Here at Cahnman's Musings, we echo the late Andrew Breitbart's belief that 'culture is upstream of politics.' We concur that if we change the culture, politics will take care of itself. In that spirit, Cahnman's Musings is pleased to report that we've recently rediscovered a 1980's television show that deserves commendation and support for it's dedication to a traditional moral foundation.
The original Transformers was a Saturday morning cartoon in the mid-1980's. Unlike the rotgut you see today, it sought to build upon the foundation of America's founding culture. The worldview of the show is surprisingly biblical.
Optimus Prime, at least as he's portrayed in the original cartoon, is a Christ-like figure. He unquestioningly does the right thing because it's his duty, and he's always humble instead of braggadocios in victory. Oh yeah, he also wins every time.
Where this show really gets fun, however, is the Decepticons. Just the fact that the bad guys in the show base their name around deception tells you everything you need to know about them. The Decepticons hide from the truth and distract, because that's the only way they can 'win.' But they never do win, because their greedy, selfish, wickedness is no match for the righteousness of the Autobots led by Optimus Prime. The Decepticons are also miserable.
In 2012, it's more important than ever to support entertainment that emerges from a Judeo-Christian worldview. There's precious little out there and what there is deserves commercial success. The original Transformers cartoon series from the mid-1980's does just that. Evil always loses, the Good Guys always win, and the good are humble in victory. This Christmas season, Cahnman's Musings wholeheartedly recommends the original Transformers.
Update: I've just been informed that you can get the Original Series streaming on Netflix.
Optimus' death in the original movie, and his conveying of the Matrix to the Autobots, reminds me of how Paul came into his Apostolate and Peter his further ministry.
ReplyDeleteThe Matrix of Leadership was given by Optimus before his death, but couldn't be opened by just anyone at their own choosing. Only when the time was right would it open and activate. And when the right time had come, Hot Rod was empowered from the inside out to become Rodimus Prime and lead the Autobots against insurmountable odds "'till all are one."
In a similar manner, while Jesus said "receive the Holy Ghost" before his death, the Spirit had not yet descended nor did the Apostles have spiritual gifts. It wasn't until Pentecost when the "keys to the kingdom" unlocked a door to the Gentiles. It was later, still, when Jesus called Saul to take up the mantle, and he became Paul.
Transformers also has Arthurian overtones. That said, I'm thankful we don't have a mere Excalibur promised us by God. Much better: we have an intimate relationship with the totality of God through His Spirit!