In 2013, I watched Zach Snyder’s Man of Steel with Henry Cavil. The constant references to Christ both directly and indirectly were impossible to miss. Historically, using the story of Superman as an allegory of the life and mission of Jesus is not new but Man of Steel may have made that more obvious than ever before. I grew up reading comics like Superman and Spiderman and I didn’t make any connection between Jesus and superheroes back then but the virtues of superheroes always resonated with me. Here’s a short list:
- Humility despite being incredibly more powerful than the average person.
- Self sacrificing in spite of the power to act on selfish desires.
- Taking on extra responsibility to do right because of the ability to do so even though that power wasn’t asked for, it was foisted on the hero.
- Persevering despite what often seems like impossible odds.
- Persevering in helping the helpless and doing good despite the harm and even possible death that would result for the hero.
- Humble beginnings, starting out as an underdog of sorts. Working up from the bottom. The ability to identify with both the normal and less fortunate because of life experience.
- Being deferential, honoring and recognizing those who helped you along the way and continue to help you.
The Bible teaches us in Romans chapter 2 that the fact we recognize the value in these virtues is a result of God’s design, we are made in His image.
What would eventually become Superman was started by two high school friends(both Jewish) in 1932 and finally published by Action Comics in 1938. The original iterations of Superman did not start off looking like a Christ-like figure. But over time there have been numerous comparisons made both in the movies and comics. Superman’s father was a godlike being (Jor-El) who sends his only son to Earth to help humans. The child is brought up in very humble surroundings and emerges to be a greatly loved and admired hero. Superman embodies all seven of the character traits I described above. He’s a representation of the hope born out of the desire of the human heart to see God’s good will done on earth.
When Trump was shot and then lifted his fist in courageous defiance of that evil act at great risk to his life, many people changed their view of him and decided to support him. Trump embodies some of the seven virtues I described, although he’s certainly struggled with number one and number seven at times. Some people feel that after he was almost assassinated, his personality became more humble. I think the closeness of his death may have brought a recognition of his mortality. The fact he wasn’t killed may have caused him to reflect more deeply on the possibility that the circumstances of his life aren’t purely of his own making but that God may be orchestrating current events for a greater purpose. Some people love Trump because he does embody many of the seven virtues I described even if imperfectly.
Christ is the archetype of a hero. He is the perfect representation of what we all hope for. Just but merciful, able to identify with struggle but able to overcome, humble and meek and yet the most powerful, a servant of all and a leader of all, Creator God but willing to die to save the world.
Superman is a practically perfect hero but he’s fictional, Trump is a hero but has many flaws and mistakes that make him less heroic, but Christ is the perfect hero with no flaws who really did live, really did die, really did rise from the dead, and really is coming to bring justice to those who deserve it, mercy to those who believe and follow Him for it, and redemption for creation where death, pain, and sadness will be no more.
Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
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