An Analysis of the Dark Knight...

(WARNING! This post contains spoilers about the Dark Knight. If you haven't seen the movie, A. This post won't make sense. B. You may not like major plot point being discussed. You have been warned.)

Seems everyone is making comments about "The Dark Knight" Including my pastor and some other blogs I have links to. Some people feel that it's a show of evil that's almost too much to take. That maybe we shouldn't put evil on screen for people to look at. Or that good is anemic, that it leaves one with a dismal view of the world.

I disagree with these viewpoints. Strongly.

Now, to be fair... I have somewhat of a dismal view of the world as it is. When you're in Tech Support, you get to see the utter depravity of men up close and personal. You see people get angry for the stupidest of reasons. You have people get angry at you because they think you're stupid, that you're being a jerk, and then attempt to excuse it as “I'm emotional.” or “I don't mean to be taking this out on you, but....” Or even better, “I'm not racist, but...” and then spew some of the stupidest yarns I've ever heard. I guess that makes me somewhat cynical, dark, sarcastic and a few other things that tend to be frowned upon.

I'm also not going to try to make the claim that Hollywood has gotten it right all of the time. If you haven't been transformed by the Spirit's power, then at best... you can only see through a darkened glass.

What you see is the end result of Satan's parody of good. And it's not pretty to look at. But I ask that you don't look away. Because that's the problem with Christianity for the last few years. We've been looking away when we need to be looking directly at the evil that has engulfed our world. And then... like Bruce Wayne... we need to do something about it.

Bruce Wayne isn't perfect. Neither are we. But he's doing something that needs to be done. He's doing it because no one else is doing it. The exact reasons why need to be out with armor of God on in full and with the sword of the spirit in hand.

The Joker gives us a glimpse of Evil for Evil's sake. We need to understand that as the soldiers of Christ, we are not welcome in this world. We will never be welcome in this world. So get used to it. Get used to disappointment, sleeplessness, suffering, frustration and sorrow. Jesus Christ is our Savior and he went through these things. Are we better than our Master?

But we also need to understand that if we aren't careful, then evil can taint us. It can bring us down. It can leave us broken, distraught and yes, even utterly destroyed. But if we are on our guard, then the enemy cannot completely destroy us. We are pressed on every side, but not crushed. Persecuted, not abandoned. Struck down, but not destroyed. And we will win this war. The enemy will learn to fear out Battle Hymn.

“A Mighty Fortress is Our God,
A Bulwark Never Failing,
Our Helper he amid the flood
Of Mortal ills, prevailing.”

The final lesson to be learned from The Dark Knight is that Vengeance is not ours. Batman NOT tossing Joker off of the ledge was a wonderful move. We as Christians have had the powers of vengeance removed. Those powers are vested fully in Christ Jesus. And he does not share power. Nor is he weak, nor mild, nor sissified as many of our churches and sermons proclaim. As Jada and I have stated many times, “The Lion of Judah is not tame. But he is Good.” To take the powers of vengeance from their rightful place is to sin by unbelief, (because God will balance the books) by anger (usually a catalyst or accompliss to the act), and by not only removing Jesus Christ from his rightful throne, but by putting another in His place... namely ourselves.

Is it a pleasant film? Probably not for most well adjusted Christians. I'm not sure I can call myself that. Because I flatly refuse to completely insulate myself. I tried that. Didn't work out so well. But then again, neither did strictly trying to be a light in the world without assistance nor detox. Balance is necessary.

Side note: If you want to see a fine example of evil for evil's sake, consider Rob Zombie's version of Halloween. It's a film I've only seen once. And it's a reason (among many) why I believe evil should not be reasoned with, argued with, explained, rationalized, compromised with or otherwise allowed to exist. There is only one response that Christian should have. And that is through the power of Jesus Christ, it must be stopped, driven back and destroyed. A warning: This film is by nature, dark. Black. If you feel the need to see evil, then go in with the armor on.

Let your only sovereign be Jesus Christ.