MAJOR THEOLOGICAL TOPICS IN Gnosticism

Film and Theology Paper (3-4 pages)
 
1- The Truman Show – (MAJOR THEOLOGICAL TOPICS: Philosophy,   Heresy) This is an incredible film of the late 1990’s staring Jim Carey. In class we talked about Gnosticism (an ancient Greek philosophy that influence early Christianity but eventually was considered heresy). Gnosticism – which means “knowledge” or “secret knowledge” – comes from the work of Plato (in class we talked about the “Allegory of the Cave.” If you choose to watch this film, consider what the major theological themes might be. I have given questions below that you can consider.
Students should be able to demonstrate the ability to think critically will be successful on this paper. (Thinking critically doesn’t always mean “being critical” though sometimes “being critical is necessary – thinking critically means considering the nuances of the film as they pertain to real life).
 
This paper needs to be three (3) to four (4) pages, Times New Roman, twelve (12) point font.
Please include your name, class hour, and the name of the film.
 
Questions to consider:
 
· What is the message of this movie? Do you agree or disagree with it?
· Was there anything in this film that you considered particularly “spiritual,” “biblical” or “theological?”
· How was the film “gnostic?”
· What in this film that aligned with something you read or studied or learned in this class?
· Was there something you didn’t understand about the film? What was that?
· What did you like best about the movie? Why?
· What did you like least about the film? Why?
· Did anything that happened in this movie remind you of something that has occurred in your own life, the Biblical story, or that you have seen occur to others?
· What were you thinking as you finished watching the film? What were you feeling?
· What part of the story told by the movie was the most powerful? Why?
· If you had a chance to ask a character in this movie a question, what would it be?
· If you had a chance to ask the screenwriter a question, what would it be?
· What feelings did you share with any of the characters in the movie?
· Did you come to respect any of the characters in this movie? Who was it and why did you come to respect that character?
· If a priest, minister, or rabbi were to look at the actions of [select a character] what do you think the priest, minister, or rabbi would say about them? Describe specific statements or actions that you think the priest, minister or rabbi would be interested in and the conclusions that you think he or she would draw from those statements or actions.