Superhero: Righteous League

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This is Part 11 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty. In Part 9, we saw that superheroes never give up! In Part 10, we saw that superheroes don’t need recognition – they are motivated only by love!

In this message (Part 11), we will see that relationship matters and teamwork works!

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When was the last time you felt a desire to be loved? We all possess an innate desire to be loved. You know this to be true from your own personal experiences, but it is also evident by humankind’s creations and entertainment choices. From books, to music, to movies, love is prominent and even dominant. Even in the hustle and bustle of New York, where busy businessmen buzz by the bystanders to get to the office buildings, love is showcased and seemingly celebrated in the form of a big 13-ft. high sculpture in Manhattan:

Granted, music, books, and movies often confuse love for lust; however, even when people confuse love for lust, love is still the ubiquitous message intended to connect with the audience. But because people often confuse love for lust, it is imperative that we know and understand the definition of love. If you need a reminder as to what defines love, refer back to chapter 3 in this Superhero series: “What Is Love?“

Humans possess an innate desire to be loved because we were all created by Love; GOD is love (1John 4:8,16). GOD – who is Love – created us out from love and for the purpose to love. But because GOD gave us the great gift of free will, relationship matters. In fact, GOD’s Word reveals to us that relationship is more important than religion (Isaiah 1:10-17; 58:6-12; Hosea 6:6; Zechariah 7:4-6; Micah 6:6-8). True religion is relationship with GOD and doing GOD’s will (Matthew 7:21; 12:50; 22:36-40; John 13:34-35; Romans 2:13; James 1:22-25; 1John 2:4). But we can’t do GOD’s will and have a relationship with GOD unless we know GOD (Matthew 16:13-17; John 8:19). Do you know GOD? We can know GOD by knowing GOD’s Word and spending time in prayer. Relationship matters.

GOD gave us the awesome opportunity to experience the greatness of love through relationships. We are not meant to live life alone. If you live life alone, you will end up like the character, Chuck Noland (played by Tom Hanks), in the 2000 movie, Cast Away, who spent his time talking to a volleyball!

In Genesis 2:18-24, GOD said that it was not good for man to be alone and so He created Eve. And Adam basically responded by saying, “Wow! A suitable companion! A perfect partner!”

Love matters because relationship simply isn’t possible without it. Relationship is a reflection of love and is necessary to showcase a covenant union. And because relationship matters, fellowship matters. All throughout the Bible, it is evident that people need relationship. Even Moses needed others. First and foremost, Moses needed GOD (Exodus 3:11-12). But he also needed Aaron’s strengths in order to help fill in the gaps of his own weaknesses (Exodus 4:10-16). And finally, we see that Moses needed others because he simply couldn’t do everything by himself (Exodus 17:8-13; 18:13-27).

Teamwork makes the dream work! Teamwork works! Consider sports. Boxing and wrestling are solo sports where teammates don’t exist. The upside to solo sports is the fact that you own every victory. The downside to solo sports is that the competitor is never allowed to have a bad day or else he/she loses; in a one-on-one fight, just one bad decision can cause a great upset and loss. The following video reveals some amazing comeback fights in MMA. Take notice that for the person who lost, it took mere seconds within one bad decision to feel the devastating consequences of that bad decision.

However, in sports such as football, soccer, hockey, baseball, and basketball, the individual can have a bad day and still end up winning the game because of the other teammates. In life, we need teammates to help carry us to victory if we ever have a bad day. Consider this example: In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Iron Man saved Spider-Man. Ponder on that. Yes – superheroes save other superheroes. Why? Because no superhero is perfect.

 

Now, examine the three images (above). What do these three images have in common? What message do these three images convey? Well, the Justice League – a fictional group of superheroes – is the altruistic ideal that was created from the same concept by which the historic Peloponnesian League was formed in ancient Greece: The purpose was mutual protection. Greater than the sum of their awe-inspiring parts, an alliance was formed to respond to threats too massive for any single hero. In fact, that’s why the Avengers formed! That’s why X-Men teamed up together! Consider the legendary Spartans who were known for their elite warriors. Each Spartan hoplite came together to form the phalanx; all Spartans came together to act as one Sparta. Leonidas – the leader of Sparta – wasn’t great alone. (He was a great warrior, but that does not make him great.) In fact, Sparta wasn’t able to be great alone and that’s why the Peloponnesian League formed. Think about it: many people consider Superman to be the greatest; however, even Superman chose to be a single link in a mighty chain called the Justice League.

Muhammad Ali is considered to be one of the greatest boxers in history. In fact, during his prime, Ali often proclaimed to both the contender and audience at large, “I am the greatest!” However, in 1981, Ali was forced to admit that he had been defeated and that his body simply could no longer perform as it once had been able to do in the past. Question: if someone is the greatest, how can that person be defeated? Truly, if you can be defeated (and I assure you that you can), then you’re not the greatest.

Therein lies the problem with riding solo: losing is inevitable. The wisdom found in Proverbs 6:6 tells us to consider the ant. Though that specific passage is about work ethic, comparing a person’s laziness to the ants’ diligence, the wisdom to consider the ant still applies for this message. Ants work as a team. Teamwork works! Consider the ant: in a flood, a bunch of ants were discovered floating because they linked together so as not to sink and drown; their unity kept them alive. Together, we can accomplish more than we can accomplish alone.

Christ Himself – who is the greatest – single-handedly defeated evil, conquered death and saved us! However, Jesus also showed us the importance of teamwork by forming the ‘Righteous League,’ which consisted of 12 unique disciples (and then expanded from there). Further, Jesus emphasized the importance of fellowship which highlighted humanity’s inability to live life alone. But then again, GOD made that evident when He created Eve for Adam (Genesis 2:18-24).

The Peloponnesian League remained in existence until the 360s when Corinth and other member states were obliged to quit and separate after Sparta’s defeat by Thebes. But why did the Peloponnesian League fail? The foundation was built on quicksand: Sparta only cared about itself; the alliance was superficial. In stark contrast, it is the selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus that is the ultimate standard by which we should all strive to reflect and connect with others. Christ is the Cornerstone (Isaiah 28:16-17; Ephesians 2:19-21), the foundation on which all creation firmly stands; all other ground is sinking sand.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
(Matthew 7:24-27) -ESV

Examine that comparison. Two different lives. They both build, they both hear, and they both experience the storm of life; however, only one is called wise and survived the storm. The difference is that the wise person took action after hearing Jesus’ words. The wise person lives according to the Word of GOD.

“For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.”
(Romans 2:13) -ESV

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
(James 1:22) -ESV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
(Matthew 7:21) -ESV

The point I’m trying to make is that superheroes simply cannot be superheroes if they never take action. Spider-Man would not be a superhero if he knew he should save someone but didn’t do it (James 4:17). It doesn’t matter what you’re capable of doing if you refuse to take action. That’s called wasted potential. Possessing superpowers is useless unless you use them. What good would Superman be if he decided not to use his powers but decided instead to watch television all day? But as we’ve already learned, even an active solo superhero can lose the battle due to one bad decision. Let’s consider the active ants and join together as a team. Even the superhero Ant-Man teamed up with the Wasp. But even if we come together as a team, we need to take action. A phalanx doesn’t remain stationary, hiding behind their shields. An inactive phalanx is as intimidating and ineffective as a turtle that refuses to come out of its shell. A turtle may have a fairly good defense, but how long can its shell withstand the hammer’s blow before cracking under the consistent pressure? Love is active.

The Righteous League’s Leader (Jesus) became the servant and the sacrifice in order to insure the protection of everyone who seeks to be covered; and this is why He is the Savior. From servant, to sacrifice, to Savior, Jesus Christ is the greatest insurance policy you will ever be able to obtain. Nationwide Insurance might claim to be on your side (as their slogan suggests), but they are more like a leech that latches onto your side to suck your blood. Jesus isn’t on your side – He leads the way in front of you, clearing paths before you, yet He also completely covers you! Christ doesn’t take your blood, didn’t require your blood for sacrifice like Sparta demanded of its hoplites; instead, Jesus covered you with His own blood. The Righteous League is not a superficial alliance that easily separates! And why not? Because it is a bond linked together by agape love.

We (Christians) are the Righteous League! Rise in righteousness! Not as a self-righteous and self-proclaimed super saint who believes him/herself to be superior over others – no! In fact, we huddle together in humility, knowing we are saved by grace and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9)! We are not an elite group who excludes others; rather, we invite everyone to join. It’s time to form our own phalanx; however, rather than creating a wall of physical shields that act as barriers and carrying dangerous spears that can take lives, let us hold up our shields of faith as our defense, stand firmly on the foundation of GOD’s Word, and outstretch our arms with love in order to combat evil and save lives. Get into formation! The movement is on the way! Peter instructed us to be sober-minded, alert, to keep watch, and resist the devil (1Peter 5:8-9); James also instructed us to resist the devil (James 4:7). Paul instructed us to put on the full armor of GOD (Ephesians 6:10-20). As a member of the Righteous League, I exhort you to heed the wise advice found in the Word:

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) -NLT

Superheroes desire to be loved as much as they love others and long for meaningful relationships. Spider-Man (Peter Parker) accepted love from Mary Jane Watson and Superman (Clark Kent) accepted love from Lois Lane. Because superheroes are motivated by love, they also long for love. But superheroes don’t just long for eros love, but also phileo love. Batman was a good fighter, but he teamed up with Robin; Iron Man was smart, but he still linked up with the Avengers; even Superman linked up with the Justice League!

As Christians, we should form a phileo phalanx of fellowship, uniting together, holding up the impenetrable shield of faith. We are the Righteous League! We are called to overcome evil by doing good (Romans 12:21). That means we are active! We are not turtles who hide in our shells! Turtles that hide in their shells don’t experience life and can’t help anyone. Christians are supposed to be active and more like the fearless Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! And just like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we are not meant to live life alone! Those found in isolation become victims of the predator who preys upon the lonely. Not only was that true in the 1990 movie of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles where Raphael was targeted because he was alone, but it is also true in nature. Does not the lion hunt the isolated victim? The one who falls behind without covering is highly susceptible to attack.

Don’t allow the predator to prey upon you; instead, pray to GOD for strength and security found through fellowship. And if you need somebody to lean on, then lean on me. And then together, we will lean on the immovable Cornerstone of Christ.

 

A Christian Response To Mormonism (LDS)

In this article, I will describe the religion of Mormonism, explain its history, and then provide Christian responses to Mormon beliefs.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS) is the official name of the organization commonly called the Mormon Church. The church was organized in Fayette, New York, in 1830 by its founder, Joseph Smith, Jr., who was reverted as their prophet, seer, and revelatory. In 1820, Joseph Smith claimed to have received his “First Vision,” at the age of 14, when God the Father and Jesus Christ both appeared to him in a “sacred grove” of trees near his home in Palmyra, New York. According to Smith, Christ had warned him that none of the churches were in alignment and living out rightly, that their creeds were an abomination in God’s sight, and those who profess these falsities are all corrupt. (Does this sound familiar? It should. The same thing happened to Muhammad when he started Islam.) Smith said that he later discovered that there had been a “total apostasy” shortly after the death of the original apostles in the first century. Thus, there had been no true Christianity on Earth for about 1,700 years. No church had the true authority to act for God or perform essential, sacred ordinances. It was up to Joseph Smith to restore true Christianity to Earth.

In 1830, Joseph Smith published a new scripture – the Book of Mormon – which he allegedly translated from sacred golden plates or tablets revealed to him and unearthed from a hill near his home. According to Smith, an angel named Moroni appeared in his bedroom in 1823. Prior to being an angel, Moroni had been a prophet of God living in North America. Smith learned that a Jewish man, Lehi, and his extended family had fled Jerusalem in a ship about 600 BC, eventually landing somewhere in Central America. In the centuries that followed, these Jewish people multiplied and became two great nations – the Nephites and the Laminates. The Book of Mormon records that after years of warfare, the Laminates, who then became the “principle ancestors” of the Native American Indians, exterminated the Nephites. The last living Nephite was the prophet Moroni, who was killed about AD 325. Immediately before he died, Moroni supposedly buried the scriptures of his people, or the golden plates. And then in 1823, he appeared in Smith’s bedroom and authorized him to recover the plates and translate their contents, which were said to be written in “Reformed Egyptian Hieroglyphics.”

What began in New York eventually traveled to Ohio. The first Mormon temple was built in Ohio in 1836. Smith founded the first Mormon-controlled bank, putting his economic and spiritual practices to work. Unfortunately, Smith’s Kirtland bank failed during the national financial Panic of 1837, and he fled to avoid potential criminal prosecution by angry and disillusioned former believers, some of whom claimed he had mismanaged their investments. Smith’s followers followed him to Independence, Missouri, where persecution and rumors (true but exaggerated) that the Saints were practicing polygyny forced them to flee again, this time to Commerce, Illinois, which, in 1839, Smith renamed and established as the new town of Nauvoo. It was in Nauvoo in 1844 that Joseph Smith preached perhaps his most famous sermon, in which he made the following controversial remarks:

“God himself was once as we are now, and is an exalted man, and sits enthroned in yonder heavens!…. I am going to tell you how God came to be God. We have imagined and supposed that God was God from all eternity. I will refute that idea, and take away the veil so that you may see… He was once a man like us; yea that God himself, the Father of us all, dwelt on an earth, the same as Jesus Christ himself did… Here, then is eternal life… you have got to learn how to be Gods yourselves… the same as all Gods have done before you.”
(Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith)

In June 1844, the newspaper the Nauvoo Expositor released articles that were critical of Joseph Smith. Smith then declared the paper to be a public nuisance and ordered the press that printed it to be destroyed. Afterward, Smith was arrested and jailed along with his brother Hyrum and others in nearby Carthage, Illinois. An angry mob formed, rushed the jail, and murdered the Mormon leaders. Following Smith’s death, the church experienced some fragmentation, with various leaders claiming to be Smith’s successors. Most Latter-day Saints eventually followed Brigham Young, one of Smith’s 12 apostles, who later led them to Salt Lake City, Utah, where it remains to this day.

Mormon Belief #1:
Mormons follow four books as Scripture: the Bible (King James Version only or Smith’s “Inspired Version”), the Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants (D&C), and the Pearl of Great Price (PGP).

Christian Response #1:
Although Mormons will confidently assert that archaeology has confirmed the Book of Mormon’s accuracy time and time again, professional archaeologists have arrived at quite a different conclusion. For example, Smithsonian Institution rejects the Book of Mormon for historical accuracy. Truly, there is no historical, archaeological, or geographical confirmation for anything written in the Book of Mormon. Further, the Book of Abraham is one of the books in the Pearl of Great Price. Joseph Smith purchased some ancient Egyptian papyri and claimed it was an original book penned by Abraham himself while in Egypt. Allegedly by the same inspired gift God granted Smith to translate the Book of Mormon, he also translated the Book of Abraham. The original was rediscovered in the archives of Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and validated by the LDS church in 1967. The text was actually part of the Egyptian Book of the Dead and has nothing to do with Abraham or Genesis. After the discovery of the Rosetta Stone, professional Egyptologists translated the papyri since their rediscovery in 1967. Their translations bear no resemblance to Smith’s translation, exposing him as a charlatan. Egyptologists acknowledge that Joseph Smith did not correctly translate even one word of the text. If Joseph Smith was terribly wrong in his translation of the Book of Abraham, it simply follows that he cannot be trusted to have produced an accurate translation of the Book of Mormon, which he himself claimed was in the same language, “Reformed Egyptian.” In contrast to Smithsonian Institution’s rejection of the Book of Mormon, the same institution states that the Bible is historically accurate. Thus, only one of the four Scriptures used by Mormons can be viewed as reliable: the Bible.

Mormon Belief #2:
God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to Joseph Smith, Jr. in 1820, telling him that all the teachings of existing Christian churches were an abomination in God’s sight because the original messages had been altered.

Christian Response #2:
Since the GOD of the Bible is all-knowing (Psalms 139:1-6; 147:5), all-good (Psalms 136; 1 Peter 2:3), and all-powerful (Genesis 1:1; Matthew 19:26), it follows that He would not inspire books for the faith and practice of believers down through the centuries and then fail to preserve them. Lost inspired books would be a lapse in GOD’s providence. The GOD who cares for the sparrows (Luke 12: 6-7) will certainly care for His Scriptures. It has already been established that the original words of the Bible have been preserved with remarkable purity and that its accuracy has been confirmed by both history and archaeology. The Bible is inspired and it is all we need for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the men and women of GOD may be complete and equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16) In short, if GOD inspired His Scriptures, GOD will preserve them. GOD completes what GOD begins (Philippians 1:6). GOD’s Word is inerrant and inspired. An omniscient and omnipotent GOD is certainly able to guide and protect His Word.

Mormon Belief #3:
An angel named Moroni led Smith to unearth a set of gold plates from a hillside in rural New York. Smith claimed the ability to translate the plates, which he said were written in “Reformed Egyptian.” Yet no one else was allowed to see the plates.

Christian Response #3:
Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). In an all too familiar tactic that can also be found in Islam, the Deceiver in disguise convinces someone with clever lies. This tactic can be found in most any cult.

Mormon Belief #4:
The Book of Mormon, published in 1830, is a second testament of Jesus Christ.

Christian Response #4:
Joseph Smith’s translation from “Reformed Egyptian” led to the Book of Mormon. It has already been established that Joseph Smith was a charlatan, not inspired, and clearly a false prophet. Furthermore, the Bible instructs us not to add or remove from GOD’s Word (Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; Revelation 22: 18-19). There was never a need for the Book of Mormon; thus, there is still no need for the book. Being though there was never a need for the book, its existence calls attention to its falsehood.

Mormon Belief #5:
God the Father has a body of flesh and bone and was once a mortal man who evolved to become a god.

Christian Response #5:
If God had once been a man, it can be said that a man can become a god. If one man is able to become a god, then another man can also attain deity status. This is polytheism. It has already been established that polytheism must be rejected as Truth. GOD was never a man; GOD is a Necessary Being. It is written, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” (John 4:24)

Mormon Belief #6:
Mormons are polytheists and believe that all male Mormons can become gods of their own worlds and have families that continue forever.

Christian Response #6:
It has already been established that polytheism is false and must be rejected as Truth. Further, let us be reminded that pride comes before destruction, and an arrogant spirit before a fall — that’s why Satan fell from Heaven like a lightning flash. (Proverbs 16:18; Isaiah 14:12-14; Luke 10:18)

Mormon Belief #7:
Jesus was a created spirit child by Elohim (the Father) and Mother in Heaven, He is the spirit brother of Satan, He was created through sexual union between Elohim and Mary, Jesus himself was married, and His death on the cross does not provide full atonement for all sin, but does provide everyone with resurrection.

Christian Response #7:
It is written, “Who is the liar, if not the one who denies that Jesus is the Messiah? This one is the antichrist: the one who denies the Father and the Son. No one who denies the Son can have the Father; he who confesses the Son has the Father as well.” (1 John 2: 22-23; 4:3)

Mormon Belief #8:
The doctrines of the Trinity and Jesus’ equality with the Father are false. The Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are three separate gods. The “holy spirit” is different from the “Holy Ghost.” The “holy spirit” is not God, but is an invisible force from God.

Christian Response #8:
The central issue of the Trinity is the deity of Christ, a doctrine inseparable from the Trinity. If one accepts the biblical teaching about the deity of Christ, then a plurality in the Godhead has been acknowledged. Conversely, if the doctrine of the Trinity is received, the deity of Christ is part of the package. Further, Mormonism’s doctrines regarding the Holy Ghost versus the holy spirit walks a fine line of blasphemy that should be avoided (Matthew 12:32; Mark 3:29; Luke 12:10).

Mormon Belief #9:
Mormons believe their church is guided by a living prophet as well as two counselors, twelve apostles, and several quorums of the “Seventy.” These men are called general authorities.

Christian Response #9:
The leadership within Mormonism bears much resemblance to cult leaders. Decisions rendered by a prophet and the leaders means that the thinking has already been accomplished and no one should question the decisions. Cult leaders demand such control over their followers.

Mormon Belief #10:
Mormonism is a religion of works. We are resurrected by grace, but only saved (exalted to godhood) by works. Works include faithfulness to church leaders, Mormon baptism, tithing, ordination, marriage, and secret temple rituals. Eternal life cannot be found without Mormon membership.

Christian Response #10:
It is written, “But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love that He had for us, made us alive with the Messiah even though we were dead in trespasses. You are saved by grace! Together with Christ Jesus He also raised us up and seated us in the heavens, so that in the coming ages He might display the immeasurable riches of His grace through His kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift— not from works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:4-9)

Mormon Belief #11:
Mormonism originally believed in polygyny, but officially renounced it in 1890.

Christian Response #11:
The Mormon Church officially renounced polygyny in 1890, but the Mormon leaders had been given little choice in the matter: If they did not abandon polygyny they faced federal confiscation of their sacred temples and the revocation of basic civil rights for all Mormons. The best available evidence suggests that the church founder, Joseph Smith, first began taking additional wives in 1841, and historians estimate he eventually married more than 50 women. And like Islam, the polygamy was one-sided: polygyny was accepted; however, polyandry was not accepted.

Mormon Belief #12:
Lehi was a Jewish man who came to America, reproduced, and became the Lamanites; the Lamanites became the principle ancestors of the Native American Indians.

Christian Response #12:
Recent DNA studies have proved that Native Americans are of northeast Asian descent and not Jewish.

Summary:
Mormonism’s emphasis on families and moral values makes it attractive to many people. Many Mormons are wonderful people, but the teachings they follow are unreliable and inaccurate. Their claim to be a branch of Christianity may also look appealing; however, it opposes Christianity in all of its essential doctrines thereby making it unbiblical. Further, their beliefs about America’s history are clearly false. Mormonism is a cult and must be rejected as Truth.

Conclusion:
I am a Christian; I am not a Mormon. Mormonism and Christianity are incompatible. To see why I am a Christian, start from the beginning and read my article, “Why I Am A Christian.”