An Inconvenient Truth
for mild thematic elements.
Reviewed by: Rev. Grant Wright
CONTRIBUTOR
| Moral Rating: | Better than Average |
| Moviemaking Quality: |
|
| Primary Audience: | Adults |
| Genre: | Documentary, Politics |
| Length: | 1 hr. 40 min. |
| Year of Release: | 2006 |
| USA Release: |
May 24, 2006 (limited); November 21, 2006 (DVD release) |
| Featuring | Al Gore |
| Director |
Davis Guggenheim |
| Producer | Jeff Skoll, Davis Guggenheim, Diane Weyermann |
| Distributor |
This film won an Academy award for “Best documentary.”
“A Global Warning”
The subject of “Global Warming” and the name “Al Gore” are likely to cause many people to steer clear of this documentary. However, I would encourage you to look past politics to at least view this professional documentary.
This is essentially an overview of the subject of global warming. It is an appeal to individuals to play their part in saving the world. Many facts are given and in some parts theories presented as fact to persuade the viewer to make a difference. It is only in the closing credits that the “how to’s” are given.
The other road this documentary follows is the life of Gore and this message he has been trying to tell throughout his political life. I have to admit he is an excellent orator and is convincing through most of his presentation. It is the fact that Gore is so linked with politics that makes this documentary harder to swallow. Al Gore: “I don’t really consider this a political issue, I consider it to be a moral issue.” I applaud such a statement, but the inconvenient truth of the matter is that this is a political issue as well as a moral issue.
The most difficult section to deal with in the documentary is that of what happened millions and millions of years ago to cause “the ice age.” This is presented as fact, and some parents might want to discuss this issue with children or teenagers after the documentary.
As Christians, we know this world will come to pass with the imminent return of our Lord. I cannot help but feel that the effects of global warming will play their own part in the end times.
Matthew 24:7,8 says “For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
With this mindset, we could dismiss our obligations to look after our Lord’s creation. We have been given dominion over the Earth as stated in Genesis 1:27,28
“So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
We were given this Earth to subdue it and even tend to it as Adam did in the garden. This was all said before our fall and not recanted in the curse. The question I like to ask is, “Would our environment be in the same condition if sin had not entered the world?” I think not; therefore I am convinced to play my part in caring for the Lord’s creation.
Violence: None / Profanity: Minor / Sex/Nudity: None
See list of Relevant Issues—questions-and-answers.
Gore frames the problem of climate change in a human context. We see that increased death, famine, and disease can all result due to global warming, and we are warned that mass media does not always hold the correct solution to the dilemma: we must each make informed, moral decisions, and put trust in well-informed scientists.
As Christians, we know that we are put on this planet to nurture and care for it—not to make it a “hell on Earth,” if you’ll pardon the expression. I personally feel that God would not like to see his creation destroyed by his own children. I encourage all Christians to see this movie, and to take action against climate change.
Excellent! / 4½
“An Inconvenient Truth” promotes the idea that we, as humans, need to start thinking more about our future. The only thing I could think of that some might find offensive is that Al Gore makes a few puns at the current administration. I wasn’t offended, I thought they were funny, and the point of the film wasn’t to attack the Bush administration. Al Gore says himself that he feels the global warming issue doesn’t have anything to do with either party, but more to do with politicians not wanting to worry about it, as it is “inconvenient.” The documentary was very well put together, and the footage was very beautiful. I would recommend that anyone go and see it.
Excellent! / 5
Earth’s climate fluctuates constantly, trying to find equilibrium. It’s been doing this for Millennia—ever since the Fall [?-Flood]. The current warming trend is NOT our fault! It’s nature being nature. There is nothing we can do to reverse or change it. Man will not be responsible for destroying the planet. Read the Bible—only God can and will destroy Earth at the end of Time.
Meanwhile, data to show that the Earth is warming up were doctored to present a predetermined outcome. When the data are plotted accurately, no trend of increased warming is shown. By normal criteria one could say the moral rating of this movie is good.
But is God pleased when movie producers exaggerate and lie to make their point? If God wanted us to burn fossil fuels he would have planned in advance that burning them would not harm the environment. Let us be good steward of God’s creation, but let’s use our minds as well as our hearts.
Moral rating: Average / Moviemaking quality: 4
My Ratings: Good / 3½