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In the first Iron Man film, we see Tony Stark, a billionaire industrialist and genius inventor, transform into a technologically advanced superhero when he builds a mechanized suit of armor to escape captivity by a terrorist group.
I loved this movie. Even being an avid DC fan, it’s one of my favorites in the comic book movie genre. Marvel could not have cast a better actor than Robert Downey, Jr., to take on the role of Tony Stark. Brilliant film. Excellent rewatch value. And I thoroughly enjoyed going through it again as I was prepping for this video.
As a pastor and a certified Christian therapist, I am excited to share with you the biblical truth of intimacy, the worldly lie of outward change, and the redeemable metaphor of the new heart, all found in this first Ironman movie. I’m Kevin Laymon in Wilmington, NC, and I hope you enjoy the show.
One of the most overlooked and sweetest truths brought out in Iron Man is this: God created us for intimacy. In the first Act of the movie, Robert Downey Jr does a masterful job portraying the billionaire playboy, Tony Stark. But part of that playboy vibe comes with the horrible mistreatment and exploitation of women. We see it with his inappropriate comments, his seduction of reporter Christine Everhart, and his behavior with various women throughout the film.
But something interesting happens after Tony is taken captive by the Afghani terrorists. He meets Yinsen, who points out that Tony has nothing to live for-no family, no roots. When Tony heroically makes it back to the states, he’s a completely different person in this regard. His attention turns to Pepper Potts, and he begins to see her as the long-term solution to his loneliness.
God created us to be relational, both with Him and with other people. Genesis 2:18 says, “It is not good for the man to be alone; I will make him a helper suitable for him.” This bond between husband and wife is the most important human-to-human relationship in all of history.
The Bible has its own version of Tony Stark in King Solomon, who wrote Ecclesiastes. Solomon talks about living the playboy life, trying everything under the sun, and ultimately finding it all to be vanity. He concludes that one of the few joys in this life is to spend it with your spouse.
In Iron Man, we see Tony begin to pursue this type of relationship with Pepper. While Tony’s morality changes, he still remains a narcissistic egomaniac. He takes out a terrorist group without permission, engages with F-22s, and reveals his identity as Iron Man out of ego. This reminds me of when Jesus spoke to the Pharisees, saying, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness.” (Matthew 23:27)
The real change Tony needs is a change of heart, just as we need a spiritual regeneration through Christ. In Ezekiel 36:26-27, God says, “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.” Tony’s arc reactor, referred to as his “heart,” is a powerful metaphor for the new heart God gives believers, empowering them to live for His glory.
All in all, there’s a lot we can learn from the first Iron Man movie. The playboy life is fleeting and leads to loneliness. Outward change is meaningless without an internal change of the soul. And with a new heart, indwelled and sealed by the Spirit of God, we are empowered to battle against sin, suffering, and temptation daily.
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