Apologetics goes to the movies! Grab some popcorn and learn how Hollywood’s most memorable heroes shine the spotlight on the ultimate hero of the universe, Jesus Christ. In their new fast-paced work, Hollywood Heroes: How Your Favorite Movies Reveal God seasoned apologists Frank Turek (Crossexamined.org) and his son, Captain Zach Turek harness the explosive power of the silver screen, showing how 7 of Hollywood’s most unforgettable characters point to the truths of Christianity.

First in the star-studded lineup is Captain America, everyone’s favorite hero who’s always willing to put himself in harm’s way to overcome evil. Feisty Iron Man follows, revealing personal moral growth over time which resembles Christian sanctification. Magical connections are made when Harry Potter fans see how the young wizard’s life models the life, death, and resurrection of Christ. Then the Star Wars saga is presented with striking resemblances to the biblical concepts of morality, self-sacrifice, and redemption. After that, the Tureks take us back down to Middle Earth and highlight the Christ-like qualities of Gandalf, Aragorn, and Frodo from Tolkien’s fantasy The Lord of the Rings. Batman swoops in next, acquiring virtue through trials and displaying an unwavering resolve to fight evil. And no hall of heroes would be complete without Wonder Woman, exhibiting breathtaking courage and an unprecedented commitment to truth and love. Finally, the consummate hero of all time is features in the final pages, as the Tureks take an extended look at the person and work of Jesus Christ who possesses all the virtues of every hero to an infinite degree and did what no one else has ever done: He laid his life down for his enemies.

The overarching message of Hollywood Heroes is how the super-charged love of the gospel is reflected in fictional heroes and their stories; it is, in fact, why we love them. They represent a sacrificial love for others that we admire, the kind of love Jesus demonstrated to the world when He went to Calvary to save sinners. In each chapter, the authors include dramatic events which parallel biblical truth along with helpful sections of dialogue to illustrate the connections. Their thesis is clear: if we love the heroes in these movies, we should love Jesus. For those unfamiliar with the characters and storylines, a movie-guide is included in the preface, guiding readers to approximately 50 films in which morality, eternity, and the truth of the gospel message can be clearly observed.

In 8 action-packed chapters, the Tureks offer numerous defenses of the Christian faith, including the Cosmological Argument, appropriately placed in the Star Wars chapter, as well as arguments against materialism and moral relativism. Responses to the problem of evil are peppered throughout the book and the authors take on Lex Luthor’s Epicurean objections in Batman vs. Superman with a thorough critique. The final chapter is a mini-apologetic handbook on the reliability of the historical witness of Jesus. Frank Turek brings his extensive experience as an apologist to bear on many objections to the reliability of the gospels. The compelling strength of the book is its repeated focus upon Jesus at applicable junctures, accompanied with Scripture references to guide readers back to the Bible. Reflection questions are included at the end of each chapter, making the book adaptable to small group discussion.

Some may object to the plundering of Hollywood for apologetic purposes; however the Tureks encourage readers to consider how the 23 Marvel movies alone have grossed around $22.5 billion dollars, a clear sign these films are a dominant presence in cultural conversations. The authors also encourage readers to accept the universal appeal and popularity of these films among the younger generations as facts the contemporary church cannot ignore. Undoubtedly, there is apologetic gold to be found in the movies, but challenging questions arise for the serious student of Scripture: Are the similarities between the movie heroes and Jesus strong enough to correct for the irreconcilable differences? Is the apologetic value found in redemptive stories enough to overcome the false religious views presented at the same time? The Tureks think so. Notably, it seems to be a forgone conclusion of the authors that sexually alluring costumes, profanity, and satanic evil presented in these films is acceptable for Christian viewing, while the gospel appears to be reduced to the call to join God’s team and be a hero. A clear, full explanation of biblical repentance is absent from the book.

Overall, the carefully selected films keep the book at a manageable length and align perfectly with the author’s stated goal: to invite others into conversation about the redeeming love of Christ. The Tureks have shown thought provoking similarities between some of the most popular movie characters and the biblical storyline of God’s plan to redeem His people through his Son, Jesus Christ. For all the movie lovers out there, this energetic and easy read will likely be a welcome relief from weightier tomes. This summer, check out the persuasive power of the Turek’s new book, Hollywood Heroes!