Posted on 06/14/2003 5:46:01 PM PDT by UnklGene
A lesson of sorts from 'Bruce' By Pamela Hale Staff writer For years Hollywood has made movies about God. And while some have followed scriptural accounts of God, many have deceived audiences about who and what God is.
There are those who see him as a God of love, who accepts everything whether or not it is an abomination.
Others see him as a God of wrath who, with the wave of a hand, can destroy the world.
I believe he's both.
He is a God of love, who does accept everything, except sin. At the same time he is a just God, who punishes sin.
Movies like, Hollywood's latest release, "Bruce Almighty,' with Jim Carrey have made God into a person with a much lighter side.
Now, I don't doubt that God has a sense of humor, I've seen some of his creation. But to make him out to be a person who would turn over his powers to a self-centered, complaining man is only possible in the movies.
After blaming God for all his mishaps and disasters, Bruce Nolan, (Carrey) is confronted by God, played by Morgan Freeman, and asked if he thinks he can do a better job at being the Almighty. Nolan is then given a chance to prove himself as God.
And after being given all of God's omnipotence, Nolan puts it into action.
Since Nolan's view of God was that he wasn't doing his job and was a mean ruler existing simply to make life miserable, one would think he'd try helping others. Instead, he sets out to fulfill his own selfish desires.
He begins first and foremost with lifting the dress of a woman while quoting from the Bible, "And he saw it and it was good,' in reference to what God said after he com pleted his creation in Gen. 1:10. The Bible calls that lust in Matt. 5:28.
He goes on to ruin the chances of his co-worker getting the promotion he wants.
He inflicts his vengeance on people who have wronged him in times past.
Surprisingly enough, I did find some truth in the movie. God never leaves Nolan alone. He is always near for guidance and encouragement. And though God has insisted free will not be touch, he remains calm and loving, despite Nolan's temper tantrums and yelling: In one instance he yells, "You suck!' to God's face.
These are true characteristics of God. He is always patient with our attitude problems and selfish lifestyles. We are blessed with free will the choice between right and wrong. There is no power that forces us to stay on the straight and narrow. And despite what Flip Wilson's Geraldine says, there is no such thing as "the devil made me do it.'
After several more selfish, pow erful acts Nolan realizes that he is getting all he wants, but losing all that he needs.
Brings to mind the Scripture which asks: "What does it profit a man to gain the whole world and lose his own soul?' (Matt. 16:26)
While I can't deny I laughed at some parts of the movie, I just wish Hollywood would stop trying to portray God. It can't be done. The Bible says that no man has seen God at any time in 1 John 4:12.
Remarkably, at the end of the movie Nolan falls to his knees and tells God he surrenders to his will. For Hollywood that was impressive, because that is something we all should do, realizing we are nothing and can do nothing without him.
Nolan, like many of us, had asked God for signs that he was listening to his prayers. And he questioned God's reasoning for the misfortunes which had engulfed him.
As Nolan found out, despite what we face in life, God's grace is sufficient to endure. (2 Cor. 12:9)
Fortunately, for us, there will be no exchanging of powers. God forbid. For we ourselves would be real- life Bruce Almightys. I thank God for the real God Almighty.
I was impressed by Jennifer Anniston's character, who is reavealed as a person of strong prayer.
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