The age-long debate about the existence of a supreme being, God; in this case, God as proclaimed by Christiandom, comes into focus in this Christian campus drama. As trite as the subject matter appears, director Harold Cronk cleverly set this dramatic debate within the confines of an academic institution – an apt theatre for an objective examination. This also provides a needed contemporary feel, to take away the dreaded ‘in-your-face’ farce that usually plagues faith-based creative endeavors.
Into the story
God finds a reluctant advocate in a law school freshman, Josh Wheaton played by Shane Harper, whose first day in a philosophy class pitches him against arrogant Professor Radisson played by the sublime Kevin Sorbo. Radisson openly demands that his class declare God dead to join in the atheistic belief of the philosophy greats the class would study. Wheaton’s Christian faith won’t let him, sparking a debate which eventually develops into a contest between professor and student, leaving the rest of a the class as the jury.
The plausibility of the storyline in itself isn’t without blemish as it is hard to imagine that scenario playing out in reality, but that worry is quickly erased by the many sub-plots that garnish the storyline; the story of two reverends showing different levels of faith; the contrasting reactions of two children of an elderly woman suffering from Alzheimer and a couple of other side stories.
The Debate
The movie probably gets its strongest footing from the actual debates between Wheaton and Radisson. The scenes are not glossed over and truly provides insightful and thought-provoking argument that punctures major theories and hypothesis that doubt the existence of God even if it does not scientifically prove God’s existence.
For a faith-based film, the movie scores another valuable point for not being overly ‘preachy’ except during the drab and repetitive scenes of Reverend Dave played by David White and a visiting African missionary, Reverend Jude played by Benjamin Ochieng. Jude plays the clichéd visiting man of God that rekindles the faith of his contemporary that is almost getting carried away by a sense of logic.
Worthy of note is the fact that the Christians are not stereotyped and are allowed to appear as regular everyday people who can still indulge in the good things of life. Cameo appearances by a Durag wearing Willie Robertson from the reality television show Duck Dynasty, and the chic Christian pop band Newsboys are pointers that believers can be ‘funky’.
The movie, however, appears myopic in its portrayal of non-Christians, depicting them all as selfish and arrogant. The writers (Hunter Dennis, Chuck Konzelman and Cary Solomon) made an attempt at explaining this during the heated debate for and against God’s existence:
Wheaton stresses the importance of God to morality. “…if my actions are calculated to help me succeed why shouldn’t I perform them? For Christians, the fix point morality constituting right and wrong, is a straight line that leads directly back to God”
Radisson retorts; “…are you saying a moral atheist is impossible?” To which Wheaton aptly responds; “No, but with no God there is no real reason to be moral. I mean, there’s not even a standard of what moral behaviour is.”
Overall, God is Not Dead is an easy watch with no convoluted conversations that Provides believers with more bragging rights.