The superhero genre functioning as an allegory to individual self-actualization is one of the more subtle but effective ways to create more self-centered people. It’s an increasingly toxic and internally contradicting way of appreciating the genre — especially to the Christian consumer. (1 Cor. 10:23)

No, not even close: you aren’t Superman, Batman, Iron Man, Spider-Man, Wonder Woman, Ant Man, Wolverine, etc. Unlike in the movies, the cameras are not pointed at you (no matter how much we literally do it ourselves for ourselves), and this life isn’t about your or my “small heroism”.

And while I am not “anti-superhero” when it comes to consuming media content (to be perfectly clear: I like watching superhero movies and genuinely appreciate their entertainment value), we don’t save the day — because we never really do. But Jesus does as we find, day-by-day, every morning, the gracious forgiveness and redemption in what he has done for us on the cross. We’re not the protagonists. The truth is: we’re the enemies in the story. (Rom. 5:10) And this becomes more obvious the more we try to picture ourselves as these “mini heroes/protagonists” in our small “universes” — the exact main ingredient of sin. (Gen. 3:5)

Self-redemption seems to be the genre’s core moral value — and is the exact opposite of the biblical gospel of redemption which sets things straight: that we are the sinners and God is the savior. Any romanticization of our “suffering” for the cause of a “better you/me/world” outside of the premise of the gospel is just another self-congratulating, self-elevating, self-glorifying activity. (1 Cor. 15:10) No, we didn’t suffer for the world, Jesus did. (Isa. 53:5) In complete opposition to general “moral plot” of the genre (and other “hero” genres, to be sure), here is the deal: you are not the gospel. We are not the gospel.

The literal, historical, non-allegorical, crucified, and risen Jesus of the Bible is the actual transcendent protagonist, hero, and effectual savior of our transcendent lives — of humanity… from humanity. (Rom. 3:23) In him is where true and tangible hope is found — not in our “superpowers” (whatever we may think they are).

Photo by Jessica Podraza on Unsplash.