I went an saw the movie The Son of God in a nearby theater and totally enjoyed it. In a large part it was true to the Scriptures, and in some places deviated without destroying the message or teachings of the church. It is good to see movies such as this coming out.
However, Hollywood is often quick to rush to pick up on a good thing - only doing it their way. I believe an upcoming movie - Noah - is such a film.
Dr. Jerry Johnston, president and CEO of the NRB had this to say about the movie in a blog written by Ed Stetzer - The Exchange.
Director Darren Aronofsky is known for movies that have a maverick and mystic quality.Noah is no different. When contrasting Noah to The Bible on the History Channel, Paramount Pictures' Vice Chairman Rob Moore said, "This movie has a lot more creativity to it. And therefore, if you want to put it on the spectrum, it probably is more accurate to say this movie is inspired by the story of Noah," (The Hollywood Reporter, emphasis added). Note the careful language inspired by, not an actual retelling or exegetical representation of the biblical text. Noah is not The Passion of the Christ, The Ten Commandments or Son of God. Paramount is about to launch a new ad campaign to emphasize this very point, which is the right thing to do. People should know what they are paying to see. *
We must seek as believers to check out the facts about what is being shown before we heartily endorse for people - especially unbelievers - to go and see a film. In an earlier blog, Dr. Johnson says:
In the darkness of the ark, Noah retells the creation story to his family. From the beginning, there is the Creator, who calls forth the light. So far—so good. However, visuals are supplied once life gets going, which show primitive species morphing again and again to more sophisticated creatures.
Noah gets Noah wrong, gets the environment wrong, gets evolution wrong, gets angelology wrong, and gets some biblical details wrong. Compounding these problems, add the fact that none of these negatives can be deduced from watching the previews that have been released.
Given these facts, and facts they are, the movie trailer may feel like a "bait and switch" to Jews and Christians. **
So, check out what is being shown, and then make your decision whether to see it or not, and whether you will endorse others to see it. As far as I am concerned, I cannot endorse for people to see this movie.
* http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2014/february/noah-five-negative-features-about-this-film.html
** http://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2014/february/noah-five-negative-features-about-this-film.html
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