Bible Question:
Is there any harm in allowing our children to watch programs such as superman, batman, etc? Is there any harm in allowing our children to play and dress up as these characters?
Bible Answer:
Hero-worship and role-playing of historical and fantasy figures are common. Young boys and girls may imitate their fathers and mothers. Some imitate past individuals or some individual in a book, a movie, or the comics. Some may imitate an individual in the Bible. Boys and girls may pretend to be a hero who rids the world of evil for good. But is it Is it wise to allow children to watch superman or batman, or even pretend superman, supergirl, batman, or batgirl?
Fantasy Heroes Superman and Batman
To answer the first question about watching the programs and movies, we would encourage you to apply the truths of Philippians 4:8.
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Philippians 4:8 (NASB)
God wants us to control our minds so that we dwell on or think about that which is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, excellent or worthy of praise. The opposite statement would be that we should not be dwelling upon sinful situations, or sinful acts that are not honoring to the Lord.
The best answer to the second question about role playing is to apply Hebrews 13:7 to this question. The verse states,
Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith. Hebrews 13:7 (NASB)
This verse gives adults guidance in choosing a mentor or someone whom God recommends to us for the purpose of discipleship. We see three points in this verse. The first point or qualification is that a discipler should be someone who has been your leader for it says, “who led you.” The second qualification is that he or she should have spoken “the word of God to you.” Finally, the third qualification is that we must evaluate the “result of their conduct.” That is, we must evaluate their spiritual character at the end of his or her life. This means the person must not be a young person or be middle-aged because the true character of a man or woman is not obvious until later in life.
So, how do we apply this to our children? We should encourage them to model a biblical character that Scripture honors! For example, in the book of Ezekiel three men are identified as being very godly men. Here is the verse,
. . . even though these three men, Noah, Daniel and Job were in its midst, by their own righteousness they could only deliver themselves,” declares the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 14:14 (NASB)
The context of the verse is the wickedness of the Israelites. Then in this verse the prophet Ezekiel says that Noah, Daniel and Job could not deliver Israel by their own righteousness. That is, these great godly men could not rescue Israel by their own righteousness. Then later in verse 2o, these three men are honored again as righteous men. That it, these three men were leaders. Noah as a preacher of righteousness (2 Peter 2:5). Daniel was a prophet (Matthew 24:15). and highly esteemed by God (Daniel 9:23). James 5:11 tells us that Job is a great example of endurance. All three men were humble men. We could review the lives of other great men such as Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Joseph, or one of the apostles. Faith and humility are common threads in the character of these men.
These three men would be great examples for our children to imitate. For the end of the verse says, “imitate their faith.” Imagine our children imitating Moses creating the plagues, hitting the rock creating water, and parting the Red Sea through the power of God. Imagine the children imitating Daniel or an apostle!
But when our children imitate Superman, Supergirl, Batman, or Batgirl they are not imitating righteous individuals like Noah, Daniel and Job. They are not imitating a man like Moses who was a prophet, and wrote the first books of the Bible. They are not listed in the chapter of faith in Hebrews 11. Superman, Supergirl, Batman, or Batgirl are not great examples of the Christian faith.
Conclusion:
I would imagine that many Jewish boys and girls role played the stories involving Moses, Joseph, Samson, and King David as well as other Biblical characters. As parents, we should try to encourage our children to replay the Bible stories. This may require help from parents with props or costumes. Reinforcing the Biblical stories through role play, if possible, is a wonderful way to teach them the Word of Truth.