Superman, as we see him portrayed today is not the way that Superman originally started. If you want to learn more about the history of Superman, you can read more about it here. Although that was very interesting, I want to talk more about the overall character of one of my favorite superheroes.
In the new movie, Man of Steel, there are some very obvious parallels to Jesus Christ. Consider what we know about Superman...
- He once lived somewhere else before being sent to earth by his father.
- He came with remarkable powers unlike anything that had been seen before.
- He was adopted by father who loved him and felt responsible to protect this son with remarkable gifts.
- He didn't reveal his powers until he was grown.
- His real father found ways to continue to reveal further information and hope to his son.
- He came to save the world from evil.
- General Zod also believes that he has a mission to achieve and he is going to achieve it by force.
- General Zod enlists his own support to help him achieve his mission.
- Clark feels the pressure of being Superman, almost forsakes it, but then then accomplishes what he was sent to do.
I don't know about you, but that sounds very familiar. I was speaking with a friend about how the Plan of Salvation could be so obviously paralleled in a Superman movie. I shared with him a theory that I have been considering for a very long time.
Here it is.
Even though we can't remember what it was like in the Pre-existence, I believe that the Plan of Salvation - including the War in Heaven, the need for a Savior, our relationship with Heavenly Father, etc. has been written within our DNA. And as such, when writers begin to write stories - they draw from ideas that are deep within who they are.
For example - the Story of Hercules -
A half god/half mortal is sent to earth where he has to battle the forces of evil in honor of his father.
Thor
A god with a brother who is a trickster. He comes to earth to help the human race.
Finding Nemo-
A son is separated from his Father, but through growing experiences and support of others they are reunited again.
The Fairytale Princesses - Snow White, Cinderella, Rapunzel
Each one loses their father, are thrown into the lone and dreary world where they are treated horribly, only to be rescued by a prince.
Lion King
A lion loses his father and forgets who he is, but finally learns his true identity and overcomes evil to become the King.
The Lord of the Rings
A young hobbit is given a tremendous burden, one in which he must have help to carry, but ultimately having to face the burden alone.
Star Wars, Harry Potter, E.T, Spiderman.... the list continues. I believe that one of the reasons why Star Wars, The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and other Billion Dollar Successes have been so successful is that it resonates deep within us and stirs our remembering of God's plan of the happiness of His children. A story that is full of evil forces trying to destroy us along with the hope of a Hero who will save us.
And Man of Steel does the same thing:
Clark asks a question many of us have asked, " I have so many questions. Where do I come from?"
In another scene, Jor-El said to his son, "You will give the people an ideal to strive towards. They will race behind you, they will stumble, they will fall. But in time, they will join you in the sun. In time, you will help them accomplish wonders."
Throughout the movie I got a little misty eyed, especially when both father's Jor-El and Jonathan spoke to their son. I could imagine how Heavenly Father spoke with his Son, especially as he was beginning his mission here on earth, how Joseph must have spoken with Jesus too. And although I recognize that Superman is not real, the movie made me reflect on the one who truly has been sent to save us. It helped me ponder upon the burdens he carried, the battles he fought and won, and the love He has for the entire world, including little old me.
