Avatar

I had my doubts about Avatar being that great. But when I read a review about support groups for people who had seen the movie and after going back to real life were now suicidal, I was convinced I needed to see this for myself.

The interesting thing is, I read a lot of complaining from Christians about this movie being pantheistic (and there were definitely those parallels), but in the context of this fantasy movie it made perfect sense. You need to see it to understand what I mean. It was no different than watching a movie involving Greek mythology. This movie does have parallels to a pantheistic world-view, but what movie doesn’t. People either worship creation or the Creator, and we all are guilty of creation worship more than we would like to think – even as professing Christians. You can’t interpret a movie outside of its context and genre. And I almost skipped one of the greatest movies of all time because of these skewed reviews. I don’t believe this movie has grossed 1.6 billion dollars because its pantheistic. It’s just a beautiful movie. And everyone who has seen it is telling their friends about it so they can experience it with them. Sounds like the gospel. And although this movie does not explicitly teach the gospel of Jesus Christ, there are plenty of parallels to that truth.

I hope many Christians will watch this movie and use it to connect to their friends the truth of God like Paul did on Mars Hill. He took their beliefs about Zeus and their unknown god and showed them Christ. He quoted the “rock star” poets of their day and connected it to the truth of Jesus Christ. He didn’t run away and hide, afraid that he was going to be tainted by their pagan beliefs. The trite statement, “garbage in, garbage out” that so many Christians like to use for avoiding the culture pretends that Christians do not have God, the Holy Spirit, living inside them. But the Holy Spirit makes the difference between being in the world or being of it. Jesus proved that during His life on earth.

What amazed me in this “fantasy” were all the parallels to the truth I find in the Bible about reality. Here are some of the big theological truths found in Avatar…

Incarnation
Rebirth
New Life
New World
Regeneration
Redemption
Reconciliation
Justice

Many have compared the elements in this Avatar story to a Western.

I would call it a Love story.

Avatar in 3D is the best movie experience I have ever had. It is the only movie that I’ve ever paid to see twice in a theater. There is so much to enjoy about it. I felt like I got a glimpse of some of what the new heavens and earth will be like when Jesus returns and renews all things to perfection. Instead of walking away depressed, I walked away with greater joy and hope. Parts of this movie moved me to tears just for its sheer beauty.

If you would like to know more about this movie, check out the reviews at HollywoodJesus.com, but it might spoil the movie for you.