Movie Review: God’s Not Dead (2014)
The movie, God’s not dead, involves interactions in and out of school setting that seeks to establish the existence of God. Freshman University Student Josh Wheaton enters a philosophy class where Professor Mr Radisson requires every student to submit an argument that God is dead. Due to his faith, Josh Wheaton’s response is the odd one out, leading to a series of confrontational presentations, with the students as the jury. This theme, is backed by other small storylines illustrating Christian beliefs among other people, and how it affects their lives.
In this movie, the conspicuous myth is the assumption that God is dead. Students in Professor Radisson’s class believe blindly to professor’s convictions without questioning. Without even raising concerns on how this belief came to be, they naively go with the flow. Probably due to the fear of victimization, or lack of confidence in their convictions.
This movie is founded on Josh’s Christian belief that God exists. He believes that influences the plot of the film. His courage to profess his faith without fearing the consequences of clashing with his philosophy lecturer is what the movie is really about. Josh Wheaton uses the Bible as his religious symbol.
There are several rituals in this movie. However, the main ritual is in the lecture hall setting. Following Josh’s courage to speak his mind concerning the existence of God, there followed confrontational presentations where Josh was to argue for his stand. He was to convince the whole class, together with the professor, that God exists.
Religion plays a huge role in this movie, particularly Christian. The movie illustrates the different types of Christians. Some are just joyriders, believing without much zeal and conviction. Some are very informed and deeply convicted, like Josh Wheaton. And there are those that upon adversity, develop so much hate on Christianity and God, like Professor Mr Radisson.