I finally had the privilege of viewing James Cameron’s new file, Avatar, last evening. As usual, I had on my “art delivers worldview” glasses, and a 3D glasses, in order to take in the whole experience as both and entertaining and educational enterprise.

I was not disappointed by the visuals, nor was I appalled by the story line – overused as it is. For me, the worldview blends of biological deification (a leaning I can appreciate because of my own sense of growing wonder at the biological world), voodoo-meets-mother earth, and sacrificial spirituality all rumbled together throughout the film.

I welcomed many of the elements of the story as responses to modernist culture, with it’s deification of all things machine. The emphasis on the biological world, and the mysteries still remnant in its intricate weavings, is always a delight to me.

As for me, the Christian Story that I embrace as the human Story is big enough, grand enough, expansive enough to talk about a movie like this with nuance. However, I know many Christians who swing two ways – one recoiling in conservatism at blatant spiritual themes that contradict what I might suggested is a small vision of our faith, and the other who simply buys the art of popular culture like a baby chick being fed by mother Hollywood – and quietly integrates spiritualist themes into a non-discerning faith.

We must look for the beauty in the worldview and delivery mechanism of every piece of art, but then also exercise discernment as to what ideas it is artfully introducing into the psyches of the age.

I enjoyed the film, but would be hesitant to let someone under 16 see it due to the lack of strong critical thinking skills related to the worldview portion it pumps their way. Again, I’m an advocate of discussion after a child has seen a film.

Cheers to due diligence, and the long haul effort toward great film making that went into the production.

Dan Wilt’s review of Avatar from a worldview perspective – I mostly concur!