Heroes

Jonathan Reeder

Every society has heroes. The heroes in a society are those who are glamorized, looked up to, and imitated. To the ancient Greeks, Achilles, Odysseus, Ajax, Nestor, and other warriors from The Iliad and The Odyssey were among their heroes. During the early days of the Roman Empire, poets and conquering generals were looked up to. Our own society has had distinct heroes within the past century. We have tended to idolize those who sacrifice themselves for the common good: firemen, soldiers, and anyone who risks their own life to save another. Notice how this theme of sacrifice is even in our comic book heroes of the past century.

But how do we decide who our heroes are? I believe this question is a case of “which came first, the chicken or the egg?” A society’s heroes are a reflection of what is important to the society, and in turn shape what values that society will hold. Greek boys grew up thinking that a hero is someone who kills a lot of people in war and wins great victories. Romans were taught that a hero is someone who achieves success through talent and is honored for it. Therefore, these societies were being taught to win renown through determination and skill. You can see, then, how fortunate our country has been in the past couple of generations. Our grandparents and parents grew up thinking that a hero is someone who sacrifices for a common good. And so this idea has been ingrained in their thinking and behavior. As a general rule, we have been a hard-working, unselfish society. But our heroes are changing.

The last half of the 20th century saw new heroes arising in our society. More and more, entertainers have become the idols and examples of young people. At this point, a young boy or girl grows up seeing actors and actresses and believing that heroes are physically beautiful, glamorous, and live how they want to. Boys and girls see athletes and singers and think that is a desirable lifestyle. “I would have it made if I could be talented, wealthy, and famous like So-And-So,” is thought by so many young people. If they can’t make it like their entertainment-heroes, then they will be satisfied being a poor-man’s version and living a life imitating them.

Needless to say, our entertainers are often anything but godly. Greed, sexual immorality, selfish ambition, and pride are the character traits many of them possess. These are the traits that so often get them to where they are. These are the traits children learn to graft into their lives. Certainly not all entertainers are corrupt, and those who are wholesome ought to be supported, but overall the industry is ungodly. Since we as the people of God cannot “go out of the world,” we need to be aware that our society influences us and that it must be resisted.

Instead of our young people looking up to immoral singers, they should see Joseph, Ruth, and Daniel as heroes for their purity and strength (Gen. 39:6-10; Ruth 3-4; Dan. 1:8). Rather than covetous, arrogant athletes being the heroes of our children, they should look to Paul and admire him for his humility and service (1 Cor. 9:19-27). Train your children so that Abraham, Deborah, David, Esther, Timothy, and other men and women of the Bible are their heroes. Above all, make your children grow in admiration and love for the Son of God. He is our great example and the One to be imitated (Phi. 2:5; 1 Pet. 2:18-25).

How often do you tell your children the stories of the Bible or refer to them as examples, compared with how often you talk about their favorite entertainer? Your child will imitate a hero. Teach them to model their lives after great men and women of faith.