The Heart Of A Man

Evan Almighty

I have heard a lot of discussion about the new movie that came out in June, Evan Almighty. I have heard it ripped to shreds and I have heard it lauded for its comedic value. Generally, I expect people to be harsh when reviewing movies (that's why they are called "critics"), but this time some of it has gotten under my skin.

One respected Christian leader was "uncomfortable with the depiction of our most righteous God as an ordinary man who, though endearing and warm, danced and performed funny miracles." His point was that God "is profoundly holy, and we are to approach Him with deep humility and reverence." And while I agree that God is holy and we are to see Him as such, it saddens me that we put Him in a box where we can't imagine him smiling and laughing or wanting to dance with us. I believe that Jesus had a wonderful sense of humor and that God delights in us enough that if He were to appear to us in human form, especially after we had been obedient to Him and seen His mercy and grace fulfilled, that He just might laugh and dance with us. That in no way takes away His holiness.

There was also a complaint that in the movie God explains that the first flood was because people had not done enough "Acts of Random Kindness (ARK)." And while I agree that this it is a stretch to interpret that "the people of the world were evil" into "not doing acts of random kindness," I give leeway here as I step back and look at the overall message of the movie. It seems to me that the greater message of the movie is that God wants us to obey Him even when we don't understand the "why" of what He tells us to do, He wants us to be more concerned with others than ourselves, and that He loves us enough to intervene and save us from people with evil intent. Now, certainly this does not cover all the aspects of who God is. No one movie could. I seem to remember John writing that all the books in the world couldn't contain all that Christ did in three years, so I imagine that all the movies in the world couldn't depict all the facets of who God is. Bruce Almighty (which I thought was a much more irreverent predecessor - although funny as well) depicted how a mortal man could never do what God does and how much Greater than man He is. These movies weren't made as deep theological lessons, but they were made to prove a specific point about God in a humorous way.

Now, I agree that there were things that could have been changed to make it even better, but here's my main problem: If we as Christians are going to slam Hollywood for making a wholesome movie that allows the world at large to see a truth about God, and laugh in the process (yes, we can even laugh at ourselves), then what movie can we endorse? I might be able to count them on one hand. Maybe on one finger. Yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, and I respect that many may have a conviction that they shouldn't support this movie. We can agree to disagree, but please, don't judge me for enjoying it.

posted by David @ 9:15 PM