Monday, April 21, 2014

God's Not Dead

We rarely go to the movies but we went to see God's Not Dead in Hillsboro Saturday night.

"Present-day college freshman and devout Christian, Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), finds his faith challenged on his first day of Philosophy class by the dogmatic and argumentative Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo). Radisson begins class by informing students that they will need to disavow, in writing, the existence of God on that first day, or face a failing grade. As other students in the class begin scribbling the words "God Is Dead" on pieces of paper as instructed, Josh find himself at acrossroads, having to choose between his faith and his future.

Josh offers a nervous refusal, provoking an irate reaction from his smug professor. Radisson assigns him a daunting task: if Josh will not admit that "God Is Dead," he must prove God's existence by presenting well-researched, intellectual arguments and evidence over the course of the semester, and engage Radisson in a head-to-head debate in front of the class. If Josh fails to convince his classmates of God's existence, he will fail the course and hinder his lofty academic goals. With almost no one in his corner, Josh wonders if he can really fight for what he believes.

Can he actually prove the existence of God? Wouldn't it just be easier just to write "God Is Dead" and put the whole incident behind him? GOD'S NOT DEAD weaves together multiple stories of faith, doubt and disbelief, culminating in a dramatic call to action. The film will educate, entertain, and inspire moviegoers to explore what they really believe about God, igniting important conversations and life-changing decisions. --(C) Official Site"

This is a well written story with some humor provided by Willie Robertson of Duck Dynasty Commander fame and others.  It's a pretty serious movie though, the whole concept has been questioned since time began.  It focuses on a modern day college campus and the way the writers weave the characters to the end is very compelling.  The apologetics are very well substantiated and made the movie real to me.

I enjoyed the movie and think you might too unless you don't believe in God, don't want to believe in God or even hate God like one of the main characters.  The Newsboys Christian rock group really puts the finishing touches on the end of this movie.

Now we want to see Heaven Is Real.

Ed Winkle

3 comments:

  1. I don't plan on seeing either, I probably would be offended by God's Not Dead, which seems as unsubtle as Willie Robertson. I guess he wanted to build on his TV reputation. He also had a captive audience with Duck Dynasty and the people outraged at the "outrage" on his gay hate speech. Now it seems likely that it all was just a promotional act.

    I watched "Beneath the Harvest Sky" recently, a much more believable movie about the coming of age of two young men in a rural setup. A bit sad, but also very moving and memorable.

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  2. I showed my "redneck" background there, Chimel. I didn't mean to hurt anyone but I have to speak my peace.

    Peace be with you, my friend.

    Ed Winkle

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  3. By all means, I would not want it otherwise. The movie just seems a bit futile to me because it is purposefully designed to convince the already convinced, which does not require much art or talent, that's probably why they could get off with it.

    They didn't need to invent a totally unbelievable persecution plot with this angry unprofessional professor. Although if he starts giving assignments such as "prove that God exists" in the first month of school, I wonder what such a teacher would have in store for the next months and the next years! ;)

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