Is a movie about The Ark of the Covenant Biblical?

Iconic. Amazing Adventure. The good guy everybody loves. However, with all the action and adventure, is this the movie you want your kids to see. You came here because you want to know if this movie is suitable for kids. In this Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark Christian Movie Review & parent guide, I give you the info you need to make informed viewing decisions.

I remember seeing this movie in the movie theater. I looked back through my scrapbook to see when we saw it. It was September 1981. That was 3 months after it was released. However, it played in some theaters for an entire year and was the highest-grossing film of 1981. 

Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark Christian Movie Review Studio Synopsis:

Studio Synopsis:

Indiana Jones is the classic hero for this adventure set in the 1930s, as the quick-witted and hardy archaeologist goes on the hunt for the Lost Ark of the Covenant. Often facing insurmountable odds, Indy always succeeds in the nick of time, joined by endearing companions and opposed by notorious villains.

My Synopsis: 

Indiana Jones is a college professor who teaches archaeology, but it seems he spends a lot of time in the field searching for treasure, defeating bad guys, and helping out the government of special assignments. 

This movie begins in 1938 in a South American jungle. Indy recovers a golden idol from a temple in Peru. However, the idol is stolen from him. Jones returns to America, and is met by two Army Intelligence Agents who tell him that Nazis are excavating in Tanis, Egypt. Indiana realizes that Adolf Hitler is trying to recover the Lost Ark of the Covenant. Can Indiana Jones find it before evil forces get their hands on it?

Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark Christian Movie Review What Parents Want to Know

Language:

G-d d-mnit, as well as g-dd-mn is spoken. Additionally, God’s name is taken in vain several times. Also b-stard, b-tch, d-mmit, and h-ll are all said.

Violence:

This is an action-packed violent film. Indiana Jones uses his bullwhip. There are gunfights and gunshots in multiple scenes. Additionally, there are frequent chase scenes, fist fights, sword fighting, explosions, and a particularly gruesome scene where a plane propeller kills a man, but you don’t see him actually being killed. However, there is plenty of blood flying. 

A woman slaps a man. 

There is a fight in a bar. A woman is held against her will and a man threatens to burn her with a hot poker. 

A woman is kidnapped.

Some spirits come out of the open Ark and consume everyone. People’s faces melt off. 

Spiritual:

A tribe worships a golden idol. 

The Lost Ark of the Covenant is found. When the Ark is opened, there are no tablets from Mt. Sinai, but a glowing haze comes out and consumes everything that looks at it.

Other Content:

This film is filled with tarantulas, dead skeletons, bats that fly out of a man, a snake pit, and more creepy crawlers. Skeletons fall onto of a woman. A snake slithers out of a skeletons mouth. 

Characters frequently lie and steal.

Adult Content:

A woman is angry at a man and tells him, “I was a child. I was in love.” The implication is that she fell in love with him when she was young, and he took advantage of her. 

A couple kiss passionately several times. A woman kisses a man in bed. She is clothed in lingerie. 

Drinking occurs throughout the movie. One scene is set in a bar with a drinking competition. Another scene involves a woman getting a man drunk. 

Furthermore, there is plenty of smoking in the movie. One woman blows smoke in a man’s face.

Teachable Moments in Indiana Jones in the Raiders of the Lost Ark – Christian Movie Review

Indiana Jones has pure motives when it comes to archeological finds. He thinks things should remain intact and/or in a museum. Discuss what you think should happen to artifacts. Should they remain where they are or be moved to a museum? Who should own the discovered artifacts?

Additionally, research what the Bible says about the Ark of the Covenant. For example, how was it constructed? Next, discover what was it designed for; what are the contents of the Ark? Then discover, who carries the ark in the Bible. Finally, find out what happens if someone touches the ark that wasn’t supposed to.

Is Raiders of the Lost Ark Biblical? Keep reading!

Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark Christian Movie Review Viewing Recommendations:

While this movie is rated PG, this was before the PG-13 rating was around. This movie today would definitely be a PG-13 movie. With that said, while this movie is a classic, it is definitely not for children. My age recommendation is ages 12-13 and up.

About the Movie:

Rating: PG (this was before PG-13 ratings began in 1984). However, this movie is definitely a PG-13 movie.

Release date: June 12, 1981

Genre: Action/Adventure

Runtime: 1 hour, 45 minutes

Director: Steven Spielberg

Screenplay: Steven Spielberg, Lawrence Kasdan

Musical Score: John Williams

Studio: Paramount Pictures

Cast of Raiders of the Lost Ark:

Indiana Jones played by Harrison Ford

Marion played by Karen Allen

Belloq played by Paul Freeman

Sallah played by John Rhys-Davies

Toht played by Ronald Lacey

Brody played by Denholm Elliott

Satipo played by Alfred Molina

Dietrich played by Wolf Kahler

Frequently Asked Questions:

Is Raiders of the Lost Ark Biblical?

First, there is a lot to unpack with this question. For example, if you are a Bible-believing Christian, you believe in the Ark of the Covenant as discussed in both the Old and New Testaments. However, in the movie, Indiana Jones wavers between not believing in all the “hocus pocus” to shutting his eyes and not looking when the Ark is opened. Clearly, he believes some of the stories from the Bible. However, there is plenty in the movie that is just false.

Read More About the Truth of the ARK of the Covenant, HERE!

Unfortunately, the movie makes the claim that the Bible says, “the ark levels mountains and lays waste to regions.” Clearly, the Bible doesn’t say that. In fact, there are several other times when people say that the Ark possesses power and imply that the secrets of the Ark are “not of this world.” All the power from the Ark is God and only God.

Exodus describes how the Ark of the Covenant is to be built, who can carry it, and how it was to be transported. The Ark of the Covenant is missing and has not been discovered.

Hebrews 9:4 There are three things in the Ark: 1) Golden urn holding manna, 2) Aaron’s staff that budded, and 3) Tablets of the Covenant (the stone 10 Commandments).

What are the names and release dates of all the Indiana Jones Movies? Read HERE

Where Can I watch Indiana Jones in Raiders of the Lost Ark?

Currently, as of June 2023, it is streaming on Disney Plus and for a limited time on Paramount Plus.

It can also be rented on Amazon.

Where was the desert scene filmed?

The desert scenes were filmed in Tunisia. 

Where was Raiders of the Lost Ark filmed?

While the underwater scenes were filmed in La Rochelle, France, and the desert scenes were filmed in Kairouan, Tunisia. The final scene is an island north of Crete. 

How old was Harrison Ford in Raiders of the Lost Ark?

Harrison Ford was 38 years old when he played in Raiders of the Lost Ark?

How old was Indiana Jones supposed to be in Raiders of the Lost Ark?

Indiana Jones was born in 1899. The year is 1936. Therefore, Indiana Jones is 37 years old.

How old was Karen Allen in Raiders of the Lost Ark?

Karen Allen was 29 years old in Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Who was Marion Ravenwood?

She was the daughter of professor, Dr. Abner Ravenwood. When Marion and Indiana Jones began a relationship, she was 15 (according to the novelization of Raiders of the Lost Ark) and he was about 25. 

What is the gold statue in Raiders of the Lost Ark?

It is a fertility idol. Chachapoyan Fertility Idol is a fictionalized artificial. 

What college does Indiana Jones teach at?

Indiana Jones is a professor of archaeology at Marshall College. This is a fictional school. 

Where did Indiana Jones attend college?

First, he studied at the University of Chicago where he received his undergraduate degree in archeology. Then he got his graduate degree in linguistics at Sorbonne, Paris, France.

What college was used for filming Indiana Jones?

Ironically, the interior scenes were filmed at The Royal Masonic School for Girls in Rickmansworth, and the exterior was at the University of Pacific, CA.

What actor turned down the role of Indiana Jones?

Unfortunately, Tom Selleck turned down the role of Indiana Jones, and then it was offered to Harrison Ford.

Notable Quotes from Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark:

Marion Ravenwood: “Indiana Jones…I always knew some day you’d come walking back through my door.”

Belloq: “You and I are very much alike. Archeology is our religion, yet we have both fallen from the pure faith. Our methods have not differed as much as you pretend.

Brody: For nearly three thousand years man has been searching for the lost Ark. It’s not something to be taken lightly. No one knows its secrets. It’s like nothing you’ve ever gone after. Indiana Jones: Oh, Marcus. What are you trying to do, scare me? You sound like my mother…I don’t believe in magic, a lot of superstitious hocus pocus. I’m going after a find of incredible historical significance; you’re talking about the boogie man.”