Ep 12 Heroes, powers, and the name of Jesus: A meditation on superheroes and Christianity

A meditation on superheroes and theology. Using the unboxing of my Daredevil action figure as a launching point (which many would say is blasphemous on its own--it loses its value out of the box!), I reflect on the superheroes I've admired through my life and how their stories intertwine with my faith. I consider the noble sacrifice of Superman, the torn nature of the Hulk, the broken faith of Captain America, the inner struggle of Daredevil, some issues with Batman and Punisher, and the powers to which we have access through the name of my biggest hero (someone named…Yeshua.)Image Credits:Batman,Superman (comics,film): DC Comics/Warner BrothersCaptain America (comics,film): Marvel/DisneyDaredevil (comics): Marvel/DisneyDaredevil (TV series): Netflix Daredevil:Born Again (TV series): Marvel/DisneyDoctor Strange (film): Marvel/DisneyHulk (comics, films): Marvel/DisneyIncredible Hulk (TV series): UniversalPunisher (comics): Marvel/DisneySpiderman (comics): Marvel/DisneySpiderman (film): SonySuperman (film): Warner BrothersPrince of Egypt (film): DreamWorksSmallville (TV Series): Warner BrothersJesus Action Bible: David C CookJesus tempted by the Devil (stained glass): St Germain-l’Auxerrois church, Paris via CatholicAnswers (catholic.com)The Resurrection of Christ (painting): Maerten de Vos,National Gallery of Ireland via Wikimedia CommonsLast Temptation of Christ (film): Universal PicturesJesus sign/worship service (photo): Matt Botsford viaUnsplashKneeling worship (photo): David Nieto via UnsplashJesus cleansing the Temple (painting): Carl Bloch,Fredricksborg Castle, Denmark via Wikimedia CommonsPunisher Tshirt man (photo): The Dallas Morning NewsBlue skull flag (product image): Via PikPng.com (earliestuse I can find, c. 2020)Punisher skull collage (video still): “The Punisher Logo:Origins, Evolution, and Appropriations,” video by Uniform History via YouTubeJesus hero/hippie (AI-generated images): created by KellyWilson using Firefly Brightheaded Warrior/Frequenter of Churches (AI-generatedimage): created by Kelly Wilson using ChatGPT"Martial arts” Jesus (painting): Noli me tangere,by Hans Holbein the Younger (detail), Royal Collection of the United Kingdomvia Wikimedia CommonsMoses Red Sea: Creator unknown (it has broadinternet usage, but I haven’t been able to find the original—if you have anyinfo, please let me know)Times Square Takeover (gif): HillsongYeshua definition (illustration): Southern California Shabbat FellowshipI AM THE WAY sticker (photo): Jon Tyson via Unsplash