God's Not Dead
This is a touching story about a college philosophy instructor, Professor Radisson, whose Atheistic faith is put to an epic test when his new student, Josh Wheaton confronts his beliefs. Josh finds himself an unexpected hero of the only minority against which persecution and open prejudice is still protected by law in the United States - the True Christian™ (John 15:20). It should come as no surprise to the reasonable viewer to find the Holy Spirit is victorious in the end.
Professor Radisson's teaching style gives us insight into the secret Atheist Agenda - a society in which all students are formally taught that God does not exist, or face expulsion and an end of any dreams of a career. Our hero boldly refuses and so is assigned a task to prove God’s existence or face academic and physical punishment. Radisson rather enjoys his privilege as an Atheist in Academia, and we see that Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Religion are things of the past in secular universities. This provides a hostile environment for our True Christian™ hero.
In the course of the semester, we learn that Professor Radisson converted to the Atheistic faith because he is angry at God for having brought his dear mother home to the loving bosom of Jesus. The Truth catches up with him when he reads a letter from his mother talking about how much she loved him and how she wanted him to be a good follower of God. After this Radisson rushes to seek reconciliation with his Christian girlfriend. On the way he is hit by a car.
Reverend Dave witnesses the loving timing of God's seemingly cruel but morally superior plan (Isaiah 55:8-9), and without turning to secular solutions like calling for help or calling 911, he begins talking to the professor about his faith in Jesus. The Reverend explains to the dying, suffering man that it's a miracle the he wasn't killed instantly! In this way, the LORD spared him an eternity of Hell in exchange for an emotional confession of faith in Jesus before his preventable mortal wounds finally did him in. Surely the pain, physical, and emotional trauma gave the professor the mental clarity to make such a profound, important decision. The LORD lovingly brings him also to the open bosom of Jesus, where he will meet his eternal bridegroom (2 Corinthians 11:2, but not in a gay way).
This is an enormously uplifting and encouraging film to watch. The characters are based on real people, or at least what real people are like. The atheist will walk out thinking, "Wow, I had no idea how much I suck! I apologize." (Ecclesiastes 7:20)
Things to watch for:
Direct your children to pay special attention to the other story lines in the movie:
- Muslims are aggressively violent towards their children, and hate Jesus more than atheists (John 3:35-36).
- Atheists are devoid of all morals, searching out only that instant gratification that Satan alone loves to provide (Psalm 14:1).
- Fluffy Bunny Christians are naught but fair-weather friends of Christ, and as such are no more loved than rancid rat flesh (Revelation 3:16).
Things to talk about with your children:
The movie makes a point that without God nothing matters, morals are also nonexistent, and everything is permissible. Explain how without God, there is no way to have hope in life (Romans 8:24-25; Hebrews 11:1, 7).
Actor Kevin Sorbo (Professor Radison) believes atheist responses to this and similar movies are driven by fear. Ask your children if they agree or disagree. Continue talking until they agree.
“I think they’re fearful and [believe] that there must be something out there,” he said of vocal activists. “I don’t think I’ve ever gotten angry over something I don’t believe in. It’s almost weird to me.”
He added, “I think there’s other things going on with these people.”
I give this movie five stars!
