Noah, Jesus and New Beginnings

Seen the movie Noah yet? It has attracted much attention everywhere. Good casting, very creative, well thought out, full of godly righteous principles and attention-gripping all the way.

But it’s Hollywood style and only a little biblical, like DeMille’s Bible-inspired The Ten Commandments. Diehard ‘black and white only Christians’ eyebrows have been raised and it’s felt that ‘far too much artistic licence has been taken.’ Any who dare suggest believers should see the movie have been slammed.

We enjoyed it for several reasons. As well as having a good time out we had wanted to see why critics are so up in arms.

Yes, several aspects are definitely not biblical, immediately questioned (but then Hollywood has to spin a yarn to extend four short Genesis chapters to make a two hour movie!). And one could wish that ‘The Creator’ was actually called God.

But beyond this, it’s a delight to realise audiences worldwide are hearing the biblical seven day creation account told simply, believably  and meaningfully by Noah (Actor Russell Crowe).

                                        (Photo: Paramount Pictures)

And how else but in cinemas can you get thousands of captive audiences to sit quietly and hear a clear visual declaration that:
•    Original sin brought more sin into the world
•    Evil is inherent in everyone
•    The creator’s wrath must come on sinful people
•    Even the most pious person (like Noah) is not perfect
•    We all have choices to make
•    Miracles can and do happen
•    One can hear from God - he has a plan for each of us
•    God has a place of safety for those who obey
•    A new beginning is possible.

Themes of forgiveness, faith, trust, responsibility, courage, hope and new possibilities flow throughout the movie.

We like Christian Computing Magazine’s Steve Hewitt‘s response  when criticised for promoting the movie - Why did I Help Promote the Noah Movie? (Link: www.ccmag.com).

‘I am distressed that this movie has caused such uproar in the Christian community. I had found several things about History Channel’s Bible Series contrary to my beliefs about scripture, but said nothing because I felt the opportunities that series provided us to discuss God and our beliefs about the Bible were worth it.

‘What grieves me most is once again the nation gets to witness Christians throwing stones at each other, and at someone's attempt to produce a movie based on a biblical character. The church in America is dying. More Christians stay away than attend, and one of their main reasons is because we are so quick to judge, condemn and shun.

‘I am distressed that this movie has caused such uproar in the Christian community. I had found several things about History Channel’s Bible Series contrary to my beliefs about scripture, but said nothing because I felt the opportunities that series provided us to discuss God and our beliefs about the Bible were worth it.

‘What grieves me most is once again the nation gets to witness Christians throwing stones at each other, and at someone's attempt to produce a movie based on a biblical character. The church in America is dying. More Christians stay away than attend, and one of their main reasons is because we are so quick to judge, condemn and shun.

‘One of my staff members said it best: If we killed the movie, and instead spent millions to rent theatres across this nation and paid to pack them full of people in order to have someone simply read the biblical account of Noah, there would be lots of arguments, complaints, name calling and judging... over which translation they chose to use for the reading.’

Steve Hewitt includes two links (a video and text) to comments from major Christian ministries that are excited about the potential of this movie -

http://vimeo.com/89714097 and http://www.whatchristianswanttoknow.com/noah-movie-review-study-encouraged/
 Theologian Rusty Wright, in his ASSIST article Noah movie: Courage, Faith, Hope, challenges: ‘The essential framework of the biblical flood story - human evil, divine judgment, hope and salvation - remains in Noah. Consider these facets of that story and their modern implications.’ (Link:  www.assistnews.net)

We particularly like colleague Dr Ed Delph‘s blog comments (Link: www.NATIONStrategy.com) - ‘It’s interesting that every major culture has the story of a huge flood that took place in times past. Why is Noah significant at this time? Some practical lessons can be learned. Here are seven “lighter side” ones …

1. Don't miss the boat.
2. Plan ahead. It wasn't raining when Noah built the ark.
3. Stay fit - when you're old, God may ask you to do something big.
4. Don't listen to critics; get on with the job that needs doing.
5. For safety sake, travel in pairs.
6. The ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
7. No matter the storm, with God, there's always a rainbow waiting.’

Ed adds: ‘I do appreciate the fact that Hollywood is beginning to take notice of the Bible, for whatever the reasons. God can work with that. It brings awareness to those outside of the church, many of whom have never even heard of Noah.’

Here are some of our own thoughts: The ark represents safety and a new beginning. So does Easter which comes up soon - for those who know Jesus.

Noah‘s production  designer had so many ideas about the ark that it was interesting to learn that Jewish director Darren Aronofsky , himself an original thinker and visualist, insisted that the image be based on the Bible dimensions – God’s plan.

As we celebrate Easter shortly – the gift of forgiveness of sin and the promise of a miraculous new beginning, let us be thankful to ‘the Creator’ - Father God - for his great salvation plan, the gift of his only Son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

God wanted true rest for his creation. He is truly greater than the cleverest digital graphics person and  his plan to bring about salvation that doesn’t depend on our strength was sealed in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus.

Every person can find forgiveness from sin through accepting Jesus as his or her Saviour and ark of safety. Easter brings opportunities to share the message of hope and the new life and beginning found in having Jesus as Saviour and friend.

‘Noah’ means ‘rest’ but ‘Jesus’ – the real rest -  indicates ‘God is salvation.’ May we remember too his Matthew 24: 37-39 warning about his return:  ‘The Arrival of the Son of Man will take place in times like Noah's. Before the great flood everyone was carrying on as usual, having a good time right up to the day Noah boarded the ark. They knew nothing - until the flood.’

Yes, God’s plan was an ark for Noah and his family. Today our ark is God’s plan established in Jesus. May we assist others to find the real ark and get on board!

Some good advice: Read the real Genesis 6-9 flood story of Noah and God grieved (means 'heartbroken') because of his creation’s sins. As with many movies, the book is so much better! This movie is really a current talking point for Christians with non-Christians as was The Ten Commandments and Robert Duvall’s The Apostle!

In knowing what the word really says, and knowing the Creator personally through Jesus, we can talk from strength.

A Text out of Context is a Pretext!

There’s always something that sticks in one’s mind when a great preacher declares something profound. Personally we will never forget the above, made decades ago by an outstanding pioneer of Pentecostal truths.

For me (Robert) it linked perfectly with scriptures the Holy Spirit had burned into my heart three years previous when out-of-the-blue he spoke to my spirit. When he had stunned me by saying clearly that he would use us both to teach God’s word simply but in-depth, challenging Christians and leaders to understand what scripture is really saying, not what they think or suppose, or some ‘new voice’ declares as being ‘the latest thing in God.’

We refer, of course, to 1 and 2 Timothy. The Lord strongly impressed on us to deeply study these two books, to wholeheartedly devour Paul’s warnings about end time lack of hunger for truth in Christians and churches.

Spiritual junk food
In particular, he influenced me about a coming lack of desire for God’s word, a careless Christianity, and burned 1 Tim. 4.7 into my heart: ‘Stay clear of silly stories that get dressed up as religion’ and especially 2 Tim.4:2-4, ‘Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don't ever quit. Just keep it simple. You're going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food - catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They'll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.’

Sadly over the years many Christians have done just that – ran after ‘the latest thing’ and in many cases have been deceived because they themselves haven’t taken time to read and study the word of God. They have fallen for weird so-called doctrines, have not sought a sound Bible-based shepherd’s guidance and have got caught up in wackiness. Unfortunately many end up totally confused and losing a grip on their faith.

Old chestnuts keep coming round... false end time predictions such as Harold Camping’s Judgment Day and Rapture date of May 21quickly followed by a ‘Sorry, it’s October 21.’ And what about last year’s ‘Want the anointing and a miracle? Then join in and do the Holy Ghost Hokey Pokey’? (US version of Hokey Kokey)

The latest we’ve heard about that is causing much confusion and has already led to some losing their faith through going back into worldliness? A wrong teaching about God’s grace.

A current deceit
For decades there’s been a saying: Weird church stuff soon filters from America to other western countries. Sad but true. But even sadder is this...because of wrong teaching and a lack of biblical knowledge among Christians and church leaders, Satan, that old wolf in sheep’s clothing is able to sneak in with destructive corrupted ‘doctrine’ and bamboozle uninitiated ministers and churchgoers alike.

Thank God for great balanced revelatory teachings by anointed preachers that have come from the States over the years but a current one is dangerous! The latest erroneous teaching going around stupidly states that once a person accepts Christ as Saviour they are so under God’s grace they are free to do whatever they want and never have to repent again!

Some naive Christians have foolishly embraced this false teaching. They’ve been told it’s all right to be worldly, have extramarital relationships, smoke, booze and just enjoy life to the full. And ‘Don’t worry – you’re under grace. You don’t have to ever apologise to God or ever repent again. God will overlook everything because you’re under grace.’ More like being under a spell!

Without God’s grace we would really be lost. We’d be condemned by God virtually every day because of wrong thoughts that slip in never mind wrong actions and words spoken in haste, as even the noblest but most honest leader will admit.

The grace of God is so precious. The only WTC Tower 2 actual impact zone survivor, Stanley Praimnath acknowledges God’s grace preserving his life. That’s scriptural, but one aspect of God’s incredible grace. (See ASSIST News Service's September article by Mark Ellis). In respect to grace and forgiveness of sins we must never trifle with scriptures and make them read as we want them to read! They become texts out of context and therefore pretexts!

An old deception
As our good friend Dr Jim McClure says: ‘Such false teaching is a result of “easigesis”, that is, reading one’s own ideas into the biblical text, rather than exegesis, that is, understanding what the text actually says!’

Bible college students, indeed anyone who has studied the Bible know that exegesis means seeking the correct explanation of scripture. Really understanding doctrine, linking and balancing relevant passages and verses before trying to expound that subject. It’s no wonder James warned in James 3:1 ‘Not many of you should presume to be teachers...because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.’

Unfortunately some Christians have been grievously deceived and wandered away from biblical truth through erroneous grace teaching. We can only pray that some friend, soundly balanced in the word, will come alongside and patiently help them back to reality and that they’ll find a church with a quality teaching ministry.

Incidentally this current wrong teaching is not some new ‘latest in-thing’ but one that goes back to the days of the early church and became known as Antinomianism.

We must always ask forgiveness!
The Bible assures us that yes, we are definitely under grace and our sins past, present and future are truly covered by grace. But it also tells me that we’re still only sinners saved by grace and we cannot afford to go on breaking God’s laws! Paul strongly warns in Romans 6:1-2: 'Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?' 

The Message Bible puts it this way: ‘So what do we do? Keep on sinning so God can keep on forgiving? I should hope not! If we've left the country where sin is sovereign, how can we still live in our old house there?’

John warns us that sinning is living dangerously before God (1 John 3:4). That if we claim we’re free of sin we’re only fooling ourselves - ‘a claim that is errant nonsense’ (1:8) but, verse 9, ‘On the other hand, if we admit our sins - make a clean breast of them - he won't let us down; he'll be true to himself. He'll forgive our sins and purge us of all wrongdoing.’ It’s so clear: If we sin we have to admit it and ask forgiveness afresh!

May every Christian be on guard lest any heresy slips in. Jim McClure’s scholarly new book Grace Revisited is recommended (Email jbmcclure@gmail.com). Discover what grace is really is. Note especially chapter 7!

The power of Jesus' blood - the real Easter message

The church’s most important calendar season is Easter, more than Christmas celebrations, or even Pentecost Sunday (a misunderstood, often ignored event by many, including some Pentecostal churches).

Good Friday, Resurrection Sunday - the weekend the church calls Easter - recalls the major event in Jesus’ life. It demands recalling and highlighting yearly. And no individual, council, government, religion or organisation should ever be allowed to remove, demerit or make light of it. Easter is more than a mere holiday.

Easter is a time to rejoice in the fact that our Saviour, Jesus Christ, overcame for us what Billy Graham, and the Bible, of course, calls humankind’s biggest problem – sin. This victory included Jesus, through his Calvary self-sacrifice, dealing with the power of sin and sin’s result…unresolvable eternal separation from God.

Today, as scripture makes clear, through the death and resurrection of Jesus - and his shed blood - we can know God’s forgiveness of sin, be saturated in his love and friendship and be guaranteed eternal life.

The power of Jesus scarifice - eternal life
Reconciliation with Father God and full salvation does not come about just because a person’s parents are Christians or he or she joins some church. Nor because a person is faithful in exercising the important ‘big church five’...attending church, praying, studying the Bible, tithing and doing good things!

No, it’s only by accepting Jesus as Saviour and asking forgiveness for our sins that one becomes born again and a spiritual child of God with a guarantee of sins cleansed and eternal salvation (John. 3:16). Jesus alone paid the penalty of sin on our behalf. He was wrongly tried, tortured and crucified for us. He died for us, was buried and was raised again to life by the Holy Spirit (Romans. 8:11)! Because he lives, we too will live eternally.

The real heart of Easter is not cute little bunny rabbit chocolate eggs. It’s the reality that because of the shed blood of the crucified Christ we can ask for and receive God’s free gift of forgiveness of every sin (What’s sin? Independence from God, not obeying his laws and wrongdoing by thought, word and action). We can be born again and receive eternal salvation. That’s the real good news of Easter!

The power of Jesus’ blood – cleansing and forgiveness
Robert’s ‘blood experience’ …
‘One time I developed a very sore neck and, as neck vessels carry blood to the brain, required a colour doppler – a computer ultrasound check. As the ultrasound started I was suddenly jolted from my relaxed state by the thundering in my small cubicle. Amazingly it was the computer loudly sounding out “live” the noise of my blood in action – a totally incredible sound! Pulsating, really pounding, eerie, like a mighty rushing wind or huge ocean waves crashing against rocks!

‘Completely intrigued with the roar I could not help but think of the power of Jesus’ blood. If this was how the force of my human blood roared in action, how much more powerfully the blood of Christ? The doppler check became a graphic reminder of how much more meaningful and stronger beyond human blood is the sin-cleansing, life-bringing blood of our Saviour, Jesus.

‘I thought again about the great truth of the atonement – the substitutable death of Jesus on Calvary’s cross and the flowing of his blood to pay the penalty of our sins. That Father God who is holy and righteous, and who alone can grant an assurance of eternity, could never accept us - had not Jesus willingly given his life for us. In simple terms, at Easter 2000 plus years ago Jesus died that we might live! He has done it all – we cannot add to it by our own works or efforts.’

We owe Jesus – and the power of his blood – so much! At every communion service we should be humbly grateful for our salvation but even more so at Easter. L E Jones got it right with his unsurpassed and well-loved hymn, Power in the Blood, probably best known for its famous lively line, ‘There’s wonderful power in the blood.’

The power of Jesus’ gift - the Holy Spirit
Whenever negatives, from people or Satan, or through adverse circumstances try to rob us of our future hope and trust in God, let the Holy Spirit remind us of an irrevocable biblical truth. As Christians we are covered by the blood of Jesus; we don’t have a condemning past, only a great future!

The Holy Spirit will ensure that future as we trust him and continually develop our relationship with him. God sent Jesus to become our Saviour through the shedding of his blood. On his return to heaven, as promised Jesus sent his Spirit – the third person in the godhead – to be our friend and guide throughout life (See John 14:16-17TM). He too will never leave us or forsake us. When sickness, temptations, trouble and challenges come along, we’ll come through victoriously as we trust the Holy Spirit and the power of Christ's blood.

Life has a habit of throwing unexpected curves. You’ve probably noticed that! But when it happens we don’t have to let our faith fall low, we don’t have to go digging into the past, as some would teach condemningly, and looking for faults to blame ourselves with. No! If you’ve accepted Jesus as your friend, Saviour and Lord you’re covered by his blood and have his Spirit within. Whatever the current problem, hand it over to the Lord in prayer. Things will change.

The really amazing thing is that this is not just the good news of Easter alone but an all-year round guarantee for every Christian! In Jesus we always have a future and a hope (Jeremiah.29: 11). Because of Jesus’ Easter victory, the past has no hold over us…unless we bring up rubbish or allow people to do so or worse still Satan, the defeated enemy, to regain control.

God’s Word says we’re free (John 8:35) so let’s live in that truth and other truths found in scriptures such as Ephesians 1:7. The blood of Jesus has accomplished so much!

Yeah, yeah! Enjoy a dark (the best) choc Easter egg – we will – but on Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday rejoice with all heaven over Jesus’ Calvary victory!