NOAH WAS A GREAT MOVIE

Russell Crowe is one of my favorite actors.  Not only can he act, but when he takes the screen, I find myself drawn into the narrative. Russell Crowe’s talent and professionalism help me believe that he is the character being portrayed.  This was the case in Gladiator (2000), A Beautiful Mind (2001), The Quick and the Dead (1995), Robin Hood (2010) and Noah (2014).  

Maybe this is my male suburbanite way of escaping through movies or maybe there is something about what Russell Crowe brings to his characters that connects with me on a deeper level.  What is that deeper lever?  Maybe a bit of Russel’s work on the screen reminds me of the man that I want to be?  

The essence of the story line is that God is important to Noah.  The level of importance commands Noah to do things that make no sense for his lifestyle or the people around him.  On one level, he would appear driven and fanatical to people that were not participating in this plan.  Yet on the other hand, isn’t this the kind of single-minded focus that we all believe is the main ingredient for success?  

I won’t give the movie away, because if you have an interest you may want to see it and be surprised and entertained.  By the way, the word, “entertained” is key to appreciating the movie, Noah.  This is a Hollywood product meant to make money by entertaining the viewer.  Using a Biblical character (not a Biblical story line), may cause concern for the Biblically literate purists.  If it does then keep this in mind.  I don’t think Hollywood employs preachers or theologians.  They employ great story tellers.  Creative license allows the industry to tell all kinds of stories even those that are a bit off center from what I hold to be true.  

In talking to one friend about the movie, a concern was expressed that the viewers who don’t know the story of Noah would be misled in matters of faith.  I agreed with that statement but not with the concern and here’s why.  Is it the movie maker’s job to communicate the truth of my faith?  No, it’s my job!  As stated earlier, “the essence of the story line is that God is important to Noah”. If I believe as Russell Crowe’s Noah believes, (and as Noah of the Bible believed) then you should expect to read about me doing some seemingly crazy things.  To carry the point further, we as believers should be doing crazy things.  Isn’t it true that congruent action corroborates a belief system?  So what kind of crazy things could or should believers do in this situation?    Take some friends to see the movie and then have a conversation about it.  If there is an interest in things spiritual, then you have an open door to tell the story right.  With this approach, the movie can have a great impact but the heavy lifting is up to you and me. This approach is meant for those who stand on the side of art and or entertainment having evangelistic value.

I loved the special effects, the acting and the scenery.  I wasn’t around when God talked to Noah, nor did I see how the ark was built.  But through the creativity of CG, I was given another reason to consider and believe in the miraculous nature of the entire story.  

The last thing that I will say on this subject has to do with how Russell helps me step into his job.  During the movie, I was convinced that Noah believed in a real God that has real power and that power works in realtime.  Can I say the same about my normal non-cinematographic life in North Atlanta?  Can you?

MEGA CHURCH MANIA


I have been a church-goer for so many years that I can't remember a time that I did not go to church on a regular basis.  There have been tiny churches, some built on a military model, ethnic churches, language churches, country churches, big city churches and really big churches.  Some of the environments have felt like lectures and some like an inside view to a family. Others, like a seminar and still others like a concert featuring what was supposed to be my favorite rock band of teenagers.

After doing all of this, many questions have arisen. There's no way to address all of them here, but let me throw out one for my own processing and for your entertainment.  Here it is.  What's the right kind of church?  The answer to that question is complex.  My dear old mom-in-law would say, "the right kind of church is one where you hear a good message!"  She is right on target.  A good friend of mine that leads a big church would say,"the church is a training center for the people of God so we can have an impact".  After seeing this guy do his thing for a few years, I can say that is just what he has developed.

As a good student of contemporary culture,  I feel compelled to direct the reader of this post to "find your own answer".  I can imagine my non-Christian friends nodding their heads in agreement. LOL!!  Alas, that is not my answer nor what I believe to be the truth.  If one is involved in church and finds value as a part of a worshipping community, then the purpose, values and reason for selecting a church need to come from the Bible.  After all, God has his own ideas, true?

Rather than give my jaded answers, I will say this.  The right church is not always the biggest nor the most popular church.  There is a value in every church that tries to do it by the book regardless of the size.  Isn't it curious when churches of various sizes and demographics replicate the models and practices of the "big boys" and attempt to be something they were never  meant to be?

Here's a really controversial question.  Why not be who you are with your own unique style?  If a church does not have all the bells and whistles, does that make it a bad church?  If a church has TV, lighting trusses and skinny jeans is it a good church?  If the church has an older demographic and the music is square (my daughter's word), does that make it a bad church?  Well here is my answer to these questions.  Who knows ??!!  Let me ask a better question.  Is the church Biblical, relevant and having an impact on its target demographic?  Is bad stuff stopping (sin) and good stuff increasing (righteousness)?  These are the only questions to ask that have any depth and weight.  Therefore, when looking for the "right" church, ask these two simple questions and then make a decision.  Sadly, I am of the opinion that the answer to these questions is painful for most Christian fellowships. Painful - because an honest look may reveal that "my church doesn't look like that, but I love going there".

Anyway, what do I know.  Just go where you have fun if you are searching or if you are already going to a church, fight for the right to copy the biggest fish in your city.  Or…maybe not???