This essay started out as an investigation into why it seems Humans need “superheroes”.
I’d reserved several books about it, including DOES THIS CAME MAKE ME LOOK FAT? and SUPERGODS. There are others on Amazon.com like WHAT IS A SUPERHERO, THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SUPERHEROES, and OUR SUPERHEROES, OURSELVES.
Then, during a book study (NOT one of these!), I happened across a Bible verse that actually doesn’t have to be bent in order for it to fit the paradigm I’m looking at. In fact, in light of the NEW fact that Phoenix is actually the first Avenger, leading the Marvel Universe’s Stone Age Avengers (https://screenrant.com/first-avenger-was-not-captain-america-phoenix-marvel/), it STILL makes sense.
I Thessalonians 4:6 reads, “That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.” (King James version)
Despite the archaic language, the definition of the First Avenger actually holds across translations: New American Standard (the version I like) “…and that no one violate the rights and take advantage of his brother or sister in the matter, because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you previously and solemnly warned you.”
The Amplified is where I turn when I want to examine the deeper meaning of a verse: “…and that [in this matter of sexual misconduct] no man shall transgress and defraud his brother because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we have told you before and solemnly warned you.” (Lest you think it not apply, sit down and watch the nightly news (local, national, or international…your choice…EVERYTHING is about sex/gender today…)
Lastly, we turn to the original Greek that the New Testament was written in:
The first Avenger was the Lord, the Christ of humanity sent to protect those who are defrauded by others – and unlike the Amplified Bible, the Greek makes it clear that it’s NOT only about sex!
Note, He didn’t kill Abel, he CURSED him, but Abel was still alive; though it makes you wonder which one got the better deal – Abel or Red Skull… So, while lots of people note that while God is supposed to be a God of Love, He’s constantly killing people, it’s interesting to note that the Marvel Avengers have a startlingly high body count for the Superheroes.
As Nathan Miranda points out in “Which Avenger Has Killed The Most Characters In The MCU”, “Thor and Iron Man are in a league of their own, with the remaining four Avengers far behind. Cap's service in the deadliest conflict in human history during Captain America: The First Avenger certainly means he has a higher kill count than might be initially expected, but this no doubt pales to the Hulk - especially counting the green giant's time in Sakaar. Hawkeye and Black Widow round out the list at number five and six, respectively, as while Black Widow’s troubled history and Hawkeye’s Ronin escapades could account for many deaths, their assassin roles were better suited to taking out individual targets, which means the volume of them is arguably far less.” (https://screenrant.com/avengers-mcu-thor-most-kills-deaths/)
So, the true First Avenger, while Their body count is high, also appears to have some stiff competition from Tony Stark (who did, if you recall, do away with ALL of Thanos’ army of who-knows-how-many sentient and sapient beings) and that other plucky god, Thor.
So, what do the Avengers do? What is their high moral purpose? According to Wikipedia: “…S.H.I.E.L.D. director Nick Fury…envisions a group of heroes working together in response to planetary threats, following the appearance of superhumans such as Carol Danvers, who is imbued with the power of the Tesseract. He names his plan after her U.S. Air Force callsign, ‘Avenger’. Years later, Fury assesses various individuals for the initiative, including Tony Stark and Steve Rogers. Stark's membership is declined after a negative report on his suitability by Natasha Romanoff. The World Security Council expresses a desire for Emil Blonsky to join the initiative, although they abandon their wish after Stark deters Thaddeus Ross from the idea.”
So, the purpose of God, in the form of Jesus the Christ is to “…reverse the effects of Adams sin.” (Gen 3:15).
Here’s the rub then, first you have to believe that Humanity sinned.
The other rub then, is that you have to believe that Earth has extra-planetary threats.
Jesus, the Son of God would take care of the first, the Avengers would take care of the second.
Hmmm…in range of importance, salvation from eternity in Hell would seem to rank higher than alien abduction. Of course in the grand scheme of things, a few billion deaths by alien invasion don’t even come close to the number who might die outside of the saving grace of the Christ.
And we’d say, “The Avengers and their whole series of movies are fake!”
Perhaps we’d say, “But God and whole Islam/Judaism/Christianity thing is a fake!”
Be that as it may, given both are fake, then my claim that God in the form of Jesus Christ was the First Avenger, is just as legitimate as anyone else’s claim that Phoenix was the First Avenger.
And I would argue that the saving the eternal soul is a bit more important than saving Humanity from an alien invasion is slightly more important…
Perhaps we’d say, “But God and whole Islam/Judaism/Christianity thing is a fake!”
Be that as it may, given both are fake, then my claim that God in the form of Jesus Christ was the First Avenger, is just as legitimate as anyone else’s claim that Phoenix was the First Avenger.
And I would argue that the saving the eternal soul is a bit more important than saving Humanity from an alien invasion is slightly more important…
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