Bildeston Baptist Church
real people, real life, real hope
Graeme’s Page August 2007
If you enjoyed the 2003 hit comedy Bruce Almighty then you will love Evan Almighty which comes to cinema screens on August 3rd 2007.
The film stars Steve Carell as Evan Baxter (Bruce's news presenter rival from the first film). Evan has just been elected as a congressman and is moving with his wife and three children to a new luxurious house. In fact, everything is going splendidly until God shows up and asks Evan to build an large boat because a flood is coming.
Evan, understandably, is reluctant to obey, so he ignores God but God does not give up. The number 614 (as in Genesis 6.14 - where God calls Noah to build an Ark to which 2 animals of every kind were brought) shows up everywhere. Pairs of animals begin following Evan, the Go-4 Wood Company keeps dropping off lumber at his front door and Evan's hair and beard grow longer each time he shaves as he is transformed into a Noah like person.
Evan's life becomes very complicated, and at first, it seems unfair that his life is turned upside down, but God assures Evan, "Whatever I do, I do because I love you." Evan spends the rest of the movie finding out just what God means. We see clearly why God's way is the best for Evan and his family and there is also a reminder that Evan and his wife Joan prayed to God. She asked that they might grow closer together as a family and he asked to be able to change the world. Both prayers are answered by God in His way.
If we let it, this film will certainly provoke us all to think in the same way that Bruce Almighty did. There are aspects to both films that I and many Christians don't agree with, but if we can see beyond that, there is a lot to think about. We will get to consider what it means to have a real and living relationship with God and how praying to Him can have an impact on our lives. We are also shown the importance of caring for the environment and for other people, with ‘Acts of Random Kindness’ (ARK) being central to the film
Evan Almighty is a lot of fun and is a great film for the whole family. So as you watch it, really enjoy the humour and the great special effects, but also make some time to think about the important issues that it raises.
Graeme
Office Address:
Duke Street,
Bildeston,
Suffolk