Overlooked and Underrated!

While I can’t imagine Jesus actually challenging Aquaman to a fight, I couldn’t help but laugh at this image. I think it also highlights Aquaman’s role as the laughingstock of the superhero community. He seems to be the butt of every superhero joke. I still love the Cartoon Network commercial featuring Aquaman and Wonder Woman. As the two heroes dangerously dangle above a pool of boiling acid, Aquaman announces, “My ability to talk with fish is of no help, Wonder Woman.” The Amazon Princess just rolls her eyes and waits for the Power Puff Girls to come to their rescue. During Geoff Johns’ run as writer on Aquaman’s comic series, he chose to incorporate this lack of appreciation into the story. In issue #1, Aquaman leaps into action when a gang of thieves steals an armored truck full of cash. The criminals lead the cops on a high-speed chase through downtown Boston until Aquaman intervenes. When the thieves see the superhero standing in the street ahead of them, one of them asks, “Dude, is that… Aquaman!?” Suddenly the whole crew bursts into laughter. Even the cops don’t give Aquaman much credit. One officer blurts out, “What’s Aquaman doing here? We’re not in the ocean and I don’t see any fish around…” Despite having some pretty cool powers and abilities, it seems like the King of Atlantis is just doomed to be overlooked and underrated.

I think the one-time King of Israel could probably relate. In 1 Samuel 16, God sent the prophet Samuel to anoint a new king for God’s people. The Lord sent Samuel to Bethlehem and told him, “Find a man named Jesse who lives there, for I have selected one of his sons to be my king” (1 Samuel 16:1 NLT). When Samuel arrived, Jesse presents seven of his sons. Samuel examines the boys one at a time like canines on a leash. Imagine the list of qualifications that must have run through Samuel’s mind for such a position: tall, smart, articulate, brave, groomed, well-mannered, a natural-born leader. Seven sons strut their stuff, but all seven fall short. Samuel passes on each of Jesse’s sons and then asks, “Are these all the sons you have?” I imagine Jesse with a quizzical expression replying, “There is still the youngest … He is tending the sheep” (1 Samuel 16:11, NIV). In time, young David will go on to slay giants and conquer kingdoms. The Son of God will be called the Son of David. The greatest psalms—many of which we still sing today—will flow from his pen. We’ll call him king, warrior, minstrel, and giant-killer. But on this day, he wasn’t even invited to dinner with the family. Like Aquaman, David was overlooked and underrated.

Maybe you can relate. Lucky for us, God doesn't judge people the way we do. God whispers a reminder to Samuel: “Do not consider his appearance or his height…The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7 NIV). It seems fans of Aquaman and our Father in Heaven have something in common—they both look beneath the surface. The next time you feel overlooked and underrated, take heart. You might be overlooked and underrated by others, but you are handpicked by God.

Eagerly Awaiting!

This Friday my family and I attended Planet Comic Con in Kansas City, MO. We didn’t do any cosplaying and we didn’t do any ministry. We arrived with one goal—to finally meet the legendary Stan Lee! The only way to guarantee an encounter with the creator of dozens of beloved Marvel superheroes was to buy a VIP pass, which cost more than I’m willing to admit. Even with the VIP pass, though, we still had to wait in line amongst over three hundred other VIPs who all anxiously awaited the opportunity to meet comic’s most prolific creator.  The kids and I were bursting with excitement. I’ve wanted to meet Stan Lee for ages and my kids have all grown up as Marvel fans and they’ve even read a children’s biography about Stan Lee, so all of us eagerly anticipated the moment. As we waited in line for what seemed like an eternity we discussed what we would say to him and debated which comic book to have him sign. When the moment finally came, though, it wasn’t all we hoped it would be.

In order to ensure every paying customer received an autograph and a photo with Stan Lee, the convention staff ushered each person through the line at break-neck speeds. After hours of waiting, we spent literally ten seconds in Stan Lee’s presence. He offered a warm smile and a “hello” in that unmistakable New York accent of his, but before we could blink we were ushered out of his presence so that others could have a turn. Don’t get me wrong. I’ll cherish our photo and my now-signed copy of Avengers #10, but the whole experience was over so quickly that it just didn’t live up to the hype and hope we’d built up around it.

As Christians, we all know what it’s like to eagerly await our opportunity to stand in the presence of the Creator. Not just the creator of Spider-man and the Fantastic Four, but the Creator of Heaven and Earth. The Bible says, “Christ will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him” (Hebrews 9:28 NLT). Are you eagerly waiting for Christ? The early Christians did. Paul wrote to the church in Thessalonica, saying, “you are looking forward to the coming of God’s Son from heaven” (1 Thessalonians 1:10 NLT). The Thessalonians spent their lives with an eye on the clouds and ear for the trump. They waited anxiously for the day of Christ’s return.

Sadly, I think many of us have lost that sense of expectancy. After waiting for hours, I started to wonder if Stan Lee would ever arrive. I guess some of us have done the same thing with Christ. We’ve waited so long, we wonder if he’ll ever show up. He will. But he’ll arrive on his time, not ours. When Stan Lee finally made his appearance, the crowd began to cheer exuberantly. If you think seeing Stan Lee is amazing, just wait. The Bible tells us, “On the day when the Lord Jesus comes, all the people who have believed will be amazed at Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:10).

Amazed at Jesus! Not amazed at angels or mansions or new bodies or new creations. Paul doesn’t measure the joy of encountering the apostles or embracing our loved ones. If we will be amazed at those things, which certainly we will, he does not say. What he does say is that we will be amazed at Jesus. And, in case you’re worried, your time with Christ won’t be over and done in the blink of an eye like our meeting with Stan Lee. No one will usher you out of Christ’s presence. In fact, the Bible assures us that when Christ comes, “we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). Forever. No end in sight. I can only imagine what it will be like when my family and I stand in the presence of Jesus. But until that day, I’ll choose to live forwardly, eagerly awaiting his arrival!

'nuff said!

Finding your Fortress

Wouldn’t you love to visit Superman’s Fortress of Solitude?

This weekend my kids and I watched Superman: The Movie followed by Superman II: The Richard Donner Cut on VidAngel. In both films, Superman frequently retreats to his frozen sanctuary, the Fortress of Solitude. The Fortress is created by a special crystal that Superman’s Kryptonian father, Jor-El, enclosed in his son’s spaceship and contains numerous "memory crystals" that can be used to access Jor-El's artificial intelligence and hologram.

When Superman brings Lois to the Fortress, she exclaims, “Wow! This is your home?” Superman replies, “No, actually I live in the city about three blocks from you. But this is a very special place for me.” The Fortress of Solitude is special to Superman because it provides him a place to get away from all the distractions and demands of life and allows him to commune with his father.

This is yet another way that Superman emulates Jesus. Just as Superman traveled to a solitary place to be alone with his father, Jesus also traveled to solitary places to connect with his Heavenly Father. The Bible says, “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed” (Mark 1:35 NIV). Elsewhere, the Bible says, “Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer” (Luke 5:16 NIV). Not only did Jesus retreat to private places for prayer, but He also encouraged us to do the same: “when you pray, go into your private room, shut your door, and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6 HCSB).

If your life is anything like mine, then you’ve got a lot going on. You’ve got chores to complete, costumes to create, children to chase, a spouse to love, a dog to feed, church commitments to keep, soccer games to attend, lunch appointments, doctor’s appointments, hair appointments and that doesn’t even begin to account for the projects, paper work, and priorities at the office or in the shop or on the farm. In the midst of it all, God longs to quietly connect with you.

We all need a Fortress of Solitude. Thankfully, it doesn’t have to be a crystalline castle. Maybe your Fortress of Solitude is a park bench or the foot of your bed. Maybe your “solitary place” is at the kitchen table early in the morning before anyone else is awake. Maybe your “private room” is a study, an office, or a deer stand out in the woods. It doesn’t really matter where your fortress is. What matters is that you find a special solitary place where you can connect and commune with your Father free from distractions, disturbances and disruptions.

So where is your Fortress of Solitude?

Holy Heroes!

I'm very excited to announce that my new book, Holy Heroes: The Gospel According to DC & Marvel, is finally in print and soon-to-be on shelves. If you're a fan of comics or cosplay and a follower of Christ (or if you'd just like to know more about one or the other), then this book is for you!

Like modern-day parables, the stories of superheroes such as Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain America, Spider-man, Hulk and many more pack a spiritual punch and help superhero fans draw near to the heart of God in a relatable, relevant way.

"Holy Heroes is a rare treat—one that showcases an impressive depth of superhero lore, personal fandom experiences, and biblical truths... Holy Heroes provides unique insight into the beloved genre and iconic characters from a Christian geeks’ perspective. If that’s not worth a hearty Shazam! then I don’t know what is." – Geeks Under Grace

“If you are a Christian nerd, like me, this book will be a great tool. A way to enjoy fandom and take some steps with Jesus in your own life.” – Nerd Chapel

"From comic books to fan conventions, from classic television shows to recent blockbuster movies, Scott embraces the whole superhero scene. His breadth of knowledge earns him a gold star in the grade book of fandom. My fellow pastor knows his Bible, too, and he grounds this book in solid Christian teaching." – H. Michael Brewer, author Who Needs a Superhero?

Holy Heroes is available at these and many other online retailers or, better yet, ask for it at your local Family Christian, Lifeway, or Barnes & Noble.

• Amazon
• ChristianBook Distributors
• Barnes& Noble

 If you've already ordered or read Holy Heroes, please consider rating and reviewing the book on Amazon, Goodreads, or Google Books. 

God v Evil

The most anticipated superhero film in history opened to rather mixed reviews last weekend. Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice is perhaps the most controversial superhero movie I’ve seen. It’s also the most theological. A profound philosophical question undergirds the film: Can a being of great power be truly good?

The maniacal mastermind, Lex Luthor, subtlety introduces this theme when he asks Senator Finch, “Do you know the oldest lie in America, Senator? It's that power can be innocent.” In one of the more depressing moments of the movie, even Superman seems to agree, remarking to Lois, “No one stays good in this world.”

The theme explodes to the surface, however, when Luthor levies some pretty heavy accusations against Superman… and God. In his climactic confrontation with the Man of Steel, Lex opines, “No man in the sky intervened when I was a boy to deliver me from daddy's fist and abominations. I figured out way back if God is all-powerful, He cannot be all good. And if He is all good, then He cannot be all-powerful. And neither can you be.”

It’s an age old argument. Philosophers and theologians have wrestled with it for centuries. And even among Christians, the question gnaws at us from the back of our minds. Isn’t there a part of us that wonders, “Is Luthor right?” Does the presence and pervasiveness of evil in our world demonstrate God’s limitations? After all—it’s argued—if God is all powerful couldn’t He rid the world of evil? And if God is all good, wouldn’t he want to? Let me offer three possible answers to that question.

First, if God were to rid the world of evil He would have to start with you and me. I believe that God created humanity with free will—the freedom to choose for ourselves between good and evil; right and wrong. Unfortunately, we all choose evil at times. We lie, we cheat, we act selfishly, we lose our tempers, give into to temptations, we make cutting and cruel remarks. The Bible sums up our situation, saying, “No one is good—no one in all the world is innocent” (Romans 3:10 TLB). We often forget that for God to rid the world of evil, He would have to rid the world of us.

Furthermore, I believe that God can bring great good even out of the darkest evil. Bad things happen and they happen with unpredictable frequency and varying levels of intensity. Some are mere inconveniences; others are life-shattering disasters. But there is a promise in God’s Word that can meet every negative moment head-on, and given enough time, it will resolve every problem. The Bible says, “And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28 NLT). Everything includes evil. Given time, even the most painful, heart wrenching experiences can be woven together for our eventual good.

Finally, rather than simply removing our suffering, God decided to join us in it. It’s no coincidence that Batman v Superman opened on Good Friday. The final scenes of the movie point us to Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross. God’s own Son, Jesus Christ, sacrificed himself on the cross on behalf of a fallen and evil world. He experience the worst humanity had to offer—the lies, the anger, the bitterness, the brutality, and betrayal. He took it all upon himself as if to say, “I’m with them.” In so doing, Jesus opened the door to eternity. In the face of evil, the Bible shouts, “For God so loved the world, he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).

In the end, God will rid the world of evil. The return of Christ will herald the total abolition of evil. Looking forward to that day, Paul (who experienced more evil and suffering than most) said, “Our suffering is light and temporary and is producing for us an eternal glory that is greater than anything we can imagine” (2 Corinthians 4:17 GWT). In the meantime, you and I face the same challenge as Superman. We can surrender to the darkness that surrounds us, proving Lex Luthor right. Or we can shine a light in the darkness, and be the good that we hope to see in the world.

Vengeance is Mine!

If you’re like me, you probably spent the weekend binge-watching the second season of Marvel’s Daredevil on Netflix. The first four episodes pit Daredevil against one of Marvel’s most iconic anti-heroes—The Punisher. After the mob guns down his wife and children for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, Frank Castle utilizes his military training to exact revenge. Now serving as judge, jury, and executioner, The Punisher wages a one man war against those who have done him wrong, leaving bullet-riddled bodies in his wake.

Despite his murderous wrath, Punisher is actually a likable character. We relate to his loss. We understand his thirst for revenge. The desire to "get even" seems to be woven into the human psyche. Revenge and retaliation are natural instincts. In an unusual story in the Old Testament, however, David shows us a better way.

David’s victory over the hulking Philistine, Goliath, won him the admiration and affection of everyone in Israel; everyone, that is, except King Saul. Saul saw David’s valor and victory as a threat to his throne and, thus, sought repeatedly to kill David. But when faced with the opportunity to pay Saul back for all the harm he’d done, David choose a different path. He showed Saul mercy and spared his life, then announced: “May the Lord judge between us. Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you” (1 Samuel 24:12 NLT).

Rather than take revenge on his enemy, David put the matter into God’s hands. We all have a Saul in our lives. It might be an employer who unfairly fired you. It might be a spouse who abandoned you. It might be a mom or dad who failed you. It could be a friend who betrayed you. Whatever the case, you now live in the backwash of mistreatment. You have been “done wrong,” and maybe you’re waiting for your moment to get even. Instead, do what David did. Trust God to be the judge.

In the 2004 movie, The Punisher, a friend tells Frank, “Vaya con Dios, Castle. Go with God.” Frank Castle’s reply is revealing: “God's going to sit this one out.” That’s what happens when we take revenge. Payback removes God from the equation. But the Bible says: “Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, ‘I will take revenge; I will pay them back,’ says the Lord” (Romans 12:19 NLT).

God occupies the only seat on Heaven’s Supreme Court. He wears the robe and refuses to share the gavel. Only God dispenses perfect punishment. Vengeance is His job. So leave your enemies in God’s hands. 

Divided We Fall!

Two highly anticipated superhero flicks hit theaters soon. Batman vs. Superman: Dawn of Justice releases in just two weeks and Captain America: Civil War debuts May 6. While the details differ, both of these films feature iconic superheroes pitted against one another over ideological differences. In Batman vs. Superman, the Dark Knight’s distrust of the Man of Steel leads to an epic battle between DC’s two most beloved heroes. In the comic series that inspired Civil War, Captain America and Iron Man find themselves on opposite sides of a heated political issue. Captain America’s decision to oppose Iron Man (and the White House) fractures the superhero community. Lines are drawn, sides are chosen, and chaos erupts. The ensuing melee lays waste to several square blocks of New York City. While conflicts like these make for enthralling entertainment, the fact remains—when superheroes skirmish, nobody wins.

The same is true for Christians. Unfortunately, conflict amongst Christians is all too common. With more than two hundred different denominations in the United States, it seems as though Christians will dispute and divide over just about anything—baptism, gifts of the Spirit, unconditional election, ecclesiastical structure, women’s role in ministry, homosexuality, evolution, whether or not Christians should watch Deadpool, etc. All too often we identify ourselves in terms of the particular beliefs that set us apart, rather than those that bind us together with the larger Christian world. Meanwhile, we’re oblivious to the damage we’re doing.

In the climax of Marvel’s Civil War mini-series, Captain America stands over Iron Man, ready to deliver a crippling blow. Suddenly, firefighters, EMTs and police officers tackle Cap and wrestle him to the ground. Only then does Steve Rogers lift his eyes and see the damage they’ve dealt to New York’s landscape. Tears well up in his eyes, as he says, “Oh my God… they’re right. We’re not fighting for the people anymore… we’re just fighting.” When I examine the landscape of Christianity today, I wonder if the same is true of us.

Jesus beseeched his Father, “I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one” (John 17:20-21 NLT). Paul expresses a similar sentiment, urging Christians, “Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3 NIV). I’m sure that by the end of each film, the superheroes will overcome their differences and unite against a common threat for the common good. May we as Christians do the same!