Why I will not see “Son of God” and “Noah”

     It is great to see all this interest in Bible themed movies.  In 2004, Mel Gibson directed and released the highest grossing Bible theme movie of all time by raking in just over 370 million at the box office.  #2-4 of course were the CS Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia.  My favorite of all time came in at #6 which of course is Courageous.  This was also the highest “non Hollywood” movie among Bible theme or Christian based.  There are good intent Christians on both sides of the issues when it comes to both the Son of God (which is based from the Bible mini-series from Mark Burnett and his wife Roma Downey) and Noah.  I do not know enough about either of these movies to stand before you and to write a critique about these movies but there are two questions that I had to ask myself and answer before deciding that I will not go to see either of these two movies.

 

1)                  Is the messenger important? Should we be concerned about where the money goes when we pay to see the movie? What do you know about Roma Downey and Mark Burnett?  Would it surprise you that they are not Christians, but new agers?  They are many well documented sites that shows the ties of Roma Downey to New Age beliefs and also to Psychic John Edwards.  Remember the show where she talked to her deceased mother by the help of Edwards?  Lost amid all the confusion and debates is a key guideline in ensuring proper living and obedience to God, Biblical principles.  Biblical principles is not in fact a manmade idea.  Jesus in The Sermon on the Mount preached Biblical principles.  For example:

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL NOT COMMIT ADULTERY'; but I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart”. (Matthew 5:27-28)

Biblical principle is more than just taking the commandments at face value.  It is taking the commandments and applying it to other areas of your life.  For example, the two greatest commandments is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself, but Jesus brings out the far reaching principle of that commandment:

"But I say to you who hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27)

With the idea of Biblical principles in mind, we must now ask ourselves, is the messenger important?  The money we spend to watch a movie such as this is supporting the messenger, their habits, and their beliefs, and their lifestyles.  Have you done your research on Russell Crowe?  Downey?  Burnett?  I have and I cannot allow my money to support them.  The money is not just supporting the message, it is supporting the messenger.  It use to be that we held the messenger to a higher standard.  Messengers are not just preachers mind you, messengers is any believer of Christ.  Christians should and must be held to a higher standard.  That is Biblical.  One thing God has always required and continues to require is that we be ambassadors for Christ (II Corinthians 5:20).  

2)                  Is it okay to take absolute truth and take an artistic and creative license with it? In effect, saying that the Bible is not good enough and you can make it better to appeal to the audience of today.  We have a problem with people taking liberties with God’s Word, but now we suggest that it is okay for Hollywood?  What about omission?  For instance, in the miniseries by Burnett and Downey, when Jesus was baptized, we never hear God say “This is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.”  You would think that was an all important information needed to be in there.  In the movie Jesus says “I am the way and the truth” but yet the all-important second part was omitted “no one goes to the Father but by me”. 

I know there are many well intending Christians who will or already have seen the movie.  That is something between them and God.  The Bible is the absolute truth. There is no need to change it or get creative with it. To do so is to say, the Bible is not good enough. There will be those who will hide behind the “Don’t judge” criteria but I submit to you in Matthew 7:

"Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits. Grapes are not gathered from thorn bushes nor figs from thistles, are they? (Matthew 7:15-16).

Have you researched the fruits of those involved?  Can one in good conscience support financially the Bible based theme movie and by their financial support show support to the lifestyles, belief, and practices of those involved.  Because of these two questions, I cannot honestly in good conscience watch those movies, support it, or recommend it.  Whatever you decide to do, prayerfully ask God to guide.