Superman vs. Jesus
Posted by Ryan on June 6th, 2006
Even though you’re being raised as a human being you are not one of them…. They can be a great people, Kal-El, they wish to be. They only lack the Light to show the way. For this reason, above all, their capacity for growth, I have sent them you: my only son.”
According to the internet, this is the basic script of the Superman teaser trailers now playing prior to the upcoming release of the newest Superman movie: “Superman: The undefeatable franchise”
I saw the trailer last week when I was busily reclaiming my youth by going to see the latest X-Men movie. A pathetic scenario in which I simultaneously am (1) taken in by the neat-o special effects, (2) intellectually stimulated by the mirrors of ethical cultural issues facing much of the free world right now and (3) writhing in agony at the lack of or modification of some of my favorite X-Men characters from childhood.
So anyway, right when they said the above line in the trailer, I turned to my wife and screamed in a movie theater whisper:
“Did you hear that”
“What?”
“The Jesus thing?”
“What Jesus thing? Who said Jesus?”
“The Superman preview”
“They said Jesus in the preview?”
“No they said…”
By this time the preview for Ghostrider had started and my attention had been diverted, leaving my wife wondering for the rest of the movie if I had seen the Shroud of Turin in my popcorn and if we should be calling Ebay and the associated press.
But enough about that, the point is, this little monologue (part of a larger one from the original Superman movie and recorded by Marlon Brando as I understand) is a pretty blatant comparison to Jesus.
So what’s my point?
Well, as the Superman story has developed over the years, different writers have expanded and reigned in his powers. He has gone from essentially invincible in the 1940’s with limitless capabilities… all the way to his death in 1993.
So knowing what we know about the apostasies and restorations over several dispensations, has “The Messiah” gone through the same excesses in exaggeration of powers and/or minimalization of powers? What are some examples of this?
Starter ideas:
- The Jewish rejection of the Savior (because he didn’t fight his way out of Mary’s womb with a flaming sword)
- The foreknowledge of God (Does he really know precisely what excuse I am going to use for not doing my home-teaching this month?)
- The rejection of the anthropomorphism of God (and the suggestion that those who believe in it have been taking too much anthropo-morphine)
I don’t really know where I am going with this. Just some thoughts
Interesting thoughts Ryan:
After my reading of Theological Foundations I have the feeling that the notions of God have grown somewhat as apostasy continues. Now he is the mysterious being without body parts, or passions. He is thought of as being above the Universe. Lost is the literal spiritual parentage, and our ability to become like him.
Blasphemy was a main reason for Christ’s legal troubles I believe. Why? because he brought humans and God to close together in a way.
So I wonder if perseptions of God (Jesus) and Superman have moved in opposite directions over time.
Comment # 1 left by Eric Nielson on June 6th, 2006
Well After reading my copy of mad magazine I have come to the conclusion that Ryan is just reading in to things and the Superman Preveiw just quoted some good line about some guys son he had heard somewhere a long time ago before he began a life of sin.
Comment # 2 left by My Dominion on June 7th, 2006
We all know who would win that fight right?
I thought of the Superman/Jesus parallel when I was younger as well. Jor-El sent his only son to save mankind…
I don’t think that is what Siegel and Shuster had in mind when they created the character. Superman is however, an iconic character and he has taken the place of a “god” in the mind of many comic book reader (myself included?).
Is it sad that the crash test dummies song about Superman makes me tear up?
Superman never made any money…
Comment # 3 left by Ian on June 7th, 2006
I don’t know that he knows exactly what excuse you’d use for not doing your home teaching (WHICH YOU SHOULD BE DOING) but he knows you well enough to know what you’d do or say in general. Don’t your parents know you well enough to know how you’d react in many situations?
Anywho, interesting parallel with Superman that I never caught.
(P.S. You don’t have a brother named Mahonri do you? (grin))
Comment # 4 left by The Brown's on June 12th, 2006
I happened to catch onto this as well when I downloaded the trailer from Apple.
I think that drawing on Christian symbology is a method used somewhat frequently for making something more appealing to the general public, since the vast majority of Americans are Christian. Past Presidents, for example, have often used references to the bible in their speeches.
It’s interesting to see the role of Superman compared to Jesus, though the similarities are too striking to ignore.
Comment # 5 left by Connor Boyack on June 16th, 2006