Articles
Superheroes
A being comes to Earth from another dimension. He outwardly appears normal, but as he grows he shows signs of an “unearthly” origin. He displays superhuman strength, but he doesn’t use it for his own selfish purposes. Rather, his power is tempered with goodness and is reserved for saving those in dire trouble. But this power is sometimes misunderstood , and the alien benefactor is not always appreciated by those he wishes to help. Sound familiar?
Wait, is this the story of Clark Kent – Superman, or Jesus of Nazareth – the Messiah? More interestingly, why is the story of Superman so attractive and inspirational to the movie-going and comic-reading public when the story of the Son of God is the source of ridicule? Why do humans admire godly qualities when framed differently from their true source – our God in heaven?
While there are likely many answers, I will suggest one main idea. As long as Superman doesn’t make any specific moral demands on anyone, and so long as he is not elevated to the level of the moral judge of the universe, he will remain popular. Conversely, as long as his “goodness” is a vague philanthropy that helps old ladies across the street and smashes the evil syndicate threatening Metropolis, we are good with Superman.
But this is where Jesus and Clark Kent part company. Jesus says very un-PC things such as, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him – the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” (Jn 12:48), or “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (Jn 8:24). Ooh, that’s very unsuperhero-like.
Jesus’ power, you see, spotlights an element you will never see in Marvel Comics – moral and spiritual accountability. The minute Superman starts disapproving of sinful lifestyles – pfffft! – there goes the box office revenue. Yes, people want to believe in cosmic vindication of good, but they want it with no obligation attached – usually in a movie theater with buttered popcorn and a Coke, not in a church building while eating unleavened bread and sipping grape juice and reflecting on their indebtedness to their Creator and pondering accountability to Him. We love our superheroes, so long as they don’t meddle.
