[Alert: This is not a movie promotion blog!]
The movie is one of the greatest MARVEL movies and if you grew up with Spiderman Trilogy of Tobey and Amazing Spiderman of Andrew during your childhood, you will definitely find this movie exciting. The music, the past memories, interaction with Spiderman and their respective villain will give you thrill in this movie.
Now, your question will be why on earth I am discussing movie in this blog. What's its relationship with theology and apologetics? Well, to be fair, there is nothing connection but there is something I just wanted to share from this movie that shall be great encouragement and stamina for our Christian life ethics.
A general plot of the story: Here
Synopsis: With Spider-Man's identity now revealed, our friendly neighborhood web-slinger is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life as Peter Parker from the high stakes of being a superhero. When Peter asks for help from Doctor Strange, the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.
I would like to express some relatable and relevant important lessons from
Spiderman No way home from my personal perspective and analysis:
1. With
challenging situation, maturity uplifts: This happened with Tom Holland in this
movie. He was able to guide other Spiderman to work as a team. He had to work
out fixing work for villains from other universe and many more. As a Christian,
we are not deprived of any challenging situations but these situation makes us
stronger. God is Sovereign that He sets us environment to grow and be
spiritually mature. The challenging situation makes us rely on God's timing and
trust his plans for our life. He helps us to grow in ethics, leadership,
services, using gifts of Spirit, evangelism, etc. (John 16:13). The more challenge
we face, the more we grow in His kingdom. (1 Peter 4:16)
2. Unity is
strength: Villains were more than heroes themselves. None of the villains were
hostile to Tom's version of Spiderman at beginning. Later, it was Green Goblin
who spoiled the friendly environment. Tobey and Andrew had to join in the
battle together. They didn't know how to work in team but being an avenger Tom
knew it and guided both. Hence, three Spiderman united to fight the villains.
Despite of differences such as Tobey had organic web shooter that was odd for
two others, they had a kind of loss in their lives and could empathize Tom.
Their mission was one. Likewise, there might be differences in Christian circle
in name of doctrinal stand, practices, opinions, etc. yet we are supposed to be
in unity since we are children of same God (1 John 3:1a) and Christ alone is
our head (Col. 1:18; 2:10).
3. Differences
doesn't matter if the goal is one: All three Spiderman had differences yet they
could interact with each other and team up. There was sorcery environment in
Tom's universe which was totally foreign to other two Spiderman. Tobey had web
coming out from unknown source within his body that surprised other two
Spiderman since they used mechanical. These differences didn't matter for they
were at one goal. Similarly, churches have difference in doctrinal stands,
practices, opinions, (1 Cor. 12, Deut. 29:29) etc. However, the goal is one
(Matthew 28:19; 1 Peter 3:15, 2 Tim. 4:2-4, etc.). The fundamental faith is
one. (Eph. 4:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:13; etc.)
4. Apply to act in
struggling situation from your experience: Tom was an avenger and with his
experience of team work, he applied it with the other two Spiderman. Andrew
saved Tom's MJ since he had deep wounded experience in his universe that he
failed to save her. Christian life also has Christian experiences. Sometimes,
God puts us into struggles so that we can be of help in such similar
situations. He makes us an empathy for others in their needy situation.
5. There is always
a chance: Tom had chance to fix villains from other universe. He had another
chance to restore everything at end. Andrew had a chance to save MJ. There is
always a chance and we cannot give it up. There is always a chance in
spiritually reviving, evangelizing, growing in ministry and all. There is
always chance to return back to God once we fall down. Jesus himself is a
chance to whole world to reconcile back to God (John 3:16).
6. Do your best
this time that you couldn't accomplish before: We can learn this from Andrew
who succeeded to save MJ. He wept at this moment. Sometimes, we aren't able to
work as expected in our ministry but this doesn't mean we spoiled our life.
Whenever there is another opportunity, its our chance to do it
best.
7. Sometimes your
mistake opens a door to challenges from which you would get to learn more:
Tom's anxiety during spell made it go ruin and he had to face sudden
catastrophe in life. This situation rather built him stronger than before. We
do commit mistake in our life, this opens gate to many struggles in life but we
need to get through it and get to learn from it. God is always in
control.
8. Be wise and
smart in every situation: This was with Tom and his friends. As Christians, we
are ought to be wise and smart in any situation. We are ought to be as innocent
as dove and as clever as snake.
9. Don't feel
always painful for your loss, you can be empathy for others at right time and
situation: Tom got empathy from Andrew and Tobey since they knew the pain of
loss. God sometimes allows us to grow through severe pain in life so that we
could be able to empathize others. God himself lived a struggling human life to
understand our pain and sorrows (Heb. 4:15).
10. Differences of
generation gap doesn't bring barrier in team work: As already explained before,
all three Spiderman were from different generations but it didn't hamper their
team work. This is also with Christianity. There is generational gap that
affects thinking, reacting, responding and approaching difference. E.g. in past
there were no technologies for gospel to spread but now there are number of
ways how it can be spread. Old generation used classical and cultural music
while our generation have wide varieties of musical genre in worship. Old
generation had subjective experience for gospel but modern generation has more
intellectual aspect for gospel. Old generation had no access to supplementary
books on theology, ethics, apologetics, etc. but our generation has tons of
resources. These differences are just generational but we all are in a mission
work to accomplish.
11. When your
enemy has changed his heart, he would be of great help one day when you are in
trouble: This happened with Sand man and Otto Octavius. Sand man helps
Spiderman to resist Electro. Otto Octavius helps to resist electro and Green
Goblin. Let's not go far away, consider Paul himself. He was a kind of enemy
but later with his miraculous conversion, he became a great defender of
Christian faith. In our daily life, we do also have people who were once
atheist, agnostic, skeptic, etc. but our influence as Christians changes them
and they grow up in our life as helping-hand. Sometimes our family members who
strongly protest our faith, they can later become a great defender. There are
real life testimonials of these.
12. Sometimes a
better solution makes you pay heavy cost yet you need to go through it: Tom's
version of Peter had to face this while trying to fix the villains from other
universe and at the end. At Parker's request, Strange fixes the spell,
sending the alternate Spider-Men and their villains back to their respective
universes, while making everyone forget Parker's existence. Later, Parker tries
to reintroduce himself to MJ and Ned, but cannot bring himself to do it. Parker
visits May's grave, joined by a now unaware Hogan, and vows to carry on. Parker
moves into a new apartment and creates a new suit from scratch to resume his
heroics. Jesus is the better solution for all humanity[1] but
to follow him is not an easy task. You have to pay heavy price (Luke 9:23). You
can be rejected by your own family, friends and relatives (Matthew 10:34-39).
You might be deprived of facilities and opportunities. However, you have no
choice except accepting it and continue your journey. We let Jesus grow in our
life, and reduce ourselves (John 3:30). We have to abandon worldly pleasure but
enjoy the pleasure in Christ despite of struggle in life.
13. Just one evil
mind can ruin wholesome situation: When cures are developed for Osborn and
Dillon, the Green Goblin persona takes over Osborn before the cure can be
administered. The Green Goblin convinces Dillon to remove the device that
Parker put on him to cure him and, despite the best efforts of Parker and
Octavius, who is dispatched by Dillon, the other four escape. In the ensuing
battle, May is mortally injured by the Goblin, with Parker unable to save her
as she succumbs to her wounds. He suffers heavy grief at her demise. In our
life, we might have such factor around us or within us that can ruin our life
spiritually. This happens often in Christian living and we need to always be in
shielding of Holy Spirit to resist those obstacles. Goblin also enforces idea
that the unusual powers aren't curses for anyone and nobody needs to be fixed.
In a similar manner, the devil is always working out in our life (1 Peter 5:8)
to convince us that our certain habits, sinful association aren't big problems
for us and we don't need escaping from those, repentance and transformation. He
makes us enjoy in them and gradually ruining us from achieving God's plan in us
and growing in image of Christ.
14. Don't take
revenge for your loss rather destroy the root cause: An enraged Tom's version
of Parker fights and overpowers the Goblin, wanting to kill him for May's
death, but he is stopped short by the Parker from the Goblin's universe. Parker
injects the Goblin with the cure, restoring him to a regretful Osborn. Taking
revenge cannot help. This keeps circulating and situation becomes more
problematic. Our only goal is to hit the root cause. Jesus taught us to Love
God and to love our neighborhood as we love ourselves. He taught us to seek
God's kingdom and righteousness. Jesus was the one who resolved the root of all
chaos (2 Cor. 5:19; Heb. 10:1-18; John 1:12-13; 15; Eph. 2:1-9; Phil. 2:5;
etc.).
Finally: With Great Powers, Comes Great Responsibilities!
With great God comes great gospels
Merry Christmas!
[1]
Let not the reader misunderstand this statement. Before arrival of Jesus, there
was God’s providence of salvation/judgment during O.T. times. People had access to
General Revelation (Romans 1:19-20). There were people who sought some Supreme Being
in their life-time. Those who seek the light, they will be given the light
needed to be saved. (Heb. 11:6; Jer. 29:13). Also, the scripture also says that
God has written his laws in their heart or say conscience (Romans 2:12-15). According
to Romans 2:11, God doesn’t show partiality and is just. Hence, there was
providence for judgment (Also Acts 10:35). Those who don’t know right from
wrong are not lost e.g. infants and mentally disordered (Isa. 7:15; Deut. 1:39;
Romans 5:18-19; 1 Jn 2:2; Mk 10:14 etc.). Therefore, God has providence (e.g.
Jonah 3; Dan. 4:1-19; Acts 10; Rev. 14:6 etc.). The providence was case before
Jesus but after his arrival and sacrifice, it is only the way to God and none
other alternative ways are there else that shall be a rebellion. We must be
careful when we state Jesus is only way and whosoever doesn’t believe him are
doomed. This can open a confusing door to what about massive past population
who had never heard him. Acts 4:12 is true but Jesus was not Redeemer until he
died on the cross although he was already set as Savior (1 Peter 1:20). I had
to clarify this in order to settle the controversy. Therefore, when I used ‘better
solution’ term, I didn’t mean there are other alternatives but it was mere a
relative language with respect to God’s providence during old testament times.
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2 Comments
ye Article bahut acha hai. Isse hm Bhaut kuch sikh skte hai 😊
ReplyDeleteThank you brother :)
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