’s also more than that. Sometimes I think we as Christians focus too much on the race-track and the finish time. We imagine that the starting gun is about to go off and then…bam! We’re off. Well, though the Christian life can often be very exciting, I think we also need to consider the condition of our heart and body before we run. Running any race requires that we consider the cost involved beforehand. An Olympian trains their body for countless hours before setting foot on the track which will decide if they get a medal. All of this training is not necessarily exhilarating, but it is vital. In the same way, we are meant to train ourselves to be better followers of Christ. We need to be in community, study his word and practice spiritual disciplines before crisis and temptation occurs. Even when things are going “alright” (which itself could be a faulty assumption based on our perspective) we are called to more than the mundane. We are called to equip ourselves, train ourselves and in many other ways respond to the Spirit’s work in our lives.

All of the above assumes of course that we have already received the call to follow Christ. We can only make spiritual commitments like this when we know that our relationship with God has been established. We can’t ever do this work on our own, but we can place our faith and trust in Christ and know that his sacrifice on the cross has paid for our sins. Once we have such a faith, running the race becomes a whole lot easier because we know that the end is already certain.

True Discipleship - Book Review

Today I finished reading a very short book called True Discipleship. The book is very short, 77 pages with normal font-size. Despite the book’s brevity, the topic addressed is incredibly deep and the author’s short treatment is a very worthwhile read. If you have ever asked yourself “what does it mean to follow Christ?” this book will interest you.

The author, William MacDonald, is well-known in certain evangelical circles, especially the “Plymouth Brethren” movement. His very conservative credentials however don’t become an excuse for obfuscating the recorded commands of Jesus. Instead, he gives very straightforward explanations of the hard commands in the New Testament. Our calling in Christ is difficult, not because God requires that we earn our salvation, but because we are called to be partakers in an incredibly awesome undertaking. MacDonald uses many metaphors to describe this lifestyle of discipleship. Probably the most convicting language he uses is that of a soldier. Even in a day in age where much of our understanding of warfare is processed through media fluff and Hollywood glorification, we still have a sense of the ardent commitment required by loyal troops. As Christians we should rejoice that God has not called us to service in any earthly army, but in his spiritual army which will win victories that are relevant for all eternity.

MacDonald’s short book is very challenging because he is not content to state his views and let them be. He really has a passion for convicting others to give up the things that they cling to and follow Christ wholeheartedly. He acknowledges that this isn’t a legalistic undertaking but that it must be a Spirit-filled exercise. It should also be noted that he presents a vivid picture of True Discipleship that does not meet its requirements on earth. We can always be more deeply challenged in our faith and this is something that all Christians are called to, regardless of the difficulties involved.

In summary, while I can’t say that I unreservedly agree with everything written in True Discipleship (he makes some unsubstantiated claims about never asking for material aid on page 40) I will say that it hit me right between the eyes just when I needed it. I hope that if you borrow it from a friend or find it at a Christian bookstore you would not be content with your current spiritual state, but would be compelled to greater love and devotion in your walk with God.

The “Glory Cloud” and Its Importance as a Covenant Sign to the Exodus Generation

(This is a paper that I recently submitted for the Old Testament survey class I am taking as part of LDI)

The “glory of the LORD” present in the wilderness narratives (Exodus through Deuteronomy) is a manifestation of Yahweh’s divine guidance and punishment. Yahweh uses his fiery cloud of glory to reveal himself to his covenant people in the desert. When the wandering Israelites carry out their covenant obligations the “glory of the LORD” becomes present and guides them through the desert. Later, when rebellion occurs, the glory cloud consistently appears with the purpose of divine punishment. Because it was the supernatural means of revealing the covenant, the glory cloud is a fitting mode of punishment for those who have seen the glory of Yahweh and yet responded with contempt.

In the book of Exodus the “glory of the LORD” functions as a vehicle for revealing Yahweh and his miraculous provision to the Israelites who had just left Egypt. Even before the Israelites reach Sinai, Yahweh appears in a cloud before the entire community (Exodus 16:10). This appearance—followed shortly by the provision of manna—was intended to make it clear to the grumbling Israelites that “it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt” (verse 6) and not (at least directly) Moses and Aaron.

Once assembled at Sinai the Israelites again see the glory cloud. This time the display is far more dramatic and terrifying. Yahweh comes in a “dense cloud,” while thunder, lightning, earth-shaking, and loud trumpeting occur supernaturally (Exodus 19:9, 11, 16-19). Again, the audience for the display is the entire community. The purpose now is to confirm Moses as the earthly leader and Yahweh as the covenant-maker with Israel. The people of Israel recognize the power of Yahweh as manifested by his glory cloud; they respond affirmatively to Moses’ leadership and the covenant stipulations given at Sinai (Exodus 20:18-19, 21 and 24:3). The retelling of this story in Deuteronomy also makes it clear that because “The LORD our God has shown…his glory and his majesty” the Israelites were willing to enter into a covenant with him and to accept Moses as their leader (Deut. 5:23-27). Thus the glory cloud, though mysterious and fearsome, was Yahweh’s instrument for drawing the Israelites into a covenant relationship with him. By their own words the Israelites acknowledged his awesome power and Moses’ place in standing before that daunting presence.

After the Tent of Meeting is completed, the glory cloud reappears as a signal of divine approval. From that point onward the glory cloud is present as a divine guide, leading the wandering Israelites through the desert. While dictating the terms of the covenant at Sinai, God reveals that the Tent of Meeting will be the place where he meets with the Israelites. He is very specific in his instructions about this structure because “the place will be consecrated by my glory” (Exodus 29:43). These promises of consecration and meeting are fulfilled the very day that the Tent of Meeting is first constructed (Exodus 40:34-35). Yahweh’s glory appearing as a cloud is now a familiar symbol to the Israelites and is a signal that they have acted correctly in constructing the Tent of Meeting. No fire, lightning or loud noises are present, simply an overwhelming manifestation of glory in the place of God’s choosing.

Even though the Tent of Meeting is where Yahweh chooses to meet with the Israelites, the glory cloud is not confined to that physical location; instead the cloud operates as a divine guide, determining where—and for how long—the Israelites will pitch the Tent of Meeting (as well as the rest of their nomadic camp). The verses describing this guiding action make it clear that the glory cloud is not an elite religious experience or symbol; it is something that “all the house of Israel” can witness (Exodus 40:36-38). The glory cloud therefore functions as a continual revelation of Yahweh’s special covenant with the Israelites. Just as its first appearance revealed that “it was the LORD who brought you out of Egypt,” each time the glory cloud moves, the Israelites should be reminded of who is really leading them (Exodus 16:6).

Even though the first purpose of the glory cloud is to remind the Israelites of Yahweh’s presence and draw them closer to him through proper covenant observance, sinful rebellion causes the glory cloud to function as Yahweh’s mode of punishment. Although the plagues delivered on Egypt demonstrate God’s ability to deliver punishment in a variety of ways, he chooses to be very consistent in his treatment of rebellion during the wilderness journey. This clearly negative manifestation of Yahweh’s glory occurs immediately after Nadab and Abihu implicitly violate the covenant by offering “unauthorized fire” (Leviticus 10:1-3). Although the specific phrase “glory of the LORD” does not occur in this passage, the narrative description makes it unmistakable that the familiar glory cloud is present. The location is the Tent of Meeting where the glory of Yahweh is present to consecrate the place. Furthermore, we have already seen how the “cloud” is frequently paired with fire and here it is “fire…from the presence of the LORD” that functions as the means of punishment. This description of wrath parallels a scene from the previous chapter (using even the same phrase) except here it is not a burnt offering being consumed but two of Aaron’s sons (Leviticus 9:23-24). This earlier passage makes it very clear that the same manifestation, “the glory of the Lord,” is present at both events. Yahweh’s divine way of revealing himself as pleased with covenant obedience can easily be turned into a mode of punishment.

The glory cloud continues to be present as the rebellious actions grow more significant and recurring. It is present at the rebellions of Kadesh and Korah, although in these cases the punishment is limited or altered due to intercession by Moses and Aaron (Numbers 14:10-12, 20-23, and Numbers 16:19-24, 31, 35). In the rebellion that occurs after the destruction of Korah the glory cloud again appears ready to punish, as well as further on when the Israelites grumble about water (Numbers 16:42-49, Numbers 20:6). The specific means of punishment may differ in each of these stories (plague, earthquakes, denial of entry into the Promised Land), but they all bear the similarity of the glory cloud being present and active in response to the rebellion.

The rebellion of the Israelites is more than simply a bad attitude or the neglect of specific statutes (though this did occur throughout the wilderness journey). The specific and highly offensive sin that reoccurs is contempt. After Moses intercedes when the Israelites rebel at Kadesh Yahweh states “I have forgiven them, as you asked. Nevertheless, as surely as I live and as surely as the glory of the LORD fills the whole earth, not one of the men who saw my glory and the miraculous signs I performed in Egypt and in the desert but who disobeyed me and tested me ten times- not one of them will ever see the land I promised on oath to their forefathers. No one who has treated me with contempt will ever see it” (Numbers 14:20-23). The term contempt is key to understanding why Yahweh punishes the Israelites in this way; it is no coincidence that this term is also used to describe the rebellion of Korah (Numbers 16:30).

The question of why the glory cloud is used as Yahweh’s mode of punishment requires some basic analysis. The repeated manifestation of the glory cloud is the “glory” that Yahweh refers to in Numbers 14:22. This is distinct from the “glory of the Lord” that “fills the whole earth” as his witness to people groups everywhere. The wilderness narratives are very clear that the cloud functions as a pivotal sign for the Israelites: it confirms Yahweh as their deliverer from Egypt, it solidifies the Sinai covenant and Moses’ leadership, it consecrates the Tent of Meeting, and it functions as a continual reminder of all of these aspects by visibly leading the Israelite community through the desert. In this context it is clear that failure to follow clear covenant stipulations and principles is to treat Yahweh’s glory cloud revelation with contempt. Instead of taking the glory cloud for what it was, the Israelites continued to “test” the faithfulness of Yahweh and the authority of his chosen leaders. The weight of the evidence shows how disingenuous these tests of leadership were. The awesome presence of God at Sinai and the Israelite’s initial response to that power become a witness against them as the narrative progresses. Instead of fearing the “consuming fire” they take opportunities to treat it with disdain. Instead of recognizing the Lord’s continuing leadership in the glory cloud they choose to grumble and reject the entire direction of the journey (deliverance from Egypt to the Promised Land). Ultimately, what should have been a blessing thus becomes a curse. Because the Israelites fail to properly respond to the presence of the glory cloud, Yahweh uses that very instrument to judge the Israelites and show them how wrong they are to treat such a symbol with contempt.

Application

What message can we take from this view of “the glory of the LORD”? It would be too naive to say that we should be thankful that God does not act this way (sending revelation of himself and punishment through a fiery cloud) in our times. All people must still acknowledge and respond to the glory of God that fills the whole earth. The New Testament makes it abundantly clear that we have not done so. What then is the solution? Here, as elsewhere in the Old Testament, we can look forward to the coming of Christ for an answer. Yahweh listened to the prayers of intercession offered by Moses and Aaron. In our own age that same type of prayer is offered on our behalf by one who is far more worthy: Jesus Christ. In describing him as our high priest the book of Hebrews mentions that “he always lives to intercede for them.” “Them” refers to “those who come to God through him,” that is, Christian believers (Hebrews 7:25). Though our rejection of God may have been obnoxious and contemptuous, mercy is still offered under the New Covenant just as it was under the Old. Our belief in that mercy indicates that we now desire to be faithful, rather than unfaithful to God’s revelation in our lives. We must heed the warnings of the Pentateuch and embrace the continual revelations of himself that God provides. Every day may not show us the awesome and frightful power of God, but that does not mean that we cannot recognize his divine leading in our own lives and respond appropriately. Even as grace abounds, the seriousness of treating Yahweh, our Lord, with contempt is still very real. We can, and we must, read these passages as an exhortation to live before God with minds attuned to his awesome majesty and comforted by his perfect guidance.

—-

note: All scripture quotations are from the NIV.