Superheroes Can’t Save You: Epic Examples of Historic Heresies
Todd Miles
Description
Comic superheroes embody the hopes of a world that is desperate for a savior. But those comic creations cannot save us from our greatest foes—sin and death.
Throughout the history of the Church there have been bad ideas, misconceptions, and heretical presentations of Jesus. Each one of these heresies fails to present Jesus as the Bible reveals him. In Superheroes Can’t Save You, Todd Miles demonstrates how these ancient heresies are embodied in contemporary comic superheroes.
Miles compares something everybody already knows (who the superheroes are) with what they need to know (who Jesus is), in a book that makes vitally important Christian truths understandable and applicable to a wide audience.
Endorsements
“Superheroes Can’t Save You is creative, engaging, funny, and both biblically and historically accurate. Who could ask for more? Todd Miles takes familiar characters (especially for those of us who grew up on comics or watch movies) and skillfully uses them to help us better understand who Jesus is—and isn’t. If we get it wrong about Jesus, in the end it won’t matter much what else we get right. I’m happy to recommend this important and enjoyable book.”
—Randy Alcorn, founder and director, Eternal Perspective Ministries
“Superheroes Can’t Save You is the most brilliantly creative Christology text I’ve ever read. By comparing each major Christological heresy to a familiar comic book superhero, and then contrasting them to the biblical Christ, Miles shows that each heresy presents a Jesus who is unable to do what the Bible claims Jesus did. As a result, the reader is given a lucid and memorable picture of the biblical Christ.”
—Bruce Ashford, provost and dean of faculty, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary
“In a world that is in desperate need for clarity on issues of faith, Dr. Todd Miles illuminates the truth about who Jesus is in a creative and compelling way. By combining his love for superheroes and his passion for the gospel of Christ, this book will engage a broad spectrum of readers as they journey through historic heresies that have plagued the church and are presented with the truth of who Jesus is. This is a fun read!”
—Aaron Coe, executive director, Passion Global Institute, and assistant professor of world missions and intercultural studies, Dallas Theological Seminary
“There are not many books that combine deep theology with insightful creativity, but Superheroes Can’t Save You does, and does so brilliantly. In a world searching for something bigger and better with every movie ticket, Miles shows us how each superhero undersells what only the Son of God can truly provide. This is a book you will want to read for yourself, read with your kids, give to your youth minister, then to your pastor, and then to your friends. You will want to because it is a timely and accessible work and, more importantly, it offers us a Savior bigger and better than anything Marvel and DC has to offer—a Savior who can truly save us.”
—J. Ryan Lister, associate professor of theology, Western Seminary, and director of doctrine and discipleship, Humble Beast
“Superheroes Can’t Save You is a book that is culturally relevant, theologically astute, and capable of providing the reader with smiles as well as solid biblical knowledge. Youth and youth workers who disciple them will find this to be a very accessible book to promote the knowledge of our beautiful Savior.”
—Ron Marrs, associate professor of youth and pastoral ministries, Western Seminary, and director, Portland Youth Workers Network
“I like superheroes. I love Jesus a lot more. It’s not often that I’m able to bring the two together. In Superheroes Can’t Save You, Todd Miles deploys some of the most iconic figures from the Marvel and DC universe to help us think rightly about the true story of history’s greatest hero. This book teaches big truths in a fun way.”
—Russell Moore, president, The Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention
“Who is Jesus? And who have people made Him out to be? In this engaging and insightful volume, Todd Miles clearly and faithfully unpacks the historic and biblical Christian understanding of Jesus, and compares it to familiar superheroes. Creative, fresh, and thoroughly biblical.”
—Christopher W. Morgan, dean and professor of theology, School of Christian Ministries, California Baptist University
“Speaking both as a theology professor and a self−professed comic geek, I can’t say enough good things about Superheroes Can’t Save You. This is a brilliant example of contextual, pedagogical theology expressed in the vernacular of pop culture. Miles takes the content of historical theology that is so often prone to boring exposition and makes it accessible to students of all ages in an entertaining and engaging way. Highly recommended!”
—Rhyne Putnam, associate professor of theology and culture, New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary, and pastor of preaching and vision, First Baptist Church, Kenner, Louisiana.
“It is rare to find someone who can take complex concepts and make them simple to comprehend. Yet it is here that Dr. Miles shines. One of the most central doctrines of Christianity is the nature of the second person of the Trinity, and this book makes it accessible to all. This book will also move your heart to love and worship Jesus Christ. As an added bonus, Dr. Miles’ childhood stories and wry sense of humor will keep you captivated all the way through. The comic book metaphor is not just for kids—it’s the key to understanding Christology for all ages and walks of life. I consider it a ‘must read’ and will highly recommend it to the women who attend our events.”
—Katherine Roberts, co−founder and co−director, The Verity Fellowship
Details
Hardcover
160 Pages
$19.99
Twenty-first-century Christian leaders ought to consider seriously Augustine’s thoughts on mentoring in a trinitarian community of Christian friends. The peoples of the Western world are largely in a hurry to accomplish and pack more into their schedules. This race, aided by the speed of increasing technology, tends to squelch human relationships. The church, particularly evangelical Protestants, seems to be in a similar hurry; and discipleship ministries, though well programmed and efficient, are often entirely lacking Augustine’s notion of community.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s story has, understandably, piqued the interest of Christians and non-Christians alike, including evangelicals. However, Bonhoeffer was a pastor and theologian before he joined the conspiracy to assassinate Hitler, and use of his writings has been decidedly more attractive to theological liberals and progressives than to evangelicals.
I heard something like this as a young seminarian. I suspect you’ve heard something similar. Upon further study I am convinced that this is at least 100 years too late in its date and places far too much emphasis on the church councils. So why these 27 books that we call the NT canon?
