The Kingsmen take on the hit film Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). By watching extraordinary heroes and villains grapple with grief and the threat of destruction, we learn something about what it means to be human, to lament, to be merciful, to forgive, and to find peace.

[00:00:07] Intro 

[00:00:38] Honoring Chadwick Boseman

[00:03:12] Railing Against Death 

[00:04:52] Processing Grief Through the Characters

[00:07:03] Helpless in the Face of Death

[00:07:53] Missing the Mark

[00:10:05] The Suffering of Being Silenced

[00:11:37] Biblical Lament

[00:13:41] Why is More Important than How

[00:17:40] The Domain of Science versus Metaphysics

[00:20:29] Modern Understanding of Religion

[00:23:19] Judging Moral Superiority 

[00:26:04] Is it Moral to Sacrifice Someone Else? 

[00:28:06] Queen Ramonda as a Type of Mary

[00:32:34] Breaking the Cycle of Violence through Mercy

[00:35:48] Hopeful Intercession of the Saints

[00:38:24] Shuri's Core Identity

[00:39:38] Mother Mary, Child of God

[00:41:26] Envisioning the Enemy as Our Brother

[00:44:14] Comparing the Conflicts Between the Two Movies

[00:45:36] The Stupidity and Futility of Evil

[00:47:17] The Gift of Wise Counsel

[00:48:08] The Life-Saving Restraints of Religion

[00:49:53] Resurrection Makes Forgiveness Possible

[00:52:36] Deification as Becoming Something More Than Human

[00:54:54] Communion: Participating in God's Humility

[00:59:18] Ignoring Our Loss and Grief Through Tech 

[01:03:20] Conclusion

The Kingsmen enter into the morally gray world of Star Wars: Andor. Though it occurs in a galaxy far, far away, it is strikingly similar to our own world here. Join us as we draw out some Christian and religious insights on oppression, evil, hope, humanity, ritual, sacrifice, and love.

[00:00:13] Introduction

The Kingsmen dive into the magical miracle of Encanto (2021). Feel like you’re the only one with no gifts or talents? Feel like you can’t live up to everyone’s expectations? Ostracized for being yourself? Well, then, cry it out with us! In this episode, Simon and Joey share how this beautiful movie conveys the best parts of the Christian gospel to broken hearts today.

The Kingsmen welcome Dr. Kutter Callaway to unpack the mind-bending Marvel show, Loki (2021). What makes a person? Can a person change and become better? Is a human (or a god’s) life predetermined, or do they have free will? Is self-love always narcissistic? What makes a system authoritarian? What is your glorious purpose?

The Kingsmen premiers its third season by delving into the thought-provoking show, The Falcon & the Winter Soldier (2021). With their esteemed guest, Jordan Acosta, they explore topics like power and privilege, conflicting interpretations of symbols, the worthiness of a successor, imagining a just future, and striving to always do better.

Contents

The Kingsmen and special guest, Danny Fitelson, embark on an inward journey exploring emotions in Disney Pixar’s Inside Out (2015). What is the purpose and effect of emotions and human imagination? How do Joy AND Sadness partner together in the Christian life? Don’t be afraid to let your emotions out on this episode. You might get angry and disgusted with yourself if you miss out. Trust us, you’ll be joyful that you didn’t.

Baby Yoda is the best! The Kingsmen unpack the hit Disney+ series The Mandalorian (Season 1). How does the Mandalorian culture and creed sync with Christianity? In what ways do Kuiil the Ugnaught and Baby Yoda reflect the figure of Jesus Christ? How can we revolutionize a world marked by betrayal? Joey and Simon go deep into these subjects. Don’t miss it. We have spoken!

The Kingsmen pay homage to the finale of the 49-year Star Wars saga, with Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker. Joey and Simon reflect on how culture re-imagines mythology, how identity is formed, and the way to defeat evil without becoming evil yourself, and how God subtly works throughout the universe to rescue every creature. The Force is strong with this one!

Superman has had a prevailing impact on popular culture, sparking the imagination of every new generation. The Kingsmen explore what makes Superman so fascinating and how the hero reflects truths about Jesus Christ.

Timestamp of Contents

In the consequential aftermath of Thanos' destructive snap and ultimate defeat, Spiderman: Far From Home grapples with themes like grief, self-worth, following in the footsteps of heroes, the passing of the mantle, and exercising discernment of character. As always, The Kingsmen analyze these themes through a Christian worldview.

Contents