The first half of 2014 has witnessed an increased share of Christian movies hitting the local theater. Predictably, these releases have created a lot of buzz in the evangelical community. For each of us, the Christlike virtue of discernment (Ephesians 5:15-18; Hebrews 5:11-14; 1 Peter 5:8) becomes vitally important as we evaluate the theological content, moral teaching, and evangelistic potential of these movies.

Fortunately, each of us are able to "teach and admonish" ourselves and our brothers and sisters regarding these unique movies if the Word of Christ is dwelling in us richly (Colossians 3:16). In the list below, I've linked to several helpful reviews of some of these hottest movies. Whether or not you see these films, I trust we'll continue to think discerningly, walk distinctly, and live missionally.

NOAH

• Greg Baker — I really appreciated my friend's comments about how to share the gospel using this movie as a springboard. However, he admits that he hasn't and won't see the movie. I wonder if he does, if he will have to rewrite this article. I would like to be able to launch into a gospel presentation using this movie as a conversation starter, but it tells such an aberrant story that it's hard to reasonably climax it with the gospel of Jesus Christ. I think I would have to say something along the lines of, "I'm glad you enjoyed the movie—it sure was a cinematic masterpiece. However, do you know that the real story of Noah is actually quite a bit different than Hollywood's version, and it ends a lot better?!"
• Al Mohler — He summarizes my thoughts well: "I expected to be irritated by the movie – but I found myself grieved."
• Answers in Genesis (a longer review here)
• Quick Thoughts — (1) It visually stirs you with what the wickedness of man is like, although it misrepresents the essence of sin (i.e., against nature, not against God). (2) It condones evolution and non-marital sex. (3) It teaches that mankind's destiny was ultimately left up to Noah not the sovereign plan of God, thus suggesting a deistic view of God. (4) It essentially misses the illustration of grace divinely pictured in that story (cf. 1 Peter 3:18-20; 2 Peter 2:5), thus making it hard to climax with what that shadow is supposed to point to—Jesus Christ (cf. Colossians 2:17; Hebrews 10:1). (5) As the above articles mention, it incorporates a lot of non-biblical, extra-biblical, and unbiblical elements.
• My Bottom Line (NOTE: my opinion, not Scriptural dogma) — Feel free to watch the movie and enjoy the cinematic entertainment. However, I stand by what I posted on Facebook immediately after watching this movie, "If you haven't seen the movie Noah, but know and love your Bible, don't waste your time and vex your spirit! So grateful that the true story of Noah is a picture of sovereign grace—'good news' indeed!"

SON OF GOD

• Tim Challies (also here)
• Matthew Hoskinson
• Andy Naselli
• My Bottom Line (NOTE: my opinion, not Scriptural dogma) — I haven't seen it, but probably will when it comes out on DVD. I'm sure that I will be frustrated with some of its aberrant details, but also expect to be encouraged at times. Regardless, I agree with Any Naselli that the 2003 movie, The Gospel of John, is a better Jesus-film to watch, for its script is the word-for-word gospel of John.

GOD'S NOT DEAD

• Answers in Genesis
• My Bottom Line (NOTE: my opinion, not Scriptural dogma) — I have not watched this movie, but have read some reviews and appreciate their concerns. Having listened to those comments, I doubt this movie will prove too helpful in evangelism, but I'm sensing that if watched with discernment, God's Not Dead can be a wonderful source of encouragement and strengthening.

HEAVEN IS FOR REAL
(and all other such books and movies on near-death experiences in heaven or hell)

• John MacArthur
• Tim Challies
• John Piper
• David Platt
• Luke 16:19-31 — I was surprised that none of the above reviews referenced this passage, in which we are told, "If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead" (v. 31). In other words, God's Word is sufficient for our understanding and faith.
  
• My Bottom Line (NOTE: my opinion, not Scriptural dogma) — I like how Tim Challies ends his review of the book, and I'm okay listening to his advice: "So reject this book. Do not read it. Do not believe it. And do not feel guilty doing so." Again, though, this topic being in the realm of Christian liberty, I am not saying that you are sinning or even being unwise if you decide to read the book or watch the movie. Do so with discernment and commitment to the integrity of, submission to, and proclamation of scriptural truth.

I’ve heard many times the truth that God’s judgment is related to His character. In other words, because God is holy/just He cannot tolerate or overlook our sins; and for Him to overlook and not judge sin, would be for Him to cease to be holy/just and therefore cease to be God. So, the judgment of sin is a character/nature issue for God.

While it makes sense (and is also true) that God’s love in salvation is also essentially connected to His character, I don’t think I had ever made that sweet connection until tonight. In other words, while we sometimes marvel (with thanksgiving) that God didn’t do what we probably would have done when Adam and Eve blew it — that is, wipe them out and start over — God would not have even considered that, because since His nature is loving, He had to reach out to us and provide a way for us to be close to Him that satisfies His holy/just nature. For God to have done other than that would have been for Him to deny His love and to cease to be the God of the Bible. So, the salvation from sin is also a character/nature issue for God.

I’m sure though that God doesn’t think of these things the way we just expressed. I’m sure He didn’t reason after the Fall, “Well, I wish I could start over, but I have to be consistent with My nature of love, so I’ll initiate this plan of redemption.” And I’m sure He doesn’t think about “having” to judge sin because His nature demands it. Since, in the words of Tozer, “all of God does all that God does,” God simply responds to sin with judgment and responded to the Fall with love because in His indivisible nature He is a God of consistent justice and love — that’s just who He is. So, God was not merely “being” loving when He initiated salvation; He, as “love,” was simply being Himself.

What a unique Being our God is! What a different Person He is! Hallelujah! He doesn’t change! And His unimproveable nature naturally results in predictable responses from Him toward us — thus, we know that He will both judge sin and extend love, because His nature demands that! His uncompromised holiness, inescapable justice, and incomprehensible love are all simply who He is — thus, both the penalty of sin and the need for salvation are dealt with by the God who is simply being Himself.

With this in mind then, if all we knew of the Bible was Genesis 1:1-3:7 (i.e., the Creation and Fall), then we could still loosely predict what would come after — for, knowing that God would simply respond as who He is, we would recognize that both judgment upon sin (which is the response of His holy justice) and a plan of redemption (which is the response of His gracious love) would follow.

To God, His holiness is not unique, His standard is not high, and His love is not amazing…at least not in the comparative perspective from which we consider them. The Great One who is outside of time and space is alone “the Great Norm/Constant,” and it is we who are not normal, constant, or predictable. Thus, the appropriate response for us is to stand amazed in His presence and to humbly say, “Thank you, Almighty God, that you are simply Yourself, and therein we have inexpressible joy and steadfast hope!”