Wednesday, March 26, 2014

How Jonah swallowed Noah - or something...

Thinking about the upcoming movie Noah, I recall a comment made by our Theological College Principal in the 1950s about Cecil B de Mille’s The Ten Commandments. “Father” Hames said that movie would probably confirm pagans in their paganism and Christians in their Christianity.

 I feel somewhat  the same about Noah. Except that the re-telling of most ancient myths doesn’t  do much  for my faith. So it was with a little unease that I attended our new local church where Sunday’s service was to feature the Trinity Puppeteers presenting Jonah and the Whale.

I needn’t have worried. The Muppet-like characters emphasised the mythological context, the story was imaginatively and amusingly told; the presentation thoroughly professional; and the whole absolutely entertaining. Our presbyter followed up with a brief but forthright introduction to the issue of truth in parables and four or so points of relevance for our lives today.

In the context of the community of faith, this old story rang some bells for me. Thanks, Trinity. Perhaps you could have a go at Noah?

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