Batman or Superman
My two sons are debating who is better: Batman or Superman. My three year old insists Superman is because he loves his mom. My six year old argues back, “Batman is better because he’s got the cooler car.”
Blockbuster or Netflix. Home Depot or Lowes. Direct TV or Dish Network. Contemporary or Traditional.
By nature, we love to compare…
Even the disciples wanted to know who was the greatest. Jesus put a quick stop to that. I’m just guessing, but Jesus probably wouldn’t have started any of the “lists” that are so popular today–especially in the church world.
What’s with all the lists?
What are a few? Most influential churches, most influential pastors, most influential Christians, best executive pastors, fastest growing churches, and most innovative churches. I’m sure I’m missing about 324 other lists.
Why not “hottest pastors wives?” “Most pierced youth pastor?” ”Missionary with the fewest converts.”
(For the record, I’m grateful when people think our ministry has done something worthwhile. I also admire many of the people who are making the lists.)
For the most part, I think these lists are a royal waste of time. To be fair, I’ll offer what I consider potential positives. (You’re welcome to add more.) These lists might help us to know who we can learn from. That’s good. They might also help sell magazines or draw attention to blogs. In some cases, good again.
The negatives could include: tempting some to be proud. (Did you know I was voted the best pastor in America by my eight year old daughter?) Pride and a competitive spirit are deadly in the ministry.
While some might become proud, the lists could tempt the other 399,432 churches in America to become jealous or critical.
From my limited perspective, maybe we could do without so many lists and get back to more important things.
(In case you’re wondering, I think Superman could whip Batman any day.)
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I agree, comparison is as old as time. While it can be and often is a positive, leading people toward the favorable - it also has a tendency to stereotype, compartmentalize, isolate, and label.
Lists of the top 10 worst cities to live, most crime infested, highest unemployment rate. Lists like these aren’t easily forgotten, the damage being pervasive and far reaching.
Comparison IS human nature, regardless of ones level of achievement and material wealth.
Regardless of ones level of enlightenment and religious standing…we compare, someone else always has MORE of whatever it is we believe we need.
There’s nothing wrong with aspirations and goals…the problem arises when I compare my INSIDE to your OUTSIDE.
You could never compare Craig Groschel to say, Bishop T.D. Jakes. Your style and approach to delivering the gospel is altogether diametric… but the message is the same.
Sort of like Batman and Superman.
And Paramount hasn’t made one of your books into a major motion picture…yet.
You’re right that many of the lists are ridiculous, but I’d contend that Batman could outsmart Superman if they had to face-off against one another.
Lists like that can be dangerous & tempting. WHen I first saw a list of the most infuential churches iin America & saw that your picture was missing from the Lifechurch entry I was first frustrated that your pic wasn’t posted. But then I thought “Maybe he didn’t want folks to think that HE is the church”.
Also, being a comic book geek I can answer the Superman vs Batman question: Batman has kicked Superman’s butt several times but it took quite a bit of Kryptonite to do it. ANother interesting tidbit, Superman is the way he is (truth, justice, American way) because of his Mom & Dad. Batman is the way he is (scary and running around at night) because his parents were murdered when he was young. [geek-mode off]
There have been some noted list makers, Santa Claus, Blackwell, David Letterman and Google but I think God did it the best…Ten Commandments, seven days of creation, even His instructions to Moses, David and Paul throughout scripture.
In today’s world, they tend to draw more attention to the maker than those listed and imply some credibility not otherwise given. I think we like them because they are the cliff notes on a subject…you know, let us not be encumbered by the facts or details…
Kind of makes me wonder how many great books would not get read if people never got past the table of contents.
I like Batman…never liked a guy who needed a cape to get the courage to get the girl.
You are SO right - Superman would punish Batman. Believe that!
Chuck Norris could take them both out with a roundhouse kick to the face.
Three quick observations
1. My Amy is for sure the hottest pastor’s wife (no need to comment further).
2. I can’t keep up with all the lists that LifeChurch.tv or any other church is making so I better get way better at my job to keep up and not get run over. Actually the list thing is for other people to worry about. I wish you could have seen though the guy on the 6th row Sunday at the 10am experience raise both his hands in the air this weekend to become a follower of Christ. He is in his 40s but reminded me of my 5 year old not wanting to be left out of something. I’m pretty sure he made God’s list.
3. Dang, you get up early.
I agree Craig, the lists comparing churches are silly at best; destructive at worst. I always wonder how in the world we could keep score or decide who “wins”.
The Batman vs. Superman question, however, is vital. This has been a raging debate in my home for years. The definitive answer is this: Batman is not a Superhero. He has no super powers, just cool toys. Superman, as the only true Superhero in the fight, kicks the caped crusader’s butt.
Are we strictly saying Batman vs. Superman? Or, does Batman get Alfred? If he’s without the butler, then I think Superman can take him - it always seems to me that Alfred was the real brains behind Batman.
With that said, I loved this post, I think I’m adding your blog to my Top Ten Church Blogs . . .
Sorry I’m not getting ethereal here, but WonderWoman could kick both of their butts. She has the truth lasso AND the invisible jet. Plus great hair.
I almost agree that WonderWoman could kick their butts, but the coolest power of all is in the web. Spiderman rocks!
Batman’s pretty incredible for not having any super powers.
And I do agree those list are a little unnecesary…especially since the list focus on the external, what can be seen in the greatest magnitude.
Superman…hands down! There is NO comparison…
mr. t will work superman, wonderwoman and batman over. even without the gold chains.
and the lists must simply stop. it cant be a good thing when the church starts acting like the cover of People magazine. Geez.
I agree with your “Lists” comment. Just yesterday I got a flyer for a youth conference that featured the “most innovative youth speaker”. Now that person is awesome I agree… but I just think we are getting to HOLLYWOOD in our church culture. We name drop like the best of them. I mean I can go to a conference and someone there will tell me they went to school with someone who used to be taught by …. You get the idea. While being known is not a bad thing, it does bring greater responsibility. The good thing about LifeChurch.tv and your success as a pastor is that you have reached countless people who will in-turn reach more people. The bad thing is… we tend to think that we have something to do with it if we are not careful. I pray that God just breaks us down and shows us how dependent we are on him to make his LIST…
because that is the only list I am concerned about getting on.
When I was 5-years-old, the Batman vs. Superman debate cost me a broken leg. My friend and I were playing superheroes and we were arguing this very point. Long-story short, I ended up jumping off the apex of the roof of my house to prove Superman was the best (don’t ask me why). Just another real-life illustration of how damaging comparisons and/or lists can be if we put more stock in them than they’re worth.
I have to concede that Batman has no super powers. However, you have to be a pretty bad dude to get into the Justice League with no superpowers. With that, Batman (the always prepared Boy Scout) would have some Kryptonite in his utility belt when he showed up. Now it’s mild mannered Clark Kent vs. the Dark Knight… the end.
PS - Bruce Wayne loves his mom too, unfortunately she git murdered.
OK, Im going to a place to consider my soul. I just realized how much time and effort I put into a post about some comic books…its a winder we ever got our wives to marry us.
Spider Man…for sure.
Ok, for entertainment purposes, Batman is clearly the better of the two. He’s a much more interesting character and his villians are WAY better. Now if Superman and Batman went toe to toe… well, I’d have to root for Batman. Even though I admit that he really doesn’t stand a chance. And this was something that my husband and I had to agree on before I would marry him.
Oh, and… (what was that blog about?)… Oh, yeah, I agree that lists aren’t that important. Even if you get voted number one, there is still a lot of growing to do. And if you don’t grow you’ve got to go!
I think we all need to more like the Justice league. Pool our resources, fight evil, and spread good news throughout the land.