Avatar and Xenobiology

Xenobiology is the study of extraterrestrial life beyond earth. One of the central themes of the movie Avatar is that on the fictional planet of Pandora lives a race of extraterrestrials called the Na’vi. This race is humanoid, tall – about 10 feet tall, about 350 pounds, strong and equipped to communicate with the animal life and plant life of the planet through a communication link called a Queue. The atmosphere of the planet Pandora was harmful to humans but not to the Na’vi who functioned well in the atmosphere of the planet with no harmful side effects.

The Na’vi had it’s own language, a developed artistic system, and had weapons suitable for hunting the animal life that they interacted with. The Na’vi also had a developed animist religious system and believed in their goddess Ewya – who helped keep the Na’vi from over populating as well as the animal life. So the Na’vi culture was very into maintaining harmony with the ecology. The social life was very similar to that of Native American cultures or certain African cultures with an appearance similar to that of the Masai tribe.

In the movie a Xenobiologist – Grace Augustine – is appointed to study the Na’vi to learn how to get them to move off their traditional home so that the humans can strip mine that section of the planet and remove all of the Unobtanium from the planet. It is this cultural clash that provides the tension for the movie and allows everyone watching it to choose which side they would like to be on and the inevitable crisis that will result from the decisions made.

From the Christian perspective Xenobiology is an interesting issue. One of the central features of Christianity is the existence of, and participation with, Extraterrestrials called Angels. We are told in the Bible of their existence, and the fact that there was a war in heaven and that one third of all of the Angels were kicked out of heaven. Revelation 12:3-11. The leader of the rebellious contingency; of Angels was an Angel by the name of Lucifer (Morning Star, or Son of the Morning), who grew prideful of his beauty and decided to seek a higher position and to attempt to take control of the universe from God. Isaiah 14:12-17 and Ezekiel 28:11-19. After his rebellion Lucifer’s name was changed to Satan which means Adversary. Angels, both fallen and unfallen, are involved with human beings and all through the Bible are stories of the interaction of human beings with Angels, which result in bad results or good results. Angels can be helpful to people under the direction of God, or they can be very destructive – one angel recorded as killing 185,000 men in the Assyrian army in one night in defense of Israel. II Kings 19:35

In Ezekiel 1:4-14 and 10:1-22 we have a description of Angels indicating that Angels have 4 different faces, four wings. They have an ability to fly from place to place, and even to take people from one place to another. Matthew 4:4:1-11. Angels can minister to people, comfort, encourage, communicate, and instruct human beings. Angels do not mate nor are they given in marriage. Matthew 22:30 We are not informed of any ability of Angels to procreate and there appears to have been a set number of Angels.

The Bible gives a couple of hints that there are other beings in the universe in addition to God, the Angels, and mankind. In I Corinthians 4:9 we are told that the Apostles were concerned that they were being made a spectacle, or theatre, unto the world, to angels and to men. This phrase “to men” could be just another way of restating the world, or it could mean other planetary peoples. In Ephesians 3:9-10 “the principalities and powers in heavenly places”. The principalities and powers could be other groups of people that are on other worlds. Then we have situation in the book of Job 1:6-8; 2:1-3 where Satan is participating in a meeting of “the sons of God” where he claims to be a visitor from Earth. These Sons of God could be angels, as in Job 38:7 or it could be representatives from other plants.

There is one other piece of data and that is from the fact of God being a Creative God. The Bible states that before anything else was created, God was already there. He then decided to create angels, and thrones, dominions, principalities, and powers. Colossians 1:13-17. We do know that God spoke the universe into existence. To limit His creative powers to simply that of creating heaven, angels, and earth, is display of restraint. On the other hand the potential of an unlimited creative God creating other beings on other planets is quite possible. When we get to heaven we will have the opportunity to explore more of the universe and see for ourselves what wonders God has placed in the universe for our understanding and blessing. For those who want to find out about these things, all we have to do is make it to heaven and we will see. But in order to get there we will have to discuss these details more thoroughly with God and inquire as to what needs to be done to us in order to explore the universe. We will have to decide whether we are willing to go through the process in order to have this opportunity. God is waiting to review this with you in detail.