So, it’s the question everyone’s asking: Will artistic interpretation trump biblical accuracy in Darren Aronofsky’s new film Noah?

It’s a valid question. But maybe, just maybe, we could ask a better question: How can we interact with the story of Noah—as it’s presented on the big screen AND in the Bible?

According to pre-release buzz, the film, set to debut in the U.S. on March 28, likely will include considerable artistic liberty and introduce story lines not specifically found in the pages of Scripture.

The movie’s official website notes, “The film is inspired by the story of Noah. While artistic license has been taken, we believe that this film is true to the essence, values and integrity of a story that is a cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide.”

But no matter what direction the movie takes, it gives us the chance to talk about the Bible and promote interaction with God’s Word among our friends and families. And that’s the most important conversation.

Here are three ways you can use Noah as an opportunity to engage with the Bible:

1. Start the conversation. Use the film to begin a dialog exploring the story of Noah, its themes and our relationship with God. What angers God? Why did God choose Noah? What is the aftermath of the flood? What do the water, ark, dove and rainbow represent?
2. Open the Bible to compare and contrast . Discuss reasons why the filmmakers may have made the decisions they did in their portrayal of the story.
3. Applaud efforts that point to God’s Word . Consider possible points of intersection between the film and Scripture. What aspects of the film most closely match the biblical story of Noah?

When popular culture and the Bible intersect, Scripture comes to the forefront of our conversations. And that is a dialog we can truly celebrate.

To connect more deeply with the story of Noah, take this 7-day online Bible devotional: Text NoahFilm to 72717 or sign up for the 7-day Noah devotional online.

To have more conversations like this, check out ProjectShift.com.

Watch American Bible Society executive vice president Geof Morin and other Christian leaders talk about biblical themes in the movie below.

“Noah had no faults and was the only good man of his time. He lived in fellowship with God, but everyone else was evil in God's sight, and violence had spread everywhere.” Genesis 6:9