Batman and Jesus...

So far...2008 has belonged to the superheroes!

While the latest Bond installment and a vampire novel-made-movie remain, the highest grossing movies to date include...

1. The Dark Knight
2. Iron Man
3. Indiana Jones 4
4. Hancock

Together these 4 raked in over 1.3 billion dollars! Hollywood is tremendously influential in our culture and it's important that we know the movies teens watch and engage with the storylines, characters, morals and values being taught.

Take the top 2 movies of 2008 for example...

The Dark Knight follows Batman Begins original storyline highlighted by the late Heath Ledger's Oscar worthy portrayal of 'the Joker.' It's premise? While Batman continues the fight for justice in crime-ridden Gotham...the Joker believes that the world is inherently evil and fights to reveal the hidden darkness in everyone, including Batman.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And while we live in a fallen world effected by sin, do we have the capacity to choose 'good?' Are teens capable of living lives of integrity? Are we inherently evil? or inherently good? The Dark Knight raises several critical questions!

And the same can be said of Iron Man...Robert Downey Jr's surprise performance and the year's biggest surprise by far. Tony Stark, Downey's character, lives a life of success and luxury as the world's leading weapons manufacturer. But after seeing his weapons and technology in the hands of terrorists begins to question what is 'right' and 'wrong,' and whether he has wasted his life.

Teens face issues of 'right' and 'wrong' on every level...and Iron Man shows the difficulty in sometimes choosing 'right' as Tony Stark is harrassed not only by naysayers but by his closest friends as well.

Take every opportunity to respond to Hollywood's message to your teenager. We must be willing to wrestle with the values being taught in movie theatres! Remember...Christ in culture!