{"id":963,"date":"2011-11-05T19:06:00","date_gmt":"2011-11-06T01:06:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/?p=963"},"modified":"2013-10-28T14:45:15","modified_gmt":"2013-10-28T20:45:15","slug":"indiana-jones-and-a-catholics-perspective","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/catholic\/indiana-jones-and-a-catholics-perspective\/","title":{"rendered":"Indiana Jones and a Catholic’s Perspective"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Indiana<\/a>
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons<\/figcaption><\/figure>Indy movies are about fun. They are not intended to catechize but a good catechist will make use of any pop culture experience to explain the faith. Jesus did this with parables, using archetypes of people from various vocations; vineyard owners and workers, Samaritans and priests, fathers and children, women and men, etc. Saints have done the same; Saint Patrick explained the trinity by the three leaves of a clover that are one bloom, Saint Therese of Avila explained prayer life as a series of mansions. <\/p>\n

Pop culture belongs to the world and as such it reflects worldly ideas and opinions. It\u2019s easy to identify ideals that contrast or contradict Catholic teaching in almost any movie and the Indy series is no exception. While it\u2019s good to point this out, a positive approach will be best received. So, rather than focus on the negative let\u2019s see what good we can find in the two arguably most memorable Indy films; Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. <\/p>\n

Raiders of the Lost Ark<\/u>
\n&#9679 Indy is the embodiment of hope in this story, in that sense he is an archetype of the messiah: the Jewish hope. He is the chosen archeologist just as the Jews are the chosen people \u2013 he\u2019s different, set apart, he\u2019s the one that\u2019s going to succeed even though he\u2019s failed before.<\/p>\n

&#9679 The Ark is set apart, sanctified like Gods people; the character Markus Brody explains to Indy, \u201cit\u2019s unlike anything you\u2019ve gone after before.\u201d<\/p>\n

&#9679 When arguing with the U.S. government men to have the Ark researched Indy insists, \u201cThe ark is a source of unspeakable power\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

&#9679 Even the people with evil intentions recognize the greatness of the Ark just as the demons recognize Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 8:29<\/span>, Mark 1:24<\/span>, Mark 5:7<\/span>, Luke 8:28<\/span>, James 2:19<\/span>). Belloq explains to Indy, \u201cDo you realize what the Ark is? It’s a transmitter. A radio for talking to God!…\u201d Belloq sought not after God but after power and because of his impure ambition, Belloq\u2019s end came as torment.<\/p>\n

&#9679 The ark ends up hidden away from the world\u2019s view. In a manner of speaking, it is in the world but does not belong to it, much like the disciples (Romans 12:2<\/span> John 17:15-16<\/span>).<\/p>\n

&#9679 A parallel is apparent between all heroes and the saints. What a worldly action hero does is like what a spiritual hero believes. That is, the actions of heroes are like the faith of saints inasmuch as they often transcend the realm of the ordinary. Even though Indy is triumphant he receives no glory for himself. <\/p>\n

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade<\/u>
\n&#9679 The grail is the Cup of Christ, a true relic of the last supper, not some psychobabble-ic pseudo-myth. <\/p>\n

&#9679 The Brothers of the Cruciform Sword like the Templar Knights risk their lives to protect the grail. Like a typical character of grail lore, one of these knights poses the apex question to Indy, \u201cAsk yourself, why do you seek the Cup of Christ? Is it for His glory, or for yours?\u201d Indy replies,\u201d I didn’t come for the Cup of Christ. I came to find my father.\u201d In this film Indiana is not seeking an artifact so much as a person and he is in need of reconciliation to his father. Reconciliation to The Father in heaven is the true destiny of Christian pilgrims; The Son (Jesus) redeems us to bring us to His Father. Just as the only way to The Father in heaven is through Christ (John 14:6<\/span>), so too the only way for Indy to reach his father is through the Cup of Christ.<\/p>\n

&#9679 Indiana is like the knights of the grail, risking his life not for the grail but to save his father\u2019s life. In this sense can we consider Indiana to be Christ-like? Indiana was never made out to be a priest (Belloq tried) a prophet or a king (Kali anyone?) but in self giving at risk of losing his life, Indiana is just this side of sacrificial. Is Dr. Jones Sr. a sacrifice? Not willingly, but he might have been a martyr had he died, since he was shot while on a mission to protect the grail, knowing it to be a relic of Christ\u2019s ((Saint Laurence was roasted on a gridiron because he would not surrender the holy relics of the church to the Roman Emperor Valerian.)).<\/p>\n

&#9679 The grail has true healing powers and offers everlasting life by virtue of Christ. Of course, we Catholics do not attribute such power to the Cup of Christ but rather to Christ Himself; to the Eucharist. For Jesus said, \u201cI am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world.\u201d ~ John 6:51<\/span><\/p>\n

&#9679 The three challenges are reminiscent of scripture, Tradition and philosophic commentary: <\/p>\n

1. Breath of God – Only the penitent shall pass <\/em>
\nDr. Jones Sr. is dying when he recites this challenge \u2013 shouldn\u2019t penance be on the mind of a dying man? In this challenge the breath of God is a wind that blows through the caverns just before rotating blades gruesomely behead those who fail to kneel. According to Genesis, God breathed life into man (Genesis 2:7<\/span>). It is the penitent man whose prayers are heard (Luke 18:9-14<\/span>) and the penitent thief to whom Jesus promises heaven (Luke 23:39-43<\/span>).<\/p>\n

2. Word of God – Only in the footsteps of God will he proceed <\/em>
\nThis may be a reference to Jesus since He is the Word of God (John 1:1<\/span>) and cannot stumble upon Himself ((that is Jesus is the stone which the builders rejected Luke 20:16-19<\/span>, Acts 4:11<\/span>, and to the builders He is a stumbling block 1Cor 1:23 The devil tempted Jesus to throw Himself upon the rocks Luke 4:9-13<\/span>, Matthew 4:8-11<\/span>, Psalm 91:11-12<\/span>)) Scripture tells us lean not on your own understanding but on every word of God (Proverbs 3:5<\/span>), and Thy word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path (Psalm 119:105<\/span>). This segues nicely into the next challenge.<\/p>\n

3. Path of God \u2013 Only in the leap from the lion\u2019s head will he prove his worth. <\/em><\/p>\n

— \u201cprove his worth\u201d; emphasis seems to be on merit or works \u2013 man is justified by works and faith ~ James 2:24<\/span><\/p>\n

— “Lion\u2019s head” \u2013 Christ is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah ~ Revelation 5:5<\/span><\/p>\n

— Leap of faith \u2013 neither scripture nor Tradition. This phrase is attributed to philosopher Kierkegaard, who reasoned that since the fall of man is a leap from sinlessness to sinfulness, the return would also be a leap.\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The button they put on this movie was disappointing but it does ask us to make up our minds about our own journey. To the question, “what did you get out of this adventure?” Henry Jones Sr. responds, \u201cEnlightenment.\u201d In this case the question is as poignant here at the end of the journey as the one posed to Jones Jr. in the middle \u201cAsk yourself, why do you seek the Cup of Christ?\u201d The former question is the quintessential question we are all to answer for ourselves. As for me, the answer is easier to see in the first movie; it\u2019s something like Belloq\u2019s revelation that the Ark is for speaking to God, only without the prideful ambition. What I get out of the adventure of seeking Christ through His Cup and from each cup at every Catholic Mass, is communion with God<\/em>.<\/p>\n

<\/div><\/div>Matthew 8:29<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
29<\/span>And behold they cried out, saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time?<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Mark 1:24<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
24<\/span>Saying: What have we to do with thee, Jesus of Nazareth? art thou come to destroy us? I know who thou art, the Holy One of God.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Mark 5:7<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
7<\/span>And crying with a loud voice, he said: What have I to do with thee, Jesus the Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God that thou torment me not.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Luke 8:28<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
28<\/span>And when he saw Jesus, he fell down before him; and crying out with a loud voice, he said: What have I to do with thee, Jesus, Son of the most high God? I beseech thee, do not torment me.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>James 2:19<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
19<\/span>Thou believest that there is one God. Thou dost well: the devils also believe and tremble.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Romans 12:2<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
2<\/span>And be not conformed to this world; but be reformed in the newness of your mind, that you may prove what is the good, and the acceptable, and the perfect will of God.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>John 17:15-16<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
15<\/span>I pray not that thou shouldst take them out of the world, but that thou shouldst keep them from evil.<\/div>
16<\/span>They are not of the world, as I also am not of the world.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>John 14:6<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
6<\/span>Jesus saith to him: I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No man cometh to the Father, but by me.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>John 6:51<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
51<\/span>I am the living bread which came down from heaven.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Genesis 2:7<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Hebrew<\/a><\/span><\/div>
7<\/span>And the Lord God formed man of the slime of the earth: and breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a living soul.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Luke 18:9-14<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
9<\/span>And to some who trusted in themselves as just, and despised others, he spoke also this parable:<\/div>
10<\/span>Two men went up into the temple to pray: the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.<\/div>
11<\/span>The Pharisee standing, prayed thus with himself: O God, I give thee thanks that I am not as the rest of men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, as also is this publican.<\/div>
12<\/span>I fast twice in a week: I give tithes of all that I possess.<\/div>
13<\/span>And the publican, standing afar off, would not so much as lift up his eyes towards heaven; but struck his breast, saying: O god, be merciful to me a sinner.<\/div>
14<\/span>I say to you, this man went down into his house justified rather that the other: because every one that exalteth himself, shall be humbled: and he that humbleth himself, shall be exalted.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Luke 23:39-43<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
39<\/span>And one of those robbers who were hanged, blasphemed him, saying: If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.<\/div>
40<\/span>But the other answering, rebuked him, saying: Neither dost thou fear God, seeing thou art condemned under the same condemnation?<\/div>
41<\/span>And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this man hath done no evil.<\/div>
42<\/span>And he said to Jesus: Lord, remember me when thou shalt come into thy kingdom.<\/div>
43<\/span>And Jesus said to him: Amen I say to thee, this day thou shalt be with me in paradise.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>John 1:1<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
1<\/span>In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Luke 20:16-19<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
16<\/span>He will come, and will destroy these husbandmen, and will give the vineyard to others. Which they hearing, said to him: God forbid.<\/div>
17<\/span>But he looking on them, said: What is this then that is written, The stone, which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner?<\/div>
18<\/span>Whosoever shall fall upon that stone, shall be bruised: and upon whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.<\/div>
19<\/span>And the chief priests and the scribes sought to lay hands on him the same hour: but they feared the people, for they knew that he spoke this parable to them.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Acts 4:11<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
11<\/span>This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Luke 4:9-13<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
9<\/span>And he brought him to Jerusalem, and set him on a pinnacle of the temple, and he said to him: If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself from hence.<\/div>
10<\/span>For it is written, that He hath given his angels charge over thee, that they keep thee.<\/div>
11<\/span>And that in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest perhaps thou dash thy foot against a stone.<\/div>
12<\/span>And Jesus answering, said to him: It is said: Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.<\/div>
13<\/span>And all the temptation being ended, the devil departed from him for a time.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Matthew 4:8-11<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
8<\/span>Again the devil took him up into a very high mountain, and shewed him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them,<\/div>
9<\/span>And said to him: All these will I give thee, if falling down thou wilt adore me.<\/div>
10<\/span>Then Jesus saith to him: Begone, Satan: for it is written, The Lord thy God shalt thou adore, and him only shalt thou serve.<\/div>
11<\/span>Then the devil left him; and behold angels came and ministered to him.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Psalm 91:11-12<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Hebrew<\/a><\/span><\/div>
11<\/span>For he hath given his angels charge over thee; to keep thee in all thy ways.<\/div>
12<\/span>In their hands they shall bear thee up: lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Proverbs 3:5<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Hebrew<\/a><\/span><\/div>
5<\/span>Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Psalm 119:105<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Hebrew<\/a><\/span><\/div>
105<\/span>NUN. Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my paths.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>James 2:24<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
24<\/span>Do you see that by works a man is justified; and not by faith only?<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>
<\/div><\/div>Revelation 5:5<\/span>
View in: NAB<\/a> Vulg<\/a> Greek<\/a><\/span><\/div>
5<\/span>And one of the ancients said to me: Weep not; behold the lion of the tribe of Juda, the root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.<\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"\"<\/a>

Indy movies are about fun. They are not intended to catechize but a good catechist will make use of any pop culture experience to explain the faith. Jesus did this with parables, using archetypes of people from various vocations; vineyard owners and workers, Samaritans and priests, fathers and children, women and men, etc. Saints have … Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[52,1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-963","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-art","category-catholic"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/963","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=963"}],"version-history":[{"count":28,"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/963\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1191,"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/963\/revisions\/1191"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=963"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=963"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.catholicbookwriter.com\/goldenarrow\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=963"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}