Faith in Film 2, Bruce Almighty

This film was actually a request made on the surveys I got at the end of the first class last summer. "Bruce Almighty" is frequently sighted by Christians as a film about our faith because it examines ideas such as what it means to be God, free will, and prayer. But does it do a good job?

This isn't my favorite genre, but as Jim Carrey films go, this one is pretty amusing. It even led to a sequel — "Evan Almighty" — which I would argue is more theologically sound. The director of "Bruce Almighty," Tom Shadyac, is a Christian. He also offers an interesting take on how he feels this film is a tool to further our faith.

He said, “I think I’m very blessed to be in the position I’m in and to be able to tell stories. I mean, essentially Jesus was not a theologian; he was a storyteller. He came down… and He told us stories to inform us about our own condition. He told us parables. So [in “Bruce Almighty”] we’re telling a story about Bruce Nolan who’s a discontented reporter, and we think there’s a deeper meaning to the whole thing.”

Basically Shadyac is comparing “Bruce Almighty” to a parable offered by Jesus in the Bible. There are a couple problems I have with his statement. First, I don’t think it’s fair to say Jesus wasn’t a theologian — I think he was the greatest theologian ever. We still use the words of Jesus as our theology today. Theology means the study of God. Jesus was God, so who better to offer insights. Second, I don’t think parables were told to inform us about our own condition. I think that’s a little narcissistic as a view. Parables were meant to be relatable ways for God to communicate truth to the people.

I have a basic concern with the way the idea of God is portrayed in this film. I think it lacks reverence for who God is. Additionally, I'm not super comfortable with Bruce and with some of the things this film has him do, especially if Shadyac truly sees the film as a modern day parable.

However, there are a few things the film does well. First, it is an honest look at the idea of free will, which is always a big source of debate in Christian circles. Many people have a hard time with the idea of free will versus predestination. Many think it has to be either or, but I don't. Of course God knows what choices we are going to make and how our lives are going to turn out (predestination), He's God, but we still have a choice (free will). We don't know how our lives are going to turn out. We have to step out in faith and choose to worship, serve, and love God.

The heart of the message of this film that I think we can apply to our lives is the idea of being content. Life isn't about having what we want, it's about wanting what we have. That is something that Bruce struggles with from the beginning of the film to the end, and it isn't until he finally figures that out that he can feel a sense of lightness and joy in his life.

The Apostle Paul touches on this idea in 1 Timothy 6:6-10 when he says, “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”

When we have a living an active faith, we are truly rich indeed.