Captain America Civil War and Lessons in Faith and Vengeance

The third installment of Captain America was released in 2016. This time, it pitted Captain America not only fighting a system trying to control him and his fellow Avengers, but also a confrontation with his once-trusted ally. He also goes through measures to protect his childhood friend who was brainwashed by Hydra.

This installment, which was the tensest of the films, brings into question how we put faith in systems and others. It also gives us lessons in vengeance.

Faith in Others Vs Systems

Sometimes people put faith in systems. Unfortunately, they put so much into it that they are flawed and will lead to disappointment. In the film, leaders passed the Sokovia Accords, a system designed to regulate and govern the Avengers. This divided the Avengers, which would drive them to go against each other.

St. Paul wrote in Romans 13 calls us to obey laws as a matter of conscience. Yet, there are times when laws can be immoral and must be challenged. For Captain America, he felt that the systems trying to control him and his fellow allies are coercive, and he places his faith in himself and that of his team.

The Destructive Cycle of Vengeance

The main arc of Iron Man is how he is driven by revenge. When he discovered Bucky Barnes involvement in his parents’ murder, he wanted to stop at nothing to avenge their deaths. St. Augustine reminds us, "Forgiveness is the highest form of love, and therefore, the sweetest revenge."

In life, we are called to show mercy to those who wrong us, not take matters into our own hands.

The film had some surprising twists and turns. It reminds us not to put faith in flawed systems but in God and in others.

It also reminds us that God wants us to show mercy to those who sin against us and leave him to judge the person.

This film deserves a four out of five. It does have some language.