As I sit here I’m not sure I should write the post. It’s going to be a touchy subject and either way I’m sure I’ll offend someone. But, I feel like I’m being led to write it…so here goes.
I’ve been hearing a lot the last few days about the Noah movie starring Russell Crowe. Many Christians are in an uproar because they feel it does not adhere close enough to the Biblical account of Noah and the flood. There are some pretty angry people our there and they think it’s a conspiracy by the director, Darren Aronofsky who is an atheist.
I haven’t seen the movie so it’s not fair for me to judge it on it’s quality. But from everything I hear, they did deviate pretty far from the account of the flood (and Noah) in The Bible. Now, I should tell you that I’m a Christian and therefore my views (and my entire life) are affected by that. But I’m about to surprise you with my opinion on this…at least I think I am.
I don’t see what the big deal is. Most movies made from books deviate very far from the source material. And let’s be honest, who really thought that a movie, based on a Biblical account, directed by an atheist would be true to The Bible? Darren Aronofsky is out to make a blockbuster summer movie (and possibly push an environmental agenda), he’s not trying to present the Gospel.
So, what should we as Christians do? Should we jump up and down and scream about the travesty and tell people not to go see it? I say no. I think we should use this as an opportunity to tell people about God and especially the Good News of Jesus Christ. Think of the witnessing opportunities created with our unsaved friends after they see this movie. I know for me, it’s easier to witness when the conversations turns to spiritual matters naturally and it is not forced.
Romans 8:28 tells us “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” God can take any situation and turn it around for good. I believe that He can use this movie to reach people who may have never given The Bible (or God) a second thought. I can see a situation where an unbeliever sees the movie and decides to open The Bible and read the true account.
I don’t know what the outcome will be for the movie. It may be a bust or a blockbuster but I know that God is on the throne and He is in control. Because of that I refuse to let some movie made by an atheist get me too riled up.
What’s your opinion on the situation? Leave a comment below and let me know what you think.
This sounds so much like the conversation my husband I had about it. When movies are made from books, however loosely they may be based on the original, people tend to go read the source. This movie may be far, far off from the Biblical account we know, but maybe it will draw people to actually read the Bible – both Christians who have left them on the shelves for too long and non-Christians who haven’t ever given it a thought.
@honeyandcheese:disqus, I completely agree. I’m sure the Biblical account was read quite a bit this past weekend after so many people saw the movie.
All I have to say, is that it’s a MOVIE…not real life. I’ve yet to see a movie that was better then the book!
Right, they always change things…that don’t need changing. You also miss so many details in the movie due to time restraints.
Personally, and I could change my mind after seeing it, I can’t wait to see it!
Me personally, I probably wont’ go see it. I’ve heard it strays a lot and so I don’t really want to see it But that doesn’t mean I’m going to go all nuts on anyone who does!
Had not really heard much about this until I read your post. I think that the director of the movie probably purposely did stray from the Biblical account to cause controversy, get people talking about it, and drive people to the theaters. I know that I am curious now, and if it was simply telling the story I already know from Sunday school…I might not be.
I enjoyed reading this article. I too am a Christian. I haven’t seen the movie, so I haven’t given it much thought. You make a great point and a valid argument. You are right. This is a perfect opportunity to witness and for unbelievers to crack that Bible open.
I watched the trailer for this movie & it seems very action packed. As you said, many movies deviate from the book & I think that is okay. Sometimes it irritates me but I’m still interested in what version of the story the film team has to tell. I have to agree with you that this should be used as a teaching/learning situation. Instead of turning such a negative light onto the subject, use it to create more positive in the world… through teaching the Bible’s accounts of the story
I heard that when “Noah” came out in the first week ,online Bible Reading of Genisis went up 300 times what it normally is, so you were spot on. I baught the directors graphic Sci Fi novel the film is based on from Walmart so I knew what was the directors idea before hand.