Noah's Sacrifice by Daniel Maclise There's tons of chatter about the release of Noah coming out today. Because of my schedule I will be unable to have a chance to see the film until next week . . . that is if I even bother to see the movie at all.
If you want to get a review of the film from a co-laborer in Christ that I trust, be sure to keep an eye on Christian Geek Central's front page. Paeter Frandsen should be posting his review later today.
Let me offer some thoughts:
1. Good or bad, theologically sound or heterodox, this movie isn't going to change society. Do you remember how The DaVinci Code was going to demolish Christianity? Or before that, how The Passion of The Christ was going to lead to revival? Neither happened. I doubt much will happen after this one.
2. Films have limited power to transform. Now, before anyone jumps all over me, I do believe stories are very influential and can shape our intellect and emotions. However, despite the amount of money and talent that go into a motion picture, or adaptation (even a faithful one), the biblical stories read and preached carry exponentially more transformation power because they are the Word of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit. There will never be a film, comic, book, audio drama or television show that can even come close to the transforming power of the Bible.
3. The biblical text gives us very limited information on Noah and the flood narrative. But we have enough to see an archetype, foreshadowing the salvation from God's correct judgment through Jesus Christ. Even though the film must make a number of creative and philosophical decisions... if the "Big Idea" of the story is intact, I would be personally satisfied.
4. I find it ironic that a number of creative types (many Christians) who have also adapted the Noah material and are critical of this film, have stories that don't reflect the "Big Idea" of the Noah narrative.
So what's the "Big Idea" of the Noah narrative (Genesis 5-8)?
If you want to get a review of the film from a co-laborer in Christ that I trust, be sure to keep an eye on Christian Geek Central's front page. Paeter Frandsen should be posting his review later today.
Let me offer some thoughts:
1. Good or bad, theologically sound or heterodox, this movie isn't going to change society. Do you remember how The DaVinci Code was going to demolish Christianity? Or before that, how The Passion of The Christ was going to lead to revival? Neither happened. I doubt much will happen after this one.
2. Films have limited power to transform. Now, before anyone jumps all over me, I do believe stories are very influential and can shape our intellect and emotions. However, despite the amount of money and talent that go into a motion picture, or adaptation (even a faithful one), the biblical stories read and preached carry exponentially more transformation power because they are the Word of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit. There will never be a film, comic, book, audio drama or television show that can even come close to the transforming power of the Bible.
3. The biblical text gives us very limited information on Noah and the flood narrative. But we have enough to see an archetype, foreshadowing the salvation from God's correct judgment through Jesus Christ. Even though the film must make a number of creative and philosophical decisions... if the "Big Idea" of the story is intact, I would be personally satisfied.
4. I find it ironic that a number of creative types (many Christians) who have also adapted the Noah material and are critical of this film, have stories that don't reflect the "Big Idea" of the Noah narrative.
So what's the "Big Idea" of the Noah narrative (Genesis 5-8)?
Exegetical Idea:
Subject:
What happened when humanity became so wicked Yahweh annihilated them with a flood?
Complement:
Yahweh preserved righteous Noah’s family to begin anew.
Subject:
What happened when humanity became so wicked Yahweh annihilated them with a flood?
Complement:
Yahweh preserved righteous Noah’s family to begin anew.
Then, how do we apply this to our lives?
Homiletical Idea:
Subject:
Why should we walk with God when no one else is?
Complement:
Because only believers will be saved from judgment.
Subject:
Why should we walk with God when no one else is?
Complement:
Because only believers will be saved from judgment.
If you're going to see the film. Keep these big ideas in mind.
I preached this Noah sermon a number of weeks ago. You can listen to it directly here at the Orchard Church.
With this film, and all future films keep this in mind: Hollywood spends billions upon billions of dollars to transform the hearts and minds of people. The Church doesn't have funds that can compare. But we have something more powerful. More influential. More precious.
The Word of God.
I preached this Noah sermon a number of weeks ago. You can listen to it directly here at the Orchard Church.
With this film, and all future films keep this in mind: Hollywood spends billions upon billions of dollars to transform the hearts and minds of people. The Church doesn't have funds that can compare. But we have something more powerful. More influential. More precious.
The Word of God.
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