Seeking Superman

Oh, Superman, where are you now?   Many things seem to be happening and going wrong all at once.  With the COVID19 pandemic, lockdowns, economic devastations and political polarization; civil unrest, violence in the streets….anxiety levels rise as these crises collide and combine to make the perfect storm of social distress. 

If only Superman could save the day! 

Of course, as a fictional character, Superman can’t physically save us but perhaps he might be able to provide us desperately needed inspiration, as he done many times before. 

Back in 1938 the Man of Steel made his sensational debut, nearly a decade into the Great Depression, inspiring millions of kids as they and their parents struggled through the last of these grueling years.  During WWll, Superman’s popularity soared even higher.  He was immensely popular among young troops, lifting the spirits of thousands as they faced the perils of war. 

Fast forward to 1978, when Superman’s blockbuster movies inspired yet another generation of Americans  as they emerged from the doldrums of the past decade. 

However, our hero has been replaced with other Super Heroes.   Spiderman, Batman and Iron Man.    Why has Superman, once so admired and imitated, become a relic of the past?  His conduct was clearly and overtly American.  He had the perfect moral character. 

Wasn’t his motto, ”Truth, Justice and the American Way?”  What IS truth, justice and the American way?  Now we are questioning those words.  There seems to be no standard of excellence in our society. Accordingly, to a common worldview, many forms of “being super” are often considered as not admirable, but suspect—not worthy of emulation, but of resentment –not a source of inspiration but of envy.   People with values like industry and frugality who dare to encourage others to work and save are denounced for “poverty shaming.”

Superman, as traditionally conceived, was the ideal of human excellence; of health, vitality, self-discipline and heroism.   Superman was too powerful; too moral, and so movie moguls have tried to remedy that and give the “modern” Superman feet of clay.  They have powered him down and made him vulnerable to getting knocked around, even beaten up.  Moreover, they have weakened him morally. 

But there is hope.  Our Superhero must be relevant to the human heart.  He must be virtuous, resolute in the face of danger……… perhaps even willing to give His life for saving others.

In fact we have him already!!!………our very own Superman!!  His name is Jeshua or Jesus.  He is our perfect Super Hero!  He shows us true virtue, truth and justice.  He is above and beyond any human super hero.  He is every lasting and His qualities of greatness inspire us. So look no further…….”Jesus is the same yesterday today and forever.”  (Heb. 13:8)

Our forever Superman!