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March of the penguins

Lessons from creation?

MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
1 hr. 20 mins., Cert. U

This documentary film, produced in conjunction with National Geographic, will shortly be released as a DVD. It is a somewhat surprising film to see on the cinema circuit, but perhaps this has been stimulated by the great interest shown by American Christians.

The film is a study of the life cycle of the Emperor Penguin in the Antarctic region. It is accompanied by a commentary on the events to enable the viewer to understand. However, some people do find aspects of the commentary irritating, especially when the script almost humanises the creatures.

The adult penguins migrate 70 miles from the sea to an inland spot some seven to eight days away where they go through a mating ritual. The egg is then transferred from the mother to the father who keeps it warm between his feet while the mother must then return to the sea in order to be able to feed the chick when it is born. During her daparture, the egg will hatch and the father-chick bonding occurs. The mother will return within a few days of the birth to feed the chick and then ‘release’ the father to go and get his food: he has been without nourishment for some four months!

This alternation of trips by the parents goes on for some time until the chick is eventually old enough to survive alone. It then has to make this trip for the first time. One of the fascinating aspects of the film is the way the parents recognise each other by their calls. The sequence of events is fascinating and moving. Certainly it speaks of the wonders of God’s creation and demonstrates aspects of his design of these creatures.

In the USA, Christians picked up on this film as a model of monogamous marriage and of God’s creative work. This was possible, in part, because the film is completely devoid of any reference to ‘evolution’ (or, indeed, creation!). Their enthusiasm, however, is somewhat misplaced, especially since the producers were evolutionists! We must remember that our moral model is not the animals but God himself.

Dodgy assumptions

Some of the assumptions were also misapplied. This is apparent from the film itself: the partnership is only for a year! On the next cycle, new partners are sought. There is also the example of the mother who loses her chick and so attempts to steal another’s. There is a lot of hardship indicated in the film. The climate is tough (temperature drops to -50C and there are severe storms) and there are significant losses. While it is possible to demonstrate the principles of adaptation implied in the creation belief, it also demonstrates the fact that nature is suffering from the curse due to man’s sin.

The film is worth viewing, as are any nature films, but I am still surprised it made the cinemas rather than the small screens!

Dr. J.H.J. Peet