Why God's Not Dead

The recent release of the movie “God’s Not Dead” has stirred Christians and non-Christians alike, causing many to run to their computers and post their thoughts and opinions on social media as to why Christian films continue to miss the mark of good filmmaking. 

I must agree that Christian films lack a quality that the big names in Hollywood create on a regular basis, and “God’s Not Dead” is no exception. Cheesy scripts and bad acting continue to plague faith-based films, and I have begun to expect this whenever I sit down to watch a Christian movie.  

However, I went into the theater with high hopes for “God’s Not Dead,” and despite the occasional chuckle at the poor performance of a few of the actors, I thought this movie showed more professionalism than other Christian films of the same budget.  

Despite this, many have taken the release of another unashamedly Christian movie as an opportunity to bash the Christian filmmaking industry. John Speed, a Christian blogger, published his opinions on his blog Gospel Spam, stating "God's not dead, but Christian screenwriting is." His argument provides positive qualities of the movie, but the majority of his blog states this movie is littered with blasphemy. 

"God does not need us to defend him, as the hero of this movie states," Speed wrote. "The atheist needs us to declare the truth to him so that he can be rescued from the wrath of God. To state the former and miss the latter is blasphemous. When we — even with the best of intentions — place God on trial in our personal evangelism or in big screen movies, we give the enemies of God occasion to blaspheme. And they are doing exactly that." 

Others made comments on the website Rotten Tomatoes such as “God may not be dead, but I'd be willing to wager this movie at least gave him a faint wave of nausea.” However, despite the fact that the website awarded the movie with a 20 percent rating, the general audience gave it 87 percent.  

I would have to agree with the 87 percent of people who voted for this movie. While some, like Speed, believe that evangelism should be left to "everyday Christians," and "Jesus did not command us to go into all the world and show movies," we, as Christians, have the responsibility to reach as many people as we possibly can with the hope of the gospel. And this movie does just that. 

True, the evidence provided by the young college student in his defense of God may not give airtight proof for the existence of God, and not all atheists show the same hatred as the professor in the movie shows, but the story was powerful and provided an unashamed message of our forgiveness in Jesus Christ.  

As with anything in the public’s eye, critiques, both positive and negative, come with the territory. But the critiques from Christians should not simply bash an industry that is continuing to grow. True, it is frustrating to watch faith-based films with the expectation that they will not be equal to that of a film produced in Hollywood, but how helpful is it to those who create and write these films when all they hear consists of reviews that tell them how terrible their work is?   

If there are aspects of this movie that contradict our beliefs, as Speed felt, then this is an opportunity to take a deeper look at the Bible and decide how we would provide our own answers if someone told us God is dead. Will we all have the chance to stand up in front of a class and an atheist to defend our beliefs? Probably not. But this movie provides an example of how necessary it is to be able to defend your faith, regardless of the quality of the script or the performance of the actors. 

1 Peter 3:15-16 says, “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.”

 
 

Hebrews 4:14-16

It is extremely easy to become caught up in the weaknesses and trials of this world. We often feel alone and misunderstood. These verses are an amazing reminder that we are never alone.

Hebrews 4:14-16 ~ "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are - yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Not only does Jesus walk beside us through trials and temptations, but he also knows what it feels like. We never have the excuse of giving into self pity because "nobody understands." Jesus provided the ultimate example of standing up to trials and standing up to Satan as he tempts us. We do not have to wonder if God will be there to help us with these battles - we can walk forward with confidence to the throne of grace and ask him to help us whenever we are in need.   

Satan's web of lies

The words come quietly, carried by a soft voice. These words give solutions, they provide excuses. They show the easy way out of any situation. The subtle thoughts that make their way inside your own are easily mistaken for truth. Only after the poison sets in do you realize the danger.

It's been occurring since the Garden of Eden, when Satan took the form of a serpent and whispered in Eve's ear the words that led to the fall of man. I have always wondered why Eve did not turn her back on him and face the truth. But Satan had taken another form. He did not approach her and say, "I am God's enemy, and I am about to feed you a lie in order to separate you from the Creator."

Satan played off of her pride, off of her desires. He knew exactly what to say in order for her to convince herself that what he said was truth. Satan does not know our thoughts. He cannot read our minds. But he is extremely smart and cunning. He has mastered the art of whispering to us at the exact moment we let our defenses down, when we think we are strong enough to resist.

Why did Satan approach Eve at that moment? Could she have been near the tree, staring up at the fruit? Was she watching the sun shine through the branches, wondering why God had placed a barrier between her and this source of sustenance? Or maybe thoughts of accomplishment at obeying God's words crossed her mind.

Whatever the situation, Eve was in a position where Satan knew she would be most likely to fall. This was not a chance meeting.

In today's culture and society, Satan is not given enough credit. There are too many movies about demon possession, too many mental disorders that pills are supposed to cure, too many situations where we blame the corruption of our culture. Satan has brainwashed us to not think about spiritual warfare. He has convinced us that he does not come in serpent form anymore.

This semester, Satan has fed me more lies than I ever thought possible. He had me convinced of things that I thought I had under control. He hit me where I thought I was strongest. It was not until I was stumbling over his web of lies that I realized what was happening. It wasn't until I turned every single lie over to God that I realized the truth.

But God is not just watching from above, wringing his hands, hoping we will realize the devil's mask. He desires us to know the truth, because the truth sets us free. Now that I have become aware of Satan's deception in my life, God has provided me with wisdom in discerning what is truth and what is lie.

And since Satan cannot read my thoughts, I make sure to let him know verbally every so often that he has no power over me. Because my God is greater, and he has set me free.

Philippians 4:8 ~ "Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."