David French & Russell Moore: Superman Isn't Just a Movie, He's a Mirror of America
Good Faith · Good Faith Podcast
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Show Notes
Is Superman Woke—or Just Wonderfully Human?
Can a superhero cut through the world's chaos better than a political debate or another sermon? New York Times columnist David French and Christianity Today editor-in-chief Russell Moore explore why Superman still strikes a cultural nerve—especially in the age of outrage and "wokeness" debates. From his immigrant origins to the often-overlooked theme of adoption, they unpack how James Gunn's 2025 reboot revives timeless questions about identity, belonging, moral courage, and kindness. This conversation is more than capes and kryptonite—it's a surprising, thoughtful, and even fun look at the stories shaping who we are.
(00:00) - Exploring the Resonance of Superhero Myths
(07:24) - Fun That Connects To Deeper Needs
(10:10) - A Jewish Immigrant's Myth
(15:40) - Exploring James Gunn's Superman 2025
(23:06) - Is Superman Woke?
(27:04) - Kindness as a Countercultural Value
(34:11) - Parenting With Superheroes and Morals
(51:09) - Credits
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Resources mentioned in this episode:
- Russell Moore's article Why Superman Matters
- David French's column Kindness Is MAGA Kryptonite
- J.R.R. Tolkien's On Fairy Stories
- J.R.R. Tolkien's eucatastrophe (an essay)
- C.S. Lewis' "True Myth": The Myth That Became Fact
- C.S. Lewis' Reviews of Lord of the Rings (veil of familiarity)
- Grant Morrison's Super Gods
- Official Trailer: Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story
- Sonny Bunch's article How to Decide If You Want to Watch 'Superman'
- A short interview with Superman's creators Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster (video)
- Übermensch Explained: the Meaning of Nietzsche's 'Superman'
- The Times interview James Gunn: Some people will take offence at my new Superman
- Read Deuteronomy 17:16-17 (NLT)
- Social Commentary in The Office
- Wonder Woman vol. 5 Annual #1 Batman & Superman share their real names (video)
- Relevant Magazine: What the Superman Backlash Says About American Masculinity
More From David French:
More From Russell Moore:
- Sign up for Russell Moore's weekly newsletter Moore to the Point
- Listen to The Russell Moore Show (podcast)
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