The gospel: 5 out of 5 stars

I may have been the last female in America to see The Notebook, but I have now righted this wrong.  What a great movie!  What a sobfest!  The soundtrack!  The 40's sets and costuming!  The element of mystery!  And the wonderful, swoony romance.


[Spoiler alert!  If you haven't seen it, for heaven's sake, go see it before you read on.  Don't let me ruin a good thing.  (And if you read on anyway, don't blame me for ruining the ending.)]


Maybe I'm not desensitized because I don't watch a lot of movies, but this love story just seemed so good.  He loved her all that time!  He built the house just so because he promised her he would.  He went after her.  He jumped on a Ferris wheel for her!  He didn't give up until she fell in love with him.


Although the very best sort of man will like this movie too, there's a reason these sorts of stories are called chick flicks.  Guys like blood-splatter war movies and women love swoony love tales.  Why?  Isn't it obvious?


In the beginning, "God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them... and behold, it was very good." -Genesis 1:27, 31


Males and females relate to God and reflect God in blessedly unique ways.  Why do guys like a good war movie?  Because our God is a warrior, a victor, powerful, almighty, and will finally put all His enemies under His feet.


Why do women like romance?  Because our Lord is the Lover of our souls, who woos us, wins us, is faithful to us and to all His promises.


Which brings me back to the The Notebook and why it's so great.  Is it not a shadow of the Great Story?  Boy sets his affections on girl and determines to win her, doing everything he must do to capture her heart.  Boy makes a promise (to build the house to suit her) and never goes back on that promise.  Girl leaves boy, wanders far and wide, even giving her heart and hand to another.... but still he loves her and continues to work faithfully to fulfill his promise.  And when she finally returns to him, he rejoices from on high (the balcony, although God rejoices from on highER).  And in the very end, his faithful love will "take them away together."


So we have in Noah Calhoun a picture of Christ, who sets His affections on His people, the Church; pays the ultimate price to win her; makes a promise to redeem her and works throughout history to bring this promise to pass; remains faithful when His beloved wanders from Him; joyfully welcomes her back; and in the end, takes His beloved away to be with Him forever.


What's not to love?