The Dark Knight Devotionals: Finding Biblical Truth In The World Of Batman

by Daniel Debs

Overview

The Dark Knight Devotionals: Finding Biblical Truth in the World of Batman is an exploration of principals found in both the Bible and in various stories featuring the World's Greatest Detective! It is a book well-suited for a variety of people! Are you a Christian who is also die-hard fan of the Caped Crusader? Or perhaps you are a comic book fan with questions about just what the Bible says or who Jesus really is? Either way, this book is for you! This book spans many different adventures featuring Batman and connects them to different parts of Scripture.

Read of how Bruce Wayne's struggle to do the right thing in a harsh, evil world reflects our own lives! See how villains such as the Joker, Poison Ivy, Scarecrow, and others all reflect Satan and the various ways he attacks us! Learn how to look to God through the prism of these adventures!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781595558657
Publisher:	Elm Hill
Publication date:	01/01/2019
Pages:	112
Sales rank:	507,467
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.80(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	13 - 18 Years

About the Author

Daniel Debs has been a Christian since childhood, but was finally baptized in 2017. He is also a lifelong comic book fan and has been collecting them for many years. He has a Bachelor's in Psychology as well as an Associate's in Information Technology. Currently, he works with the visually impaired and resides with his wife in Central Florida.

Read an Excerpt

CHAPTER 1

Batman

Gotham City

A story is often only as good as its setting and perhaps there is no better example of this than in Batman. A character like him could only exist in a place such as Gotham City, a representation of civilization at its ugliest. Often depicted as an urban nightmare, Gotham is a place full of corruption, despair, and anguish. To put it simply, it's a tough place to live. In the afterword of the novel Batman: Knightfall, legendary comic writer Dennis O'Neil referred to Gotham City as being akin to "Manhattan below 14th street at eleven minutes past midnight on the coldest night in November."

One of the most memorable depictions of Gotham is seen in Tim Burton's Batman, released in the summer of 1989. A landmark film in many ways, the portrayal of Gotham as a complicated urban landscape filled with back alleys, gothic architecture, and enormous statues has influenced many subsequent comics, TV shows, and movies since. The opening shot of the film is a wide angle view of the island in its entirety, a dense and sprawling concrete jungle, which somehow still seems pitch black in spite of the numerous lights across the skyline.

However, much like how a person's personality isn't determined by their outward appearance, Gotham's intimidating atmosphere stems from its soul. Rotten to its core, Gotham's citizens live in constant fear of criminals and evildoers. Corruption flows throughout; crooked cops are everywhere, the politicians live off the fat of the land, and ordinary people are preyed upon. It's no wonder this place needs a hero like Batman.

Continuing after that opening scene, a family of three are trying to make their way home. Unable to get a cab, which in this city is a lifeline, they're forced to walk. Wading through the seedy elements, they're cornered in an alley by a pair of pickpockets. They club the father over the head and steal their money, leaving the mother and son to fend for themselves. Later in the film, the Joker is riding through the city on a parade float, shooting cash bills into the air. People are going ballistic, scrambling to grab as much of the money as they can. Gotham is truly a depraved place at times.

It can be easy to watch the movie or read any Batman comic and brush this off as a ridiculous, over the top comic book fantasy. But without the guiding principles of God, this is what humanity looks like. Think of what kind of evil was running rampant prior to the Flood. Things were so bad that God had to drown out the entire planet to put a stop to the evil behavior (Genesis 6-7). Elsewhere in Genesis is the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, two cities so wicked that God smoked them from the face of the earth. Genesis 19:24-25 (ESV) says, "Then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven. And He overthrew those cities, and all the valley, and all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground." These were cities ruled by Satan's way of life, which is sinful and leads to death. It is a perversion of God's intentions. Prior to blowing the two cities away, God had sent two angels ahead of Him to rescue Lot and his family. A huge crowd of people came out of the city gates and confronted Lot and the two visitors (they didn't realize these men were actually angels). The crowd demanded that Lot bring the two men outside so that they could meet them. The New King James version says in Genesis 19:5, "Bring them out to us that we may know them carnally." What this really means is the crowd wanted to have sex with them. Clearly, this was a breaking point. The angels get Lot and his family to safety and then God finally brings an end to these depraved cities.

On the opposite end of the spectrum however, believers in Christ can look forward to an ideal place to live. Hebrews 11:16 (ESV) says, "But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city." We know that this city will be free of all forms of sin, including crime and depravity. The foundations of the city will be made from all sorts of jewels and gold (Revelation 21:19-21). "But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb's book of life," declares Revelation 21:27 (ESV). How do you get your name in that book and get to see the Great City? Just have faith in the ultimate Hero – Jesus Christ!

CHAPTER 2

Batman Returns

In 1992, Warner Brothers released Batman Returns, the follow-up to Tim Burton's first foray into the world of the Dark Knight. Despite its enormous box-office earnings, the film was polarizing to both fans and critics. A darker and more bizarre film than its predecessor, Batman Returns finds Bruce Wayne navigating threats in his both public life and his secret one. Bruce is having to aid Gotham's mayor against Max Schreck, another wealthy businessman and industrialist looking to build a huge power plant and monopolize the city's power grid. As Batman, he is also having to contend with a circus-themed gang that is working for a new criminal known as the Penguin. Finally, there's Selina Kyle who creates her own alter ego in Catwoman, whose motivations are fuzzy at best.

If there is one cohesive theme present in this movie, it's lust. Each of the characters here can be seen lusting for something. The film's two antagonists, Penguin and Max Schreck, both lust for power and prestige. Their mutual desires make them natural allies. Penguin is a freak of nature, a man with animal-like characteristics whose origin is explained in the film's prologue. His parents abandoned him in the sewers when they saw his bird-like appearance. Having lived underneath Gotham for thirty years, Penguin kidnaps Schreck and enlists his help to usher him into society. Schreck agrees as long as Penguin returns the favor in helping take down Gotham's mayor. Eventually, the plan blows up in their faces and they both turn on one another.

Selina Kyle also succumbs to lust in this film; her desire for physical and emotional gratification corrupt her. Her origin here strays quite a bit from the comics. This version of Selina is a put upon and quiet secretary for Schreck. High strung and nervous, she is lacking confidence in numerous ways. Late one night trying to catch up on work, she discovers documents relating to Schreck's planned monopoly. Refusing to risk her ruining his plans, Schreck knocks her out the window. Seemingly falling to her death, Selina is instead knocked unconscious in a nearby alley. She is awakened when numerous cats lick and nibble on her. Suddenly, Selina is almost an entirely different person. She gives into a repressed impulsive nature, designs a costume, and becomes Catwoman. Her attraction to Batman and desire for vengeance on Schreck is her attempt to validate her self-worth.

Lastly, even Batman himself is not above being tempted by lust in this film. He meets Selina both in and out of costume. Each way, he senses something of a kindred spirit, particularly because of the dual lives they both lead. Of course, there is no nobility in Selina's double life as compared to Bruce's and soon the lines are blurred for Batman. Catwoman serves as a distraction for Batman while Penguin campaigns for mayor and poisons Gotham's political climate. At the climax of the film, Batman tries to convince Catwoman that they both can give up their costumes and live happily together. Tragically, she chooses vengeance on Shreck instead.

Lust is a sin that the Bible spends many pages rebuking. Famously, one of the Ten Commandments is not to commit adultery (Exodus 20:14). It is not enough to avoid engaging in adulterous acts either. "But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart," Jesus says in Matthew 5:28 (ESV). We cannot allow even our thoughts towards someone to be lustful, such as Bruce's and Selina's towards each other. Our bodies are not meant for sexual immorality but for serving the Lord (1 Corinthians 6:13).

There are other things that we can lust for though, such as power and recognition. These are the things that we all want at times, as did Schreck, Penguin, and Selina as well. None were content in their lives, they wanted more. We need to learn to be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5) and not lust after things or esteem. The world is full of such things to pull us away and tempt us into evil doings, things like what Max Schreck did. "For everything in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – comes not from the Father but from the world," says 1 John 2:16 (NIV). When you desire the things of the world, you become part of the world and act like it.

It's easy even for the noblest to be done in by the allure of things the world offers. Remember Paul's advice in 2 Timothy 2:22 (ESV). "So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart."

CHAPTER 3

Batman: The Animated Series

Two-Face

Batman: The Animated Series was developed by Warner Brothers after the success of the two live-action films. Debuting in 1992, it is considered by many to be the pinnacle of depictions of Batman.

Two of the most acclaimed episodes of the animated series ever produced are "Two-Face," parts one and two. Differing in some ways from the origin and portrayal seen in the comics and other media, the animated series presents him as a particularly tragic figure. One of the changes is that Harvey Dent is not simply an ally of Batman, but actually a close friend of Bruce Wayne. The two have known each other for years and Bruce has been a supporter of Dent's reelection campaign. This makes their hero and villain rivalry all the more personal. Another added element is Harvey's extreme temper and a second personality that he has been hiding since a young boy. It flares up in public on two different occasions, forcing Harvey to seek professional help.

Eventually, Rupert Thorne, one of Gotham's biggest mobsters and Dent's current target, obtains the dirt on Harvey and blackmails him with it. There is a confrontation between Dent and Thorne's gang at a chemical plant. In an explosion, Dent is scarred and subsequently becomes Two- Face. He then goes on a mission to humiliate Thorne by destroying all of his businesses and then plans to end him once and for all. Meanwhile, Thorne uses Dent's fiancé Grace as a ploy to draw Two-Face out. Grace hasn't seen him in six months and she unwittingly leads Thorne right to him.

The scene between Two-Face and Grace is a bittersweet one. Holed up inside of an old ballroom, the room is a manifestation of Two-Face's personality. Half the room is cast in shadow, the other in light. Grace asks what's happened to him and why he longer listens to his feelings, the way he used to. "This is what I listen to now," Two-Face says, flipping his coin in the air. "Chance, Grace. Chance is everything. Whether you're born or not, whether you live or die, whether you're good or bad; it's all arbitrary!" Grace rejects this and asks him if it was chance that made them fall in love or made him a brilliant district attorney. She pleads with him to take control of his life.

Many people look at their lives and feel like they are victims of their circumstances. They may blame others for the choices they've made. They may even blame God Himself and question Him for the mistakes they've made. Some people may believe, like Two-Face, that everything is just luck of the draw. There is no reason for anything and it's all arbitrary. But anyone who has a strong faith in the Lord knows this isn't true. We know that God has a plan and every detail planned out. Paul wrote in Ephesians 2:10 (ESV), "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Jesus said that that a sparrow can't fall to the ground without the Father knowing (Matthew 10:29). If God knows the number of hairs on our head (Luke 12:7), then we can know that our lives are not just made up of random events.

Yet, we must also take responsibility for our mistakes and the natural consequences that follow. We never get away with the results of our sins, although God is always willing to forgive. David was a great man of God but he made the terrible mistake of adultery and then murder. God forgave him but also said that David would have to suffer the costs of his sins (2 Samuel 12:13-14). When we put God behind us and forget Him, we will come off the path He has for us and fall in the face of temptation. That has nothing to do with random chance but our own foolishness.

We can't be like Two-Face and allow the troubles we face in life to cause us to doubt God's plan or His love for us. Always keep in mind how much God loves you. We know He has every step of our lives planned out. Remind yourself daily with the classic verse in Jeremiah 29:11. "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

CHAPTER 4

Batman: The Animated Series

Mr. Freeze

Mr. Freeze was once considered one of the campiest villains in Batman's infamous rogue's gallery. Debuting in 1959 as Mr. Zero, Freeze became popularized by his portrayal in the 1960s TV series. Mr. Freeze was not much beyond a gimmick; he committed cold-related crimes. The character was so shallow that DC even killed him off in Robin II: The Joker's Wild #1. However, in the seminal Batman: The Animated Series, writer Paul Dini would revive the character with a new, tragic take on the villain.

"Heart of Ice" tells the story of Victor Fries (pronounced Freeze), a scientist specializing in cryogenics, whose wife is terminally ill. Utilizing tools at his employer's company GothCorp, Fries is secretly conducting an experiment that will hopefully keep his wife Nora alive long enough to find a cure. However, GothCorp CEO Ferris Boyle interrupts the experiment with security guards in tow and during the ensuing fight, there's an explosion. Cryogenic chemicals spray everywhere, interacting with the equipment, leaving Victor Fries permanently genetically altered. From that moment on, he needs a specialized suit to survive above subzero temperatures. It also leaves him bloodthirsty for revenge on the man who ruined both his life and his chance to save his wife.

The newly christened Mr. Freeze begins hunting down Ferris Boyle and Batman must stop Freeze before he harms anyone who might get in the way. The episode climaxes at a gala where Boyle is set to receive a Humanitarian of the Year award (ironically contrasting his public image with his secret cruelty toward Fries). Vengeance is nearly within Mr. Freeze's grasp before Batman is able to finally bring him down. However, the lynch pin of the episode is Batman's empathy for Freeze and his quest for true justice to be served. Batman hands over video evidence of the accident and tells of how Boyle is responsible for destroying two innocent lives.

The Bible often warns of seeking vengeance for personal wrongs. Jesus said in Matthew 5:38 (ESV), "You have heard that it was said, 'An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.' But I say to you, do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also." Even in the harshest of wrongs, such as what happened to Victor Fries, we must not succumb to our desires for vengeance. Paul wrote in Romans 12:19 (ESV), "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'" We must always pray for the strength to allow God to right the wrongs in our lives for us. Pray for the people who hurt you and ask God to give you the strength to do so. Then one day, just as Batman delivered justice for Fries and his wife Nora, God will do so for all of us.

"He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday," Psalms 37:6 (ESV).

CHAPTER 5

Batman: The Animated Series

Poison Ivy

There are many foes in Batman's rogues gallery but one of the most dangerous of all might be Pamela Isley aka Poison Ivy. A former Gotham City botanist who turns to crime, Ivy has contempt for humanity and loves only things that grow from the ground. Plants are her priority, not people. Poison Ivy often carries potions, poisons, and other chemical combinations in her arsenal. However, her deadliest weapon is one the Bible warns about constantly – sexual temptation.

Poison Ivy can seduce nearly anyone with the use of her plant pheromones to accomplish her goals. Once her toxins are in you, it's nearly impossible to snap out of the trance. She is sometimes depicted almost like a siren, who slowly lures in her victims through seduction. Ivy does exactly this to Bruce Wayne in Batman: The Long Halloween. Bruce is first infected with one of her contaminants and slowly, he succumbs to her mind-control. Lucky for him, Catwoman comes to his aid.

(Continues…)

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Excerpted from "The Dark Knight Devotionals"
by .
Copyright © 2018 Daniel V. Debs.
Excerpted by permission of Thomas Nelson.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
Excerpts are provided by Dial-A-Book Inc. solely for the personal use of visitors to this web site.

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Table of Contents

Introduction xi

Gotham City 1

Batman Returns 5

Two-Face 9

Mr. Freeze 13

Poison Ivy 15

"His Silicon Soul" 17

Scarecrow 21

Harley Quinn 23

Barbara Gordon 27

"I am the Night" 29

"It's Never Too Late" 33

Andrea Beaumont 37

Robin 41

Mad Hatter 45

Bruce Wayne 47

Thomas Wayne 49

Bruce Wayne 51

Ra's al Ghul 55

Rachel Dawes 59

Two-Face 63

The Joker 67

Two-Face 71

Bruce Wayne 73

Catwoman 77

John Blake 79

Jim Gordon 81

The Joker 85

Bruce Wayne 85

Batman 89

Batman: The Long Halloween 91

Afterword 93

References 95