Avatar is a film about a man named Jake, who is bound to a wheelchair. He shares a mental link with a body that is a cross between a human and a Na’vi. The Na’vi are the native race of Pandora, a moon in another solar system. When he shares a mental link to the body, which is called an avatar, he controls its actions and senses everything it senses. He is assigned, while linked to the body, to live with the Na’vi and learn about them. Avatar has two themes with spiritual connections. One theme is taking on another life. The second theme is the increase in environmentalism.
Even though Jakes legs don’t work, his Avatar’s legs work. When he controls the avatar, he enjoys living as a Na’vi. It becomes a second life. He goes through various rituals of the Na’vi and fully embraces their customs. He enjoys life as a Na’vi because he can use his legs and has fallen in love with one of the Na’vi.
The idea of taking on another life can be seen when a child plays games by pretending. It can be seen in adults when they play video games. We do it on our Facebook. Online video games, such as Second Life and World of Warcraft, allow players to create their own character and freely explore another world. People take on these other lifes because they are trying to escape their problematic life and would like to live a better life.
The second theme in Avatar is environmentalism. Protecting the environment of Pandora is a major part of the plot. The Na’vi worship nature. Everything in nature is part of a goddess named Eywa.
Nobody doubts that the issue of the environmentalism is important in today’s society. Companies are advertising products that are environmentally friendly. Politicians have talked about the environment in the last presidential election. Television channels are promoting environmentalism. Conservative news talk has been talking about it. Environmentalist groups are at my school to recruit people to work for them.
Do the themes of taking on another life and environmentalism have spiritual connections? We take on another life because of our desire for Heaven. Every person has a feeling that life is not the way it should be. Life is not the way it should be because everyone has sinned. If you have a relationship with Jesus Christ, you will live an eternal life in Heaven. Life in Heaven is not just better; it is perfect.
Environmentalism has spiritual connections. Nature is amazing. Biology class taught me how complex a leaf really is. If you really want to see how amazing nature is, watch nature documentaries. God created nature to show how amazing, beautiful and complex he is. Nature is neither as beautiful, nor as amazing nor as complex as God.
People love nature, but ignore its Creator, God. The Case for a Creator by Lee Strobel shows us how we could not have nature without a creator. I personally wonder where we get the feeling that nature is beautiful if there is no God.
Our biggest priority should be to love God, not take care of the environment. If we love God, then we will naturally take care of His creation. I am not advocating for liberal policies. I will say that even conservatives care about the environment.
Environmentalism and taking on another life are only two of the themes in Avatar. Just like any other story, its themes have strong spiritual connections. There are two main spiritual point that you should take away from my review of Avatar. First, life in Heaven is perfect. Second, we need to worship the Creator of Nature.
In Christ,
James Tuttle
