The Adventures of Superman first debuted on television on September 19, 1952. At least that is the generally accepted date. Others dispute it, but we are going with that one today. Based upon comic book characters created in 1938, it starred George Reeves and Phyllis Coates the first year, then Reeves and Noel Niell afterward as Superman/Clark Kent and Lois Lane. The show ran for six seasons.
I realize I am dating myself but I remember afternoon showings in the 60s (reruns) of the old black and white version. I enjoyed it at that age, but I never really understood how Superman could change clothes in a glass phone booth and no one notice, and why everyone was fooled when Clark Kent took off his glasses. Then I started wondering how many suits he had and where they went to in all those phone booths. I realize that I am not supposed to wonder those things, just accept that a man can transform himself instantly into an unrecognizable superhero with a clothes change and a laughably minimal disguise. At least when Captain Marvel came along in my own children's time, a lightning bolt transformed him instantly. Now that made more sense.
But I have seen instant transformation before. Some kind and pleasant folks, when they get behind the wheel, instantly become impatient, self-centered monsters. It's all about their schedules, their convenience, and people in their way. I have also seen it in check-out lines at the grocery store. The same man who kindly reached a box on a high shelf for me, or the woman who asked a question about which brand of coffee I preferred and then politely thanked me for the information, will, when the line is long and the progress slow, begin huffing and puffing in irritation, heave great sighs of annoyance, and constantly look over to other lines to see if everyone is as slow as this old person in front of her who can't seem to find her wallet in that monstrosity of a carpetbag.
The Bible does talk about transformation—but not those kinds.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2Cor 5:17).
…put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and…put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:22-24).
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:2).
Those transformations often take longer than a lightning bolt or even a clothes change, but our commitment to Christ at baptism is supposed to enable it along. Renewing our minds in study and meditation, living lives of righteousness and holiness rather than clinging to the old worldliness, and striving to do the will of the Father, Paul tells us in the above passages, will all help us in that transformation. And whenever we find ourselves in those situations that used to transform us into ogres instantly, plan ahead, think ahead, and remember that we are no longer that old person. We tossed him in the garbage where he belongs. We are new creatures. We don't need a phone booth on the corner because this transformation should be forever.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal 2:20).
Dene Ward
I realize I am dating myself but I remember afternoon showings in the 60s (reruns) of the old black and white version. I enjoyed it at that age, but I never really understood how Superman could change clothes in a glass phone booth and no one notice, and why everyone was fooled when Clark Kent took off his glasses. Then I started wondering how many suits he had and where they went to in all those phone booths. I realize that I am not supposed to wonder those things, just accept that a man can transform himself instantly into an unrecognizable superhero with a clothes change and a laughably minimal disguise. At least when Captain Marvel came along in my own children's time, a lightning bolt transformed him instantly. Now that made more sense.
But I have seen instant transformation before. Some kind and pleasant folks, when they get behind the wheel, instantly become impatient, self-centered monsters. It's all about their schedules, their convenience, and people in their way. I have also seen it in check-out lines at the grocery store. The same man who kindly reached a box on a high shelf for me, or the woman who asked a question about which brand of coffee I preferred and then politely thanked me for the information, will, when the line is long and the progress slow, begin huffing and puffing in irritation, heave great sighs of annoyance, and constantly look over to other lines to see if everyone is as slow as this old person in front of her who can't seem to find her wallet in that monstrosity of a carpetbag.
The Bible does talk about transformation—but not those kinds.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come (2Cor 5:17).
…put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and…put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness (Eph 4:22-24).
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Rom 12:2).
Those transformations often take longer than a lightning bolt or even a clothes change, but our commitment to Christ at baptism is supposed to enable it along. Renewing our minds in study and meditation, living lives of righteousness and holiness rather than clinging to the old worldliness, and striving to do the will of the Father, Paul tells us in the above passages, will all help us in that transformation. And whenever we find ourselves in those situations that used to transform us into ogres instantly, plan ahead, think ahead, and remember that we are no longer that old person. We tossed him in the garbage where he belongs. We are new creatures. We don't need a phone booth on the corner because this transformation should be forever.
I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me (Gal 2:20).
Dene Ward
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