“God Is Good, All The Time”
“And All the time, God is God”.
The same dialogue echoes though the God’s Not Dead trilogy as Christians are tried in new ways. First it was a student vs. professor, in which a freshman student is made to prove the existence of God in front of his collages. Then a public school teacher vs. the state, where for the first time a teacher is taken to the supreme court to be made an example for speaking the name of Jesus in her classroom. Now in the next film, it’s the pastor, himself that faces the ultimate test of faith.
Produced and starring David A. R. White, God’s Not Dead: A Light In Darkness shows that even a pastor is human as Reverend Dave faces the ultimate backlash after being arrested at the end of the second film, now his church is burnt down. To throw more heat onto the scene, the university which has offered sanctuary to the church now wants the church gone, as they seek to lay blame for the disrupt in campus life and hate crimes. As far as acting goes, David A.R White exceptionally portrayed a pastor which we have watched in all three movies as he himself is now feeling the persecution that the student and teacher equally felt. White’s expressions on his face when he has his breakdown in the church as well as the encounter with the student responsible for the fire, ultimately shows the humanistic characteristics that undoubtably all people of faith go through when all seems lost. It shows that even pastor’s aren’t exempt.
Likewise, the film, conveys the same subtle message, that of whether or not to believe in God or not, allowing the audience to make their own decision in the end, though it is slightly more bible based then the previous too, which one could deem is because of the attack on the pastor and the church. The setting and lighting is perfect in using colors to depict just how low humanity can get, but the multiple images of fire serves as both a destroyer as well as a symbol of hope similar to a scene out of the second with the students showing their support for their teacher at her house. This very same scene repeats itself with the university students showing support of Rev. Dave.
The return of Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper) is also a nice touch as those loyal followers of the Gods Not Dead franchise, might have wondered what happened to the outspoken freshman who stood up to the overpowering agnostic professor. Harper’s addition as a student minister, showed the affect of the church on the campus as a new student, Meg (Jennifer Taylor) is introduced as an underlying story supplementing that of the church vs. state. We see a further development in Harper especially from the first film to this one where he has know transitioned from the freshman trying to prove God’s existence to a actual pastor figure who wants to reach others, which I can totally see. Harper’s performance in this one is just as strong and motivating as the student becomes the teacher in an essence both with Rev. Dave when he seems to question himself as well as the new young girl who is in the same boat.
The God’s Not Dead franchise is based in large part by the Christian Musicians Newsboys, who’s song, God’s Not Dead was performed in both the first two movies and one might expect another reprise, which didn’t happen. I found myself slightly disappointed by not hearing and seeing the band, but the music was prevalent in the background as the story continued.
Another difference between this one and the first two was the call that was made. Instead of showing the message, to text everyone, “God’s Not Dead”, there was a live message at the end from Michael Tait, of the Newsboys as he closed out with a public message, to be the light. He also promoted an app which was created for the movie. I liked the notion, but showing the message after the credits, make it difficult to reach, especially since most people don’t stay til the end. While the message was powerful, they might have been better to still have the text message at the end for those that didn’t wait all the way through.
God’s Not Dead: A Light In Darkness is a fitting close to a powerful franchise. It upheld the same standards as the first two, with more emphasis on a pastor’s point of view and of course the call to “Be the Light” was still there. The religious sequel came out in theaters March 30 and is currently playing in a theater near you.