So what, exactly, did “Noah,” Darren Aronofsky big-budget epic that swam into theaters last weekend with a $43 million opening, get correct in its depiction of the biblical story?
Not much, according to an expert on the Old Testament and author of the new book “Noah: The Real Story.”
Larry Stone said, “The Bible says that God grieved over the sinfulness of mankind. The movie redefines what that means and says God grieved over mankind’s disrespect of the environment.”
He said, “The Bible says that God’s grace and mercy is alive and well. The only grace and mercy in the movie comes from humans. The Bible says God wants to bless humans by telling them to ‘be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.’ Noah in the movie believes God wants to do away with humans. And the movie does not even touch on the parallel Christ makes between the importance of trusting God before the Flood with trusting God before Christ comes to earth a second time. In fairness, I would not expect the movie to touch on that, but it’s an important conclusion of the Bible’s story of Noah.”.
While Aronofsky’s movie carries a disclaimer at the start stating it deviates from biblical truths, Stone is an expert on the actual Noah account.
“Noah: The Real Story” includes everything you wanted to know about Noah, the Flood, the animals, the Ark and even the search for the Ark today.
For centuries, American monks, Russian soldiers, German scientists, an English politician, an American astronaut and a “Baywatch” star have looked for it.
Stone believes his book is not only the perfect companion to the new Hollywood film but the proper tool for showing why the disclaimer was necessary at the start of the movie.
Get “Noah: The Real Story” – autographed! – exclusively from the WND Superstore!
“My book doesn’t deviate at all from the biblical tale,” said Stone.
The movie and the script it was shot from does, Stone believes.
“The script for ‘Noah’ was not written to cater to evangelical Christians. It was written by two self-described ‘not very religious Jewish guys’ from New York City. The story written by Darren Aronofsky and Ari Handel first appeared in a French-language graphic novel with a six-armed giant rock-angel on the cover. Noah was described by ‘Slashfilm’ as a ‘Mad Max-style warrior.’ The movie was written for an audience that loves graphic novels and ‘Mad Max’ (a 1979 Australian dystopian action film). There was then a huge effort to retrofit this movie to cater to evangelical Christians, but in the end, the Aronofsky story won out – and it’s a story that distorts the real point of the Bible’s account of Noah.”
Stone’s book covers everything from the science of the Ark and Flood, to how Noah gathered and took care of the animals to where the Ark might be today.
“With Aronofsky’s $130 million religious epic Noah out in theaters worldwide, a lot of people are going to be searching for answers when it comes to information about the Flood, God’s judgment, and the Ark,” said Stone. “I’m confident my book will provide the deep answers that even Russell Crowe himself (playing Noah in the movie) couldn’t hope to give.”
Filled with fascinating stories, images, controversial details and thorough research, “Noah: The Real Story,” answers your questions and more, including Noah’s secret for surviving the end of the world.
After all, he did it the first time.
Stone is author of “The Story of the Bible,” named one of the 10 best Christian books of the year, and “Women of the Bible.” He is a graduate of Moody Bible Institute and the University of Iowa School of Journalism.
Get “Noah: The Real Story” – autographed! – exclusively from the WND Superstore!
For media wishing an interview with author Larry Stone, please contact [email protected].
