Days of Future Past – An Allegory for the Christian Faith?
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| Movie Poster for X-Men: Days of Future Past |
I love the X-Men series. I
saw the newest movie, Days of Future Past, twice in theaters. While watching
the movie for the second time, I began a working theory: that the young 1970's Charles
Xavier is a young man who is close to dedicating his life to Christ. In this
way, the events of the movie are an allegory for the trials and sufferings of a
newfound Christian. Allow me to further explain.
I don’t
have the time to relay the whole plot but I will explain pertinent events as
they happen. In the beginning of the movie, present-day Xavier forms a
plan to alter the current mutant massacre by changing the past. With the course of events changed,
the subsequent years would turn out differently and result in a brighter
future. By default, Wolverine must be the mutant who travels back in time
(because of his healing factor). Wolverine’s goal is to unite the 1970’s
incarnations of Xavier and Magneto to stop the assassination of Bolivar Trask. Before
he is transported back Xavier tells Wolverine (around the 14 minute mark for those of you with the DVD),
"Find me. Convince me of all of this… You’re going to have to do for me what I once did for you. Lead me, guide me. I was a very different man then. You’ll have to be patient with me."
This is
powerful. As a younger man, Xavier was very different. He was not fully sold
out for his cause. Xavier started a school for gifted children, only to
have the school fall apart due to the war. He retreated inside himself, content
to avoid the world around him. Like a young man or woman struggling with the
implications of Christianity, he needed someone to guide him and lead him. In
the life of a questioning man or woman, this person would be a pastor, teacher,
or mentor. Wolverine’s goal is to show Xavier that the cause is worth it; that
the current hard times and suffering will result in a better future.
Wolverine
eventually makes his way to Xavier’s school. Wolverine struggles in his initial
attempt to recruit Xavier; this is analogous to a mentor not having immediate
success in the life of a questioning student. Further, the idea is Biblical!
Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 3,
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth” (v. 6, ESV).
This
verse proves the point that it is God who changes hearts; in our context it
reinforces the idea that new believers do not usually change radically on the
spot. Xavier comes around to Wolverine’s plan but it is no thanks to Wolverine;
he enlists himself to save Raven (Mystique).
(And who could blame him? I would
DEFINITELY save Jennifer Lawrence… albeit for more selfish reasons. I feel that most single men would agree.)
After
the original plan to save Raven goes awry similar to one of Fred’s plans in a Scooby-Doo cartoon, the trio of Xavier, Beast, and Wolverine retreat to the
school. Xavier tries to use Cerebro, only to fail because his heart was not in
it and he couldn’t handle the suffering he encountered. Beast leaves, setting
up a pivotal conversation between Xavier and Wolverine. Xavier tells
Wolverine (at around 1 hr, 21 min)
“(referring to his heart) And it’s broken. I feel like one of my students. Helpless. It was a mistake coming down here. It was a mistake freeing Erik. This whole thing has been one bloody mistake. I’m sorry Logan, but they sent back the wrong man.”
At the
first sign of a struggle, Xavier wants to pack in the towel. I liken this to a
child who falls while riding his two-wheel bicycle for the first time. Better
yet, a personal example would be my students who will not attempt another
problem because they failed the first time. Thankfully Wolverine is ready for
this response, and comes back with,
“You’re right. I am. (in regard to being the wrong man) Actually, it was supposed to be (the older) you… I was your most helpless student. And you unlocked my mind. You showed me what I was. You showed me what I could be. I don’t know how to do that for you. You’re right, I don’t. But I know someone who might.”
Wolverine
admits to Xavier that he is not the ultimate factor in guiding him. A mentor
mimics this interaction by telling the inquisitive mind that ONLY GOD CAN SAVE.
It doesn't matter how influential a person is; only God can change the heart of a man.
Wolverine lets Xavier look into his mind, where Xavier sees the suffering that
Wolverine went through. Looking beyond that, young Xavier is able to talk to
the older Xavier. It is here that the present-day Xavier says,
“Just because someone stumbles, loses their way, it doesn't mean that they’re lost forever. Sometimes we all need a little help… You’re afraid… It’s the greatest gift we have, to bear their pain without breaking. And it comes from the most human power, hope. Please, Charles, we need you to hope again.”
The
younger Xavier takes this advice to heart. He realizes that the future is worth
fighting for and that his current fear is okay. It is okay to have trepidation
about certain things; we don’t know how the future will play out. As a
Christian, we do know that the future will hold trials and sufferings. If you don’t
believe me:
- Read James 1!
- Read about the life of the Apostle Paul!
- Read any of the 4 Gospels - specifically, the life of Jesus Christ.
- Read the book of Acts!
I
realize that this has been a little tough to follow. Let me recap the allegory:
- Young Xavier: A young man who is debating whether to come to the faith.
- Wolverine: A current Christian. He has been a believer long enough to understand that the pain and suffering is worth it. In Biblical literature, a good example would be the Apostle Paul.
- Current Xavier: It would be sacrilegious to call him Jesus Christ, so let’s call him a second person in the conversion process of the younger Xavier. Perhaps he can be Apollos.
Jeremy
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