Intro to Theo

God’s Not
Dead

Submitted by: Jhon Daniel Orencio

Grade: 12
Section: St Paul
Date of submission: September 6, 2024
Submitted to: Sir Clint Joseph Fanoga
 “God’s Not Dead”

The 2014 American Christian drama film God's Not Dead directed by Harold Cronk.
Josh Wheaton, a Christian college student has his faith challenged when he is told by his
philosophy professor that in order to pass the course as well as other test requirements he must
prove God exists. Its atheist professor gives Josh another ultimatum: say "God is dead" or lose
grades. Josh does not relent, however, and on one such journey to defend his religion Josh is
caught up in a philosophical as well as spiritual debate about the very existence of God. It
touches on issues like faith and doubt, freedom of belief. The series was about the religion and
education nexus, including a focus on Christian experiences in nonsectarian settings.

Based (very) loosely on actual court cases of students taking university professors to task
over suppressing their religiosity at school, God Is Not Dead is an assertion that it's religious
folks who are the bullied minorities. That is to say, it also consists of a number of subplots each
dealing with the same questions – how people search for God in their own way (and why), and
what they do once they think that believe there isn't. Critics were lukewarm to the film but it
played especially well with Christian moviegoers, who embraced the good feel vibes that filled
its commercial vessels glow. One of the things that make this movie appealing is its claim to
reassert a bedrock principle about faith—that, at least for some people 40 years ago in Berkeley
and now again today, it can survive intellectual challenge.

The film takes its name from a popular Christian slogan, and the big hit song by
Newsboys of the same name (their music is used in some scenes). And the song turned into an
anthem for the film's examination of religious faith and its pushback against doubt as well. God's
Not Dead did what it said on the bumper sticker, addressing an evangelical audience
unapologetically and of course organized lots of stories around what you might talk about when
talking about faith in public life -- how quaint that this was predominantly filtered through more
or less school settings. More sequels ensued as the success of this first film sparked under-lying
ideas related to current challenges confronted by Christians during our time. The movie makes
much of the theme that Christians must not be afraid to confess their faith, even in a world grown
openly or subtly hostile and indifferent towards it.
 For what it is, God's Not Dead holds a mirror before the challenges that Christians will
face in an ever-more secular world (as I have said above especially within intellectual bastions).
The film dramatizes a conflict between faith and reason, where Dogma doggedly provokes
viewers to muse about the place of religious doctrine in any public space that might find itself up
against sacrosanct humanist imaginations. One of the scenes was between Josh Wheaton and
Professor Radisson lie deeper societal roots that cause faith to butt heads with intellectuality as
they seek discussion for merger. Standing up for what you believe in that message is right at the
core of this film. Reason he went so far as to risk his academic standing again, all the while
defending what he knew was right….an epitome of personal conviction and balls. Revealing the
theme of perseverance; this is a call to all followers in every age and time period we are not to
bow or be conform by intimidation, but rather uphold our beliefs even when they diverge from
mixed surrounding ideologies. The movie says that one of the most is faithful in a God and was
feels past, now usefully elements much suggest succumbed with faith continue themselves this
outmoded insensibility but follows.

The different subplots document how faith can take a variety of forms; it is not simply an
abstract idea but one that impacts the lifeblood of suffering and love (especially in showing these
themes are connected to existential concerns). For example, the troubles of keeping a faith when
your family thinks it is ruining you (the Muslim girl's journey) and whether God should share in
human suffering or not as everyone else walks away from him to save their skins (such as
Jasmine finding out she has cancer). It became clear to me that faith is a many splendored things,
and not just in response to abstract theological disputes but also through the lived reality of
doubt, fear, grief and hope. The film also leaves the philosophical complexity of arguments
around God too simplistically. This characterization of the atheist professor as hostile and
combative is arguably hobbling, further increasing an invisible barrier between those with
religious faith against atheism. One area some critics have agreed falls short in God's Not Dead
is that the movie provides a rather one-dimensional perspective, ultimately all but entirely
dismissive of any deeply held beliefs other than Christ-centered ones.

God's Not Dead, for all of its flaws as cinema, serves the social function for many Christian
viewers to be a kind-adjusting affirmation. It speaks to the wish for Christians not only simply
existing but listened with love and respect within a seemingly dismissive or even hostile society.
It is a movie that challenges servants to face the world of secularism without fear and at the same
time it reminds them, faith is not something silent or hiding but defending and public life. The
crises that Mina faces when she listens the logical explanations of josh and everything she feels
are universal searching the self. Mina, by doing so, practically and provably stretching the
audience to think about what is an individual system of values; how does it collide individually
with cultural or family ones. Lesson: The Main Character It encourages us to think about what it
means to keep these competing forces in equilibrium and really tackles identity humor. We see
the dilemma play out in Mina when she reaches this exceedingly low point and what her
experience teaches me to reflect everything we decide or do as we are learning about our faith
and own identity. Josh needs to be taught, and Pastor Dave is in the place of learning to do so.
The great repository of hope and faith, indispensable for those questing forward on the path of
faith or credo. Solution: So, it challenges us to ask are the right people in place for when we need
others while doing what Pastor Dave does for a living. It forces us to seek others we should
support, uplift and follow by sharing our own words of encouragement. His character is a great
reminder to love ourselves and have changes in ourselves to keep us steadfast and grounded on
our principles.

Amy, Josh’s girlfriend who initially is a contributor to the debate and then gets involved
into the issue of coming out. Her character demonstrates transformation in the aspect of the self
and the relationships when one wishes to stand for something he or she believes. Another
important theme in the film *God’s Not Dead* is the effects one has on the ones he or she cares
about as it is shown in the case of Amy and others. This topic is about communication and
appreciation particularly in a relationship when there are chances that different sub-conscious
beliefs or values maybe deemed to be conflicting. One theme illustrated by Amy’s trajectory in
the picture is the degree to which individual beliefs can affect the kinetics of household and
interindividual interactions. The situations her character has to face help viewers to think about
whether their actions and opinions are having a positive impact on their loved ones. This shall
further stress on the need for parties to engage in an open dialogue, with an aim of developing a
clear understanding of the issues that lead to conflict most especially where the conflict is
centered on differences in fundamental like ideals. In addition, the film makes us try to reflect on
how one promotes their perceptions in ‘securing’ interactions with others without aggressiveness
or not being significantly conscious of the feelings of others. This is good due to the fact that
everyone must balance his or her views with the rest of the family and friends whom they care
about. It conveys the message to the audience and challenges the way they solve such problems
and how those ideas reflect in their conduct. Despite that, Top has a very unassuming character,
which proves that he still greatly contributes to showing that comedy as a potent weapon, with
which conflicts and aggression can be effectively dealt with. His inclusion in the movie
demonstrates how comedy can be used to address, and solve contentious issues. Through
Comedy, Top gives the impression that even in times of tragedy, there is something important in
looking on the brighter side and being cheerful. Lastly, God’s Not Dead is a movie that aims at
making the viewers ponder on what they stand for. With regards to people it challenges
individuals on how they relate, handle conflict, problems, adversities as well as other individuals.
The film's theme is clear: people’s convictions, are very individual and decisive for the person
herself/himself as well as for other people. Those, who are preoccupied by these effects, and
those who seek for compassion and acceptance, can more successfully work on their
personalities and relationships. In other words, the movie God’s not Dead serves like a mirror
where people get to discover how they are being impacted by their beliefs in their day to day
lives and relationship.

Mainly, God’s Not Dead offers its viewers to speak about the depth of their beliefs and
beliefs’ strength. The case of Josh Wheaton’s staying true to his Christian stand in midst of an
opposing stand taken by Professor Radisson and fellow students is an excellent lesson of
remaining steadfast in faith such portrayal encourages the viewers to start thinking to themselves.
He reflects on the beliefs therefore one has to ask themselves what beliefs they hold dear which
are backed by their experiences and upbringing When asked to leave his faith Josh refuses
accepting the pressure from academic institutions and societies means that the viewers is
presented with the question of how far he is willing to go to uphold his beliefs. The movie
portrays the society’s crossroads where one’s character and strength of principles is tested in
regards to the ability of challenging one’s faith and stand up for it. The motion picture also
encourages people to think about how people act as far as dealing with adversity and contentious
issues concerning one’s ideology. It is impossible to communicate or deal with someone who
holds an entirely different view from yours; that can be well illustrated by analyzing the scenes
between Josh and Professor Radisson. This kind of scenario makes the viewers have a chance to
think about. In the movie, one can even see this contrast in the way Josh stands up for his people
and denies Radisson without humiliating him at the same time, but contrast to the later attacks
this man aggressively. Thus, this comparison makes the viewers reflect on how they solve
conflicts and how they enter conflict situations. Absolute calm and standing firm to one’s ground
when faced with a bitter opponent like in this case Radisson should be learned from by everyone.
The movie addresses issues to do with how people hold different systems of beliefs with regards
to other people especially in the areas of family, friendship, and partnership. The example of the
Amity between Josh and his girlfriend Amy, as well as with his family members shows that
people are often faced with conflict situations due to the difference of beliefs.

It is with this aspect of the film that the viewer is tempted to meditate on. Analyzing how
Josh reacted to the conflict with Amy demonstrates the importance of the clients’ understanding
and accepting other perspectives, mainly when it contrasts with the clinician’s point of view.
Through the portrayed issues, conflicts and relationships in this movie, it provides a realization
check towards the principles, conduct to conflicts and personal standards of a relationship. The
audiences are encouraged to think repeatedly about what convictions are, how opposition can be
dealt with, and how indispensable compassion and persistence are all throughout by the
representation of Josh’s decisions and struggles in the movie. Through engaging these themes in
the programs, the viewers are made to reflect on how they handle their beliefs, and how they
interact with the people around them hence developing an understanding of themselves.

At the end of the film, the newsboys acknowledge the deeds of Josh Wheaton to defend
the existence of God for those people who deny Him, dedicating him a song God's Not Dead. A
successful union of the newsboys' song can be seen in God's Not Dead, where it comes as a
powerful anthem for faith and survival. The film travels around the world to examine Josh
Wheaton a little further, what his stand did not only with (or to) millennials like those playing in
this band but also more on that of the community at large. This song is basically a call to
encourage anyone that believes in the story of an enduring faith in spite of wicked assault. What
weighs heavier is that in a world where God at times appears to be non-existent, He is the
constant reminder. The song is an ode dedication to Josh Wheaton, and the importance of
standing up for what you believe in even when it's hard; The show must go on reflects activism
rising out of personal experiences.