Christians Weren't Fooled a Second Time, Film "Exodus" Bombs

Atheist director Darren Aronosfsky fooled many Christians into buying tickets to see his version of "NOAH" in theaters a few months ago. The film took in $44 million the opening weekend. Then things went downhill. People who saw the film told friends to skip it because NOAH, according to Aronosfsky, was a crazed, angry environmentalist who even considers slaughtering his own family.

Aronosfsky portrayed God as an enviro-terrorist, and anti-human.

Simultaneously, Hollywood was heavily investing in the next "biblical" film---"Exodus," which released a few weeks ago.

More on "Exodus" in a moment, but you should know this:

Planned Parenthood is moving out of Issaquah (WA.). They have closed their clinic. 

They sent out this message: "Thank you for your patronage. As of Dec. 30th, 2014, Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest will no longer be providing services at our Issaquah location." 

In September, the folks at Issaquah Prayer for Life posted this message on their Facebook page: 

"From Sept. 24---Nov. 2, 2014: We will be holding a 40 day prayer vigil at the Issaquah Planned Parenthood clinic at 75 Dogwood St. Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays." 

God has answered their prayers.

Believing they had cracked the code as to how to tell tens of millions of Christians and their pastors that they were making a "biblical film" just for them, Hollwood and these producers proceeded to make a film that reflected their own rebellion against God and the people who follow Him.

However, it isn't working out exactly as planned. The code has been cracked, but not by the atheists who gave us "NOAH " and "Exodus."


The code, according to Hollywood reporter John Nolte, was that "they would sell the movie to the rubes as biblical, sucker punch them after the ticket purchase, and laugh all the way to the bank."

He says, "That is what's known to the bigoted as a win-win."

Noah's opening weekend took in $44 million because pastors and Christian leaders encouraged believers to see the movie.

You will recall we took a very different approach. I encouraged Christians not to invest their money in something that, by design, was intended to undermine the biblical account.

After the first weekend, Exodus went into a sharp decline in ticket sales.

Although Hollywood budgets are big numbers and ticket sales usually bigger numbers, in the end it all comes down to whether they made a profit.

After the $44 million opening weekend, "Noah" sales fell off dramatically, but continued to a little over $300 million worldwide. Those are big numbers, but industry experts say if it makes a profit, it will be a "tiny" one, not even close to what the industry had hoped for and projected.

Now, 8 months later, "Exodus" was released. It bombed by all Hollywood financial standards.

Christians weren't fooled this time.

This time Christians had heard that actor Christian Bales, who played "Moses," was saying he saw the character Moses as "schizophrenic and barbaric."

It's easy to understand why believers were not interested in seeing a film based on a biblical event, produced by atheists, with actors who had no idea who Moses really was.

Nolte says, "The effort and financial investment that went into 'Noah' and 'Exodus' would have paid off handsomely! hugely! gigantically! and awesomely! if the film makers had simply been broad-minded enough to respect the source material [the Bible] and its audience. Instead, they chose to arrogantly mock God and His followers."

This is true. The people directing and producing were atheists. And they mocked us and our God.

The entertainment industry carries the assumption that Christians are generally uninformed and easily misled.

In some cases, we affirm that notion. I often wonder why some pastors and Christian leaders suggest people see these films? Are we so driven to be entertained, we will accept this kind of mockery?

I recently read the following post on Facebook by a pastor here in the Northwest whom I know:

"To all my Christian friends who have been critical of the movie Noah and will become critical of the movie Exodus for there lack of biblical accuracy, here's a point to ponder: If u want biblical & historical accuracy read the bible and the works of Josephus. If u want good entertainment turn to Hollywood."

Most Christians did not "turn to Hollywood" this time.

Even the Hollywood Reporter, a leading industry journal, reported that people of faith rejected the film "Exodus."

Industry observers say "Exodus" will lose money---lots of money.

The take away: "You can fool some of the Christians some of the time, but not all the Christians all the time."

We eventually get it.

We live in a time when Christians must be mature---grow up spiritually, and be both informed and discerning.

Consider this:

"Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments" (Psalms 119:66).

And this:

"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you can prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect" (Romans 12:2).

There are outstanding Christian films being produced that are accurate in spirit and in the truth. Like "God is Not Dead" and others.

Christians do not have to hang out in Hollywood's junk yard hoping to find a little entertainment wrapped in a leather cover that reads "Holy Bible."

Be Discerning. Be Wise.