Maddie Schluter ’14

God’s Not Dead is hands-down one of the best movies I have seen. It is one of those movies where you go up and tell everyone you know, “You have to see this movie!”

To begin with I was skeptical, I have not witnessed a religious-based movie in theaters before; therefore I wasn’t sure what this movie was going to bring to the table. In addition, I had no previous knowledge or background information on what this movie was about. Perhaps this was a good thing and can be why it blew me away as much as it did.

My fear was that the movie would only project scripture, and where Christianity would be somewhat forced down my throat.

I was completely wrong.

The main protagonist in the story is the courageous college freshman, Josh Weaton. Having the main character be a college freshman I found to be very relatable and personable. I could easily envision myself at my college campus next year going and living through the same thought-provoking experiences as Josh does.

Right off the bat Josh meets his professor, Professor Radisson. Immediately they start off on the wrong foot because Professor Radisson is an atheist and has no tolerance for devout believers. In fact on the first day of class, Professor Radisson asks all of his students to write down the three words: “GOD IS DEAD.”

Josh is unable to follow through with this assignment and is uncomfortable. Therefore he is faced with the alternative assignment of providing an antithesis proving to the class why God, in fact, is not dead.

Josh’s faith with God is tested in ways that I imagine mine will be next year. However, he remains devoted to telling his peers what God wants them to hear. Josh presents his case and point with a strength that I desire too to take with me in college and beyond.

Overall, I found this movie to be very refreshing and reaffirming. In addition to Josh’s heartwarming stand against Professor Raddison, the movie weaves together other multiple accounts of faith, doubt, and disbelief. The movie also has a dramatic call to action throughout.

God’s Not Dead is inspiring, entertaining, and educates the audience on what they know of God and where does their relationship with Him stand?

If you are wishy-washy on God’s existence or wish to be exposed to the truths of His being, go see God’s Not Dead.

Despite my “bible-beater” upbringing, I took a lot away from the movie because I found answers to the questions that I have had my whole life about God.

Without spoiling too much, I will leave you with this: the feeling I had walking out of that movie theater was one of pure bliss. My passion for God was renewed. My love for God set a fire within my heart and the light from within me burns for all those to see. Through sadness, rejection, hopelessness, and despair, Josh Weaton and the rest of the cast prove the point that God, indeed, is NOT dead.