The NOAH Controversy

There has been a great deal of controversy leading up to the release of the recent movie Noah. Even before the movie was released and even before it had been seen, people were taking their stance and choosing their sides on their beliefs and thoughts about the movie. 

 

I had mixed feelings going into watching the movie. However, I was competent enough to know this was not going to be the Sunday school story of Noah that I heard growing up as a child. I also realized that this was a Hollywood film...a secular film with only hints of the real story of Noah. I have now seen the movie though and I can say that I really, really liked it. No...the movie did not follow the true Biblical story of Noah and his family. But this is Hollywood. And why would I ever expect Hollywood not to add their own spin on a historical event. 

And yet, even despite Hollywood's own spin on the story of Noah, the end result was still a story of love, grace, and mercy.

Despite my better judgment I spent some time earlier reading comments following a blog in which a writer advised the Christian community to avoid seeing this movie because of the perverse way Noah's story was told. To say I was appalled by what I read would be an understatement. There were 800+ comments following this blog with the majority of them full of condemnation, judgment, and hatred. I read things such as 'You can't be a Christian and like this movie.'

 'I am a Christian and because of that I will not spend my money to support this.'

'No Christian has any business seeing this.' 

'Maybe you should go back and read your Bible.'

'You are not a Christian if you endorse this film'

I am a Christian. I have seen the movie and I would see it again.

I believe the Biblical story of Noah and I believe the story of Noah happened in a way that varies from this movie. I also believe Biblical truths of love, not casting judgment on others, and kindness. And yet, the majority of things I am reading are not words of love and kindness. They are statements I am ashamed of. Words of judgment and hate that should not be coming from anyone's mouth...let alone the mouth of a Christ follower.

I feel like so often the Christian community is searching for things to get upset about. They seem to just be searching for controversy in which to fill their time up with. So much time is spent looking for the wrong in things that we miss all of the good.

While people are so busy focusing on how the story differed from the Bible they miss the fact at how huge it is that a Bible story has been made into a Hollywood motion picture. No, it may not be the Bible story we know and love...but it is still a Bible-inspired story. And even with Hollywood's take on the story there is still an incredible message of love and mercy. I am just glad that I was able to see it through all of the propaganda being spewed all over the place. I hope that you will be able to as well.