Todd Miles: Jesus, Superman, Captain America, and Other Resurrected Superheroes + "The Great American Novel" (Larry Norman)

The Apologetics Podcast

So what do Superman, Captain America, Professor X, and Jesus Christ all have in common? According to the canonical accounts of their lives, each one has been raised from the dead. So why is it that, even in fiction, humans yearn for heroes who die and return to life? That’s one of the questions that apologist and bestselling author Timothy Paul Jones explores in this episode with cohost Garrick Bailey and guest Todd Miles. In the second half, Garrick and Timothy go digging for God’s truth in the music of Larry Norman, the father of Christian rock--and, as it turns out, someone that Garrick had never even heard about until recently. This week's dilemma from the Infinity Gauntlet leads to a deadly duel between Jedi Master Yoda and Gandalf the White.

In this Episode

Todd Miles, Ph.D. is professor of theology at Western Seminary in Portland, Oregon. He is the author of the B&H Academic titles Superheroes Can’t Save You (2018) and A God of Many Understandings? (2010).

Questions to Discuss

1. In Infinity War, Rocket Raccoon asks Thor about his brother Loki who has just died. Thor’s reply is, “Well, he’s been dead before” which is a reminder of how frequently death is temporary in comic-book universes. What are some of the best comic-book resurrection stories?

2. Why is there a recurrent theme of sacrifice, death, and resurrection in the comic books?

3. How might the rise of secularity reshape superhero stories now and in the future?

Links to Click

B&H Academic

Superheroes Can’t Save You: book by Todd Miles

A God of Many Understandings?: book by Todd Miles

The Gospel According to Superheroes: book with foreword by Stan Lee (Google Preview)

Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?: book by Greg Thornbury

The Great American Novel: song by Larry Norman

Why Should the Devil Have All the Good Music?: song by Larry Norman

Why Don't You Look Into Jesus?: song by Larry Norman

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