Theological Reflection
The gods walk among us, or in the case of Thor, the space aliens we have always considered gods walk among the very few citizens of remote towns in New Mexico.
The latest in the long line of Marvel superhero movies focuses on that hammer wielding Norse deity Thor. No, this film isn’t based on Scandinavian mythology. It is based on the Marvel comic book based on Scandinavian mythology. I think that makes Thor the Scary Movie of superhero movies (because Scary Movie was based on Scream which was based on other slasher films).
Of course, Thor isn’t played for laughs. This is not a parody. Anthony Hopkins, Natalie Portman, and the other cast members play Thor with all the gravitas of a Shakespearian tragedy (to borrow an adjective from the marketing campaign). The studio even got Kenneth Branagh of Hamlet fame to direct.
Thor takes place mostly on the planet of Asgard where Thor’s father Odin reigns supreme. Thor is all set to have the mantle of leadership bestowed upon him by his father when the enemies of the Asgardians attack. Thor, true to superhero origin story form, impulsively counter-attacks, thrusting the kingdom into open war and garnering the wrath of his father who banishes him (and his magical hammer) to earth.
On earth, Thor meets a cute physicist (Natalie Portman) and her crew who then begin to investigate their strange new companion. Meanwhile, Thor’s magical hammer has become embedded in a rock at the center of a crater and is proving to be quite a vexing problem for the U.S. government. Thor, of course, wants his hammer back, and he can have it if he “proves himself worthy.”
On Asgard, Thor’s disgruntled brother Loki sets about trying to establish himself as his father’s heir in his brother’s absence. He even dispatches a fire-breathing, metal giant to earth to dispense with his brother once and for all.
That’s kind of an involved plot set-up/summary for a mostly simple movie. It sounds complicated because the tension in this movie is centered on the relationships between Odin and his two sons. In that conflict, Thor is a very strong movie. Unlike other superhero movies which tend to focus on external adversaries for the sources of conflict, Thor centers on its hero’s need to learn selflessness and reconcile with his father and brother. I enjoyed watching these three gods wrestle relationally with one another.
There will be the temptation for some to call Thor a “Christ figure.” They will do this because the key plot point involves him willing giving up his mortal life to save others followed by his resurrection into his former god-like glory. To call Thor a “Christ figure” though would be to incorrectly equate Thor’s sacrifice with Christ’s and to oversimplify Christ’s work.
First of all, Thor does not die for the same reasons as Christ. Thor dies to learn selflessness and prove his ability and right to lead his people. There are a lot of perspectives on the Atonement, but none of them have to do with Jesus being a foolhardy, wayward son in need of a good dose of humility. Thor’s death is part of his process of sanctification. Christ didn’t need to be sanctified.
Secondly, Christ did so much more than die and rise again. A death and resurrection does not a Christ figure make. A Christ figure is a character whose role in the story is to redeem everything else, to inspire hope in the hopeless, to show the rest of the characters a better way to live. Sometime that is done by sacrificing one’s life. Other times a simple act of forgiveness (Harry Dean Stanton in Paris, Texas) or an affirming word (Tony Hale in HappyThankYouMorePlease) or a belly full of boiled eggs (Paul Newman in Cool Hand Luke) accomplishes that redeeming work.
Christ redeems the world. Thor’s death does nothing to create a better world. He simply gets his hammer back.
Key Scenes
Clip 1
Clip 2
Clip 3
Discussion Questions
Adults
Watch Clip 1, and read Proverbs 16: 18-20.
1) What does our pride unleash into the world?
2) Do you receive instruction well? Why or why not?
3) What is at stake when we fail to live in humility?
Watch Clip 2, and read Proverbs 16: 21-25.
1) Are you discerning with your words? When does the “truth” of our words become a weapon we use against others?
2) If gracious words promote instruction, what do ungracious words promote? Share an example of this in your own life.
3) How is our pride connected to the harmful words we direct toward each other?
Watch Clip 3.
1) What is a “Christ figure?” What purpose does a Christ figure serve?
2) How is Thor a Christ figure? How is Thor not a Christ figure?
3) Why does it matter?
Families
Watch Clip 1, and read Proverbs 16: 18-20.
1) What did Thor’s pride unleash? What does pride do to us as a family?
2) Do you think you receive instruction well? Why or why not?
3) How would our family be different if each of us were more humble?
Watch Clip 2, and read Proverbs 16: 21-25.
1) Is our family discerning with our words?
2) Have you ever said something “true” in order to attack someone in our family?
3) Why do you think it is so easy to do this with family members?
4) If gracious words promote instruction, what do ungracious words promote? Share an example of this in your own life.
Watch Clip 3.
1) What is a “Christ figure?”
2) How is Thor like Jesus? How is Thor not like Jesus?
3) Why does it matter?
Students
Watch Clip 1, and read Proverbs 16: 18-20.
1) What did Thor’s pride unleash? What does our pride unleash into the world?
2) Are you teachable? Why or why not?
3) What is at stake when we fail to be humble?
Watch Clip 2, and read Proverbs 16: 21-25.
1) What does it mean to be “discerning?” Are you discerning with your words?
2) Have you ever said something “true” in order to attack someone? What was the result?
3) If gracious words promote instruction, what do ungracious words promote? Share an example of this in your own life.
Watch Clip 3.
1) What is a “Christ figure?”
2) How is Thor like Jesus? How is Thor not like Jesus?
3) Why does it matter?
Children
Watch Clip 1, and read Proverbs 16: 18-20.
1) What is “pride?”
2) How is Thor prideful? What happens because of Thor’s pride?
3) Are you teachable? Why or why not?
Watch Clip 2, and read Proverbs 16: 21-25
1) Do you ever feel like talking to your parents or other adults like Thor does?
2) Talk about a time when someone used unloving words with you? How did that make you feel?
3) Talk about a time when someone used loving words with you? How did that make you feel?
Watch Clip 3.
1) How is Thor like Jesus?
2) How is Thor not like Jesus?
Related Scripture
Pride goes before destruction,
a haughty spirit before a fall.
Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed
than to share plunder with the proud.
Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.
The wise in heart are called discerning,
and gracious words promote instruction.
Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,
but folly brings punishment to fools.
The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,
and their lips promote instruction.
Gracious words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
There is a way that appears to be right,
but in the end it leads to death.
(Proverbs 16:18-25)
