‘Superheroes Can’t Save You’ by Todd Miles [Saturday Morning Review]

I just got back from my youth group’s Bible study. We were looking at Mark 4, and I asked them why they thought Jesus used agricultural metaphors in so many of His parables.

“It’s what His audience dealt with in their daily lives.” We went on to talk about Jesus’ audience wasn’t likely schooled in deep theology, but they sure did know their seeds.

To that end, ChurchMag Reader, I bring you Superheroes Can’t Save You: Epic Examples of Historic Heresies. You may not know much about theology, but it stands to reason that you might know a little something about superheroes. In this book, the author, Todd Miles, goes through seven different heresies about Jesus, comparing them to seven different superheroes:

• Docetism/Superman
• Liberalism/Batman
• Modalism/Ant-Man
• Arianism/Thor
• Adoptionism/Green Lantern
• Apollinarianism/Hulk
• Eutychianism/Spider-Man

I can’t wait to see this as a supplementary text in a Christology course at a Bible college.

That’s a pretty extensive list! And I’m sure that you’re probably thinking, “I’m sure the analogies are weak and cheesy.” Well, you’d be wrong, my friend. Miles did an amazing job writing this book. His superhero (and theology) bona fides are legit. He knows both of this subject matters and weaves them together seamlessly. Seriously, his use of Ant-Man to explain the Modalistic teachings on the Godhead was totally unexpected and amazing. It’s one of the best ways to explain what the Trinity isn’t that I’ve ever seen.

Superheroes Can’t Save You is a fantastic book. If you want to learn more about Christology with superheroes used as an explanatory vehicle, then this is your book. If you’re a youth pastor with a nerd-friendly youth group, this would make for a great sermon series. Or if you’re just the parent of a burgeoning nerd, here’s a way to get them interested in theology.

– Readability (5.0)

– Breadth/Depth of Content (5.0)

– Helpfulness (5.0)

Recommended? – Totally! In fact, I think this my book my favorite book of the year! Certainly is so far!

Superheroes Can’t Save You: Epic Examples of Historic Heresies is by Todd Miles, and you can buy it from Amazon.

A copy of this book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review, which is what you just read.

Phil Schneider

Senior Staff Writer

I'm a teacher and discipleship pastor. More importantly, I'm husband to the greatest woman in the world and father to a ridiculously cute daughter. I also occasionally scratch out a few blog posts.