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<iframe style=”float: left; border: 1px solid #000000; background-color: #C0C0C0; padding: 2px; margin: 10px; -moz-border-radius: 3px; -khtml-border-radius: 3px; -webkit-border-radius: 3px; border-radius: 3px;” width=”400″ height=”225″ src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/AC8xVgiFglY?rel=0″ frameborder=”0″ allowfullscreen></iframe>{/source}Be prepared. You will need to have a conversation with your kids and friends if you take them to see the movie Noah. The movie gets the names of Noah’s sons correct and does a good job representing the size and shape of the ark. From that point forward, it is pure imagination. (Spoiler alert: From this point forward, the blog will discuss the plot of the movie.)
The movie made 44 million dollars the first weekend so biblical inaccuracy doesn’t appear to have hurt ticket sales. Russell Crowe is believable as an actor, which in this case is detrimental to the true story. The movie’s popularity and controversy is sparking conversations in the media, around dinner tables and in office break rooms. An article in Live Science, described the story of Noah as an instructive myth or parable, although admitting that some considered it historical fact.
The article goes on to explain why the story could not be truth, scientifically speaking. The author writes, “if God created the global flood and divinely steered the ark, then presumably He could have done any other miracle to assure the success of Noah’s mission, from temporarily shrinking all the animals to the size of rats or even allowing them all to live for a year without food or water. Once a supernatural miracle is invoked to explain one thing, it can be used to explain everything.” For this author, faith in Scripture is not a credible option for the story of Noah and the flood. What will your children and friends believe?
There was a lot about this movie that could be difficult for your children to reconcile with the biblical account of Noah. There are fallen angels, who God has turned into rock monsters. There are scenes showing horrible treatment of women and children by the “sons of Cain.” Those imaginary scenes are never discussed in the biblical account, so it will be easier to explain those as Hollywood’s creativity.
The most disturbing scenes in the movie involved the way Noah was depicted as a human being, and the way God was portrayed throughout the movie. No one who watches this movie would want to know our God, and no one would realize that the Bible teaches God is love (1 John 4:8). God is seen only as an angry Creator who will not tolerate wickedness or disobedience. The only option left to God is to utterly destroy all of humanity.
The movie avoids the truth of Scripture when Noah and his family are not preserved because of their obedience, but simply used to build an ark that will save the animals. Noah, the movie, teaches that Noah was to save the animals, then allow his own family to die natural deaths, ending the existence of humanity. In a horrible scene, Noah is about to kill his newborn grandchildren when he chooses to disobey God and allow them live. The reason Noah gets drunk at the end of the movie is because he is grief stricken over failing God, by allowing humanity to continue.
If your children or friends believe the movie represents what the Bible teaches about God, they will probably opt for an early Easter egg hunt and brunch instead of the worship service at church. Quite possibly, the best way to disprove Noah‘s depiction of God, might be to tell the truth about the Easter story. God is unchanging, perfect and loved his creation so much, he gave his own Son to save anyone who would receive God’s gift of salvation.
John 3:16 and 1 John 4:7-8 explain the truth about God, and that truth is never revealed in the movie, Noah. Our friend has a great media policy with his children. It may be an answer for your children’s request to see the new movie about Noah, and other movies and television as well. This friend plays a game called “Spot the Lie.” Rather than forbid certain entertainment, he allows the family to watch, but to watch with discernment. They are taught to point out the various things that go against what they know the Bible teaches. The game creates a built in filtering system that helps them compare what they see and hear, to what they have learned is true from Scripture.
These are interesting days to belong to God’s family. The culture is growing increasingly disinterested in, and skeptical of our faith. This is an important time to remember that God has called us to be in the world – but never of it. Noah is worth seeing, but be prepared to have some conversations afterward.
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