Could Jim Carrey be making a “comeback” with his latest box office hit that has surpassed even the much anticipated Matrix Reloaded? God Almighty, I hope not. But the flick does raise some thought-provoking questions about the concept of God, faith and spirituality. The previews of “Bruce Almighty” are unimpressive, and of all actors, Jim Carrey? King of bawdy, slapstick, toilet humor, in a role like this?

The plot line is almost believable with a surprising amount of character development, relationship issues and a predictable ending. I suspect most of the viewers have either been “disciples” of Jim Carrey or eager to see Jennifer Aniston’s “God-enhanced” breasts.

I was more interested in the interpretation of God by the creative team behind the camera, and the role — if any — that God plays in our lives right now. I walked into a packed theater in Des Moines Saturday night expecting to view a comedy that pokes fun at faith and spirituality and more importantly, mocks the Almighty One Himself.

I was almost disappointed. Almost. Yes, Bruce’s Almighty divine powers enable him to tip-toe on water, turn water into wine and part his “Red Soup” in a local diner.

Despite all of his initial fun, he still manages to make a mess of his professional and personal life. The redeeming moment comes when Bruce learns that he’s not supposed to use his powers for self-serving purposes.

There is one major inconsistency in the plot, however, that bothers me. God wants to take a vacation, which is why he bestows his powers on the cynical mortal, Bruce. Since when does God need to take vacations? God was keeping a close watch over Bruce’s shenanigans, coaching and advising him whenever Bruce was in a pinch. What kind of vacation is that?

The scene where a frustrated and overwhelmed Bruce surrenders everything in his life to God was so heartwarming it brought a “heavenly” tear to my eye.

What if there is a God who wants us all to do exactly that with our own lives? What if there is a God who does know each and every one of our names, our thoughts and our dreams? What if there is a God who not only hears every prayer we pray, but responds to them and knows us better than we know ourselves?

Pop culture, the highly influential branch of mass media whose primary audience is youth, has completely perverted the meaning and trivialized the need for spirituality and faith, particularly in American society.

The film industry borrows monumental historical events recorded in the Bible and creates a marketable package, charging the general public a small fortune for their viewing pleasure. “Prince of Egypt,” the animated motion picture that was a box office hit a few years ago, is one example. It told the story of Moses leading the enslaved Israelites out of Egypt to their land of freedom. Hollywood, whose only interest is in the almighty dollar, passes it off as entertainment and those not familiar with the Biblical teachings behind the story may be missing the point.

“Dogma” was another movie heavily laden with religious symbolism that caused some ripples at the box office in 1999. A story about two banished angels trying to find their way back into heaven, Entertainment Weekly called it one of the best movies of 1999. It was actually a justifiable attack on Catholicism — which is about religion, not faith. What I appreciated most about that flick were the questions asked by a lot of the characters.

Questions also asked by Bruce. Questions about who God really is, why tragedy often strikes the innocent and vulnerable and the most common misunderstanding of all: blaming God for our troubles.

Why is it that spiritual issues are shrouded in deep confusion and crop up in reoccurring themes in movies and television? Could it be that Americans are searching for something to believe in, especially after 9/11?

Most folks would claim to believe in something. Like liberty and justice. Responsibility. The Easter Bunny. What about Heaven and how you get there? What about Hell and how you avoid that? Pop culture’s definition of God is some distant deity who remains on the periphery of life, aloof, but ready to “zap” anyone who irritates him.

God was trying to get Bruce to understand that part of the job description involves helping and serving others with nothing expected in return. What a foreign concept in a culture that values individual achievement and personal gain no matter what the cost.

Is it possible that there exists a God who wants very much to love us and give us abundant blessings? Call it optimism. Call it delusion. I call Him love.