Tag: knowledge

What are some themes in the Doctor Strange movie? 

People seeking answers in all the wrong places and falling for the same lies that humans have since Adam and Eve in the garden when Satan questioned God’s truth and promised that “you will be like God.” (Genesis 3:1-7) But good does win over evil in the end.

The Spiritual

Doctor Strange starts off as a materialist, someone who believes that all that exists is physical matter, what we can understand with our senses (see, touch) (3). Since there is no other reality, no moral truth of right and wrong, all he pursues is power, money and possessions, and he doesn’t care about anyone but himself.

But when he loses everything he learns there is more than meets the eye! We are more than just physical bodies!

“the Lord God formed the man of dust from the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living creature.” (Genesis 2:7)

“Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

The Library

A major theme is the good guys and bad guys seeking knowledge and wisdom. Studying is generally good, but what you study can be good or bad. Much of the studying in Doctor Strange is of mysticism (magic, witchcraft, or occultism) or gnosticism which are bad.

mysticism (magic, witchcraft, or occultism) is the study of secret knowledge, supernatural powers, and or demonic forces (2). Or as Satan lies, “For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1-7)

gnosticism is a false belief in secret or special knowledge or adding to God’s truth with mystical knowledge (2).

“Doctor Strange’s magic points real-world viewers in some potentially dangerous directions, spiritually speaking,” says PluggedIn (6).

Turn to the Bible for the truth. Study theology to learn more about God, His creation, His plan of salvation, and His plan for His new creation. Do not look for “secret” or “special” knowledge. God’s word, the Bible, is God’s very breath. Let it transform your life.

“… evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:13-17)

Theology: Greek theos which means “God,” and logos which means “reason,” “wisdom,” or “thought.” So, theology is to think about God (1).

The search for secret knowledge apart from God is nothing new. Satan in his pride wanted to be like God, and now he continues to deceive people into thinking that they don’t need God. From Satan, to Adam and Eve, to Nimrod, Noah’s great grandson, that studied astrology and mystical occultism and built the city of Babel (Babylon), where the tower of Babel was built (5). (Genesis 10:8; 1)

“Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared… Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” (1 Timothy 4:1-2, 7-8)

Establish your knowledge in sound doctrine so that you will know the truth and know when someone has been deceived.

Doctrine: Teaching of the Church from the truth of the Bible.

Isaiah 40:8
The grass withers, the flower fades,
but the word of our God will stand forever.

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Isaiah 40:8, Matthew 24:35, John 14:6, Romans 12:2

What I want you to understand is:

1. The movie is fiction. Much of the “magic” as seen in the movie is just pretend.
2. But, there are demonic forces, cosmic powers, and spiritual forces of evil!
3. And they are very very dangerous because they want to deceive or trick us into denying Jesus.
4. But, we who live in Christ have nothing to fear! Jesus Christ has overcome death, and even the demons shudder! In fact, “whenever the unclean spirits saw [Jesus], they fell down before him and cried out, ‘You are the Son of God.'” (Mark 3:11)

So, put on your armor and be prepared!

The Whole Armor of God

10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.
11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 

12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. 

13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 

18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.
(Ephesians 6:10-20)

References:

1. “Who Needs Theology: an invitation to the study of God” Grenz and Olson, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL., 1996

2. “The Concise Evengelical Dictionary of Theology” Elwell, Baker Book House Company, 1991

3. “Pocket Dictionary of Theological Terms” Grenz, Guretzki, and Nordling, InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove, IL., 1999

4. The Dobra Family Mission

5. “The Barbarians are Here: Preventing the collapse of western civilization in times of terrorism” Youssef, Worthy Books, Franklin, TN., 2017
www.amazon.com/Barbarians-are-Here-Preventing-Civilization-ebook/dp/B01MY9QH4X/

6. PluggedIn Movie Review www.pluggedin.com/movie-reviews/doctor-strange