Hermenuetics

Comments

Why all these efforts to make silk out of the spiritual sow's ear that is _Avatar_? Dr. Augustine didn't "come to Jesus," she merged into a tree (any Old Testament groves come to mind?) and the supposed life force of Pandora. Yes, she left her rank materialism for a type of spiritual belief, but a belief that is only like Christianity in the way Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc., are also similar at the most basic level of simply being religions.

Posted By: John | January 18, 2010 4:26 PM

I have to admit I hesitate to read any spirituality into Avatar, partly because I found the storyline terrible and not worth connecting to Christianity, so I'm a little biased. I also think authors/screenwriters and audiences alike use spirituality as a cop-out often, as if they think throwing in a reference to redemption or the salvation arc will automatically win people's affection, even if there's no real coherent thought behind the metaphor.

That said, I find this analysis interesting but quite different from what I got out of the scene. To me, the fact that Grace has a transformation where she switches from studying the culture to living in it/believing it just makes her an anthropologist, not a Christian. And a bad one, at that. She loses perspective of why she's doing what she's doing — studying the Na'vi — and "goes native," which is not generally seen as a good thing in the anthropological world. If the religion she were studying were actually Christianity, I might call this a conversion, but as it is, it strikes me that Grace is just swapping one idol for another.

Posted By: Ruth | January 18, 2010 5:11 PM

Avatar: Most overrated moie of all time. Great special effects, yes. Characters? Flat. Story? A tired rip off.

Posted By: jim a | January 18, 2010 5:58 PM

Dear Ruth and John: AVATAR is what we call fiction, ah, science fiction. J.R.R. Tolkein wrote something called LORD OF THE RINGS, that is a fiction we call fantasy. Jesus isn't in LOTR either, but we refer to it as a Christian myth. We call such stories myths because they attempt to tell us something true about reality without being didactic and explicit. Myths (as stories) are not analogies. C.S. Lewis wrote analogies. Tolkein wrote myths. Myths are longer lasting, and are better at communicating truth into different cultures. Indeed, in Avatar, Grace makes the ultimate "conversion" to the "God" of that world. She doesn't do it because she wants to be a good anthropologist. She does it because it's more "real" than the world she lived in. That is why we become Christians. We want to be closer to reality.

For another view on how movies communicate moral truth read my book "The Moral Premise: Harnessing Virtue and Vice for Box Office Success." http://www.moralpremise.com. I also have a blog, and a short entry on AVATAR at: http://moralpremise.blogspot.com/2010/01/avatar-regardless-of-politics-moral.html

Blessings.

Posted By: Stanley D. Williams, Ph.D. | January 18, 2010 10:41 PM

I had picked up on the links between Pandora and unobtainium, and somehow walked past "Grace" entirely, so thanks for pointing that out. I think the thing that makes it tough to accept Grace as a Christian character is because she is ultimately the one who receives grace, rather than offers it, and to associate that quality with the character she portrays is a tough jump to make. I agree with the comment about her becoming a bad anthropologist, if you want to take that definition from the Western definition of the word. I wonder, though, whether the point of studying other cultures is truly to strive not to be influenced by them. Why on earth would we study them if we weren't curious in the first place?

I guess I wonder whether this isn't a very small picture of how evangelism works. She entered their world to learn, to prove, to try to understand, and was in the end enthralled, enraptured, and taken in by something much bigger than their "human" ("na'vi") experience.

Another part of the movie that moved me (to tears, I'll admit), was the turning point of the battle, when all of creation responds to fight for the Na'vi. To me, this felt like the most Christian moment of the movie - not because of its pantheistic implications for the interconnectedness of reality, but because of the way "even the rocks" cried out for justice and responded to the need of their Na'vi caretakers. Echos of Tolkien's Ents and Paul's groaning creation rang through my mind as the tide finally turned away from human power by something much deeper, older, stronger, and truer. And it gave me hope.

Posted By: Becky | January 19, 2010 2:22 AM

as occult as witchcrafts
as buddhist as budda
as marian as J.P.2nd

biblical? satanic-bible biblical is more close to the reality

Posted By: Anonymous | January 19, 2010 9:54 AM

Although the movie was visually beautiful to watch it definitely was a rip off. It had the identical story line to an animated film I watched with my children in the early 90's, called "Fern Gully". The movie did not make me think of Christian themes, but of the conquest of the American Natives. The belief system of the Na'vi reminded me very much of the Native Americans' beliefs in the Great Spirit, and that everything was connected and had a spirit. They did not understand wanton slaughter of animals either. I thought the movie was a criticism of the American Way - of the materialism, the myopia towards other cultures, the feeling of superiority towards others who look different from the WASP ideal. I also thought it criticized Americans' believing that they can take what ever they need. I thought the movie made America look ugly, powerful, insensitive, materialistic and greedy/evil. It seemed to be saying that not all Americans are like this, there are those capable of respecting other cultures, who can listen and even look at things from another perspective. What was sad is that these Americans were rejected and targeted for death by the forces that were determined to get what they wanted and actually believed they had a right to do so, by emphasizing that the Na'vi were not human. (sounds like the arguments used to support slavery).
Although they had a reprieve, everyone in my audience knew that those released would be back, having learned from their tactical errors.

Posted By: MaggieMay | January 19, 2010 10:11 AM

Thanks for the post and the comments. I missed the "Grace Augustine" part too. I certainly don't think she's a Christian (and I don't think the blog post suggests that she was) but I do wonder what James Cameron knows about Augustine and how intentional was his choice of the name. Just playing with us? I don't know Augustine well enough to know if there is something in his thought that Avatar (or Dr. Augustine) reflects. No offense to Mr. Cameron, but it's a distinct possibility that we've already thought this through more than he has.

Posted By: Victoria | January 19, 2010 12:18 PM

I like neither na'vi nor klingon as the future global language. Especially when you have to dress up for it :D

We also need a future international language. One which is easy to learn, as well !

And that's not English! Esperanto? Certainly yes!

Have a look at http://www.lernu.net

Posted By: Brian Barker | January 19, 2010 12:49 PM

For all those either criticizing "Avatar" by comparing it to Christianity, or seeking to find some spiritual parallels or insights, listen very carefully - IT'S A MOVIE!!! Do the Na'vi have new age, pantheistic beliefs? Of course, as they are written as primitive aborigines, and are very representative of native peoples around the world. Christians are upset at some of the language - won't go see such films because of bad words - yet most hear much worse from co-workers, relatives and acquaintances, all the time. If bad words offend one to the point of truly spiritually affecting themselves, then they might consider not ever leaving the house. Oh, and the film's "NUDITY" - which here is animated and MUCH tamer than most National Geographic photos, and many public statues. What I'm saying to my fellow Christians is that we live in an imperfect world, and yet we love those unbelievers around us, as imperfect as they (AND we) are. Unbelievers often create good things and interesting art, even though these often come with some undesirable elements. Thing is, Christians can enjoy the good in unbelievers - and their art - if only we use a responsible and reasonable filters as we view them. Yet certainly we don't engage art or movies that will spiritually damage us. I don't think that's the case here, as it's just one incredible popcorn movie. So don't read too much into it - after all, IT'S ONLY A MOVIE!!!

Posted By: Philip | January 20, 2010 10:13 AM

Very interesting thoughts about Grace. All of them. I too thought maybe her name could be related to Christianity somehow; but not while watching the film: only because of her name's allusion.

What about Eywa? She connects inside nature, but she also governs the universe by an outer "reason", which responds to prayers, for ex. Just as the -pantheistic, not Christian!- doctrine of the Stoics (roman philosophers) tells us. Why shouldn't Eywa be a totally pantheistic deity then?

Anyway, I didn't see any links between Grace's specific death scene and, only because of that, Eywa = God.
I'd rather consider Eywa's actions according to what I've studied in philosophy.

Also, when the whole of nature seems to take the Navi's side, I think that Eywa = Nature was avenging herself for being attacked directly. To say, that I don't think Eywa really decided to side with the Navi; but the Navi saw her in action and joined in ^^

Posted By: violet92 | January 20, 2010 12:26 PM

The filmmakers maybe departed from the initial portrayal of Eywa, near the end of the movie;- why??? - So, when she answers to Jake, she might be seen from a (far) Christian point of view.
It's true that Eywa is both immanent in nature, impersonal(like a pantheistic deity) and trascendant(like God, she listens and answers with her "mind". Maybe just to restore her attacked balance^^).
However I didn't notice the Christian side until the end of the movie. Eywa, and passing Grace, can be interpreted in these two different ways, although I do prefer the first one- I agree with violet92.
Eywa was originally called Gaia in the rough script, and Grace... well I didn't think very much about her name's allusion. She's a scientist!
PS: Why shouldn't we all exchange opinions on a (though fictional)film we've seen, Philip?!

Posted By: Gea | January 20, 2010 1:32 PM

Interesting to see how people who consider themselves to be believers in Christ go to such extremes to defend something that not only is a waste of time and money but has absolutely nothing to do with Christ. This is a secular movie, nothing more. If you want to be spiritualy encouraged, go to see Blind side, that is worth the money and time.

Posted By: sandi domes | January 23, 2010 8:45 PM

The movie highlight that fact that everyone wants to believe and wants to escape from the cruelty of this live. Jack and Grace both transform completely when they in their new bodies,becoming the persons they truly want to be , and so does a lot of believers and unbelievers long for, just to escape. It's just a movie like Phillipe said, but I tend to get some message/similarites to the Christian faith out of it. We will inherit new bodies, we do believe in a God that will transform us, protect us...at the end we will be victorious over men and the material world who tends to destroy through their selfishness. One needs to watch a movie and take the the best out of it, whether it was directed by whom ever, all our creativity comes from God....well done!

Posted By: Edwina | January 25, 2010 5:49 AM

I just watched Avatar and thoroughly enjoyed the spirituality including the incorporation of native american beliefs; the similarity between the namea Yahew and Ewya; the choice of the name Augustine as St. Augustine was also a teacher; St. Augustine believed in a heavenly kingdom ruled by love that triumphs over self-indulgent earthly empires that are ruled by pride; just to name a few. James Cameron's choices appear carefully selected. Regardless of various opinions of the movie, it appears to have incited thought about the themes and dialogue and that is a good thing.

Posted By: Re | April 23, 2010 9:24 PM

we love avatar and grace. Her avatar body is very beautiful. james cameron is the best director in WHOLE WORLD!!!!AND AVATAR IS THE BEST MOVIE EVER!!!

Posted By: siyumi peiris | June 24, 2010 11:07 AM

I love Sig Weaver and her Grace character!
J. Cameron made a real amazing work with this movie.

Posted By: reading glasses | November 9, 2010 7:12 AM

really like avatar one of the best movies

Posted By: xenki | January 7, 2011 1:24 PM

It's pointless to try to find Christian truth in a pagan or even secular movie.

If I wrote an article about finding christian truths in a porno would I get away with it.

The same could be said about avatar in that it's the IDOLATRY equivalant to a porno.

Posted By: Roger | November 5, 2011 12:38 AM