Hercules – Glorious Defender or Gnostic Rebel?
The story of Christ is the greatest story ever recorded. It’s also the most copied. Usually when one is emulated, it’s a compliment. However when the story is told by Hollywood, it tragically ends in distortion. Gnosticism is rampant.
Here is a modern example of that story being twisted all the wrong ways.
A new movie trailer Hercules: The Legend Begins features this hero figure rising to his destiny.
Let’s compare some of the elements of this myth to Christ.
Hercules is half god, half man. Jesus is both fully man and fully God. (1 John 5:1, Luke 1:35, Phil 2:7-8, Heb 2:9-18)
Hercules is told to embrace his fathers power. Christ relied on his Father for all things. (John 5:30; Luke 22:42)
Hercules says he will offer salvation to people. Christ offers salvation. (1Th 5:9, 2 Ti 2:10, 3:15)
It’s nice that these attributes are offered, they are noble. However this story being a myth is not used to uplift Christ, but rather to flip the story upside down.
How is Hercules not like Christ?
He is a “hero” exiled from his home. Satan was exiled from his heavenly home (Luke 10:19, Revelation 12:9)
Hercules leads a rebellion because he doesn’t like the rule of the kingdom. Satan also created a rebellion because he didn’t like the rules of the kingdom of heaven. (Revelation 12:7, 13, 17, Ezekiel 28:13-17)
Hercules uses violence, killing and destroying to achieve his goals and get what he wants. Satan also kills and destroys to bring about his ways. (John 8:44, John 10:10)
There are also elements in this story that are brought out to take the story and warp how the mind views the character of the hero. Psychologically these are all internalized and grouped together because you’re not processing the information logically, rather emotionally. The heroes that are similar are all started to be viewed the same, negative and positive.
Some other elements the trailer brings out similar to the Christ story are the element of fighting over a woman. (Revelation 12:13-17) The idea that the kingdom Hercules is cast out of is a kingdom ruled by fear, and not love is prominent. But the bible tells us:
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:8
Another motif is that Hercules is a hero that follows his heart. But what does the bible tell us about our hearts? The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9. Following our hearts is dangerous. We must follow the Word of God, because as human beings it’s the only thing that keeps us on the narrow path.
A more subtle allusion to Gnosticism is a scene where Hercule’s love Heba, places a serpent necklaces over him. This is followed by a clip where their nakedness is implied.
Don’t miss the point. The encounter with the serpent is offered by the woman, it leads to their nakedness and it’s set in the context that it is a good thing, because they love each other. This is the exact opposite of how the ideal is displayed in Genesis. The encounter with the serpent is not a good thing.
Hercules means “Glorious Defender”. But he cant’ defend you from sin, in fact he willingly participates in it. Only Christ can deliver from sin. (Matthew 1:21)
Oh what a Savior!
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/herculesthelegendbegins/#videos-large
Hercules is half god, half man. Jesus is both fully man and fully God. (1 John 5:1, Luke 1:35, Phil 2:7-8, Heb 2:9-18)
Are you trying to make distinction between two different people who, by definition, are Child Of The Father?
Hercules is told to embrace his fathers power. Christ relied on his Father for all things. (John 5:30; Luke 22:42)
Are you implying that Hercules had to be pushed the right direction?
Hercules says he will offer salvation to people. Christ offers salvation. (1Th 5:9, 2 Ti 2:10, 3:15)
It’s nice that these attributes are offered, they are noble. However this story being a myth is not used to uplift Christ, but rather to flip the story upside down.
How is Hercules not like Christ?
He is a “hero” exiled from his home. Satan was exiled from his heavenly home (Luke 10:19, Revelation 12:9)aheroisexiled
Christ was, indeed, to leave His Home many times; call it exile or Divine Intervention – He most certainly felt unwanted in His Home Country, for that was the basis of the line, “No Prophet Is Accepted In His Own Country”, was it not? Were Mary and Joseph not to make for New Home, after Being Instructed?
Hercules leads a rebellion because he doesn’t like the rule of the kingdom. Satan also created a rebellion because he didn’t like the rules of the kingdom of heaven. (Revelation 12:7, 13, 17, Ezekiel 28:13-17)
Jesus also led a rebellion because He didn’t Approve of the Way in which others were Ruling His and His FATHER’s Kingdom
Hercules uses violence, killing and destroying to achieve his goals and get what he wants. Satan also kills and destroys to bring about his ways. (John 8:44, John 10:10)
Is there a Book of Revelation? Does Jesus have, in it, a sword?
There are also elements in this story that are brought out to take the story and warp how the mind views the character of the hero. Psychologically these are all internalized and grouped together because you’re not processing the information logically, rather emotionally. The heroes that are similar are all started to be viewed the same, negative and positive.
kingdomruledbyfearSome other elements the trailer brings out similar to the Christ story are the element of fighting over a woman. (Revelation 12:13-17) The idea that the kingdom Hercules is cast out of is a kingdom ruled by fear, and not love is prominent. But the bible tells us:
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
1 John 4:8
Another motif is that Hercules is a hero that follows his heart. But what does the bible tell us about our hearts? The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9. Following our hearts is dangerous. We must follow the Word of God, because as human beings it’s the only thing that keeps us on the narrow path.
Is there not a heart that beats your psyche with desirous thoughts – and then a Heart that is likened, nay – the same, as the Heart that doth bring forth Life and Love, and Did, and is In The Image Of Our FATHER HIMSELF’s OWN HEART? The Spirit’s Heart – The Conscience and The Intuition Both Being Heavenly GIFTS, OF DIVINE ORDER, Bestowed Upon us, that we may Remember OUR FATHER, TO, IN ALL THINGS, Hear HIS WORDS WITHIN OURSELVES?
Woe it is to those who have to fight their Intuition, for Their FATHER is not Mine Own
My FATHER’S Children Of Light hear Truth Within, and They Are True To Themselves When Following HIS WORDS, are they not?
A more subtle allusion to Gnosticism is a scene where Hercule’s love Heba, places a serpent necklaces over him. This is followed by a clip where their nakedness is implied.
o1vX9lYObKUlDon’t miss the point. The encounter with the serpent is offered by the woman, it leads to their nakedness and it’s set in the context that it is a good thing, because they love each other. This is the exact opposite of how the ideal is displayed in Genesis. The encounter with the serpent is not a good thing.aheroisexiled
Hercules means “Glorious Defender”. But he cant’ defend you from sin, in fact he willingly participates in it. Only Christ can deliver from sin. (Matthew 1:21)
Christ, as The Light His FATHER Made Him, The Living Son, Delivers From sin, therefore, Christ and His FATHER are BOTH Adhered to Whilst Adhering to the LIGHT, for Jesus is The Son Of Light and His FATHER IS THE FATHER OF THE LIGHT
Oh what a Savior!
Are not, too, the heart of the physical body, and the Heart of the SPIRIT made distinction between?
Proverbs 10:8 The wise in heart shall receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
The point I am making, and that The Authors of The Bible (and certain (now-)Apocryphal Works) make very clear, is that a Child of Light can follow two paths, his earthly heart, or his FATHER’S Heart, Which Calleth To Each, From Within Them. One leads to a perverseness unclean and unfit to Ascend, The Other Leads To Righteousness and Eternity With And As Light
Proverbs 8:5 O, ye simple: understand Wisdom; and ye fools: be ye of an understanding Heart