Following the publication of Dr. Jerry Newcombe’s article titled “Great New Movie – God’s Not Dead” and Rev. Austin Miles’s review of the film published “God’s Not Dead a Hit With All, Movie Review,” a journey to a neighboring theater was taken in order to see the movie. Given that there were already two reviews placed on the American Prophet website, it did not seem to be essential to submit yet another one, regardless of whether or not it was wonderful. It was not just that I had taken a number of friends along with me to see the movie, but not long after that, I also encouraged a few more people to watch the movie while it was still in town. Astonishment and joy were the responses that were consistently given by those who were startled. It was necessary for a Bible instructor to contact me as soon as his feet were removed from the theater, which is a place where mobile phones are required to be disconnected. Between the exit doors of the theater and the parking lot, he provided me with an enthusiastic summary of the movie that was taken there. My attention was piqued by the public enthusiasm that was shown for the movie. What is it about this movie that has captured the hearts of so many people, that friends are applauding it, that reviewers are praising it, and that writers can’t seem to wait to praise the message and the significance of this box office surprise from 2014? After seeing the movie with his wife, Dr. Newcombe found himself leaving the theater with the same question running through his head even after he had left. In his words, “Both my wife and I had a great time watching the movie.” An unexpected round of applause from the crowd was something that I thought to be really interesting. This was not typical. There was no Bible belt inside this region. In the glamorous city of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, it took place. “…it is uncommon to hear an audience cheer at the conclusion, even if it may happen at a showing of a new movie in front of a chosen audience,” Reverend Miles added, referring to the spontaneous approval of the crowd. When people see this movie, something occurs that causes them to forget themselves, scream out “yes” or “amen,” and then break out in a loud and emotional ovation. I knew that the movie had created an emotional outlet for Americans who do not believe that colleges and universities should be teaching young freshmen that giving up faith in God is truly part of their academic responsibility. This realization came after I witnessed two of my friends being brought to tears in the theater and found myself heartily applauding several times along with the audience. Attendees at the theater were expressing their conviction that trust in God is a matter of conscience in a free democracy, and that academic institutions have never been tasked with the responsibility of separating individuals from their religious beliefs. Kevin Sorbo, who played the most experienced of the film’s stars, was well-known for his portrayal of Hercules in a television series that aired from 1995 to 1999. The series lasted for fifteen years. The portrayal that Sorbo performed as the intellectually arrogant and resentful college professor who forced his young pupils to accept that given the advent of modern science, it was only proper to proclaim once and for all – that God is dead – was very impressive. The fact that the professor’s findings were the foundation of the film did not in any way diminish the many other sub-plots that were established during the course of the film. However, not everyone was ready to agree with the professor’s conclusions. Sorbo draws the attention of his philosophy students by presenting a lengthy list of philosophers and academics who all had a same belief: that God does not exist. On his own, a student got up to question the position taken by his lecturer, who was portrayed by Shane Harper. Harper’s character turned out to be an intense performance of a young man whose convictions and faith were too deeply rooted for one puffed up college professor with an exploded view of his own intelligence. The boyish face and inexperience written all over Harper’s character betrays what turns out to be an intense performance. New actors and some more experienced all provided what is a believable performance and it was all topped off by a wonderful concert scene where the ‘Newsboys,’ a Christian rock group started in 1985 produce a masterful musical culmination of the flick – even if you are a traditionalist this contemporary Christian band will leave you breathless. But at this point, we need to circle back around to the topic of why there is such a spontaneous reaction from the audience to this movie. Following a number of days of contemplation over the film, I came across a single passage from the Bible that appeared to resolve the issue for me personally. According to the gospel according to Matthew, Jesus made the proclamation that people who have a desire to see things done right would one day be satisfied. There is a consensus among most people that this is an allusion to the second coming of Christ. What I saw in the theater while watching this film was a little representation of a cross-section of the United States of America that is still in existence today. This film is proof positive that there are still plenty of Americans who fulfill the picture described in the Words of Jesus Christ taken from Matthew’s gospel. This is the case despite the fact that nearly an entire generation of godless academics, pop-culture trends, and media anti-Christian efforts have been made. The Bible says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, because they will be fed.” 5:6 of the Bible Since the year 2005, Michael Bresciani has been serving as the publisher of American Prophet.org. It is because of the articles and reports written by Reverend Bresciani, as well as the contributions of some of the most talented writers and journalists in the United States, as well as the news and reviews that the website has acquired the moniker of “The Website for Insight.” His timely reports and writings have been published in print and online journals and magazines and have been read by millions of people all over the world and nationwide. Please follow us on both Facebook and Twitter.
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