These days Hollywood rarely churns out anything worth a trip to the local cineplex, but from a couple reviews I’ve read, it sounds like the new Superman flick might be an exception.
 

 

Tom Thurlow, posting at Caffeinated Thoughts, reports that Man of Steel is chock full of Christian dog whistles. Translation: certain of the movie’s actions and scenes, plots and sub-plots are (often glaringly) illustrative of the Christian worldview, although they may only be recognizable as such by, well, Christians.
 
Thurlow points out numerous examples of a Christian theme in this rendition of the Superman story ~

…starting with the fact that Superman was a likable, humble servant, respectful of his parents, even having been born with the last name of “El,” the Hebrew name for God. The bad guys from his old planet, led by General Zod, fit the part of fallen angels, pursuing and trying to kill the Christ-like Superman here on Earth…
 
Clark Kent is 33 years old when he is fully engaged with his powers and risks his life to save the world, the same age as Jesus when he went to Calvary.
 
Superman’s Earthly father, played by Kevin Costner, filled the part of a blue-collar Joseph figure, having had a strong moral impact on his adopted son but having died several years before the epic battle.

 
Sydney Alan at Young Patriots also caught the clear parallels between Superman’s story and the Gospel ~

I’m always struck by the Biblical metaphors in so many of the movies we cherish. Superman is no exception. Jor-El sacrifices his only son for the sake of humanity. There is no greater love. Superman honors his father’s sacrifice by saving the world. I can’t help but sigh. We can’t shut Jesus out of Hollywood. He pops up in every story of redemption.

 
And there’s something about themes like sacrifice, salvation and redemption that rings true to most Americans, whether Christian or not.

Sounds like this is one Hollywood production that’s actually worthwhile – might even be safe to bring the kids