This month sees the release of not one, but two biblically-based movies. Coming to theaters this weekend is Son of God (which I’ll review next week) and on March 28th, Noah. From Wikipedia we are informed that Noah is an “American biblical epic film directed by Darren Aronofsky and written by Aronofsky and Ari Handel.” In other words, this isn’t the account written by Moses. So what can we expect?

The movie will have a love-hate relationship with most audiences. The Atheists will hate that the heroes are God-fearing people and the villain a man who hates God. Conservative Christians will hate the theistic-evolutionary depictions but love the themes of man’s sinfulness and God’s right to judge. Environmentalists will love the green-themed overtures, but hate that it doesn’t go far enough. Liberal Christians will like the creative license taken with angels, the Nephilim, and cultic objects while the literalists will not appreciate the licenses taken particularly in regard to Noah’s family. And neither Jews nor Christians will particularly like Noah’s darker side. The question that’s on everyone’s mind, however, isn’t “what happened to Ham and Japheth’s wives?” but rather, “should I see this movie?” The answer is a solid and resounding “probably”.

Yes there are theological inaccuracies, some leftist political preachiness, and a lot has been added to the tale for the purpose of entertainment. If you can set aside the fact this is not a documentary, however, the story is mostly compelling and entertaining and the special effects amazing. I wouldn’t recommend seeing it for your own enjoyment, however. Instead, see it because a great many people who have not put their trust in Jesus will see it and this movie can be used as a means to conversations that are otherwise hard to get started.

Before seeing the movie I recommend that you read Genesis chapters six through nine. During the movie pay attention to where the movie gets the story right, and where it misses the mark. After the movie, discuss with whoever you saw it with the ramifications of the concepts of sin, judgment, and salvation. In the weeks to come, read those chapters again and consider what Jesus meant in Matthew 24.36-.41:

“But as for that day and hour no one knows it – not even the angels in heaven – except the Father alone. For just like the days of Noah were, so the coming of the Son of Man will be. For in those days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark. And they knew nothing until the flood came and took them all away. It will be the same at the coming of the Son of Man. Then there will be two men in the field; one will be taken and one left. There will be two women grinding grain with a mill; one will be taken and one left.”