While Woody's attack upon Buzz did not involve as evil and murderous as Cain's upon Abel, it was close. The motive was the same - jealousy. And because Buzz went out a 2nd story window, it resulted in the loss of Buzz from Andy's toy world, i.e., his room. Interestingly, Buzz's fault before Woody was his righteous deeds. I John says that Abel's works were righteous, which caused Woody's jealousy. Buzz's fault before Woody was not just his fantasy world of being an intergalactic hero; it was also his service to the rest of the toys. He had become not just an action figure/hero; he was a true servant, teaching and helping the others improve themselves. Thus, while Woody's rebukes to Buzz about his fantasy world were correct, his jealousy and attack upon him for being popular among the other toys was wicked to the core. It represents the indwelling sin of Woody, the leader and stability for the toys upon to this point in his life . . . as a toy.
Woody's only hope is to reform Buzz of his fantasy world, to befriend him in spite of the annoyance of Buzz, the weaker brother, to use all his leadership abilities to form a plan and team to rescue him, and to risk his life for Buzz as he faces explosive death. Thus, Woody becomes like Christ, who became like His brethren for the suffering of death, that He might redeem a people for Himself. Buzz becomes a better friend to Woody than any of the other toys, a true leader, and someone who risks his life for Woody. Thus, each of them portrays perfect love by laying down their lives for their friends.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Toy Story
There is an entire theology surrounding the Toy Story movies. Here is a sample. They create a microcosm of God's world, wherein toys stand in for humans and children stand in for God. Like God, the child loves the toy, giving its existence meaning. Woody best represents the ideal faithful human before God - loyal, subservient, respectful of his position, loving. He's also a leader for the other toys - organizing, encouraging, giving wisdom, etc. He's like a king or pastor leading a flock of people through the dangers of life.
Interestingly, the dangers they encounter are particularly theological in substance - faith in their human child and the assurance of not be lost or neglected or rejected by that child. It is the fear of every human to not be loved by God, or worse, to be loved then be rejected. Woody encounters loss of place, of distinction, to another, an equal. But it is not just any equal, it is a newer toy, with more bells and whistles. Therefore, Woody must deal with his place in the world, where he is becoming obsolete, like an elderly person facing the loss of place and position in life.
The ultimate reconciliation of Woody and Buzz indicates that the body of Christ is one body, with many parts. Each part has its own function, and each one contributes to the other to make each part more. Woody became a less rigid, more tolerant leader, and Buzz realistically faced life with a faith that dealt with his real world, not a fantasy world. Together, they were the perfect pair, working effectively together because they were such a great team and so complimentary in who each of them was.
Interestingly, the dangers they encounter are particularly theological in substance - faith in their human child and the assurance of not be lost or neglected or rejected by that child. It is the fear of every human to not be loved by God, or worse, to be loved then be rejected. Woody encounters loss of place, of distinction, to another, an equal. But it is not just any equal, it is a newer toy, with more bells and whistles. Therefore, Woody must deal with his place in the world, where he is becoming obsolete, like an elderly person facing the loss of place and position in life.
The ultimate reconciliation of Woody and Buzz indicates that the body of Christ is one body, with many parts. Each part has its own function, and each one contributes to the other to make each part more. Woody became a less rigid, more tolerant leader, and Buzz realistically faced life with a faith that dealt with his real world, not a fantasy world. Together, they were the perfect pair, working effectively together because they were such a great team and so complimentary in who each of them was.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Toy Story
Amazingly, Toy Story deals with self-righteous, indwelling sin. Buzz is so caught up in his self-perceived hero status that he cannot see the reality of who he is. He won't even listen to his friend, Woody, who tries several times to bring him to reality. His only hope of facing up to the reality of his identity is to hear it from the source - his God, which is the toy company which made him. And he does - through a commercial about him, or at least, his toy. The commercial from his maker tells him who he is, and in an attempt to prove it wrong - tempting his maker - he jumps off a balcony attempting to fly. He falls and breaks, just like man who falls and breaks because of sin. Now he can arise as a crouching human to face what he really is, what he in reality can do - falling with style, and use it for good.
It is the same for us. We must come to the end of ourselves, as we view the law and who we really are - sinners before an angry God. Then, we can face the reality of God's grace and His ability to lift us up from the mire. And we can then effectively use the gifts God gives for good.
It is the same for us. We must come to the end of ourselves, as we view the law and who we really are - sinners before an angry God. Then, we can face the reality of God's grace and His ability to lift us up from the mire. And we can then effectively use the gifts God gives for good.
Spiderman I
The movies of Spiderman portray a fascinating picture of indwelling sin. Take, for example, the Green Goblin of the first movie. Unlike Peter Parker, his change by technology occurs from an overweening ambition, and it aggravates the hatred he holds toward the other scientist, whom he immediately kills once he attains the power to do so easily and anonymously. His ambition is to overcome the natural limitations placed by God on man, and he does so in a test of God. The initial tests indicate a dangerous possibility for insanity, yet Osborne goes ahead and uses the formula upon himself.
Thus, we see how sin, Osborne's hatred, is hidden in his heart and merely waits for the opportune time to burst forth and enact its revenge. Technology, gone awry, is the modern world's version of the ancient gods, who would mate with human females and produce herculean heroes. In Spiderman III, we see indwelling sin even affecting our hero, Peter Parker. This is biblical. No human being, not even the Christian in whom the sin principle is crucified with Christ. But it is not altogether eliminated.
In Spiderman II, the scientist allows his own hubris to corrupt his initial goal of providing energy to mankind. Even a good goal can corrupt a person because of pride.
Thus, we see how sin, Osborne's hatred, is hidden in his heart and merely waits for the opportune time to burst forth and enact its revenge. Technology, gone awry, is the modern world's version of the ancient gods, who would mate with human females and produce herculean heroes. In Spiderman III, we see indwelling sin even affecting our hero, Peter Parker. This is biblical. No human being, not even the Christian in whom the sin principle is crucified with Christ. But it is not altogether eliminated.
In Spiderman II, the scientist allows his own hubris to corrupt his initial goal of providing energy to mankind. Even a good goal can corrupt a person because of pride.
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