NOAH, THE MOVIE AND THE REALITY

Noah is the subject and title of a new Hollywood movie which should not disappoint you since it is not a theological treatise based on biblical accuracy. It is entertainment. We have an abysmal understanding of holiness so let’s not quickly fault God for his ‘best interest’ response to the wickedness of humanity at that point in human history. God arranged for a global catastrophe, a flood of universal proportions. Even Christians, many of them today, struggle with God’s identity when his wrath is profiled. There was an ark of safety on which Noah and his family survived for several months, adrift on open water. All other human life died, an unmistakeable demonstration of the affect of each person paying the price for sin. When dry land emerged again and the survivors disembarked, generations of descendants eventually produced Abraham who was destined by God to become the father of a great nation, the Hebrews, Israel. To this select group, God gave His Law which prescribed holy living, at least as holy as it can be in a perverse world. Through this unpolluted people God intended to bring forth his Messiah, a deliverer, a saviour. Societal reformation was not God’s objective. Only rules and laws are required for that. Jesus was born, the image of the invisible God, the Son of God, deity himself. The supreme purpose for Messiah, was to accomplish the redemptive act which would absolve all sinners of guilt and establish relationships of trust and love for God. This is affected through personal faith in that good news from God. There is a Saviour. Look at him, because he is the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved. This is individual transformation that ultimately results in a changed community or society.