Superhero Jesus?

I wish I could take credit for this idea, but credit must be given where it is due.

I was carpooling back from Greek on Thursday and Tony shared with me about a blog he read from a pastor who had recently seen THE DARK KNIGHT. This pastor said that it was interesting to see how flawed and authentic Batman seemed in this movie. He was not evil in any sense of the word, just...human. He was as raw and hopeless as any of us are. He made good decisions and bad decisions. He wrestled with his demon's and questioned his identity. He was, in a word, real.

The pastor went on to note about how he routinely listens to a popular Christian radio station whose tag line is "Positive, encouraging...something the whole family can listen to." He made the comment that this radio station, and all of its DJ's seem to always give off this "everything in the world is great and as Christian's we are always happy" vibe. While this is a positive message of joy it is commonly received (by Christians and non-Christians alike) as disingenuous, fake, and inauthentic. And it is seen in more than just our radio stations, it is seen by our preachers, pastors, televangelists, church secretaries (ok, maybe not them...but you get the point.) The message sent by the Christian community is loud and clear. If you are not always smiling and happy then something is wrong with your personal and spiritual lives.

When will we (the pastor stated) as a Christian community wake up and realize that what this society is craving is flawed, imperfect, and genuine beings? (See Batman, Hancock, recent Superman, Iron Man, Maxwell Smart, James McAvoy in Wanted.) Those who struggle with the same doubts, demon's, imperfections, problems, insecurities, and shortcomings that we all have.

When will we wake up, stop the act, and start being real?