Captain America: The First Avenger (2011)

Related: Captain America: The Winter Soldier (2014), Captain America: Civil War (2016)

This movie should be avoided because it involves and/or promotes profanity (at least 18 instances), blasphemy (God's name is taken in vain at least 5 times), immodesty, and deceit. The First Commandment forbids us from entertaining the ideas upon which the whole plot of this film depends, which is "a great power hidden in the earth, left here by the gods, waiting to be seized by a superior man." The film's hero is portrayed following an unrepentant pattern of blasphemy, profanity, and deceit; despite this, he is chosen as the perfect candidate to become America's savior, being told by the scientist who would transform him into a super soldier: "Whatever happens tomorrow, you must promise me one thing: that you will stay who you are. Not a perfect soldier, but a good man." But a blasphemer is not a good man. God has affixed to the Third Commandment a dire warning: "the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain" (Ex. 20:7). Those who falsify documents commit perjury; they violate the Ninth Commandment (Ex. 20:16), and the Bible warns that all liars "shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone" (Rev. 21:8). This movie, however, presents such a man as good, contrary to the testimony of God's Word, leading its audience to substitute evil for good and good for evil (Isa. 5:20) by praising evildoers who ought to be despised (Ps. 15:4; Pro. 28:4).

His alleged goodness is further reinforced by the film's depiction of his willingness to sacrifice his own life to save his friends, and innocent civilians. While the Bible esteems the laying down of one's life for his friends (Jn. 15:13), the problem here is that the context surrounding the hero in this film influences its audience to ignore or dismiss his impenitence. The ends do not justify the means. Steve is approached at the end of the film, with the view of needing to save the world, and yet that which the world is most desperately in need of being saved from—impenitence—is championed by the very hero recruited for its salvation! The whole movie hereby distracts its audience from a true, biblical perspective, warping reality and embedding unbiblical, worldly thinking into the minds of those who follow along.

Violations of God's Law

Defiance against God

This movie violates the First Commandment.

• The existence of false gods (particularly the Norse pantheon) is repeatedly referenced, serving as the source of the main antagonist's power and ambition

Blasphemy and Profanity

This movie violates the Third Commandment. God has warned that he will not hold guiltless those who take his name in vain (Ex. 20:7).

• Steve, Connie, Peggy, and a lieutenant each take God's name in vain at least once
• Senator Brandt utters "Jesus" in vain
• Profane references: hell (11), damn (2), among others

Immodesty and Sexual Immorality

This movie violates and promotes violations of the Seventh Commandment. The Bible warns that those who do not repent of sexual immorality will not inherit the kingdom of God (1Co. 6:9-10), but will be judged by God (Heb. 13:4). We are commanded to "flee fornication" (1Co. 6:18).

• Steve (Chris Evans, unmarried) and Peggy (Hayley Atwell, unmarried) are shown kissing
• Lorraine (Natalie Dormer, unmarried) is shown seducing Steve, pulling him behind a bookshelf, and kissing him
• Howard (Dominic Cooper, unmarried) grabs and kisses a female announcer (Mollie Fitzgerald)
• Steve is shown shirtless, and Peggy shown gazing at his chest and abdomen
• Many women dancers are shown immodestly dressed, in short skirts, showing breast cleavage, and exposing their panties while dancing, performing for male soldiers, who express their demand for more
• Many men are shown shirtless, in their underwear
• A heckler yells and exposes his buttocks at Steve
• Peggy is shown dressed immodestly

Deceit

This movie promotes violations of the Ninth Commandment. The Bible warns that all liars, whom God hates (Pro. 6:16-19; 12:22), shall have their part in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8).

• Steve is portrayed as having repeatedly engaged in deceitful scheming and falsifying enlistment documents, in order to achieve his long-sought desire of serving in the Army

Sinful Content in Captain America: The First Avenger

Warning! The following table contains direct quotations from the film, which include instances of blasphemy, profanity, and other vices.