And I don't want to rain on your "God's Not Dead" parade, so maybe just be happy with the movie that you liked and move on. My only warning for you is to be careful not to become a Christian victim, believing that everyone is against us and we must debate them into submission. We still live in a country overwhelmingly open to Christianity compared to every other nation in most of the history of the world; so we need to be careful not to be over dramatic regarding our minor "persecutions" in today's culture.
"God's Not Dead" movie lovers, read on at your own risk.
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I get embarrassed by movies like this. I know I should be happy that there are Christian movies in mainstream theaters for everyone to go see, but I am almost hopeful that non-Christians didn't go see this one. Have you ever watched a mainstream TV show or movie that has a Christian character in it? Almost every time, the Christian character is one of two things: a hypocrite or a hick. They are either a super conservative believer who's secretly picking up prostitutes at night - showing how ridiculous their belief really is; or they're some stupid brainless Christian with faith based only in Sunday School teachings from their childhood. I hate when I see these characters because they are caricatures of reality. If I were not a Christian, I would feel the same about how the characters are portrayed in this movie.
So let's get into it. (Spoilers below)
It feels to me like this movie was created to be similar to the Garry Marshall movies like "Valentine's Day" or "New Years Eve". There are multiple character that are seemingly unconnected that eventually show their relation to each other. Unfortunately, in "God's Not Dead", the characters are terribly shallow and extreme versions of themselves.
- There's the "liberal blogger" with a car covered in liberal bumper stickers - like "I love evolution". She tries so hard to ambush the Duck Dynasty stars with her desire to make them look bad for killing ducks and praying to Jesus. And she's in a relationship with the typical high powered lawyer who responds to her terrible news casually and selfishly; ultimately breaking up with her over her illness. So cliche.
- There's the overbearing girlfriend of the hero of the story who, though she met him at a Christian rock concert, forbids Josh from debating his philosophy professor over God's existence. (The only reason I mention the concert is cause the movie makes sure you know it. Clearly, she is supposed to be a Christian just like he is.) And though she supposedly attends her third choice college to be with him and has their life planned out, she dumps him over disobeying her mandate and throws away their 6 years together. OVER SOMETHING THAT HAS NO EFFECT ON THEIR RELATIONSHIP. So stupid.
- Then there's the demonized professor of Philosophy. He walks into class with one purpose; to make all students into atheists, even requiring them to write "God is dead" and signing it. Is this what Christians think all atheists are like? He's arrogant, biased, and even treats his girlfriend like crap. Did I mention his girlfriend is a Christian? (Yeah, a die-hard atheist who can't stand having a Christian student would date one? Give me a break.) And ultimately, of course, the real reason our professor is an atheist is because he's mad at God, not because he's convinced God doesn't exist. Again, this is what I think most Christians think about atheists, but I'm not convinced this is the reality for many. (If I were an atheist, I'd be offended at this extreme portrayal.)
- Of course, there has to be the strict, authoritarian Muslim father as well in the movie. What kind of Christian movie would it be if there weren't some portrayal of another religion's adherent showing why Christianity is better.
- There is also the duo of ministers; pastor and missionary, who just can't make it to Disneyworld cause God keeps their car from starting in order to keep them in the right place for the right time of encountering many of the above characters. I can't figure out why God never forces me into right circumstances for ministry using unbelievable methods. I guess I'm not a good enough pastor.
I'm sorry to be so hard on a movie with good intentions, but my fear is that it does more harm than good. For Christians, it gives us a victim mentality and the thinking that we can argue someone into faith in Christ. (Which I've never seen work. Ever.) It also makes us look at anyone that isn't a Christian as an opponent who is seeking to destroy our faith or take our freedom to believe away. That just isn't the case. Jesus certainly didn't teach us to see His created people as enemies, but as deserving of love. (Remember, it is through love that people see God's hand at work. Not debate.)
The debate ends with a climactic scene as Josh interrogates his professor, badgering him into admitting his hatred for God. This leads to Josh getting in the final blow: "How can you hate someone who doesn't exist." The audience gasps and Christians let out a celebratory cheer. But I'm afraid it just wasn't the mind-changing hit to me that it should have been. Catching his professor in a logical fallacy isn't really making the case for God; it's just making the professor look silly. (And any professor should have seen that coming a mile away. I did and I'm not that smart.)
Finally, I was amazed at how flippantly the movie dealt with death. I guess we can smile at death or the prospect of dying as long as the person knows Jesus. Yes, we can rejoice in the eternity Jesus offers us when we know Him, but that doesn't erase the sadness and loss that death brings to those left behind.
On a positive note, the arguments made by our young student are well articulated and spark thinking by the audience. (Honestly, I love apologetics and debate.) I was glad to see respected Christian philosophers and scientists quoted in the debate.
Ultimately, I think most of my criticisms are simply my own and that most people will come out of seeing "God's Not Dead" feeling encouraged in their faith. And that's okay. But please beware of how you think of and treat those who disagree with you. Cause it's the love of Christ that will lead people to Him, not harsh words of debate or short-sighted caricatures of them.
Flame on...
