Noah- Movie Thoughts

Noah

So I haven't read any reviews of the movie, but I have heard that there is  controversy about the movie.  I will give you my review of the movie.  I attempt in no way to give an unbiased, thorough, or thoughtful review.  I will just give you couple thoughts.  

-This is a movie made by Hollywood and not a Bible college.  The point is entertainment, not biblical or theological education.  Keeping that in mind will keep you from getting all wadded up about all the things that don't follow the Biblical text.  

-The general feel of the movie is sort of Lord of the Rings meets Transformers.  Which is weird.  

-The parts that are Biblically accurate= 

The whole earth was flooded.  

Noah, his wife, and kids Shem, Ham and Japheth were in the boat.  

There were a lot of animals on the boat.

-The parts that are questionable=

Everything. Else.  

-Noah is described in Genesis 6 as a righteous man, blameless in his generation.  In the movie he comes across as a total jerk as a dad and just generally a tool.  I understand how that could rub people the wrong way.  

-There are some intense themes of infertility and singleness that some people may resonate with and find surprisingly upsetting to them.  Where is God in the midst of barrenness or God not providing a spouse...?  You may not be expecting these themes in the Noah story.  

-The Creator does not seem to be depicted as a loving God in the movie.  However in Genesis 6, it is not a warm and fuzzy view of God at all.  

"And the Lord regretted that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him to his heart. So the Lord said, “I will blot out man whom I have created from the face of the land, man and animals and creeping things and birds of the heavens, for I am sorry that I have made them.” But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord." 

-We have made the story of Noah so child friendly and "fun-animal-arky songish" that it might catch people off guard how dark and intense it is.  This is a horrible story in the Bible.  Death, destruction, and sin.  Not happy animal children's murals and rugs and toys.  

-The movie is a downer... so was everyone in the entire world dying.  

-I would suggest if you watch the movie, that you remember it is done by Hollywood and use it as a stimulus to think about the Bible story and what it was really like.  There are a million details that are not included in Scripture... so keep that in mind.  

-If you go to the theater, go to the bathroom first... because it is about 2 hours long but it feels like about 3 and half.  

New Year... Second Chances.. Grace Abounds!

The New Year always brings great optimism in me.  

I love the time of the year when the gym is flooded with ambitious new members on work-out kicks, people trying to quit smoking, swearing, or drinking diet coke.  I LOVE fresh starts and do-overs and underdogs.  

Whenever I watch a sports game, I always cheer for the team that is behind.  I love come-backs.  I love the messy stories.  I love the runts of the litter, the B team, the screw-ups.  I think it's because God is a God of redemption, of second chances, of unlikely candidates for leadership positions, royal appointment, marriages, and prophetic roles.  As I read the Bible, I find it's not a hall of fame of good looking, popular people that probably never had to make New Year's Resolutions because they already had their act together.  

I wonder if Rahab made some resolutions each year about changing occupations, David could have made a resolution about spending less time on the roof, Peter could have made resolutions about swearing and not cutting anyone's ears off, Paul could have made resolutions about not watching people's coats anymore, and Solomon could have resolved to add less wives this year...

So when I make goals... I like to think that I am in good company... of those who need second chances.  I belong to the fellowship of the slow learners, the second chance needers, and the grace addicts.  I love redemption.  I love God's grace.  I love that God is not finished with any of us yet.  I love this beautiful mess.  

So here's to the new year!

Lamentations 3:21-23 

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.