I went into the Noah film knowing quite a bit about the controversy surrounding it. As NRT has benefitted from the production as a recipient of advertising dollars (full disclosure), we have had a front seat to the concerns people have had about the film’s biblical accuracy (or lack thereof) and any real or perceived agendas at play. Add to that the director’s own assertion that it was the “least biblical” bible movie ever, and I knew I wouldn’t be getting the felt-board floating zoo story from Sunday school.

Although I walked into the theater with the expectation that I was going to be watching an action film loosely inspired by the story in the Book of Genesis, it was a mental exercise throughout the film reminding myself of this fact. “It’s fiction… it’s fiction,” I’d nearly audibly tell myself, not because my faith was being threatened or I was getting confused, but because if I was expecting a missionally minded retelling of the truth, I could get very, very upset.

But the mental gymnastics were worth it, because I could see the film for what it was: fiction. And even in the midst of all the artistic license that was deployed, I still managed to resonate with some truths about man, God, and myself.

Let’s begin with some of the things I didn’t like. Regardless of the fictitious nature of the film, I take issue whenever God is made out to be vindictive, cold or aloof. As I first was pondering humans’ interplay with “the Creator,” as he’s called, I thought to myself that there seemed to be a grand misunderstanding about the character and nature of God by man. And I think in those days (just as in our own), that’s the case. I think Tubal-Cain’s screaming out to God, asking why He won’t answer him is quickly answered by Tubal-Cain’s murderous, self-righteous rampage right after.

I think Noah’s own struggles with God and His perceived silence weren’t because God was displeased with him or coyly hushed, but because Noah’s misanthropy (a hallmark of the satanic mindset) clouded him to such a level that he couldn’t “hear” what God was saying through circumstances (i.e. Ila’s miraculous conception).

So while my theory of a massive misunderstanding among men seemed good, it didn’t jibe when it came to the fallen angels, or as they’re called in the film, the Watchers. These giant rock beings, which seemed like earthen, spiderlike versions of the ents from Lord of the Rings, were punished by God for “trying to help” humankind in the wake of Adam and Eve’s sin—as if these fallen angels and the serpent that wrecked everything weren’t in league with one another.

That aside, it sure made God look like a robotic punisher and the fallen angels like misunderstood benign beings. I didn’t like that. You can take artistic license, but don’t go blaspheming God’s character.

(You know, though, in essence, if angels HAD decided they were going to interfere with men—as the film depicts—that means they had made a conscious decision that their decision making was superior to that of their Creator, and in the end, that’s pride cloaked in humanitarian aid. Pride was the sin that ejected satan from Heaven, so that’s not terribly far-fetched.)

I heard rumblings about some environmental message woven into this story, and thought that was probably someone being over-sensitive, but I definitely saw it. It seemed somewhat implied a few times that God was more upset about what humans did to the earth than the condition of humanity itself—though that certainly was mentioned and depicted.
 
What wasn’t depicted, though—and this could’ve made for some incredible artistic material—was the nephilim, the half-breed demon-humans whose genes pretty much corrupted all of humanity… except Noah’s family. The nephilim weren’t giant rock monsters, but they were, as Genesis says, giants, and were the “heroes of old.” Hercules anyone? Zeus? These guys might’ve been real, and might’ve been nephilim. Could’ve been awesome on screen!

It was interesting to think what it might have been like the moment the flood waters started rising and Noah and his family were safely in the Ark. For the first time, we hear the screams of people outside, and the desperation of people trying to get in. It was also crazy seeing all the animals, and I’d never really thought about having that many snakes on a boat. (Where was Samuel L. Jackson when you needed him?)

In the midst of all the things that made me laugh, twitch or shift in my seat, I feel like there actually were some messages in Noah that God brought to my attention.

1) I was struck by how very different the Ark looked than what I saw in illustrations throughout my church life. Rather than a boat, this thing was a box (probably the most biblically accurate part of the film). And I’ve always thought it was strange that the Ark of Noah and the Ark of the Covenant mentioned in Exodus and other Old Testament books. The ornate Ark of the Covenant chest was important because it contained evidence of God’s relationship with humankind. The big wooden box that contained Noah and his family was a precursor… no, analogous to that, in that while God wanted to save His creation, the fact that He cared about one little family and kept them safe to start over again (and generations later, eventually bring about the Messiah) was evidence of God’s relationship with humankind.

2) Humans, as creatures, are sinful at our core. Tubal-Cain’s war cry before leading the siege on the Ark is one that we all cry at some point in our lives. It was something to the effect of, “We are men, and we decide the course of our lives. When men unite, nothing can stop them,” which seems like a reference to the Tower of Babel, which happens later. I think in our arrogance, we often forget we are creatures, that is, created beings, endowed with free will. And we often use that free will to serve ourselves and try to stick it to a God to whom we take offense. Our ways aren’t His ways, and yet we pridefully believe we know better.

3) Hard-nosed legalism and self-loathing misanthropy can be just as destructive as godless frivolity. I was particularly struck by Noah’s sort-of freak-out episode in the film, as he was so focused on God’s justice that he couldn’t and wouldn’t see God’s mercy. He saw himself as just as bad as the rest of the world, and couldn’t hear God practically screaming in his ear, “I chose you! You are mine!” The result was that he felt like he was letting everyone down, including God. He felt like he had failed as a human being, despite successfully carrying out God’s task to save creation to build a new world. Being set apart, being holy, is partially about our behavior. That comes to an end at some point because truly, at the heart of every human is darkness. That’s where we need a savior… we need to focus on God’s mercy, His grace, His undeserved favor. When we realize this, and truly internalize it, it really does create a new world.
 
I’ve been in a season lately where I have struggled with receiving and giving grace. I have felt like a failure in many areas of my life, and consider myself just as wicked as the people who aren’t even trying to live for God. In some ways, I am right. I find myself, though, doubting whether or not I am fit to populate a new world (the New Heaven/Earth). But I’ve found myself on this Ark of salvation known as Jesus Christ, which should be sign enough that my death (spiritually speaking now) isn’t part of the plan.

I guess the big difference between the Noah in the film and the Noah in the Bible is that the real Noah “walked with God.” The film’s version is given haunting, unignorable visions that propel him into his task. Noah has a relationship with God, which allows him to clearly hear not only his approval from God, but specifics. That’s a closeness I envy. I saw as Noah was unable to embrace the good things he was given because he was too busy trying to settle a score, trying to be obedient, with no relationship to give the mission context. I certainly saw something of myself in this cinematic Noah, and it was humbling, challenging and encouraging to see that outside the weight of this task lies a favor and acceptance that we simply cannot earn. Now to internalize this…

It was a bit mind-blowing for me to simultaneously feel biblically awkward and spiritually inspired at the end of this film. I think people whose faith isn’t threatened easily by inaccurate portrayals of scripture should see this. Those who are looking for a true-to-form retelling should probably watch something much more overt in nature. But as for me, I love that I have a Holy Spirit who can pluck out the nuggets of truth that I need in the midst of a Genesis remix.