Signs of the Times - July 2019

FA IT H

Supernatural While movie superheroes can rarely be trusted to use their powers responsibly, the Holy Spirit is ready with gifts that will transform the world.

BY KENT KINGSTON

I

t’s revealing that in our increasingly secular culture, people still have a hunger for the magical— the transcendent. Consider the top-grossing movies of 2018, for example. According to the-numbers. com, six of the top 10 were superhero movies, flying, fighting, and blasting their way off the screen and through our wallets. Like the ancient gods of Greek mythology,

40

SIGNSOFTHETIMES.ORG.AU • JULY 2019

these superheroes struggle with doubt, jealousy and betrayal—all our human failings amped up with spectacularly destructive results.

While movie scriptwriters create plots that transparently explore contemporary issues and concerns— gender relations, racism, climate change—I believe there’s deeper psychology involved. Many of us look around the world, bewildered