The “hero” of antiquity was evil on the inside but excellent on the outside. His evil was not “evil” to the ancients, but rather normal. Sin was acceptable, so long as the sinner was loyal to the tribe and nation.
As a Christian ideal, the HERO is excellent inside and out. He is morally superior, not just a better warrior.
The “villain” of antiquity is someone against the tribe and nation. Good and evil have nothing to do with it.
As a Christian concept, the VILLAIN personifies evil. Even if he is sympathetic, his agenda is unfriendly to the innocent, regardless of the tribes and nations.
The “antihero” is the hero of antiquity from the modern perspective. The very idea of an “antihero” is entirely Christian, even among those who are not Christian.
Samson was a hero of the Old Testament as an antihero since the New Testament. He was not a villain, though he committed murder out of anger or to pay a debt.
Jesus favors heroes and villains. He prefers antiheroes
to those who do nothing. Be fired up for him or cold against him. If you
are lukewarm, he shall spit you out of his mouth.
Those who care will struggle against those who are mainly concerned with themselves. The former do not seek for trouble, but it tends to find them. When something must be done, they take action.
ReplyDeleteThere is always trouble. How we deal with it defines us.
DeleteVery well said my friend. The 10,000 Philistines were not dear to God as they were lukewarm, Samson was favored by God. All that we do should be done with all our heart.
ReplyDeleteYes. People who do nothing but live are not dear to God. He did not create the world for it to just sit there.
DeleteGod sides with whoever he wants to side because anything he does is righteous.
ReplyDeleteIndeed. "Fairness" has nothing to do with it.
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