As most of you are no doubt aware Darren Aronofsky’s film version of the Noah story came out this week. I actually thought it came out weeks ago given all the flap over it but there you go…that’s just me not keeping up. With all the furor over the film I find myself sometimes amused and other times annoyed by what I read.
A couple non-spoilers here:
- I’ve not yet seen it.
- Aronofsky himself claimed it would be the least biblical film ever made, or some such thing.
- Christians viewers of the film seem divided on whether the faithful should attend or no.
My intent here is not to come down on either side of the see-it-or-not argument. There is merit in not wanting to put your money or support towards something you believe may go against what you hold to be true, strong merit.
On the other hand there is merit in wanting to be culturally relevant. Even if there are those who too often use this as an excuse.
If you read anything about Darren’s other movie, The Black Swan, then you had to guess this film would come replete with shock value. So why are we all so up in arms when the guy claimed it would not be biblical and we knew ahead of time it would be shocking in some shape or form? Come on man! We’re better than that!
So as you, my Christian friends, try to determine if you’ll go and watch this film I want to offer you a couple reminders:
1. We believe this is a true story.
It may be portrayed incorrectly, even if I like the idea of a Russell Crowe-like Noah, but we believe in a version of the same story and we believe it is true. AND, isn’t part of what we’re called to as Christians is to speak the truth in love?
Ephesians 4:14-15As a result, we aren’t supposed to be infants any longer who can be tossed and blown around by every wind that comes from teaching with deceitful scheming and the tricks people play to deliberately mislead others. 15 Instead, by speaking the truth with love, let’s grow in every way into Christ,
So whether you see it or not be prepared to speak the truth, intelligently, and in love.
2. We believe we win in the end.
Sometimes it seems like the bad guys always win. I have a number of Christian friends who get violently upset when they feel that the Gospel message has been attacked. There is nothing wrong with a little righteous indignation. But at what cost when it gets too heated?
One of my favorite moves as an athlete, when I was winning a game and the opponent started talking trash, was to smile at point at the scoreboard. Even sweeter than that was enduring trash talk when we were behind and then being able to smile and pat them on the head when we won.
Not to trivialize in any way anybody’s eternity. But let’s remember that we believe we win in the end and we want to do our best to be sure that even the producers of non-biblical versions of bible stories, and perhaps more importantly, those whom they influence, win too.
So whether you see it or not remember to speak boldly, kindly, and with confidence.
Funny how the secular world isn’t up in arms, divided in the mindset, over it all. Just those of us who are supposed to be unified. Come on guys, we’re better than that. I, for one, hope some good conversation comes out of this film so I’ll probably see it at some point. Whether you do or not just remember, we win, and while it appears that we’re momentarily losing we get to speak the truth in love.
Will you go see Noah?
Well said! I will see it, and I believe that if it begins a conversation with someone then it’s worth making. Paul said in Philippians that some preach Christ from bad motives, but he said too, it doesn’t matter their motives because Christ is preached. Any time bible stories are put in the mainstream we have an OPPORTUNITY to defend our faith, know the TRUTH and preach Christ’s message. So let’s stop the infighting and use this movie for good…to share with the world where our hope comes from…not let them see a display of toddlers fighting with each other over whose right and the byproduct ends up being – we, Christians look bad and they don’t want to be part of that.