Posted by Deltron at gso26-136-204.triad.rr.com on November 25, 2003 at 15:56:34:
In Reply to: Questions for Kevin Smith about Dogma posted by H. J. Andrews on November 25, 2003 at 15:43:45:
: 1. I am having trouble finding information on the Metatron from Dogma. In the movie it is implied that the Metatron appears by name in the Bible, but I have not been able to find any mention of the name in either the Old or New Testaments. Is this name taken from somewhere else, such as new-age paganism or any variety angelic cults, or perhaps a pagan sect from the Ancient Near East?:
"An angel, mentioned in Jewish apocalyptic literature. In the Talmud he is said to have a name like that of his master and he is associated both with Enoch and the archangel Michael. His name can be spelled with either six or seven Hebrew letters, and that is the reason kabbalists believe him to be both the supreme sefirah and Enoch." - pantheon.org
: 2. You are probably familiar with the theological position of James Cone, the famous African-American scholar who is of primary importance in the origin of the conceptualization of Jesus as a black man due to his extensive writings from the 1970s. In the movie Dogma, what underlying importance does this description of Christ have for you, or is it merely a vehicle for Chris Rock to do his normal 'black man' schtick? Also, do you feel that it is in any way ironic that a rich black man like Chris Rock is in a major Hollywood feature spouting James Cone's liberationism?:
The fact that Jesus was a black dude comes from where Jesus was supposedly born and where his parents came from. Everyone in the middle east was more black than white.
: 3. In the movie Dogma, you portray angelic figures as having the appearance of human beings with the addition of wings. What did you use as the basis for this presentation? Winged figures in scripture tend to have more wings and more arms and a generally far more supernatural appearance. New Testament descriptions of angels do not mention wings at all. Also, angelic armor is not mentioned in scripture, so why do the angels in Dogma wear armor. Also, angels in the scripture are clearly able to reproduce with human beings, so why do the angels in Dogma have no genetalia?:
A) Portrayed as human so it wouldn't look weird to the average moviegoer, and B) probably just for the no-dick jokes.
Now I can't speak fact for question 2 or 3, but that Metatron part is true.