Noah Movie - continuing the tradition

Ok, I said I wouldn't comment on the Noah movie, but I am... Don't worry, it'll be brief ;-)

I went and watched the Noah movie with my wife and was blown away...in a good way. Honestly, the sheer artistic beauty of what was done with that film was incredible. I can think of two specific points in the movie in which I was moved to tears; one out of remorse for the condition of mankind and the other out of joy for the beautiful restoration that God provides humanity with.

I don't want this post to be a spoiler, so I won't give any details here. What I will say is that I think we need to see the movie as a part of a longer tradition of story telling. What I mean is, that we need to frame the movie into a larger context; one that includes the oral tradition of primeval mankind. What I haven't seen a lot of in online commentary is a nod to the flood narrative tradition that is evident in the ancient near east. Mesopotamia, being where Abraham was from, is of particular note with the Gilgamesh epic. In that story there are striking parallels to the Genesis account of Noah:

• Character warned by deity to build a boat to escape the impending flood which is designed to wipe out humanity.
• Boat is built
• Storm happens.
• After waters retreat a little, the boat lands on top of a mountain
• A dove and raven from the boat are used to determine if the passengers can safely return to the land
• Story ends with a sacrificial offering and a blessing on the survivors.

To me, these are too great of parallels to simply dismiss. It should also be noted, however, that there are marked differences as well:

• Where the boat landed
• The kind of boat built
• The duration of the flood
• who, exactly, was saved
• The eventual outcome for the main character
•  And - most vitally - the role of the deities involved

Utnapishtim

In the Gilgamesh epic, none were meant to be saved and it is by the betrayal of one of the gods that Utnapishtim (the hero) discovers the plan and builds his boat. Also, in the Gilgamesh epic, Utnapishtim saves artisans and historians in order to preserve human culture whereas in the Genesis account, human culture is largely the problem that the flood is to solve. Another parallel flood narrative from ancient Mesopotamia is the Atrahasis Epic which also has close parallels with some marked differences such as the flood being planned because humanity was too loud and numerous. Truthfully, the connection between these stories is something that is hard to nail down. What can be said with the most certainty is that it was more likely the case that all of these flood narratives were derived from a single source -- likely the event itself -- and it is not likely the case that any one borrowed too heavily directly from the other stories.

In all of these parallels, we must remember that the importance of the flood narrative is not in its detail, but in its meaning. "The ancient storyteller did not let variations in the traditions he received deter him from his purpose of weaving these materials together to say what he wanted to say about God."[1]

The most important thing to do when watching the movie is to watch it through to the end; here is where we see the true meaning of the events of the story.When we frame the history and tradition of the flood narrative accurately, we can see the work of Darren Arnofsky as a continuation of this tradition of story telling for the purpose of theology and not history or science; we realize that the details are not the primary point of concern, but the picture of God that is portrayed and, to that end, I commend Arnofsky.

I think that it's best put this way:

"Genesis is the book of beginnings and contains the foundations for much of the theology of the Old Testament...An understanding of the book's content and message is essential to the study of the rest of the Bible. It is not a book of science, though scientists are right to investigate its claims. It is not a book of biographies, though much can be learned from the lives of men and women portrayed in its pages. It is not a book of history, though history is the path it follows. It is a book of theology, though its task is not accomplished systematically."[2]

 For those that would like a more in-depth analysis of the movie and its importance to the church today, read here; just make sure you have a good cup of coffee before you sit down ;-) it is truly thorough. Also, keep your eyes out for a post on this topic at my brother's website; he always has good things to say.

Above all else, remember to view things in proper context and let God's Spirit which is in you dictate how you conduct yourselves no matter what your reaction to the movie.

Peace,
C.M.

[1] Tullock, John H., and Mark Harold McEntire. "Chapter 3 Israel Looks at the Beginnings." The Old Testament Story. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall, 2009. 2-51. Print

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[2] Hill, Andrew E., and John H. Walton. "Chapter 4: Genesis." A Survey of the Old Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Pub. House, 2009. 78. Print.

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