Professor Radisson (Kevin Sorbo) and Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper) are the central characters in the new movie “God’s not dead”, which is said to weave together “multiple stories of faith, doubt, and disbelief” and to culminate in “a dramatic call to action”. (Photo from http://godsnotdeadthemovie.com/photosvideos.)
This month holds the release of a new movie with a significant religious storyline. “God’s not dead” is the story of “college freshman and devout Christian Josh Wheaton”, played by actor Shane Harper (reportedly popularly known for his role as Spencer on The Disney Channel’s “Good Luck Charlie”), as he attempts “to disprove” a belief that there is no God, which is held by his “dogmatic” Philosophy teacher, Professor Radisson, played by Kevin Sorbo (whom some may know from the 1990s’ syndicated TV series “Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”).
The movie also features Dean Cain (who played Superman in the 1990s’ network TV series “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman”) as “Mark” and includes special appearances by Duck Dynasty’s Willie and Korie Robertson as themselves and the musical group Newsboys, singing their hit song with the same title as the movie.
Without having seen the movie or read any meaningful reviews of the theology the movie presents, one can hardly praise or criticize it. Promotional material for the movie claims, “The film will educate, entertain, and inspire moviegoers to explore what they really believe about God, igniting important conversations and life-changing decisions.” That statement and others make me a little skeptical of the theology the movie will present, as the movie appears to have a Reformed bias, and its producers appear to think one can be “argued” into salvation. All can certainly better judge the movie for themselves when it comes out.
The Regal Hollywood 14 in Longview is scheduled to show the movie beginning Friday, March 21, as are the Carmike 14 and Times Square 6 in Tyler. A group from the congregation may go to see the movie and then discuss it together somewhere afterwards–watch the Sunday bulletin for details. (You might note that the movie is rated PG for “thematic material, brief violence, and an accident scene”.)
In the meantime, if you are interested in more information, you might check out the movie’s website is , and you can watch the trailer there or on YouTube. There are also reportedly Facebook pages and Twitter feeds with extensive conversations about the movie and issues the movie raises.
May God bless all faithful proclamation of His Word and draw those who do not yet live in repentance and faith to Himself.
