The Avengers

Marvel’s mixed menagerie of superheroes are assembled in The Avengers, bringing together the characters of this shared universe in a movie that shows how little they’re willing to share. Pride, jealousy, deception and bitterness permeate characters that aren’t automatically superfriends, a nice form of storytelling about superhumans that doesn’t forget they’re human.

In the hands of comic book writer and genre director Joss Whedon, all these disparate elements come together as if they were destined to be, with Loki as the antagonist with a team level threat that requires everyone bring their gifts to the table. While I thought the film would simply be another inadvertent expression of Romans chapter 12, or 1 Corinthians 12– about how we as a people need to bring our unique gifts to the table and each contribute our part, not disparaging or elevating one or the other but recognizing the importance of all– the movie had a surprising slice of insight by Loki, when he makes an assembled group of people bow before him.

Were we made to kneel?

Let’s examine this, shall we? It’s not a particularly American sentiment, certainly. Even Optimus Prime would argue that “Freedom is the right of all sentient beings”. We don’t generally think of bowing to an Emperor or pledging our subservience to be in line with freedom (whereas other cultures have and do). Our first response to Loki’s statement is one that looks less like bended knee and more like a particularly raised finger. I suspect there will be rowdy cries of “hell, no!” in the theaters in response to Loki’s assertion.

The problem is, there’s truth in his words.

Even a lot of professing Christians live life as if God exists as accompaniment to their self-centered universe, a force that exists to serve their needs, and although they’d never dare say it, the way they actually picture the relationship looks more like he’s kneeling to serve them. We forget a basic part of who we are and how we were made:

“Oh come, let us worship and bow down; let us kneel before the LORD, our Maker!” – Psalm 95:6

Loki is right, and it doesn’t get any clearer than in the psalmist King David’s words: we were made to kneel.

Do we crave subjugation?

What of this statement then? Do we willingly shackle ourselves and lose our joy? Scripture is clear that the proper posture before the true creator brings joy, not the other way around. Still, that same scripture tells us exactly how we enslave ourselves to oppressive people and things:

“… they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator…” – Romans 1:25

We lose our joy in a mad scramble for identity by attaching it to something lesser, binding our hopes and dreams to a celebrity, a politician, a spouse, a fictional universe or hero, a national identity, a career, a co-dependent relationship, or vicarious achievements through our children. We “freely” soil our knees on these shifting foundations hoping these things will satisfy, give us purpose and worth. Worst, we effectively see ourselves as “god”, the center of our own life and universe, and find ourselves kneeling to an identity that is certain to let us down, shackled to our own fallibility and finitude.

Loki is right again: we crave subjugation and lose our joy, chasing a “freedom” (that is actually enslavement) and declaring it as our identity.

What is our identity?

It’s not just about dusting off our knees and rejecting the wrong identities, we need to know our actual identity. Scripture suggests we all – and each – have a job description:

“For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” – Ephesians 2:10

That job description for all mankind makes us subject to the one true God, but with an amazing freedom and responsibility. We’re not meant to be subjugated by anything else. We have a dominion to wisely oversee and steward (and protect):

“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion… over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” - Genesis 1:26-28

Loki is right: we don’t need to scramble for identity, we just need to submit to and embrace the one declared by God.

We were made to bow before our God and Maker, yet we shackle ourselves to lesser “gods” – created people and things. We race around “freely” putting our identity in things that ultimately rule us. It’s obvious that in many ways, Loki is absolutely right. However, there IS one worldview that offers perfect relationship held in tension, that offers both freedom and servitude. The creator and God we obey humbly and bow before utters this unique command:

“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.” - Galatians 5:1

Loki is wrong: we were made to be free. “Do not submit again to slavery”, the true God says. The power-hungry, adopted Asgardian son in the Avengers movie offers a subjugation without freedom, a cruel rule of oppression and tyranny. He is no benevolent dictator. Conversely, the God of the Bible proclaims that we receive true freedom through Jesus, that our subjugation to lesser things is broken forever, as we give our lives to a life-giving God.

This seems dichotomous, right? We’re “free” only by becoming God’s “bondservants”? It runs counter to our notion of freedom which– if we stop and think about it– often seems nebulous and undefined. What is freedom, anyway? Simply to do whatever we want? What if our own “wants” are corrupted? What if you and I are flawed creatures that even deceive ourselves, slaves to bad programming and predispositions? How can we truly transcend and experience REAL freedom?

Consider: if we were created and crafted to have a most glorious function, and things exist that inhibit that function (including our own hearts and minds) then true freedom would be objective release from the shackles that restrict, both our external direction and our internal desires truly freed to be as intended. In other words, we’re freed from all the other things that enslave in this life – including our own passions – by becoming a servant to the one who truly knows us better than we know ourselves.

“Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God.” – 1 Peter 2:16

Loki is wrong: freedom is not a “disease” to which servitude is the “cure”. Rather, placing our lives under the truly all-knowing, all-powerful rule of our Maker brings us freedom to know ourselves and the empowerment to live freely.

In the end, we WILL kneel… but not to a Loki.

Loki is wrong, because he knows the outcome but believes he’s the answer. When the term god is used to describe Loki and Thor, Captain America has an earnest reply: “Ma’am, there’s only one God, and I’m pretty sure he doesn’t dress like that.” Steve Rogers knows full well that this tyrant is not someone he or anyone should bow to. As a man growing up 70 years ago and likely raised in a Christian home, he was probably taught the message of the gospel, in which God’s good news to all men culminates with those bended knees being loved, exalted as siblings and co-heirs with Jesus. Freedom in Christ is rooted in the reality that God doesn’t treat his bondservants as slaves… he treats us as his own children.

“So you are no longer a slave, but a son… an heir through God. Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods.” - Galatians 4:6-8

As the Hulk so aptly puts it (in the crowning moment of the film) Loki is indeed a “puny god” (by nature, NOT god at all) and only offers the rule of a tyrant… whereas the God of the bible offers adoption, family, inheritance, and eternity. Would you not kneel for the savior who sacrificed for you? In the Lord of the Rings, Middle Earth kneels to honor even the little hobbits, and they willingly submit themselves to the rule of Aragorn. It’s not that we weren’t created to kneel, we should just bend our knee to the one who deserves it.

“God has highly exalted him and… at the name of Jesus every knee should bow… and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”- Philippians 2:8-11

We all will stand someday before our heavenly father. If we don’t give up our own poisonous dreams, if we don’t turn from our bitter rebellion, scripture tells us it will look like a courtroom. If we accept the saving shadow of the Son, it looks like home: devoid of strife and woe, and brighter than Asgard.

Sliding Doors

In Chapter 1, the movie opens with Helen facing two alternate, yet parallel, lives as she either barely makes it to the tube on time or she misses it altogether.  We see that this one moment in time plays a powerful role in her life.  She is led toward the reality of unfaithfulness and the discovery of who she is, or she is left in oblivion and remains in bondage to her life.  We have faced this dilemma. Often it is harmless; we choose one good option over another good option.  Sometimes it is a moment we look back on, realizing only with the passing of time the impact it had on our future and those around us.  The eternal picture is that we are each faced with alternate, yet parallel, paths of ‘making it’ or ‘missing it’ with a relationship with Christ.  

As he was traveling, it happened that he was approaching Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him; and he fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” And He said, “I am Jesus whom you are persecuting… And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized…and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues…  Acts 9:3-5, 18, 20

And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?”…. Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. Matthew 19:16, 21-22

In Chapter 4, Helen (who has missed the tube) confronts Gerry on a few suspicious things she has noticed.  Gerry, although guilty, not only denies his wrong doing but places the blame on Helen and others.  Later, James tells Helen that “there is just confusion and it can be erased in a split second.”  Many times we know we have been ‘caught’ in our sin; but rather than take accountability and confess, we deny and place blame.  However, we have a Savior who has redeemed us from our confusion and sin.  If we will admit to our sin and repent, Jesus will forgive us and make us new.

For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace. 1 Corinthians 14:33

He who conceals his sins will not succeed; he who confesses and abandons them will gain mercy. Proverbs 28:13

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9

Therefore, repent and turn to God, so that your sins may be erased. Acts 3:19

In Chapter 12, Helen’s two worlds have converged and returned to the original path.  However, now she is fully aware of Gerry’s betrayal and she is making a fresh start.  As she leaves the hospital, we are given a déjà vu moment from the beginning of the movie as she encounters James for the second time.  Although their paths have been crossing in this reality over time, they haven’t truly noticed one another until this moment.  It is a moment that should cause us to pause and reflect:  in spite of the choices I’ve made, is it possible that God is constantly working to bring me to the place He has for me?  Even in my lack of seeking His direction, does God orchestrate my life so that I realize His will for me?

The mind of man plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps.  Proverbs 16:9

‘For I know what plans I have in mind for you,’ says the Lord, ‘plans for well-being, not for bad things; so that you can have hope and a future.’ Jeremiah 29:11

For we are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time so that we should walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10

…having been predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will…  Ephesians 1:11

Sliding Doors

Sliding Doors is a 1998 British-American romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Peter Howitt and starring Gwyneth Paltrow and John Hannah, and featured John Lynch, Jeanne Tripplehorn and Virginia McKenna. The film alternates between two parallel universes, based on the two paths the central character's life could take depending on whether or not she catches a train.

Taglines:

 Helen is about to find that romance was never this much fun. See more »

Quotes

Helen: I-I'm not - I'm not very good at - at, you know... 
James: Constructing sentences?
See more »

The Sixth Sense

In chapter 5, Mind Reading Games, we're introduced to central characters Cole and Lynn Sear as Cole comes home from a day at school.  It doesn't take long to witness seemingly insignificantly extravagant lies that they both make up to tell each other as a rather unusual means of communication.  Despite how innocuous this interaction, it further serves to illuminate Cole's dissonance with other peoples when the scene concludes with his interaction with Dr. Crowe.  Our inability to honestly communicate with others and express feelings of fear, as in this case, only serve to alienate, disconnect, and torment us in silent seclusion from which Jesus bleed and died to redeem us from.

1 Peter 1:17-19

¹⁷ And if you call upon Him as [your] Father Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, [then] you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence [on the earth, whether long or short].

¹⁸ You must know (recognize) that you were redeemed (ransomed) from the useless (fruitless) way of living inherited by tradition from [your] forefathers, not with corruptible things [such as] silver and gold,

¹⁹ But [you were purchased] with the precious blood of Christ (the Messiah), like that of a [sacrificial] lamb without blemish or spot.

Galatians 6:1-3

6 Brethren, if any person is overtaken in misconduct or sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right and restore and reinstate him, without any sense of superiority and with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also.

² Bear (endure, carry) one another’s burdens and troublesome moral faults, and in this way fulfill and observe perfectly the law of Christ (the Messiah) and complete what is lacking [in your obedience to it].

³ For if any person thinks himself to be somebody [too important to condescend to shoulder another’s load] when he is nobody [of superiority except in his own estimation], he deceives and deludes and cheats himself.

In chapter 10, Bedtime Stories and Secrets, Dr. Crowe makes a breakthrough with Cole.  It's when he lowers his guard and becomes honest with Cole that Cole is able to gain trust in him and reciprocate in like kind.  It's only when we become vulnerable, within safeguarded community, are we able to truly know and be known.  

1 Corinthians 13:11-13

¹¹ When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child; now that I have become a man, I am done with childish ways and have put them aside.

¹² For now we are looking in a mirror that gives only a dim (blurred) reflection [of reality as in a riddle or enigma], but then [when perfection comes] we shall see in reality and face to face! Now I know in part (imperfectly), but then I shall know and understand fully and clearly, even in the same manner as I have been fully and clearly known and understood [by God].

¹³ And so faith, hope, love abide [faith—conviction and belief respecting man’s relation to God and divine things; hope—joyful and confident expectation of eternal salvation; love—true affection for God and man, growing out of God’s love for and in us], these three; but the greatest of these is love.

In chapter 17, Communication, we're left with a very different conversation between mother and son than the one that we were initially introduced the characters with.  If we can suspend our personal commentary as to the content of the conversation, we can at least see it as an honest attempt to connect between these two characters.  After all, it is truth revealed that leads us into a place of freedom to communicate without barriers and with a more genuine sense of connectivity.  

John 8:31-33

³¹ So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, If you abide in My word [hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them], you are truly My disciples.

³² And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. 

Spiritually Experience Movies

Most movie plots contain a lot more than the action, romance and comedy that line the surface. There are often moral lessons and spiritual symbolism that can be interpreted if the viewer watches the movie with the right mindset. If we are active instead of passive movie watchers, with our heart prepared for a direct revelation from God, then the $7.50 movie ticket would offer us so much more. Here are some tips on how to spiritually filter your movie-going experience:

[Pray] Before the film trailers, carve out a sanctuary. Ask God to show you something through the movie. Ask Him to protect you from any philosophies or language that might deceive you. Relax, get comfortable and put on your thinking cap.

[Weigh the good and the bad] Not everything the filmmakers have to say is going to line up with your “Christian worldview.” Be prepared to sort and file the information you take in.

[Look for symbolism] Often, screenwriters and cinematographers use colors, images, sounds, characters and dialogue that convey significance. Movies like “The Matrix,” and “The Sixth Sense” come to mind.

[Go deeper into the characters] Are there any characters with which you can relate? What would you do if you were in their shoes? The actors have worked very hard to create a character that runs deeper than their lines. Take the time to see the person.

[Discuss it] If you took a date, or watched with a friend, take advantage of the car ride home to discuss the movie, and what it meant to you. Get on the message boards the next day and start thinking out loud.

[Apply it] If the description of love in “Captain Correlli’s Mandolin,” or the concept of breaking man-made traditions to preserve your family’s happiness in “Fiddler on the Roof,” or the never ending battle between Good and Evil in “Star-Wars” tugged at your mind, then make it real. Live it out. Take note of it in the world around you.