MIXED MEDIA How Redemption Runs Through the Marvel Cinematic Universe

NOTE: SPOILERS AHEAD! Doctor Strange starts out as a pride- As a Christian who relishes movies, ful surgeon who can’t get past his own I often look for biblical themes that big ego. When a car accident takes his shine through, no matter what I am hands and his identity, Doctor Strange watching. Since I believe all truth is accesses new powers and must learn a God’s (thank you, Reformed theology), new way to live. By the end of his movie I witness a redemptive theme in the (2016’s Doctor Strange), he grasps what Reading Genesis and Marvel Cinematic Universe. the Ancient One has been teaching him: Modern Science: A “It’s not about you.” Doc puts himself in Redemption is a journey toward harm’s way to stop the evil Dormammu Study Guide becoming authentic and fulfilling from destroying the planet. (It’s funny by Franklin P. and your purpose. In Christian terms, that to see Doctor Strange and Tony Stark means bringing glory to God in all argue in Endgame because both have David O. De Haan you do and being a blessing to others had their bouts with arrogance.) Reviewed by George Kroeze because God has redeemed us from How does a 21st-century sin. It means being transformed. In Other characters—Loki, Bucky Barnes Christian face the facts of the Marvel movies, redemption is the the Winter Soldier, King T’Challa the scientific inquiry and also linchpin theme. Everything hinges on Black Panther, Wanda the Scarlet take the Bible seriously? redemption. Witch, Bruce Banner’s Hulk, Nebula, Drax, and more—undertake their own In this study guide, the De Many Marvel characters experience journeys of redemption. Haans, father and son profes- their own mini-arc of change in their sors of chemistry, walk us movies. You can see the before/after I appreciate these abundant stories of through geological, chemical, transformations as they are redeemed redemption, journeys in which charac- and astronomical evidence into the heroes/heroines they portray. ters such as Stark, Strange, and the rest for the earth’s ancient past Tony Stark starts out in 2012’s The change, finally walking into the true and how these topics inter- Avengers as a genius, billionaire, play- potential of who they can be. These sect with biblical teaching. boy philanthropist with major selfish characters might be fictional, but they give us hope and even serve as a kind ego issues. Undergoing perhaps the The De Haans show there are of parable for us as moviegoers. They biggest redemptive arc in the Marvel faithful interpretations of leave us wondering: can redemption franchise, Stark sacrifices himself Genesis 1 that are compat- happen even for little ol’ me? Can I for half the universe in Avengers: ible with their scientific change and be made new? These ques- Endgame, the final film. His journey conclusions. The authority of tions change everything. They are why is replete with mistakes and flaws, Scripture and the belief that I frequently use movies as illustrations but that’s the beauty of redemption: one creator God brought into in my sermons. God can use anything— it doesn’t give up on you until you are existence this material world even movies—to teach us something. changed. And you can’t get there alone: ex nihilo (out of nothing) are As the Marvel movies teach us, even the man in the cave, Pepper Potts, consistent with the insights superheroes need redemption and the and even Spider-Man help forge the of modern science. Highly hope it brings. redemption in Stark’s character. recommended for Bible study groups and discussion groups Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff’s char- Darrell L. Delaney lives in and for spurring thoughtful acter is a trained spy and assassin with Grand Rapids, Mich., and is conversations between the red on her ledger, having committed pastor of Madison Church, generations. (Credo) countless violent acts. But in Endgame, Square Campus. He and his she fights Hawkeye to sacrifice herself wife of 15 years, Kia, have three children. so the team can get the Soul Stone they need to reverse Thanos’ curse on the universe.

OCTOBER 2019 38 THEBANNER.ORG MIXED MEDIA

What Is a Girl Worth? The Book Woman of Biggest Little Farm The Lowdown My Story of Breaking Troublesome Creek Reviewed by Otto Selles Fascinated by Foxes: In the Silence and by Kim Michele John and Molly Chester The Hidden World of the Exposing the Truth Richardson dreamed of a place their Fox, Adele Brand shares dog could roam freely—and About Larry Nassar her fascination with the Reviewed by Sonya where they could pursue their red fox, from her child- and USA Gymnastics VanderVeen Feddema vision of farming. With fund- hood to her adult work by Rachael Set in the hills of Kentucky ing from friends and family, as a mammal ecolo- in 1936, this poignant novel they bought a property 40 gist. (Morrow) DenHollander relates the fictional tale of miles north of Los Angeles. Church and State: The Cussy Mary Carter, nick- This documentary film traces Reviewed by Ann Byle Family docuseries dives named Bluet by the folk of the many challenges the Rachael DenHollander into The Fellowship Troublesome Creek who Chesters faced over eight dreamed of being a gymnast, Foundation, the secretive despise her because of her years in establishing what but when injuries led her evangelical group behind blue skin. As one of the would become Apricot Lane into the office of renowned the National Prayer Kentucky Blues—real, histori- Farms. John Chester worked sports doctor Larry Nassar, Breakfast. (Netflix) cal people with blue skin who as a documentary filmmaker, her dreams turned into a lived in that Appalachian and his skills are showcased Batty for Batwoman: nightmare. From the first visit, region—Bluet is attacked and here. With beautiful time- Kate Kane, Bruce Wayne’s Nassar sexually assaulted her isolated. lapse sequences displaying cousin, must overcome under the guise of treatment. the plants and animals and her demons in order to She lived for years with the But when Bluet secures a the stars above the farm, protect the streets as results—shame, fear, depres- position on the Pack Horse the film does witness to the Batwoman in the new TV sion, panic. Library Project, estab- intricate glory and beauty series set in the Arrow lished in 1935 by President In 2016, DenHollander of creation, just as evident universe. (Oct. 6, CW) Franklin D. Roosevelt, her decided to speak up about on a farm as in a wilderness life changes. Kim Michele Hungry No More: The Nassar’s abuse. This timely park. (Neon) Richardson offers readers a director of the Texas memoir is DenHollander’s gut-wrenching tale that sheds Hunger Initiative calls account of the sexual abuse a compassionate light on the Christians to work she experienced, its after- persecuted Kentucky Blues together to end hunger in math, and the arrest and trial and the courage, resiliency, I Was Hungry. (Brazos) of Nassar. It shines a spotlight and life-changing role of the on the physical and emotional librarians known as the Book impact of abuse, why so many Women. (HarperCollins) survivors are reluctant to speak out, and the supernatu- ral power of faith and forgive- ness. (Tyndale)

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