Bible stories aren't just for the Sunday school room. Hollywood has been cashing in this Easter season with religious-themed movies.

Some follow the Bible more closely than others, but they certainly are a hit with moviegoers.The film "Son of God" made $1.2 million in North America on its first day of release, Feb. 28. As of April 17, it has made $59 million. It is a biblical drama of the life of Jesus based on the Gospels.On March 21, the low-budget independent PG-13 drama "God's Not Dead" made its debut. It raised eyebrows when it brought in $2.8 million from just 780 theaters on its opening weekend. To date it has earned $42.8 million. The story is about a college student who sets out to prove God's existence on a challenge made by his professor.Then the touted blockbuster, "Noah" hit the theaters March 28 and has so far earned $86.7 million. It is Hollywood's epic version of Noah and the ark and the destruction of the earth, except for his family and a pair of all the animals of the earth.Moviegoers began to weigh in on the question of whether or not "Heaven is For Real" when it opened April 16. This movie is adapted from a nonfiction book of the same title, written by Todd Burpo, a Nebraska pastor. It is an account of his 4-year-old son Colton's visit to heaven during emergency surgery.Area pastors and Christians have varied reactions to the movies.The Rev. Suzanne Brooks-Cope, pastor of St. Matthew's UCC in Kunkletown, took her catechism class and a few other youths and parents to see the film, "Son of God.""The youth all seemed to enjoy it. Several made a comment about how the Scripture seemed to come to life on the big screen. One of the youth pointed out that it is easy to miss the details when reading Scripture but seeing the details portrayed in a movie made it more memorable," Brooks-Cope said.Overall she enjoyed the movie."My main frustration is that the movie script did not stick to one Gospel but took bits and pieces of all four of the Gospels to make the movie. Each Gospel writer brings their own experience, audience and theology to their Gospel, so when the movie combined all four Gospels, it seemed a bit disjointed and at times was inaccurate," Brooks-Cope said. "That being said, I appreciate any movie that can help people have a better understanding of the life of Christ. My youth group members had a good discussion surrounding the movie, and the movie helped them articulate their faith, which is always good news."One of Brooks-Cope's group was Abby Huber, 13, an eighth-grader at Palmerton Area Junior High. She learned in the movie that Pontius Pilate questioned Jesus before he was presented to the crowd and the crowd chose Jesus to be crucified instead of a murderer. She liked the movie and recommended that people go to see it.Brooks-Cope said, "Sometimes it's harder to ask someone to go to church with you, but it's easy to ask them to go to the movies.""Noah" floods emotions"Noah" brought a different reaction."I didn't enjoy Hollywood's version of the story. They not only embellished the text ... but they changed it," Brooks-Cope said. "Some may call the movie an 'interpretation' but it wandered way too far from the text for me. I would not recommend the movie. I would not want people to see the movie and think that is what the Bible says."However, the Rev. Rick Collins, pastor of Blue Mountain Community Church in Palmerton, said, "I like Russell Crowe, and wanted to see him portray Noah. I realized that the producer was an atheist, so I was curious as to how he would portray the supernatural elements of the flood narrative."He was pleasantly surprised with how the story was portrayed."It wasn't a documentary by any stretch of the imagination, and the producer certainly took artistic license in portraying it. Yet I think the essence of the story was truly captured with tasteful insight. What I really liked about the movie was how well they portrayed how difficult it can be to understand clearly exactly what God wants us to do, yet knowing clearly he wants us to do something. The conflict within Noah was an aspect of the story I had never considered before, and really appreciated," he said.He recommended people see "Noah" with the caveat that one should not expect to get "theology" from the movie."God's Not Dead" gets rave reviewsCollins did have high praise for "God's Not Dead.""It is the best movie I ever saw, bar none. I personally identified with it on many levels. Every parent who has a teen thinking of going to college ought to see this movie with that teen and discuss it afterward. I went to Penn State with a major in pre-med, and this movie was very much like my experience there in terms of being penalized for not buying the party line of evolution, secular humanism and scientific atheism," Collins said. "The situations portrayed in the movie were realistic and addressed real obstacles people have to faith. I highly recommend it."The Rev. Jeremy Benack of Grace Community Church of Lansford enjoyed "God's Not Dead" and recommends everyone see it."In today's society and culture there seems to be a push that God is no longer needed in our society and that we have advanced past the need of God in our lives," he said."God's Not Dead" portrays a freshman challenged by his atheist professor to proclaim God is dead. The student shows there is room to believe in the existence of God."Ultimately at the end of the movie the student asks the professor why he hates God, and the professor says he 'hates God for the hurt from his past.' In response, the student says, 'How can you hate what doesn't exist?'" Benack said. "'God's Not Dead' is a strong voice proclaiming that just because some people feel the need to prove there is no God, as a Christian I don't have to feel less intelligent or go with the culture."Renee Keiper of Kunkletown saw "God's Not Dead" and said she is excited about the influx of Christian movies being made."I'm hoping that folks who were not raised in a Christian environment like we were will take the opportunity to learn about God and develop a relationship with him. It is sad, however, that Hollywood might have more influence over people than God's word alone. But I guess God will accept new Christians anyway he can get them," Keiper said.The Rev. Greg Laibel of Christ Evangelical Free Church of Lehighton, said he has read the book and "I absolutely plan on seeing the 'Son of God.'""It seems to tell the story. It gives hope. It doesn't just tell about the birth and the death of Christ, but also the Resurrection. It's a story of love, redemption and hope," Laibel said.He has shown the trailer for that movie and "God is Not Dead" to the congregation.Films good for ChristianitySam Rohrer, president of the Pennsylvania Pastors' Network and American Pastors' Network, said that production of films with Scriptural themes is welcome."Although I have not seen the particular films, intertwining Scripture and movie entertainment creates an invaluable opportunity to reflect on and discuss matters of faith. While I understand that at least one of the movies, 'Noah' strays from biblical account, it's encouraging to see that several of the films are helping viewers look to Christ and defend their Christian faith in a culture that is often adversarial to faith in general and Christianity in particular. For too long, there has been a void in uplifting, faith-based films. We've seen that begin to change in recent years."Jeremiah Dowling, youth pastor of Cornerstone Community Church, Kresgeville, intends to see the films."I will say that I think the release of these movies has a lot to say about the voice of people over the voice of Hollywood. For so many years Hollywood has been creating edgy movies that seem to say that movies need violence, sex, profanity and a PG-13 rating (at the least) in order to sell. But with the successes of 'The Bible Miniseries' and even shows like 'Duck Dynasty' it has been made apparent that there are people who are longing after entertainment that has a deeper message without all the things Hollywood has always told us we need," Dowling said.Benack sees the increase of Christian movies as a good thing because it gets the conversation about God and Scripture out in communities and society."In most cases I believe statistics are showing that more people are going to family movies and more Christian-themed movies than R-rated movies, and Hollywood has taken notice. For them It may be a money thing, but for us it's about who we are and what we place our faith in," Benack said.Collins said these movies are good for Christianity."I think they signify a growing interest in Christianity and things spiritual in our culture. I think people in general are realizing that life without faith is not nearly as good as they were promised in their college philosophy and psychology classes, and that real life itself obviously consists of more than just the material or what meets the eye. While I doubt they are going to change anyone's mind who is antagonistic to Christianity, I think they will strengthen the faith of those who are already believers and may inspire those who are seeking truth to read the Bible for themselves, go to church and hopefully come to faith and trust in Christ. I hope these movies contribute to record attendances at every church this Easter."