Special Edition: Son of God, Son of Man, or Superman???
Blog Series Intention Recap
This series explores two titles Yeshua (Jesus) used—and others used of Him—“Son of God” and “Son of Man.” Both reveal vital aspects of His mission, identity, and relationship with the Father and with humanity. Through the Synoptic Gospels, we learn how Yeshua (Jesus) embraced divine authority while walking fully among us in suffering and service. These titles are not abstract theological concepts; they are deeply woven into the fabric of Yeshua’s (Jesus) words, works, and ways. By studying them closely, we gain a clearer picture of who He is and what it means to follow Him.
This page is a post in the series “Son of God, Son of Man: Understanding the Identity of Yeshua (Jesus) in the Gospels.” Click here to see the rest of the posts.
Let’s jump into this Special Edition:
Superman: The Hero with Heaven’s Power and Earth’s Heart… I have made a lot of utilizing the new movie, “Superman,” by James Gunn and DC Studios for outreach, especially to our Jewish neighbors. You can see the article I collaborated on with Dr. Jeff Gutterman for Ariel Ministries here. Superman is more than a comic book icon. He reflects deep biblical themes that echo Yeshua’s (Jesus) identity as both Son of Man and Son of God. His story is not just myth—it’s a mirror that points us to truth, sacrifice, and hope.
Why it Matters:
Superman reflects the biblical title Son of Man: fully human, vulnerable, compassionate.
He also mirrors Son of God: possessing cosmic power used to rescue, not rule.
His story holds sacrificial patterns and moral weight that parallel the gospel.
He invites us to embrace heroic compassion, not just heroic strength.
Go Deeper:
The Gospel in a Cape
For nearly a century, Superman has been the world’s most recognized superhero. He’s faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, and—perhaps most remarkably—he remains culturally relevant in every generation.
But why?
What makes a man in tights, with laser vision and the ability to fly, still resonate so deeply?
The answer lies beneath the superpowers. At his core, Superman tells a very old story—one that echoes the Gospel. He is both Son of Man and Son of God in the way his creators (some knowingly, some perhaps intuitively) shaped his character. And those titles aren’t just biblical—they’re transformational.
Son of Man: Human Heart in a Super Form
Superman may be from Krypton, but he was raised human by Ma and Pa Kent. They echo Mary and Joseph in case you were wondering.
He looks human. He feels human.
Like Yeshua (Jesus) in the Gospels, Superman bears the marks of human experience—weariness, sorrow, tension, even isolation. He doesn’t stand above pain; he enters it. He bleeds. He grieves. He doubts.
This is what the biblical title Son of Man captures. In Scripture, especially in the Synoptic Gospels, Yeshua (Jesus) calls Himself “Son of Man” more than any other name. It emphasizes His real humanity. He weeps over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41), grows tired (John 4:6), and agonizes in prayer (Matthew 26:38–39). He suffers. He understands.
Superman is not divine—but he reflects this same humanity.
Despite being nearly invincible, he lives with the tension of two identities: Clark Kent and Kal‑El. One is grounded, uncertain, small-town raised. The other is alien, powerful, destiny-shaped. The conflict isn’t just external—it’s internal. Who is he, really? What does the world need him to be?
He lives with limits—by choice.
Superman could rule Earth. He doesn’t. He chooses restraint. He lets himself be misunderstood, criticized, and even feared. He loves people more than he loves his image.
This draws us into admiration—but more than that, it invites identification.
We all live with limitations. We feel the tension of calling and inadequacy, of strength and sorrow. Superman’s humanity makes him relatable. Like Yeshua (Jesus), he connects with the average person because he walks in their shoes.
In Man of Steel, Clark wanders the world anonymously, helping strangers, hiding his identity, working menial jobs. He listens. He learns. He suffers quietly. That humility—mirroring Yeshua’s (Jesus) own quiet early years—makes him not just someone we cheer for, but someone we trust.
Son of God: Power Wedded to Purpose
If Superman’s humanity is compelling, his power is astonishing. Much like Yeshua’s (Jesus) healings and ultimate resurrection, we see Superman leverage his power for the good of the weak.
He has cosmic strength.
Flight, heat vision, bulletproof skin, enhanced senses, invulnerability. In sheer physical terms, he could conquer planets. He’s a being of near-limitless ability.
But power alone doesn’t make a hero.
It’s how he uses it.
Superman doesn’t wield his gifts for attention, revenge, or self-promotion. He uses them to save, protect, and serve—even when it costs him dearly. This reflects the biblical picture of Yeshua (Jesus) as Son of God.
In Christian theology, the “Son of God” isn’t just a title of intimacy or sameness with the Father—it’s a title of authority. Jesus says, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me” (Matthew 28:18). He calms storms, raises the dead, and forgives sins. Yet He does not crush His enemies. He forgives them. He washes His disciples’ feet.
Power, shaped by purpose.
This is Superman’s moral center. In Batman v Superman, he saves people who call him a “false god.” In Superman Returns, he’s stabbed while saving Earth. In Superman (2025), he suits up when people who turned on him need him in Metropolis. In countless stories, he lays down his life so others can live. He absorbs damage rather than deflects it. He puts himself in harm’s way because others are worth it.
He’s willing to be misunderstood.
Yeshua (Jesus) endured rejection, slander, and the cross. He didn’t correct every false accusation. Why? Because His mission wasn’t popularity—it was salvation.
Superman carries a similar burden. The world doesn’t always understand him. Governments question his motives. Enemies twist his acts. But he doesn’t retaliate. He keeps saving people anyway.
This restraint isn’t weakness—it’s strength in its purest form.
It’s divine power under divine control.
The Cross in a Cape: Death and Resurrection Themes
Superman’s story doesn’t stop with strength and sorrow. It follows a deeper narrative—a death and resurrection pattern that unmistakably echoes the Gospel.
In Superman Returns and Batman v Superman, Superman willingly gives his life to save humanity. In Snyder’s universe, he’s stabbed, dies, is mourned—and then rises again.
This isn’t accidental symbolism.
In Batman v Superman, his final pose is cruciform—arms outstretched, pierced side, head bowed. A visual reference to Christ’s sacrifice.
The parallel is striking:
Superman dies to save a world that doubts him.
He is mourned by friend and foe alike.
He rises again, bringing hope renewed.
In Yeshua (Jesus), we find this not as myth, but as history. He was crucified under Pontius Pilate, dead and buried, and on the third day, rose again. Superman’s fictional resurrection echoes the real hope where believers can anchor their faith.
What does this mean for us?
It means our stories of sacrifice, justice, and love aren’t just good storytelling—they’re reflections of the greatest story ever told.
Superman’s Kingdom: Future Justice and Eternal Hope
In Daniel 7, the “Son of Man” is shown coming with the clouds of heaven to receive eternal dominion. He is both divine and kingly.
Superman doesn’t sit on a throne. But his presence in every story points to something bigger: the need for justice that is both righteous and compassionate.
He doesn’t just stop villains. He rebuilds cities. He rescues individuals. He cares—and his actions flow from love, not obligation.
In today’s fractured and broken world, Superman speaks volumes. While many fictional heroes are tortured antiheroes, Superman remains morally upright. He believes in truth. In mercy. In second chances. He doesn’t exploit the weak—he protects them. He doesn’t bend ethics for results—he holds the line.
Like Yeshua (Jesus), he lives by conviction, not convenience.
How does this help me understand, “Son of God, Son of Man: Understanding the Identity of Jesus in the Gospels?”
More Than a Man of Steel
A mother, who struggled with a literary quandary, once reached out to C. S. Lewis, explaining that her son Laurence, after reading The Chronicles of Narnia, had become worried. He feared he might love Aslan more than he loved Yeshua (Jesus) and this idea worried him. Lewis replied with gentle reassurance:
Laurence can't really love Aslan more than Jesus, even if he feels that's what he is doing. For the things he loves Aslan for doing or saying are simply the things Jesus really did and said. So that when Laurence thinks he is loving Aslan, he is really loving Jesus: and perhaps loving Him more than he ever did before.
CS Lewis - Letters to Children, pp. 52-53
We love Superman for the same reason Laurence loved Aslan so much. We love Superman for the way he exhibits who Yeshua (Jesus) or Messiah really is and what he really did.
Why It Resonates: The Gospel Blueprint in Popular Culture
After watching Superman (2025), I have had conversations with different people from the 18-25 year old age range around Superman, Messiah, and Jesus (Yeshua). The discussions ranged across the board. One voice felt they had emphasized Superman’s humanity too much compared to previous movies. Another didn’t like how Superman’s Kryptonian parents were depicted negatively. Someone else spoke to the comparison between how Superman was treated and how his Jewish creators might have experienced anti-semitism.
All of these comparisons and conversations can easily be applied to God the Father, Jesus (Yeshua), or modern day Israel.
Superman is not the Messiah. He’s a fictional character.
But he reflects something real.
He embodies power shaped by love, authority tempered by humility, and sacrifice born of compassion. These are not just superhero traits—they’re Messiah-like virtues.
That’s why Superman endures. That’s why his story matters.
Not because he wears a cape—but because he reminds us of someone who wore a crown of thorns.
Superman invites us to imagine what’s possible when divine power meets human compassion. He is not just a symbol—but a signpost. A myth that points to the Messiah.
How do I apply this to my life?
How to Live Like a Hero with a Human Heart
1. Embrace Hope in a Hopeless World
Superman never gives up on people—even when they give up on him. You are called to reflect the same resolve. Speak truth when it’s costly. Offer mercy when it’s undeserved. Cling to hope when the world goes dark.
2. Use Strength to Serve, Not Dominate
Whatever influence or power you have—use it for others. Defend the vulnerable. Encourage the weary. Lead with grace. Yeshua (Jesus) said the greatest are those who serve (Matthew 23:11). Superman shows us why.
3. Don’t Fear Misunderstanding
You won’t always be applauded for doing right. Like Messiah (jesus) and like Superman, you may be mocked or rejected. Stay faithful anyway. The reward for obedience isn’t always visible—but it’s always eternal.
4. Live as a Bridge Between Worlds
Superman lives between Krypton and Kansas—divinity and humanity. As Christians, we are citizens of heaven living on earth (Philippians 3:20). Be a bridge. Carry heaven’s values into earthly situations. Shine light in the dark.
