Today, I watched a movie that renewed my outlook on life. A movie that encouraged me, inspired me and made me smile. It's a movie with several deep subplots connected to the main story which is about college philosophy Professor Radisson's curriculum which starts with the professor keeping his tradition of bullying his students on the first day of class into believing his primary profession which is"God is dead." But this time, Professor Radisson's proclamation against God is challenged by his new student Josh Wheaton who is a Christian and believes God exists. The writers of this movie dig deep and I found it interesting to know that this movie was based on a true story!
So without much further ado, here are my reflections shared through three major highlights in the movie, God's Not Dead ...
Pivotal scene #1: Marc Shelley, a self-absorbed yet very successful business man visits his mom in the hospital
Marc says to his Mom: I don't even know what I'm doing here. I mean it's not like you even know who I am. You prayed and believed your whole life, never done anything wrong, and here you are you're the nicest person I know; I'm the meanest; you have dementia; my life is perfect. Explain that to me.
Mom: Sometimes the devil allows people to live a life free of trouble because he doesn't want them turning to God. Sin is like a jail cell except it's all nice and comfy and there doesn't seem to be any need to leave and the door is wide open until one day, time runs out. The cell door slams shut and suddenly it's too late.
--
Pivotal scene #2: Reporter Amy Ryan storms past security with her media pass, into backstage area of Newsboys concert for an unscripted interview
Amy: So in a few minutes you guys are going to go out there and you're going to sing about God and Jesus as if they're as real as you and me. How can you do that?
Newsboys (taking turns): Well to us, they are as real. As a matter of fact, even more so. I mean, we exist in the here and now; they've existed forever, think about that. Yeah, you know in the beginning was the Word, the Word was with God and the Word was God.
Amy laughs abruptly and says: So I see! So when you're pressed, you quote a bunch of ancient scribblings and say, "Don't worry, it's all in there."
Newsboys (taking turns): Well they may be ancient but they're not scribblings. I mean, we believe God gave us an instruction manual and it's where we draw our strength and it's where we find our hope. So where do you find your hope?
Amy: I'm dying.
Newsboys drummer: Hey Amy, you're not here to trash us, are you? I think that's what you might have done but I think you're here kind of wondering, kind of hoping that this stuff is for real, aren't you?
Amy: How do you know that?
Newsboys drummer: Well I just felt that's what God was saying and just wanted you to know.
--
SPOILER ALERT! The following dialogue from this scene may or may not give away part of the movie's ending...
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Pivotal Scene #3: Professor Radisson hit by a car while walking to the Newsboys concert at night, in the rain. Reverend Jude and Reverend Dave see the accident happen and leave their car, rushing to help Prof. Radisson
Reverend Jude takes a look at Prof. Radisson and tells Reverend Dave: His ribs are crushed. His lungs are filling with blood.
Reverend Dave asks Reverend Jude: Are you sure?
Reverend Jude: Yeah
Professor Radisson: I can't die. I'm not ready.
Reverend Dave: Do you know Jesus?
Professor Radisson: I'm an atheist.
Reverend Dave: I believe it's God's mercy that brought me here right now.
Professor Radisson: I'm dying! How could you call that mercy?
Reverend Dave: because that car could have killed you instantly and I'm sure right now you probably wish it did but I'm here to tell you that it's a gift. The God you don't believe in has given you another chance, another chance to change your final answer.
~*~
There's really not much more I can say without spoiling the entire movie. So if you have not seen it yet, please go check it out! It's a new release (2014) and it's available on Amazon.com and perhaps your television service provider carries it in the movie rental section.
It is a truly beautiful, well done movie with a message that's hard-hitting yet incredibly uplifting! I believe this movie reaches out to everyone--atheists, Christians, Muslims and other people of faith--and touches their heart in a way that makes them think about what they believe (or do not believe). God's Not Dead is a movie that I can see impacting generations of today and tomorrow.
So if you're looking for a movie that will hit the spot, watch God's Not Dead and be inspired! :)
God bless you!
Love,
Alexis
P.S._ Here's the theme song/official music video for the movie:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.