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Are Your Going to See the Noah Movie?
There is a flood of controversy surrounding Paramount’s new movie “Noah” opening in theaters March 31.
When I first saw the trailer I was blown away. I was looking forward to seeing “Noah” with great anticipation. I posted a link to the trailer on my Facebook page and was surprised to get negative comments concerning the movie.
In case you missed it here is some of the controversy:
- Many Christians, Jews and Muslims have come out against the movie saying that it strays from the original text. (It’s ironic how Hollywood can unite these three groups.)
- The director, Darren Aronofsky dropped the F-bomb in response to criticism of his movie.
- Even Pope Francis may have entered the fray by canceling a meeting with Russell Crow, although Paramount denies this. Source
- This post by Christianity Today sums up the controversy.
Here some questions I need to answer.
- Should I go see the Noah movie?
- If I go see it and disagree with the biblical accuracy am I supporting evil?
- Should I take my kids to see Noah?
I am going to go see Noah on opening day and here’s why.
- I don’t feel I can form an honest opinion about the movie unless I see it.
- I expect Hollywood to stray from the text because that’s what Hollywood does. They make movies “based on true stories”. They add dialogue and drama to make it more interesting.
- No matter how inaccurate the movie is, it will not shake my faith in the Bible.
- I am not afraid of the debate. The debate concerning the accuracy of scripture is a healthy debate. If we are going to convince people of the accuracy of scripture, we are going to have to genuinely listen to their objections.
- I am not surprised when a Hollywood director drops the F-bomb.
Would I take my kids to see, “Noah”?
- That depends. My kids are 25 & 27 respectively. I’m pretty sure they would be up to letting their Dad to treat them to a movie. My grandson is two-years old and I would not take him to see it.
- Children under the age of seven cannot separate reality from fantasy, so that is the boundary for me. If my kids were over eight-years old, I would take them to see “Noah”.
- After watching the movie I would use it an opportunity to get them to think for themselves. There is coming a time where the faith of my children is going to be challenged. I invite the challenge. I want to be part of the discussion.
- This is what I would do. I would read about Noah from the book of Genesis and ask my kids how the movie stood up. Was the movie biblically accurate? I would listen to their answers and their questions.
- Then I would be transparent with my kid and let them know that I struggled with the book of Genesis when I became a Christian. I had plans to major in marine biology and become a scientist. I wasn’t sure if Adam, Eve and Noah really happened.
For me the clincher are the words of Christ in Matthew 24:37-39, “When the Son of Man returns, it will be like it was in Noah’s day. In those days before the flood, the people were enjoying banquets and parties and weddings right up to the time Noah entered his boat. People didn’t realize what was going to happen until the flood came and swept them all away. That is the way it will be when the Son of Man comes.”
It sure sounds like Jesus believed that Noah was a real person and that the flood actually happened. If Jesus believed it, it’s good enough for me.
What about you?
Are you going to see the new “Noah” movie?
Are you going to take your kids to see it?
Great logic and perspective, as usual. I appreciate the reminder of what ages kids can separate fantasy and reality. I will probably wait to see it until it comes out on Netflix, but that’s just because I rarely get out to movies in the theatre. Thanks for your ministry!
Thanks so much for this article! God bless!
Thank you for your insight and wisdom on this topic. I believe that when the power of God and His Truth is brought into the lime light that the enemy get rattled and darts will be fired. I have not seen this move so i cannot comment on the biblical correctness of it, however, It seems odd that all of the sudden there would be an uprising to uphold the absolute truth coming from movie makers and those who support them. No one can say what the exact conversations were in the day of Noah, nor how the ark actulally looked, so i say if the truth of the story comes out and is true to the nature of God is revealed then BRAVO! For my kids? They are 9 and 6. I love the advise to read the scripture first and then compare to the movie. Most of the time, when we are unsure, my husband and i will go and see it first and then after viewing it we are better informed to make a dicision for our kids. I also love the fact that Noah has a strong warrior look and not made to look like an old man with a long white beard. The bible never says that he had a long white beard, but no one has compalined about that for centuries! Yes he was 600 years old, but he lived to be 950! Whatever you decide as a family, no that the truth is not hidden from you. If you want to know it , go to the source. (which is never a Hollywood Movie).
Love this! Thanks Pastor Mark! Definitely sharing this one!