In addition to music, I am a huge movie buff. All types of movie genres are in my collection. One genre I despise, however, is the genre of the Biblical Epic. Why do you hate Biblical Epics when you love to study the Word? You might ask. The answer boils down to man’s basic spiritual problem, the integrity of the Word. Mankind simply doesn’t believe the Word to be true. This applies double to Hollywood directors and writers. They could care less what the Bible has to say just to tell a “good” story. All one has to do is recount the joke that was the Noah’s Ark movie shown on television a number of years back to see what respect these writers have for the Word.
I bring this topic up because in the last few months, talk has surfaced about two Biblical Epics which mock God to no end. The first is the movie, Noah, by Black Swan director Darren Aronofsky. That’s just wonderful, isn’t it. The director of the movie that tackled lesbianism and ballet is now directing a movie about a man who was “perfect in his generations.” According to Aronofsky, “Noah was the first environmentalist.” Well, he has already missed the mark big time on what the story of Noah is all about, which is about man’s sinful nature and its incompatibility with God. Genesis 6:5-7:
And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart. And the LORD said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them.
Sorry, but I fail to see anything resembling environmental allegory in the reasons for a global flood to destroy man. Apparently, this movie is based on a graphic novel co-created by Aronofsky about Noah, oddly entitled Noah. In the graphic novel, Noah is more of a Mad Max type character fighting giants on the barren earth. Little does Aronofsky realize the term “giants” used in Genesis 6 is in reference to the sinful men as they were giant in their commission of sin.
An even more egregious example of Biblical artistic license is the Jesus movie which director Paul Verhoeven is trying to get off the ground. This movie will follow Jesus’ life without all the miracles. According to Verhoeven, Jesus Christ “was a radical prophet who performed exorcisms and was convinced he would find the kingdom of Heaven on earth.” This fact is sad, in a way, because some of my favorite movies are Starship Troopers and Total Recall.
It’s important to note that both Aronofsky and Verhoeven are committed atheists; so, why are they so interested in different aspects of the Bible? I think it stems from a few things. Like I said before in “Humanizing the Humanist” atheistic experience is so dependent upon Christian existence that atheists can’t get away from Biblical stories. Another factor is that these unbelievers have no respect for the Word as they view it as foolishness. This lack of respect for the Word is covered in 2 Peter 1:20, “Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.” The phrase private interpretation is translated from the Greek word idios which means “one’s own meaning.” Thus, the Word is not given to any one man’s interpretation. The Word, gasp, actually interprets itself and It is not bound by any man. In fact, man is subject to the Word’s discernment. Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Here’s an idea, instead of filming Biblical Epics with a lot of stuff added in for dramatic effect, let’s film an epic based on just what’s written right there in the passage. Many books of the Bible have plenty of story and human elements to rely upon. You need an omniscient narrator and point of view, books like Judges and 1 Kings will suit you just fine. You want to film from one person’s point of view, Nehemiah and Acts provide plenty of material for a film. Now, those would be Biblical Epics I would actually enjoy.
Very good article, Seth. I remember being disgusted with “Noah” after a mere two minute viewing. By the way, Adam was the first environmentalist of a sort, as well as the first scientist and horticulturalist. It is interesting, in an irritating sort of way, to see atheists becoming more and more involved with the Bible, offering their reinterpretations and revisions. Another big success has been the Brick Testament by atheist “Rev” Brendan Powell Smith. I suppose it was only a matter of time before the erroneous theologies taught in Religion 101 finally hit pop culture. I’m sure Verhoeven’s vision is one movie that Thomas Jefferson would look forward to, and possibly even help finance. It’s just the modernized amusements of the same old ilk.
Here’s my exposé on the Lego Bible: http://jpaul-blog.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-brick-testament-skeptics-bible.html
I enjoyed your post about the Brick Testament. It reminds me of Romans 16:17, “Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and
offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.” Kind of like avoiding wolves in sheep’s clothing.
Thanks!
Why do we Christians get so upset when people who don’t follow Jesus act exactly as we expect them too? Just sayin’.
Good article, and I agree with much of what you say. But, if I could pick a nit,… You assert the following as if there were a consensus of (orthodox) scholarship: “Little does Aronofsky realize the term “giants” used in Genesis 6 is in
reference to the sinful men as they were giant in their commission of
sin.” But, in fact, it is highly debatable. Just sayin’… 😉
In the not-too-distant future young, non-Christians who have not set foot in a sunday school or Church service will say, “You believe the story of Noah & the ark? That’s just a movie!” I believe this is Hollywoods goal: Put it in a screen, call it fiction and eventually those who believe it to be real will be seen as foolish.
Hollywood needs to leave the Bible alone & stick to the ignorance to which it is better suited.
I agree. I wish I could say that it is the future. Far too many children think like that today.