Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

MOVIE SUMMARY:

An experimental program turns Steve Rogers into the super-soldier known as Captain America. Under the mentoring of Dr. Erskine, Steve Rogers is encouraged to join a special program in the United States Army. After being exposed to Vita-rays and a special serum, Steve Rogers is transformed into a super-soldier. He uses superhuman strength, speed and agility in combat.

MOVIE THEMES:

Eugenics

The United States military uses special research programs with Stark Industries to create a super-serum which can be used to create strong super-soldiers. Genetic manipulation to create super-humans has been part of the eugenics movement for years. In essence, man tries to play God. The Bible teaches that God alone is able to create (Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 8:3-8). When we work at manipulating what God has created, it can lead to disastrous results.

QUESTIONS:

How dangerous is it to play God? What are the benefits and risks?
God is our Creator. How is His work better than man’s attempts?

Sacrifice

Dr. Erskine chooses Steve Rogers to be Captain America based on his moral character. On many occasions in the movie, Captain America takes risks that have the potential to sacrifice his life in the movie. He takes times to try to find his brother and company. At the end of the movie, Captain America sacrifices himself to save New York. Sacrifice requires risk.

The Bible teaches that trusting God takes risk. Every servant of God (just as Captain America was a servant to humanity) takes risks:

Abraham took a risk to go where God told him (Hebrews 11).

Moses took a risk by denying his standing to live with the Israelite slaves (Hebrews 11).

Joshua took a risk in bringing God’s people to the Promised Land (Hebrews 11).

David took a risk to defeat Goliath (1 Samuel 17).

Jesus took a risk in sacrificing Himself for the sin of the world (Philippians 2, Hebrews 12).

QUESTIONS:

Captain America sacrificed his life for his country. Do you know other people who have made sacrifices for others (for country, family, friends)?
How does Captain America reflect God’s sacrifice of His Son?