The Text This Week - Lectionary, Scripture Study and Worship Links and Resources

The Text This Week
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Index:
 
   All Saints
     (Nov 1)
   All Souls
     (Nov 2)
   Pr26/OT31/P+22
     (Nov 5)
   Pr27/OT32/P+23
     (Nov 12)
   Pr28/OT33/P+24
     (Nov 19)
   Creation 1B
   Creation 2B
   Creation 3B
   Creation 4B
   Thanksgiving
     (US - Nov 23)
  Reign-Christ-King
     (Nov 26)
 St Andrew
     (Nov 30)
  World AIDS Day
     (Dec 1)
  Advent 1 C
     (Dec 3)
  Advent 2 C
     (Dec 10)
  Advent 3 C
     (Dec 17)
  St Thomas
     (Dec 21)
  Advent 4 C
     (Dec 24)
  Christmas Eve /
  Day
- (Dec 25)
  St Stephen
   (Dec 26)
  St John
   (Dec 27)
  Innocent/Martyrs
    (Dec 28)
  Christmas 1
     (December 31)
  Epiphany
     (Dec 31 / Jan 6)
  New Year
     (Jan 1)
  Holy Name/Mary
     (Jan 1)
  Baptism
     (Jan 7)
  Epiphany 2
     (Jan 14)
  MLK, Jr.
     (Jan 15)
  Conf. Peter
     (Jan 18)
  Christian Unity
     (Jan 18-25)
  Epiphany 3
     (Jan 21)
  Conversion - Paul
     (Jan 25)
  Epiphany 4
     (Jan 28)
  Presentation
     (Feb 2)
 
 
 
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  YEAR A
  YEAR B
  YEAR C
  FESTIVALS/
   SPECIAL DAYS
 
 
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  Advent
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  Lent
  Holy Week
  Easter
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The Truman Show (1998)

bulletInformation at Internet Movie Database
bullet Cinema in Focus, a social and spiritual commentary by Hal Conklin and Denny Wayman.
bulletHollywood Jesus visual review.
bullet "The God Behind the Screen: Pleasantville & The Truman Show," Linda A. Mercadante, Journal of Religion and Film.
bullet Looking Closer, review by Jeffrey Overstreet, "searching for truth, beauty and meaning in the movies."
bullet Movie Parables review.
bullet "Voyeurism of the Soul," Dan Buck, TheFilmForum: Christian Conversation about the Movies.
bullet "A Summer of Movie-Discussion Nights. Part One: The Truman Show," Steve Lansingh, TheFilmForum: Christian Conversation about the Movies.
bullet Review, Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality & Health - Spiritual Practices for Human Being.
bulletThemes
bulletAdvent/Waiting
bullet
The Truman Show - "Cue the Son"  The powers that be "Christoff" would, daily, cue the sun to rise up over the constructed town and peoples.  When Truman becomes more and more awake to what is happening, the others around him seek to protect their way of "life".  They do a wide variety of things to keep Truman from discovering the "real world".  In Advent, we are called to be alert and awake to the coming of the Son, to be alert to the real world and all that is occuring so that we can live lives "worthy of our callings." (idea came from 98 Homiletics issue) (submitted by Christ the Redeemer Church)
bulletAdam
bulletTruman as "True Man" in Paradise (See review at Hollywood Jesus.)
bulletEntire story can be seen as a parallel to the Garden of Eden story. He "sins" in terms of "The Producers" (departs from the script) and leaves the controlled but perfect world to start on his journey in the unknown.
bulletAlternate Reality
bulletthe "door" which leads to another reality toward end of movie
bulletBaptism
bulletsince he must go through the water to reach "real" life. note that the water is always there, calling to him in the film, but his fear holds him back. In his final surrender to the water, he finds life. (submitted by Marie Loewen)
bulletCourage
bulletTruman confronts his fear of water (chaos/death) to escape his scripted "paradise" (See review at Hollywood Jesus.)
bulletCrucifixion
bulletTruman on boat, knocked out in shape of cross (See review at Hollywood Jesus.)
bulletDecision
bulletTruman's decision to leave his "perfect" but controlled world for the real world.
bulletDifficulty Recognizing Evil
bulletAt the conclusion of the movie, Kristof (Truman Show creator) tries to convince Truman Burbank to stay in the imaginary world Kristof has created. The setting (a voice from the sky) and the words being said sound a lot like God at first. Upon further reflection, however, it's clear that the show's creator is trying to coax Truman to remain in slavery and is only interested in himself, not in Truman. It's a vivid reminder that evil has often masqueraded as the divine. (Steve Hendrix)
bulletExodus/Moses
bullet Truman crossing the sea to freedom (See review at Hollywood Jesus.)
bulletFear
bulletTruman standing at edge of water afraid to cross because of implanted memory of father's death. (See review at Hollywood Jesus.)
bulletGarden of Eden/Paradise
bulletTruman leaves the illusory "paradise" at end of movie
bulletGod
bulletimages - Christof as "director" (See review at Hollywood Jesus.)
bulletIllusion/Reality
bulletTruman only thinks he lives in the "real world."
bulletJourney
bulletjourney to Reality symbolized as a staircase (See review at Hollywood Jesus.)
bulletLove
bulletlove he feels isn't in the script, compels Truman to leave his "paradise" (See review at Hollywood Jesus.)
bulletResurrection, Pentecost/Holy Spirit
bulletWhat about the final scene of The Truman Show! The friend went to the basement to find Truman (The empty tomb). He was not there! He was in a boat on the water. Notice the drowning scene when he is laying on the boat with arms spread out and left for dead. Notice his gasp for air, his new life, resurrection? When he reaches the end of the set and notices the sky is only a painted canvas, Truman ascends the stairs to hear the voice of his creator. Interesting twist eh? He then goes forth into the unknown darkness of the world to live in the world! Not unlike the gift of the Paraclete? (submitted by David W. Girod, Durham, NC)
bulletWalking on Water
bulletTruman walking on ledge of "reality" (See review at Hollywood Jesus, and feature "Walking on Water" also at Hollywood Jesus site.)

Index of Movie Titles

Index of Movie Themes