Cinemagogue | The AVENGERS

In what could have been a mess of Marvel characters mashed into a film where all of them struggle to be the center of attention, director Joss Whedon rules and reigns over the various players with a knowledge of comic book art that frees them to serve a great story that is the sum of their cinematic parts. Conveniently, the film itself deals with human nature and what "freedom" means, if we were made to be ruled over and where our identity lies. The villainous Loki's plans to be god of earth may not be what we need, but does this mean we shouldn't bow to anyone? Maybe it just means, as the Hulk so aptly puts it, that Loki is a "puny god".

James Harleman looks at parallels and contrasts of scripture regarding freedom and service, examining how the Avengers playfully suits up to tackle these themes, hammers on the ideas, shields us from the wrong forms of slavery, and takes aim at the "free servitude" our lives should reflect.

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[James Harleman]

For the record, I do disagree with Captain America on one point. I think Asgardian fashion is pretty awesome.

[James Harleman]

Naive? Maybe. He also saved it:)

[James Harleman]

I'm sure extra-terrestrials, other-dimensional beings would scramble a few Christian brains:) Still, Christian scripture is pretty clear we still only "know in part" & there's a TON we don't know; Jesus claimed God revealed essential truth but not exhaustive. Much of the "challenge" would be suppositions we've built on top of scripture. Could be we're simply the pinnacle of earth. I understand C.S. Lewis' fiction Space Trilogy even toys w/this idea, which reminds me I want to read it: thanks!

[Stephen Armstrong]

I don't want to hear ur bullshit u dumbass

[James Harleman]

(Seriously, thanks. It's one thing to have folks who agree with you offer comments and compliments - quite another to have a strong differing viewpoint take the time).

[James Harleman]

I agree: highly unlikely the writers sought to validate a true or singular God. However, as a theist I believe God often reveals himself through the unintentional, even oppositional. Cap didn't side with Gods, though. Thor knows they're advanced beings, not truly omnipotent, omnipresent, or omniscient "gods". They popped up on earth with extreme powers & some Norsemen deified them. If they showed up "for real" today it wouldn't impinge on my belief (not sure about Cap). Thanks for the comments!

[sillytothejoe]

As Agent Coulson said, "Maybe they need a little old-fashioned"