I dont normally weigh-in publicly on social or religious issues, but as I have seen multiple posts about the movie, Noah, I do have some thoughts I would like to share. It seems many Christians are shocked, disgusted, disappointed, or a combination of all three, with the dramatic license taken with the film. I think we often assume, errantly, that a film that contains any reference to religion will directly line up with our belief system. In some instances, these films are produced with direct intent to promote the Christian faith, and are produced by faith-based production companies. However, mainstream producers/directors often find inspiration in religious themes and incorporate them in their big budget, blockbuster films. When these films fail to meet our religious expectations or line up with our theological standards, we are outraged. But what are we outraged at, exactly? An industry solely focused on making money by providing entertainment has dipped its toes into the pool of religion as a source of inspiration to make a film meant to entertain, and yet we expect to get a theologically sound, precisely biblically accurate film. Then we are full of righteous indignation when the film falls short? Right. That makes sense. You thought you were going to see an inspirational story of a man chosen by God (because of his righteousness), to facilitate the survival of all life on Earth, ending with a brilliant rainbow spanning the peak of a pristine mountain, the animals gathered peacefully around Noah and his family while the voice of James Earl Jones (as God) declares the world shall never again be destroyed by flood? And you knew the director was an atheist making a film meant to sell tickets and entertain the public, yet you are surprised and offended that the film does match up to your expectations? Hmmmm. We are expecting Hollywood to behave in a manner that is contrary to its nature. No one claimed this film was made to promote Biblical principles, or made with Christians in mind. I have not seen the film yet, but I had planned on it. I had no preconceived ideas that this film would match up perfectly with the biblical version of the story because its a Hollywood blockbuster made for entertainment. Of course I expected them to take creative license with the story in order to make it more marketable. Thats what they do. This is the same as films like Evan Almighty, Bruce Almighty, and the musical Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. I dont expect them to be a biblically sound production because they werent made by theologians. I recognize the source and it doesnt bother me because their purpose wasnt meant to fill altars, but to fill theatre seats. The Bible is full of great histories that make for excellent material for storytellers in the film industry. I separate the industry from my religious expectations because they are each very opposing arenas. If I think a film will be offensive, I simply wont see it. I wont blast the industry for failing to be something they never claimed to be. Im not condoning nor condemning the film, or people who choose to see it or choose not to see it. I just feel it should be viewed in the appropriate light and looked at as the art form it was created to be. We shouldnt try to fit it neatly within our own religious constraints, because thats a box it was never meant to fill in the first place.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 02:33:20 +0000
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