Wednesday 24 April 2013

Avenge


I mentioned a while ago I wanted to explore Christianity within The Avengers film.
I thought I best do this today as tomorrow I have tickets to go & see Iron Man 3.

The first thing I want to mention is that the film is very much like the Christian story. Mankind needs a hero because it started meddling with something. The people on the street in the movie look to a rag-tag bunch of superheroes with different powers. Christians looks to a hero that has already saved us. The situation that has been gotten into - being under attack - is similar too. There are powers in the film that shouldn't have been messed and hence the reason the 'war' occurs, just as in our lives, we messed around, were tempted by sin & are now under assult of it. One huge difference though, whilst Captain America, Iron Man & co fight for victory, we have already won through Jesus Christ.

One of the themes in The Avengers is that humans are not alone. There are many layers, Thor being from another planet & with that another planet, another race attacking our Earth. In the bible there are many layers, demons & angels, gods & God. God is ruler over all, however that doesn't stop others fighting for the 'crown'. I don't have the knowledge to delve into this any further but hopefully a minister or pastor has written about it somewhere.

There are two other points within the film where areas of Christianity is explored. The first is when Iron Man mentions Jonah before flying inside the enemy & bursting through it's skin. It's just a small part of the film, but the fact is we can take things out of the bible, which many-a people view as outdated & use this in our lives. The stories within the pages are all relevant, even today!

The second is when Captain America says "There's only one God ma'am, & I'm pretty sure he doesn't dress like that." He recognises the difference between the one true God & those who claim the title. As someone who has been frozen for many years & enters a modern world he doesn't really know, he still has 'traditional' beliefs in God that perhaps the rest of America & the world has forgotten about. The Captain's faith is not shaken, which to me is a mindset that we all need to return to. Whilst a number of the other characters have super strength, or witty comments, he represents honour, integrity, strong values & faith.

It's an awesome blockbuster & part of a story of films that I can 'geek out' at, but it's great to watch it from a Christian perspective too. I like the idea that the Blu-Rays of these superhero films on my shelf build together to create a bible of their own that can, in some ways relate with our modern culture & through themes & issues rasied & explored, can turn viewers to think about their lives & towards Christ. The understanding that we all need a hero resonates throughout my faith that the big JC is our ultimate savior. 

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. - Romans 12:19

Monday 8 April 2013