SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – An upcoming film that challenges Christians to boldly defend their faith is generating considerable attention four months prior to its release.
God’s Not Dead, scheduled for release on March 7th, is a creation of Pure Flix Entertainment—an Arizona-based Christian movie company. Pure Flix Entertainment has produced a number of well-known films through the years, including The Wager and Sarah’s Choice.
Already, the trailer for Pure Flix Entertainment’s new God’s Not Dead project has received 5 million views, according to the movie company. The film’s website explains that the plot of God’s Not Dead will center on a college student who faces the task of standing up to his ardent atheistic professor.
“Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), a freshman college student, enrolls in a philosophy class taught by an infamous and dictatorial professor,” the film synopsis says. “Dr. Radisson (Kevin Sorbo) demands that all of his students must sign a declaration that ‘God is dead’ in order to get a passing grade. Josh refuses. But, he needs to take this class to meet his academic requirements.”
The YouTube trailer for God’s Not Dead shows Dr. Radisson flaunting his atheism to the students on the very first day of his philosophy class.
“This is Philosophy 150,” the professor says. “I would like to bypass senseless debate altogether and jump to the conclusion which every sophomore is already aware of: There is no God.”
“All that I require from each of you,” the professor continues in his lecture, “is that you fill in the papers I’ve just given you with three little words: God is dead.”
However, Josh boldly defends his Christian faith in the movie and challenges his philosophy professor’s atheistic claims.
“And so the professor strikes a bargain,” the movie synopsis outlines. “Josh must defend his position that ‘God is alive’ in a series of debates with him in order to stay in the class. If he loses, he flunks. When Josh accepts the challenge, he gets more than he bargained for—jeopardizing his faith, his relationships and even his future.”
Actors and actresses featured in God’s Not Dead include Kevin Sorbo, Shane Harper, Dean Cain, and David A. R. White. Duck Dynasty stars Willie and Korie Robertson also both appear in the film, and the award-winning Christian band Newsboys perform a rendition of their hit song, God’s Not Dead.
But, as mentioned on the movie’s website, the thought-provoking question raised by God’s Not Dead is the central focus of the film: “When your faith is tested, can you explain what you believe?”
Jeremy Carlson is church engagement specialist for LifeWay Films, which is working with Pure Flix Entertainment to promote God’s Not Dead. Carlson told Baptist Press that the public response to the movie project has been overwhelming.
“We’ve been told it’s the most successful movie trailer on Facebook this entire year,” he said.
“God has done some amazing things via social media,” Carlson continued. “This trailer has been seen by so many more people than we could have imagined. The message of standing up for your beliefs is definitely resonating with people.”
Photo: Facebook
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