Holy Word vs. Hollywood: Is That Noah's Story from The Bible?

April 1, 2014 at 11:51am

           I went to watch "Noah" at the opening night with a set of mind that "This is going to be one of a kind movie!" I thought about sharing my insight on this movie for one reason that is to get the biblical story of Noah right. I am not here to impose what Hollywood movie is all about when comes to stories of imagination. Then, why Noah? First, the movie was credited to the biblical account of Noah in the book of Genesis. By doing so, the viewers like me and you will definitely think that it is a Bible story. Second, there are some so called "Christians" in the world endorse the movie as a legitimate spiritual movie to watch along with their families and non-Christian friends. Should we watch the movie? Is it helping me in my spiritual growth? What is about the
movie, Noah?

            The movie itself discredited God, the Creator from the very beginning of the scenes. It titled, "In the beginning, there was nothing." Right in front of our eyes, it tells us that there was no God (nothing). Unlike the Scripture says, "In the beginning, God . . ." (Genesis 1:1). The existence of God is undermined while the moviemakers using His very words, the Bible. It is an insult to God. The Scripture says, "The fool has said in his heart, there is no God." (Psalm 14:1)

            The next scenes are fast moving, graphic arts of a single cell evolves into fish, then legged fish, then lizard craws out of sea to land, then pig, then monkey, and finally man (Adam and Eve was introduced). The evolution process was replaced the creation of God in that movie. Many viewers unaware of these scenes as an evolution process of living things. The Scripture says, "In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. . . So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. . . Then God said, 'Let the earth bring forth the living creatures according to its kind.'" (Genesis 1:1, 21, 24). Keep in mind that God created these living things within a time frame of the fifth and the sixth days, but not in millions of years (Genesis 1:23, 31). The movie Noah has rejected God's creation of sea creatures, land animals, birds of the air, and the human, who was created after His own image (Genesis 1:26).

            When I focus on the character of Noah, the righteous man was portrayed as unrighteous. He was merely a self-righteous person who took the place of God and judged the world. The movie repeatedly imposes an idea that God has left the world and its judgment in the hand of Noah. Noah got to choose who could live or die. Of cause, Noah in the movie said that man is not worthy of the plant Earth but only the innocent animals. So, he attempted to kill his very own newly born grandchildren onboard like a psychopathic person. That is not a righteous person in the Bible. The man whom God considers righteous is none other than a person who trusted Him in his mercy. The biblical Noah was righteous because he simply trusted in God's providence. In Hebrews 11:7 recorded, "By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household." Therefore, the only reason God saved Noah and his family was based on His grace. The Scripture says, "Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD." (Genesis 6:8). Imagine, the Hollywood has no idea of the biblical view of righteousness, thus, portray Noah's righteousness as 'self-righteous' person.

            The idea of God in the movie was unkind, unattended of His creation-including man, and unmerciful to the sinners. As I watched the movie until the end, I found too many contradictory ideas of God. At first, the moviemakers denied God and His work of creation, and then later shifted the blames of humankind's sin, the fallen angels' problem, the flood, and Noah's problems upon God. Can they be Atheists (Deny the existence
of God) and not blaming every problem to God?  Scripture says, "Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but become futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man." (Romans 1:21-23a).

            In the movie, Noah struggled to communicate with God, thus, he went to consult with his grandfather, "Methuselah."  Definitely, this is not in the Bible story of Noah. Rather, the movie makers introduced pagan religion practice of consulting witchcraft or sorcery as Noah consulted Methuselah about God's pending judgment. Noah was given a potion (a teacup), which was supposed to be magical, to drink and see the divine instruction. God has never spoken and never will he speak through any media, witchcraft, or sorcery to His people. God said, "I will cut off sorceries from your hand, and you shall have no soothsayers" (Micah 5:12). God has spoken to us through His Son, Jesus Christ. God speaks to us through His every word, the Bible today (Hebrews 1:1, 2).

            Accuracy is not their target in the movie. I can see stimulation and dramatizing keep viewers excited throughout the movie.  I am all for it. But when comes to biblical history, at least, the movie makers should stick to the very facts about it. Mel Gibson has done a great job on "The Passion of the Christ" movie regarding the facts about Christ's passion. The movie Noah took away the basis fact about the 8 persons on board the ark. The Scripture recorded, "So Noah, with his sons, his wife, and his sons' wives, went into the ark because of the waters of the flood" (Genesis 7:7). No record of babies was born in the ark. I believed that was how the movie makers figured out to stick with the account of 8 people on board the ark.

            What is about the movie Noah? It is not the biblical story of Noah, the ark, and the flood. It is merely a deprived or duplicated story that contains very minimum fact about the original story. Otherwise, it uses the biblical history as a springboard to achieve high level of interests of people. Not to mention the money! The box office over the weekend drew $44 millions in domestic tickets sale and $95 millions overseas  (http://www.breitbart.com/Big-Hollywood/2014/03/31/noah-no-passion). Seriously, the movie is all about denying God and His rightful ownership of the creation. Beside, the new age philosophy Aquarian Conspiracy, p. 382; S. Gawain, Living In the Light, pp. 7-8). When Noah in the movie planed to safeguard the new world after the flood (creation), he wanted a world without co-existing of mankind but only animals. The moviemakers then changed the biblical theme of the Noah story. Noah rather saved the animals to live on the new world (after flood) but not mankind. God's redemption history of 8 people (Mankind preserved, the remnant) was changed to preserving of creation and animals. For New Age sees man as ignorance being. The salvation of the world depends upon human. Through positive energy and thoughts to peace, the world will be cleansed. In addition, all negative elements and New Age ideals will be realized through the spiritual enlightenment. Man's only real problem is ignorance of the fact that he is  intrinsically divine and perfect. Man has a perception of finiteness, which is an illusion (Ken Keyes, Jr., Handbook to Higher Consciousness, pp. 125-29).
indoctrinated in the movie that God is existed in the form of essence through the creation. New Agers view God as an impersonal life force, consciousness, or energy (M. Ferguson,

            We now know that this movie Noah is a spiritual default. It is not going to help our spiritual life. It is also not a movie to watch together with your non-Christian friends and families. It will be more harmful than helpful to their lives. When the truth is deluded with falsehood, it is even harder to untangle the truth out of its mass. You will be far from sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Noah history in Genesis chapters 6 and 7 remain valid to us in the modern day. Jesus referred to Noah's history when He talked about His coming (Luke 17:26-29). I see the Ark of Noah in compare to the Cross of Jesus. Just like Noah and his family got into the Ark and saved from God's judgment (the flood); whoever gets on to the Cross of Jesus will be saved from the judgment to come (the  eternal hell). God invited Noah and his family into the Ark, "Come into the ark" (Genesis 7:1). God is still inviting anyone to come to the Cross of Jesus, "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

            So, should you and your family see this movie? If I say, "Don't watch it," out of curiosity (human nature) you'll watch it. If I say, "Go watch it," you'll still watch it anyway. I do not want to say neither. Nevertheless, whether you watch it or not, be ready to give right account of biblical history of Noah to those who ask you. Be ready to give a defense of your reasons, hope, and faith in Christ. So read your Scriptures. "But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear" (1 Peter 3:15).

Heresy Looming at Horizon: I Will Be Like the Most High

October 30, 2013 at 3:20am

           Recently, I attended the fundraising event for Kachin IDP at Oakland, California. Many Burmese tribal dresses and traditional foods were among the high light of the event. People of Burma, Kachin, Karen, Kaya, Chin, Bama, and others tribal people came to support the event. Suddenly, someone, who was a familiar person from Burma, handed over three booklets in my hands. Those three booklets were titled, "Bringing the Deeper Meaning of the Christian Message" by the Living Stream Ministry. Soon, I read those booklets and analyze their contents. Here is what I have found in those booklets.
           Doctrine of Satan is a simple fact that he wanted to be like God. Isaiah 14:12-15recorded the story of Lucifer, the Satan, from the beginning of his sin to the end of his destruction. Lucifer claimed, "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High" (Isa.14:13-14). Lucifer's sin was to be like God in rebellion spirit. Today, this doctrine of Satan is alive and well in the hearts of men. The spirit of Lucifer is represented in the mind of men, who desire to be like God. For example, a person like Benny Hinn holds such doctrine of Satan. Benny Hinn claimed that he and his followers are becoming the gods (divine nature). Biblical discernment ministry exposed him, "Hinn claims to actually be a channel for God-that God enters him and takes over his mind and tongue to the point where he is unaware of what he has said. After his sermon on December 31, 1989, at Orlando Christian Center, during which he gave several future prophecies, Hinn expressed that he was drunk-presumably on the Holy Spirit-and asked someone to tell him what he had just said. In another statement, Hinn asserts that though we are not Almighty God Himself, nevertheless, we are now divine" (http://www.rapidnet.com/~jbeard/bdm/exposes/hinn/general.htm

). Witness Lee, the follower of Watchmen Nee(the Chinese Christian leader of 1903-1972), founded the Living Stream Ministry.Witness Lee taught that a new nature in Christ was the divine nature. God departed His divine nature to the believers. Thus, believers in Christ are to be transformed as divine, gods. This heresy continues to teach and followed by Witness Lee's followers until present time.
           The three booklets that I received were nothing but the teaching of Witness Lee. The doctrine of Satan, "To be like Most High" was repackaged with Scripture references (which were interpreted wrongfully to accommodate the doctrine). The Stream booklet stated,"By means of this grafted life the believers participate in God's divinity. The believers are being mingled with God, and God is mingling Himself with them. As a result, the believers have divinity in their being and participate in God's divinity" ("The Stream. The Secret of Renewing and Transformation. Vol.18, No 1, March 1998, p.7). Purely, Witness Lee's heretic teaching was reinstated. The explanation of the phrase "participate in God's divinity" was confirmed to the doctrine of Satan. They stated, "In God's organic salvation we, the believers in Christ, can participate in God's divinity. God's life has been imparted into our life, His nature is being wrought into our nature, His mind is being wrought into our mind, and we even have His divine element, the element of the riches of His unsearchable life, to transform our entire being. Thus, we have God's life, God's nature, God's mind, and the divine element of all His riches,and now we can participate in God's divinity in full" (The Stream. The Secret of Renewing and Transformation. Vol.18, No.1, March1998, p. 9).
            The Stream's editor and writers are continuously indoctrinating the doctrine of Satan, "I will be like Most High"in every teaching such as in Eschatology (Study of End time), Soteriology (Study of Salvation), Ecclesiology (Study of Church), and Anthropology (Study of Man)areas. The Bible does not teach us any human being become divine (god). God saved humankind through His grace and mercy without anyone's effort (Eph.2:8, 9). God in His pleasure gave salvation through Jesus Christ (Eph.1:5). However, God has not promised us to be gods, He claimed for Himself as One God (Deu.6:4). There is no other gods beside Him (Exo.20:3). The only promise for us is to be the sons of God or the children of God (Romans 8:14, 16). Heretic the Stream team is interpreting the New Life in Christ as the divine life. They claimed, "In regeneration a new life, the divine life, is added to our natural life, causing these two lives to become one" (The Stream. The Secret of Renewing and Transformation. Vol.18, No.1, March 1998, p. 4). The Bible only teaches us our new life in Christ as a life that is born in Spirit (John 3:6). Definitely, it was not the divine life (the imparted divine elements such as power, glory, and divinely attributes). Our spiritual life was born in Christ (John 3:3).
            Therefore, brothers and sisters in Christ, the heresy is at the doorstep of our homes. There is Witness Lee's heresy (Lee, Witness. ‘’The Divine Dispensing of the Divine Trinity.’’ Anaheim: Living Stream Ministry,1990. Print.) spreading among our Burmese Christians community. Beware of twisted tongues that speaking half-truth like the Old Serpent in the Garden of Eden (Gen.3:5). They quoted right Bible verses to support their views without interpreting the context of the text. In the end, run away from the false teachers that teach you can be like Most High. They convince you to be gods. You have been warned!

ONE THING: 2nd Step: Count All Things Lost (Phil.3:8)

Our 2nd step in pursuing Christ is "Count all things lost." It is hard for anyone to think of himself as having nothing while he has so much to lose. We, most of the time, forget the reality of life that is a shot lift, and pursuing every temporary things in this world. Apostle Paul said that he has learned to count every thing in his life as if all lost. That means, all good and bad things that he achieved and passed through in his life are nothing in compare to the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus. He said, "Count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ" (Phil. 3:8). Paul has found a better perspective of 'kingdom living' life style. That is to say, he has lived his life according to God's purpose. Many of us may not know the purpose of life on this earth. God has preordained our life for His purpose (Eph. 1:4-10). One cannot fulfill his life purpose without living in kingdom perspective. Paul has demonstrated to us that nothing is more important than pursuing Christ in this world. Jesus Christ Himself has told us, "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matt. 6:33). Our priority must be Jesus Christ in compare to temporary things of this world. We are not suggesting here every thing in this world is bad and ugly. Rather, it is to say that let our mind be focused more important thing, which is eternal value in our lives than temporary values. May you be able to count all things in your life as if lost (losable nature) as you are focusing on Christ.  Some says, "Let go and let God." That might be a good motto to live for in this world. Let your temporary things go and let God take control of your life.

ONE THING: 1st Step: Have No Confident in Flesh!

2012, "One Thing" is our theme, based on Phil. 3:13. We will do one thing, that is to pursue Christ. There are 12 steps to follow according to apostle Paul in his testimony, displays at Philippians chapter 3. Each month, we will study one step, and follow. This month of January, the first step is "No confident in the flesh." Paul has shifted away his confident, trust, dependancy, and thought from fleshly, carnal things such as his racial background, being religious leader like Pharasee, and his enthusiasim for God as a persecuter of Christians. But he has left being a person, who has a fleshly or carnal mindedness, when come to pursuing Christ. We shall have no confident in carnality of our success and gains. Let us put our confident in Christ alone. This One Thing we do, in first step, no confident in our flesh. Put your trust in Christ alone in all your ways.

Christmas Eve Service on Dec.24th at 6:00 PM

From the manger to the river Jordon, Jesus walks and performs great miracles. First hand experience of how Jesus heals blind person near Jordon river can be yours at the Christmas eve service. You are cordially invited to our annual Christmas eve worship service. You and your family will find the reason to believe in Christmas miracle as we worship in "I Believe" theme. Inspirational Christmas music and drama will be performed by junior, youth and young adults through out the service. Then, the service is followed by candle light dinners where you and your family can enjoy fellowship, friendship, and memory that will last longer. Hope you all can make it! Have a wonderful Christmas and may the peace of God be upon you.

We Are Thankful For You!

Praise Team leads in worship

Youth Education Program (YEP) teachers were honored. We are thankful for their love and dedication toward needy children. May God richly bless you all.

      Our annual thanksgiving service for this year has been celebrated with joy and happiness. Karen Fellowship and OBMBC combined together and give thanks for the goodness of God. Our theme is "Thankful for You" based on Colossians 1:12-14, " Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins."   Paul the apostle give thanks to God for the faith and salvation of the Colossians saints. Here we are giving thanks to God for our loved ones who have not know the grace of God in His Son. We have been praying for them for their salvation in Christ. We give thanks for them because they are apart of our lives. We give thanks for them for they have been made in the will of God. We give thanks for them for God is good and merciful upon them. Let the saving grace of Jesus Christ show mercy upon all of us.

 Children sing praises in Burmese, Karen, and English languages with their action songs.

 

Chin brothers praise in their language.

 

Karen Fellowship Choir praises in Karen tongue. 

 

Youth & Young Adults call for people to speak to the nations about Christ.

 

They have dedicated with "I will Go" praise dance.

 

Congregation rejoice and take pride in their ethnicity.

 

People rejoice and filled with grateful hearts for once again God has touched our hearts. Happy and blessed thanksgiving season to you and your family.

Join us in prayer for VBS

This year VBS is going to be a life changing experience one, not only for the children but for all of us. Why? It is because; the lessons are targeted to change our life from inside out. They are designed to motivate us to turn the world upside down! The wrong side up situation of the world and its philosophy must turn upside down in order to turn it right side up before God. Well, let's ask the children during VBS about it.


Our church has been doing VBS annually and this year is the sixth year. Each year, the joy of learning God's truth through Bible stories along side of children is my privilege and honor. Church members, parents, teachers and volunteers believe in VBS program and they have invested their time, talents, and resources. The most astonishing moment in VBS is when you see the responses of children to God's word from their hearts. It is a pure silver or a fine gold value for me. Why don't you pray for VBS children and all of us? You are a part of VBS as you support us in prayer during our VBS. It is on August 4th through 7th. The closing VBS worship program will be on Sunday August 7th at 1:00 PM in our church sanctuary. You are invited to join the worship service led by VBS children. Their songs, dances, and testimonies will enlighten you with joy and in Spirit. Hope you can join us.