Christianity and Batman v. Superman

Warning, this article contains details from “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” and the New 52 comic book series. Please do not read further if you do not wish to find spoilers.

You have been warned.

Christianity and Batman v. Superman is article 2 of 3 regarding the latest film to depict superheroes from DC’s films. Part 1 discussed the relationship between the film and the Earth 2 storyline. Part 3 will answer the question “who is the real hero of the movie?”

There has been much discussion regarding “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice,” but few have taken the time to properly analyze the film’s reliance on Judeo-Christian imagery. Some critics have complained that the film turns Superman into a Christ-like figure, but they fail to demonstrate why this would be the case or how such imagery would be a failing. This review will break down the use of such imagery and how it emphasizes key plot points.

The universe of “Batman v. Superman” is Judeo-Christian. Both “God” and “Jesus” are invoked throughout the movie to an incredible degree, and, in the second opening, Jack invokes the Christian God as Metropolis crumbles around him. While the “gods” (as described by critics) rage about the city in an epic fight, the normal citizen turns to a higher power. Even afterward the brutal fight, the adoration of Superman that follows does not replace Christianity.

In the previous film in the series, “Man of Steel,” Superman travels to a Church seeking inspiration for how he should use his power, and he commits himself to serving mankind. He does not supplant Christ and instead wants to follow Christ. No matter how great the cult of Superman may have become since the battle with Zod (though we see no hint of one), the people have not abandoned their faith but seem to turn to it in a greater way.

Batman and Christianity

In essence, the movie depicts the end of days. The Bruce Wayne of the “Batman v. Superman” universe has been plagued by visions like a DC version of John of Patmos. We begin with a dream vision in which Bruce is lifted up by bats, traveling to the light in an angelic sense. It is an aspect of his own savior complex that stands in contrast to the grandiose Miltonic insanity of Lex Luthor.

This obligation to serve as savior is reinforced by Batman saves a young girl from certain doom, even after he fails to save his own employees. He blames the uncontrolled monsters who battle without care. To Bruce, power is only power if it serves humanity. It consumes him, and it is traditionally derived from the lessons of Thomas Wayne that forever haunt Bruce in all of his incarnations. His father was a healer of bodies, and it is Bruce’s duty to become a healer of society.

However, the role of savior takes on a metaphysical dimension when Bruce’s vision transforms into one of Darkseid’s invasion and an evil Superman. We explained the Earth 2 connection and the origins of the event here, and we expect that this is where the subsequent movies will lead. However, there is a key detail in this scene; Batman is bound next to two others, who are criminals of a new society. Their execution are reflections of The Crucifixion, and Batman’s death is unable to conquer evil because he is not Christ.

This troubles Bruce, not only because it confirming his fears of power unchecked, but also that his own sacrifice will do nothing to save humanity. Christ was fully willing to take the role of savior with fully knowledge of the suffering it will bring, but mortals lack the strength of his will. In the titular battle, Batman tells Superman that only humans are brave, but he leaves out that bravery is necessary to overcome fear. He is afraid of Superman, afraid of the future, and, ultimately, afraid of doing what is necessary to prevent it. He hesitates in his chance to kill Superman because he is not strong enough. This is not a flaw, but his humanity showing through.

Superman and Christianity

Too many critics feel that Superman supplants Christ, or is Christ. This is not true. The issue of Christian morality is often discussed in terms of Superman’s actions, and there is a montage of news clips discussing that very issue. Superman has great power and uses it, whereas Christ did not succumb to such temptation. Instead, Christ preached love and self-sacrifice. He had the strength to pour out himself fully for the salvation of mankind. Superman is struggling with his humanity after having sacrificed his Kryptonian history and origins in “Man of Steel.”

His parents continue to ground him in this life, driving him towards compassion. However, he is a Superman who has no problem using strength to overcome an opponent. He is at a cross-road between the Christian hero and the Nietzchean Ubermensch (“superman”), and he chooses to limit his use of power on some occasions when striving for a greater good. He wants to be a hero, not a god, but he does not know how.

There are many parallels to Grant Morrison’s beautiful run on the New 52’s Action Comics, which explores a Superman trying to find his place in human society. Few critics and respondents have read the series, or they would not question the on-screen portrayal. These questions of morality, of strength, and of duty have often played a role in Superman comics, and the New 52 run condenses these issues in an accessible manner.

Returning to the issue of Christianity, the greatest example is of Superman’s death and its allusions to The Pieta. In the original “Death of Superman,” Lois Lane cradles the fallen body of Superman in a similar manner to the Madonna with the crucified Christ. In “Batman v. Superman,” Lois is there, but she is joined by the two witnesses (Batman and Wonder Woman) who are often present in Christian iconography. Additionally, Superman is pierced by Doomsday’s claw, an allusion to the spear in Christ’s side.

Although there are clear parallels, they are not a supplanting or a recreation. Instead, they show the transition of a character who struggles in his relationship with humanity to one willing to fully sacrifice himself. As Jesus told the Apostles to take up their cross and follow him, symbolically, Superman too was called. In his final moments, he is no longer the powerful child without care, but a sacrificial hero.

Lex Luthor and Christianity

Luthor embodies the madness and obsession with morality inherent in his comic book depiction. His film persona is deeply immersed in the ideas of John Milton’s Paradise Lost and the prophetic poetry of William Blake. He is haunted by a notion of angels and demons. In the comics, Luthor wants to save humanity from the meta human threat because he sees himself as a savior figure. He is a psychotic egomaniac who wants to be worshiped and desires to be God. However, he lacks the raw power and strength.

Constantly, Luthor switches between describing Superman as angel or demon, which shows his own uncertainty of the moral situation. After all, Milton’s Satan also wavered, blaming others for his fall and claiming that it would be better to reign in Hell than to serve in Heaven. There are many parallels with the New 52’s description of Luthor, especially with the post-Forever Evil Justice League arc on Luthor joining the league.

In a deleted scene, Luthor is obeisant before a demonic figure, most-likely Steppenwolf (as explained in our Earth 2 theory). This is similar to the visions of demons experienced by Blake and his own twisted sense of Christian morality. Blake was a Romantic poet who lived 200 years ago, and he believed that the serpent of the Bible was actually Christ, and that the “God” of the Old Testament was a totalitarian abuser.

Luthor is obsessed and paranoid when it comes to Superman, but he is not the same as Batman. The two are foils, both rich and struggling to save the world, but for very different reasons. Batman is a healer, whereas Luthor is a supposed liberator.

But Luthor is not a true liberator. He has a connection to Darkseid, witnessing a demonic darkness coming, and he seems to welcome it. A painting that Luthor waxes on profusely depicts Lucifer’s fall into Hell, but it is later reversed to show a rise. It is through Luthor’s machination (presumably) that Darkseid is able to break through. “God is dead,” yet a new god will rise. Luthor has become the liberator and god-killer, but also the jail master.

In the New 52 run of Justice League, Luthor claims to be worried about a coming threat that is greater than even the villainous version of the Justice League. He is afraid of the Anti-Monitor, one of the greatest threats. In “Batman v. Superman,” Luthor begins in the same way but becomes the herald to another of DC’s greatest threats, Darkseid. He could not be the savior, so he had to be the villain. He follows the path of Milton’s Satan, turning against one power because he could not rival his power.

Wonder Woman and Christianity

While the three boys each have their flawed understanding of Christianity and their role in a Christian system, Wonder Woman is a force of righteousness and humanity. She needed no introduction, no fancy words, or conflict. She does not embrace the drama or the struggle. She has fought for humanity before and continues to fight for humanity.

There are no scenes where Wonder Woman rescues a female child because she does not need to prove herself to the audience. Throughout the movie, the deaths caused by Superman and Batman cast doubt on the morality of their actions, and both have a moment that prove their inner goodness. Wonder Woman’s reputation, however, is above all challenges. She does not cause needless death nor bring harm to society. She is the perfect hero.

In DC tradition, Wonder Woman is Princess Diana of Themyscira, royalty among the Amazonians. She represents the force of mythology still present in this universe. Brian Azzarello’s incredible run in New 52’s Wonder Woman adds “daughter of Zeus” and the new god of war to her already stellar portfolio. This was the Wonder Woman of “Batman v. Superman.”

As a Greek goddess, she is not petty like her predecessors. She has always loved humanity, and she gives herself freely to it. She knows no man, yet she loves all mankind. She has more in common with the actions of Christ and his mother Mary than any of the other characters. However, she is a force of violence and action, not self-sacrificing love, and she is not Christ or Mary.

The movie itself does not discuss the Greek aspects of her origins, and they arm her with a sword and shield. Both weapons are common to her form, but there is another layer to the imagery: the Archangel Michael is often depicted with a sword and shield. He is also the Archangel that cast down the fallen angels in Luthor’s painting.

While the other characters are pseudo-angelic, Wonder Woman is a truly divine character. She comes out of nowhere as a raw force of power and will. During the intense battle, she is able to block the might of Doomsday while even Superman is knocked back. After all, she has experience with such fights, which she admits in one of her few statements.

The Archangel Michael is the defender of humanity. Not only did he throw Satan down into Hell, he has protected humanity in many great conflicts. He is the warrior saint who will be there in times of great need when evil is nigh. Wonder Woman has inherited that role, effectively becoming the most Christian of all the characters present.

Finally, a common way to describe the combination of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman is the “Holy Trinity,” a playful adoption of Christian symbolism. The film’s conflict between the two titular characters is resolved by the appearance of the third in the trinity, but it does not usurp Judeo-Christian divinity. Instead, Wonder Woman serves as a force of balance, and it is through her example that they can join together to save the world.

Conclusions

DC Comics has always acknowledged the Judeo-Christian metaphysical construct, but it has also integrated other forms of religion. In the New 52 Constantine and Justice League Dark, the highest power (the Christian God) appears in the form of a Scottish terrier, being both wise but playful. He sees all that is happening, and he guides others. Christ’s sacrifice is alluded to in the history of the Phantom Stranger (he is Judas), but neither God nor Christ are really discussed as a whole.

The comics rely on Christian imagery, but they never fully embrace or reject it. It is a constant in their world, but it is subtle. They avoid anything that could be exclusionary or offensive, and they focus primarily on what is essential to storylines.

In “Batman v. Superman,” the imagery is alluded to yet not essential. Characters can be compared to a Christian counterpart, but are not exclusive to a Judeo-Christian understanding. They also do not supplant Judeo-Christian morality. As we described before, Lois Lane will be needed to redeem the fallen Superman in a later film, which goes to the theme of love and redemption found within the New Testament and many Christian epics and romances. However, these ideas are essential to our culture as a whole, and the Christian iconography and tradition are part of Western Civilization as a whole.

The film does not incorporate a Judeo-Christian moral system but incorporates a Western moral system. It incorporates aspects of our culture and heritage because it is incorporating us into the film. It describes morality in terms we can best understand so it can discuss with us the role of power and duty in our own lives.

Zack Snyder is neither subtle nor obtuse. Instead, he is realistic when it comes to morality. He provides a story that is accessible to most people yet still provokes us to question our own understanding of what takes place. He is respectful to Christianity and he is respectful to Western Civilization as a whole.