SUPERHEROES: GOOD OR BAD?
I may be all wrong about this. Decide for yourself if I am or not. Here’s what I’ve been thinking. The world system around us is influenced, even controlled by Satan, correct ? (2 Corinthians 4:4; 1 John 5:19) That means the world’s view of values, priorities, motives, etc, is anti-God and pro-Satan, correct again? And we can’t deny that superheroes have had a large impact on our culture during the last few decades and their popularity is continually increasing, right?
Now, my question is why? If Satan controls all that impacts us, would something like the attractiveness of superheroes be just an innocent coincidence he allows to prosper because it’s fun for us? Or is it, too, somehow part of his plan? And if so, how?
Superheroes give us hope that there will be a power greater than us to rescue us when in need. The world no longer sees that deliverer as Jesus for He has been rejected and set aside. Instead people fanaticize about superheroes who come save the day. They know it is only imaginary, but they have filled a spiritual void with something ‘supernatural.’ So what’s Satan’s plan in this?
I certainly don’t have access to his strategies, but here’s what I think. We agree Jesus is coming back soon, right? Believers will be raptured and the world will be in turmoil and confusion, correct? It’ll be the perfect opening for Satan to insert himself as god and ruler of this world, and we know he will do just that through the Antichrist. The Antichrist – who, by the way, will come doing supernatural ‘miracles’ to impress all (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Matthew 24:24; Revelation 16:14; 19:20; 13:13) . Clearly, the Antichrist will be a superhero, a real, live, actual superhero just when the world needs someone to rescue them and bring stability everywhere (Revelation 13:8, 15).
So why will the western countries, where the Antichrist will rule, be so ready and willing to follow the Antichrist? Could it be because of the openness to superheroes that almost seem real on a movie, TV or computer screen? Satan already does supernatural acts through pagan priests in Third World countries and people live in fear of them. They are terrified of those with these powers. But Satan wants to be admired and respected, to be seen as a savior and deliverer (same as Jesus, but instead of Jesus, thus “Anti-Christ”). He doesn’t want our fear but our admiration, and there’s nothing we (especially the young) admire more than a superhero.
So that’s what I’m thinking. Pretty subtle, isn’t it? We know Satan is the great deceiver (John 8:44; Genesis 3:1-4; 2 Corinthians 11:3-14; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10). So it could be, right? Do you agree or disagree?
If you agree, does that mean we shouldn’t watch a creative superhero movie? I don’t think that is wrong. But I do think that, as Christians, we should be careful how much we allow our children and youth to focus on superheroes. They can easily take the place of Jesus in their heart, and we want to make sure Jesus is their main hero and no one else! He shouldn’t, and He won’t, share His glory with anyone else. Make sure He is your first (and only) superhero!
2 Samuel 223:8-39 These are the names of David’s mighty warriors: Josheb-Basshebeth, a Tahkemonite, was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter.
What about you? Are you more impressed by stories of “superheroes” than about God? Do your children or grandchildren glorify them more than Jesus? Nothing should take glory away from God.
by Rev. Dr. Jerry Schmoyer, Christian Training Organization