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Like the Christian, Spidey has certain charismata, but often they seem more a burden than a joy. Of course, it's Stan Lee's legendary line, "With great power comes great responsibility" that defines the character.

In the comics, Parker has turned to God in prayer

But in Parker's case, with great power came greater tribulation.Thus, I find in him a crude but effective illustration of the apostle Paul's idea of power in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:10).Parker, generally regarded as a Protestant (though his religion is barely touched on in the comics), seems to "get" this idea to some degree—especially as he occasionally turns to God in prayer when things are going badly. (For more on Peter Parker's spirituality, click here and here.)

Spidey's a "dark horse" winner if ever there was one. But, then, so were Peter and Paul. Of course, their master's humiliating death ultimately demonstrated a power unlike anything the world has to offer.

What's so special, then, about Spider-Man? It's that his character isn't about the mere wielding of power. He's about faithfulness, about fighting the good fight. Like the believer's, his triumphs don't come without cost. True, Spidey's creed of "great responsibility" is no substitute for faith in Christ. Yet, his "religion" carries a reproach, as does ours.

And yet, as the saying goes, you can't keep a good man down. The best stories, those we tell over and over, are a mixture of darkness and light, whose heroes taste both the bitter and the sweet, who lose hope only to find it again—and march on.

That's Spidey's message, but let's give the apostle Paul—a real-life hero cast in the same mold—the last word: "We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed" (2 Corinthians 4:8-9).

Gary Robinson is preaching minister with North Side Christian Church in Xenia, Ohio. He's also a writer with just a touch of arachnophobia.

© Gary Robinson 2007, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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