Sound theology, rich cinematography

A giant water bug grabs a frog and injects it with enzymes that liquefy the hapless croaker’s innards. The aqueous insect then slurps dry its prey—an “amphibian-flavored Capri Sun”—casting the carcass away. A scene to teach the survival of the fittest? No, Isaiah 11.

Dr. Gordon Wilson, narrating the spectacular new nature documentary The Riot and the Dance: Water (written by N.D. Wilson), yearns for the day the lion will lie down with the lamb. With a splash of wry humor, deep theology fills the deep Water.

The marine-biologist narrator and a cameraman dive into oceans, ponds, rivers, and swamps to film creatures of eye-popping form (literally) and function. Bold exegesis complements daring close-ups. Why do 60,000-pound humpback whales launch their massive frames out of the water? Because God gives them joy, like kids doing cannonballs at the pool. Turtles’ fascinating physiques cause Wilson to praise God for “His creative and amusing personality.”

Wilson acknowledges the “irreducible complexity” of creatures such as the octopus—with its three hearts and nine brains. Yes, God assigns every animal a role in its habitat, but Water is more than a science lab. God created all this because “it pleased Him” to do so.

As for us: “If God provides for the lowliest tube worm in Puget Sound,” Wilson says, “how much more will He provide for us made in His own image?”