The story of Christ is the greatest story ever recorded. It’s also the most copied. Usually when one is emulated, it’s a compliment. However when the story is told by Hollywood, it tragically ends in distortion. Gnosticism is rampant.
Here is a modern example of that story being twisted all the wrong ways.
A new movie trailer Hercules: The Legend Begins features this hero figure rising to his destiny.
Let’s compare some of the elements of this myth to Christ.
Hercules is half god, half man. Jesus is both fully man and fully God. (1 John 5:1, Luke 1:35, Phil 2:7-8, Heb 2:9-18)
Hercules is told to embrace his fathers power. Christ relied on his Father for all things. (John 5:30; Luke 22:42)
Hercules says he will offer salvation to people. Christ offers salvation. (1Th 5:9, 2 Ti 2:10, 3:15)
It’s nice that these attributes are offered, they are noble. However this story being a myth is not used to uplift Christ, but rather to flip the story upside down.
How is Hercules not like Christ?
He is a “hero” exiled from his home. Satan was exiled from his heavenly home (Luke 10:19, Revelation 12:9)
Hercules leads a rebellion because he doesn’t like the rule of the kingdom. Satan also created a rebellion because he didn’t like the rules of the kingdom of heaven. (Revelation 12:7, 13, 17, Ezekiel 28:13-17)
Hercules uses violence, killing and destroying to achieve his goals and get what he wants. Satan also kills and destroys to bring about his ways. (John 8:44, John 10:10)
There are also elements in this story that are brought out to take the story and warp how the mind views the character of the hero. Psychologically these are all internalized and grouped together because you’re not processing the information logically, rather emotionally. The heroes that are similar are all started to be viewed the same, negative and positive.
Some other elements the trailer brings out similar to the Christ story are the element of fighting over a woman. (Revelation 12:13-17) The idea that the kingdom Hercules is cast out of is a kingdom ruled by fear, and not love is prominent. But the bible tells us:
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:8
Another motif is that Hercules is a hero that follows his heart. But what does the bible tell us about our hearts? The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9. Following our hearts is dangerous. We must follow the Word of God, because as human beings it’s the only thing that keeps us on the narrow path.
A more subtle allusion to Gnosticism is a scene where Hercule’s love Heba, places a serpent necklaces over him. This is followed by a clip where their nakedness is implied.
Don’t miss the point. The encounter with the serpent is offered by the woman, it leads to their nakedness and it’s set in the context that it is a good thing, because they love each other. This is the exact opposite of how the ideal is displayed in Genesis. The encounter with the serpent is not a good thing.
Hercules means “Glorious Defender”. But he cant’ defend you from sin, in fact he willingly participates in it. Only Christ can deliver from sin. (Matthew 1:21)
Oh what a Savior!
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/herculesthelegendbegins/#videos-large
