NOAH: Cutting through the Controversy

So, right from the outset, I should share that I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of Hollywood's newest "biblical" epic. No doubt, it has been shrouded in controversy and you may be wondering which opinions can be trusted. Although certainly not infallible, I hope to bring you a balanced perspective that both honors the veracity of Scripture and therefore a biblical worldview but is also fair to the liberties afforded any good storytelling.

What first captured my attention to this movie wasn't the marketing hype or a truly star-studded cast but the very subject matter and the questions surrounding it. Earlier this year, television personality Bill Nye "The Science Guy" debated creation apologist and author, Ken Ham of Answers in Genesis. Although the main point being discussed was creation in six literal days as a viable model for the origins of the universe, the idea of Noah's ark and the worldwide flood persisted. In general, Christians believe in a literal, worldwide flood wherein God pronounced judgment on the wickedness of the world but salvaged creation itself by means of an enormous ark and one man's faith - that man was Noah. His account can be found in Genesis 6-10 but many outside the Christian faith claim it is nothing short of a fairytale - a legend told in countless cultures to reveal the evils of men's hearts and dictate a healthy fear of the gods. So, it surprised and thrilled me to know that Hollywood (even if inadvertently) would be so willing to legitimize a hotly debated Bible story on the big screen.

After watching the film this morning with my wife, there are certainly aspects of "Noah" that we should analyze, discuss, and discerningly criticize, BUT I am still excited that because this movie now will be viewed on such a massive scale, people will begin asking questions about mercy...about judgment and justice...about love...and yes, about God. No doubt, we will need to wade through some of the muddy waters left behind by Aronofsky (writer and director), but the movie is not necessarily the heresy that some have bemoaned.

First, let's note that this movie is rated PG-13 and is not suitable for young children for plenty of good reasons. "Noah" is above all, a bloody and dramatic, action epic. It is dark and gripping, even frightening at times. Unfathomably difficult would be sitting in the belly of the ark and listening to the hopeless screams and pounding fists of would-be survivors outside the boat. Battle plays prominent in the film and there is little blood, gore, or massacred bodies left to the imagination of viewers. Sexuality is also a feature of "Noah" especially between Shem (Douglas Booth) and Ila, his wife (Emma Watson), who is portrayed as his barren, young wife. Nevertheless, they passionately kiss on two separate encounters and intercourse is insinuated. To show the depth of human depravity, one scene shows Noah (Russell Crowe) in town witnessing the savage sale of young women in exchange for food. Later, Adam and Eve are presented as glowing, nude embodiments and some partial nudity is shown in the portrayal of Noah's shame found in Genesis 9:20-24. Crowe stumbles around intoxicated with wine and can be seen lying naked on his stomach from a distance but he is quickly covered by Shem and Japheth (Leo McHugh Carroll) in accordance with the text. Women's clothing is somewhat revealing at times. All in all, follow your family convictions but certainly act in accordance with the PG-13 rating.

One of the earliest criticisms I read about "Noah" was the lack of the term "God" throughout. Of course, it turned out to be somewhat of a fallacy because although it is troubling that God never audibly speaks in the film aside from vague dreams and visions, He is consistently referred to as "The Creator" in prayer and in the communication of standards of obedience. Environmentalism was also a concept that featured highly in early critiques but I'm not sure that is out-of-sorts for a man and his family who would ultimately be responsible for a global restart. Stark contrast exists between Noah's preservation of all organic life as a vegetarian and steward of creation and the rest of humanity which thrives on the meat of "beasts", vicious hunting techniques, and the devastation of seemingly all vegetation. Noah's appetite instead refers back to Edenic practices and his connection to the line of Adam. Should we not care for creation? Are believers still not tasked with the stewardship of the earth and its inhabitants? Perhaps we should not be so quick to cast off all hints of environmentalism! 

However, Crowe's environmental tactics are definitely exaggerated even to the extent that Noah is willing to murder his own granddaughters to ensure that mankind is unable to persist in God's renewed creation. Noah simply cannot stand the thought of the evil he sees in his own family persisting. This, of course, contradicts the character of Noah described in Scripture: "Noah found favor in the eyes of the LORD...Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his generation...Noah walked with God." There are certainly allusions to Noah's righteous integrity but they are marred (like a great many biblical personalities) by tremendous character flaws. Some of these flaws (like drunkenness) are drawn from the biblical text but others stem from unlikely and far-reaching yet creative scenarios. Noah is assuredly not painted as the hero we often infer from Hebrews 11:7 but it may be a fairer treatment of Noah's complex nature as an individual who would have struggled with God's call and his role in it.

Disconcerting is the absence of clear, divine instruction in the movie leaving Aronofsky's Noah to seek counsel from Methuselah (Anthony Hopkins) and ultimately to flounder in his misunderstanding of God's judgment. God is never painted as anything other than a brilliant sun shining behind the rainclouds and an astonishing rainbow finale that is never explained as a symbol of divine promise. Nevertheless, it is clear as the movie plays out that God is "The Creator" who sustains life, brings judgment, sends the rain, commands the fate of fallen angels and mankind, calls forth the animals, and provides a forest of trees in a barren wasteland from which to construct an ark. Honestly, I couldn't help but watch in awe and wonder as tens of thousands of fowl, insects, creepy-crawlers and other magnificent beasts board the completed vessel knowing that such a feat was nothing short of miraculous. It should be noted that although the creation account is relayed by Noah to his family in the biblical fashion of 6 days, the cinematics indicate an altogether different, Darwinian evolution that is guided by "The Creator." This is sure to show up in Ken Ham's movie review that you can watch tonight, March 28 at 8:00 PM ET at www.creationdebate.org.

Surely, Aronofsky's "Noah" is inspired by the holy scriptures but also draws from extra biblical texts and Hebrew traditions such as the Midrash therefore deviations from Genesis abound. Whereas the Bible seems to tell Noah's story from the perspective of God, the movie is truly all about Noah (who admittedly looks pretty well-tuned for a six-hundred year old man and fights like a much-younger gladiator)! While the Bible indicates that Shem, Ham, and Japheth were all accompanied by their wives on the ark, in Aronofsky's adaptation, Ham and Japheth are single. Instead, God's provision is revealed when Ila's barrenness is healed by Methuselah and she later gives birth to twin daughters aboard the ark. With the death of an evil stow-away named Tubal-Cain (Ray Winstone), the biblical figure of eight human souls saved from the flood is restored (cf. I Peter 3:20) albeit not in the fashion implied by Scripture (Genesis 7:13). Also, Noah and Methuselah in the film seem to be descended from mystical shamans who utilize some strange, ancient customs to cause sleep, bestow blessings/curses, create fire, and even determine pregnancy! But even in these off-the-beaten-path interpretations, the powers derive from God or Edenic relics borne from creation. It is unfortunate that the miraculous is mistaken for mysticism throughout the film which could lead many to question the veracity of the Text turning historical narrative into fantasy.

But that which is most dismaying isn't featured in any of the trailers that I have watched - and after seeing the movie then rewatching the original trailer, that seems like a strategic move for the filmmakers to preserve their intended audience. Early in the movie, you will discover that many angels (supposedly having been created on day 2 with the rest of the heavenly hosts) witnessed the fall of mankind then disobeyed God by trying to helpfully intervene. These fallen angels, that we know to be demons, are not so benevolent or utilitarian but fell due to pride and sin (Jude 6; II Peter 2; Ezekiel 28). They exist only to deceive, devour, and destroy human beings. Only two verses in Genesis 6 allude to the "sons of God" and the "Nephilim" (what Aronofsky uses to create a scriptural foundation for his fallen angels called the "Watchers"). These are controversial passages with no clear consensus pertaining to their interpretation and it is dangerous to formulate any kind of theology based upon a singular occurrence - what is more dangerous is to adjust your theology to accommodate some kind of "good" demon. Satan and his fallen angels represent spiritual forces with which no one should trifle - they are the enemies of believers and any heretical efforts to portray them as "angels of light" should be rejected outright. 

"Noah" is a cinematic masterpiece to be sure. It's CGI is simply stunning. The cast performs with astounding chemistry and there can be no doubt that awards will be handed out accordingly. But while the foundational text of Genesis 6-10 is inspired, the writing of this film was not. We must differentiate between the two accounts, note the deviations, use discernment to instruct others, and utilize this movie as a springboard for Gospel-centered discussion about obedience, sin, judgment, justice, mercy, and love. Read and really get to know the biblical text before you purchase your tickets, exercise discretion, and leave the younger kids at home for this flick. I realize that many Christians will choose to opt out of seeing this one and that's really okay but keep the above things in mind as you head to the theaters in the coming days and weeks. Know what you believe and why... Operate from a biblical worldview...that way, when the world gets it wrong, you will still know the truth that sets people free. We serve an awesome Creator. His Word is living and active. My prayer is that we will be as faithful and obedient as Noah!