God's Not Dead 2

Name: God's Not Dead 2 - Christian Parent's Review
Item: God's Not Dead 2
Rating: 2
Author: StoryScanner

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General Review

Parent's Guide to God's Not Dead 2

God's Not Dead 2 (2016) is a Christian drama film that continues the themes of its predecessor, focusing on the perceived challenges to religious freedom in contemporary society. The movie centers on Grace Wesley, a high school history teacher who faces a legal battle after answering a student's question about Jesus by quoting scripture, leading to accusations of violating the separation of church and state. The narrative follows a courtroom drama where Grace is attacked for her Christian beliefs, while an attorney defends her right to express her faith. The film is targeted at an evangelical Christian audience, reinforcing a narrative of Christian persecution and the importance of defending faith in public life. It typically portrays Christian characters as righteous and non-Christian characters, particularly the prosecuting attorney and atheist parents, as overtly hostile. The film generally carries a PG rating for some thematic elements and is often recommended for ages 12 and up due to its intense courtroom drama and themes of persecution that younger children might find difficult to fully grasp. While the movie does not contain explicit violence, sexual content, or strong language, its primary intensity comes from the high-stakes legal battle and the portrayal of an 'us vs. them' conflict regarding religious freedom. It aims to inspire viewers to stand firm in their Christian beliefs amidst perceived societal pressures.

Things to Consider

High1

Anti-Christian Themes

The film itself is explicitly pro-Christian, but it portrays non-Christian characters and institutions as actively hostile towards Christian faith and expression, fostering a 'Christian persecution complex.' This includes depicting antagonists as determined to silence or eliminate Christian influence.

1. Prosecutor Pete Kane, the ACLU attorney, is characterized by critics as the 'personification of evil,' who 'sneer[s] and snicker[s]' while explicitly declaring his intention to 'prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that God is dead.' 2. The atheist parents of student Brooke Thawley are portrayed as uncaring and more distressed by their dead son reading the Bible than by his actual death, reinforcing a stereotype of non-believers lacking empathy and actively opposing faith.

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Medium4

LGBTQ & Gender IdentityViolenceScary & Intense ContentDisrespect & Rebellion

Low4

Romance and Sexual ContentProfanityWitchcraft & OccultSubstance Use

Medium4

LGBTQ & Gender Identity

Explicit searches for LGBTQ content within 'God's Not Dead 2' did not identify any LGBTQ characters, themes, or representation. However, critical analyses and broader contextual discussions surrounding the movie's theme of 'religious liberty' indirectly touch upon issues related to LGBTQ rights and services, implying a connection to the socio-political landscape where such debates occur. The film's subplot about Pastor Dave's sermons being subpoenaed was reportedly inspired by a real-life event involving a lesbian mayor.

1. While no LGBTQ characters are depicted or mentioned within the film's plot, a Salon critic, Silpa Kovvali, suggested that the film's invented persecution cases avoid 'portraying one of the multitudes of victimless crimes for which Christians throughout the country are presumably being prosecuted? Perhaps because employees demanding contraceptive coverage or gay couples service might be more sympathetic than fiendish ACLU lawyers?' 2. The subplot where Pastor Dave's sermons are subpoenaed by the government (setting up a sequel) was inspired by a real-life action by the 'lesbian mayor of Houston,' who ordered pastors to provide copies of sermons related to efforts to overturn an LGBTQ anti-discrimination law.

Violence

The film contains very mild instances of physical violence, primarily a brief physical altercation, alongside intense thematic and verbal confrontations within the courtroom drama. There is also a non-violent health emergency and an arrest scene.

Scary & Intense Content

The film's intensity primarily stems from its thematic elements, particularly the high-stakes courtroom drama and the pervasive theme of Christian persecution. This creates a consistently tense and unsettling atmosphere for its target audience rather than through horror or jump scares.

1. Reviewers note the film is 'filled with a sense of paranoiac persecution and seething resentment' towards secular institutions and those perceived as anti-Christian, creating a consistently tense atmosphere. 2. The prosecuting attorney, Pete Kane, explicitly states his goal to 'prove once and for all that God is dead,' framing the legal battle as an existential threat to faith, which can be intense for viewers who share the film's perspective.

Disrespect & Rebellion

Disrespect and rebellion are central to the plot, primarily framed heroically within the film's Christian narrative as characters defy secular authority to uphold their faith. Non-Christian characters also exhibit disrespect towards religious beliefs.

1. High school teacher Grace Wesley actively disobeys the school board's directive to apologize for quoting Jesus in class, steadfastly refusing to retract her statements despite threats to her career, stating, 'I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world, than stand with the world and be judged by God.' 2. Martin Yip faces significant disrespect and a physical slap from his father, who disapproves of and chastises him for his Christian conversion, reflecting a familial rebellion against traditional values.

Low4

Romance and Sexual Content

Romantic and sexual content is minimal, limited to implied relationships or very mild suggestive visuals, with no explicit scenes, suggestive language, or implied sexual activity.

Profanity

The film contains very infrequent and mild instances of coarse language, primarily limited to common derogatory terms rather than strong expletives.

Witchcraft & Occult

The film largely avoids themes of witchcraft or the occult, aligning with its Christian themes. A singular, minor reference to a character being described as a 'psychic' is noted, but it is not elaborated upon as a plot point or active supernatural element.

Substance Use

There is no depicted substance use within the film. Reviews explicitly state an absence of drug or alcohol content, with only a minor, passing reference to such substances being prohibited in a formal setting.

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“God's Not Dead 2” largely reiterates themes of perceived Christian persecution and the importance of defending faith in public life, aiming to inspire an evangelical audience. The core messaging centers on religious freedom and the belief that absolute, Christian biblical values are under attack in modern society. This aligns with biblical calls to stand firm in faith amidst adversity and to be prepared to give an account for one's hope, though some critics note a tendency towards a "Christian persecution complex" rather than a nuanced engagement with differing viewpoints. The film champions a transcendent worldview, asserting that God is real and that biblical truths are historical facts, presenting Christian faith as the ultimate source of meaning and morality. Character morality in the film is presented in stark contrast, with Christian characters like Grace Wesley generally portrayed as righteous and unwavering in their virtue, while antagonist characters, particularly the ACLU lawyer and atheist parents, are depicted as actively hostile, unreasonable, and morally questionable. Grace is rewarded for her steadfastness and refusal to apologize for her faith, embodying the film's message of standing with God regardless of worldly judgment. While explicit redemption themes for the primary antagonists are limited, the student Brooke Thawley experiences a journey of faith, prompted by her deceased brother's conversion and Grace's example, indicating elements of spiritual seeking and discovery. The film emphasizes the importance of community in supporting individuals through spiritual struggles, even when the presence of God might not be immediately felt. Family values are implicitly presented through the support Grace receives from her grandfather, Walter, and through the narrative of Brooke Thawley discovering her deceased brother's faith journey, which prompts her own spiritual exploration. This highlights the intergenerational transmission of faith and the impact of individual choices on family members. Faith representation is overtly positive towards Christianity, portraying it as a source of strength, courage, and truth. The film aims to provide "historical proof" for Jesus' existence, framing the Bible as a historical document that also offers wisdom for life's challenges. It strongly encourages believers to stand up for their convictions, reflecting a high view of God's sovereignty and the glorification of Jesus. However, some critiques suggest the film's portrayal of non-believers is simplistic and stereotypical, potentially hindering genuine dialogue rather than fostering it.

Additional Context

Best For Ages

Parental guidance is recommended for children under 12, and the movie is generally suitable for ages 12 and up. The film's PG rating is due to some thematic elements, including a high-stakes courtroom drama and intense themes of perceived Christian persecution that may be better understood by older children and teenagers.

Good to Know

The film received largely negative reviews from mainstream critics, who criticized its unrealistic portrayal of legal cases, its 'Christian persecution complex,' and its one-dimensional depiction of non-Christian characters as 'strawmen' or 'villains.' However, it was well-received by its target faith-based audience. A post-credits scene depicts Pastor Dave's arrest, setting up the sequel 'God's Not Dead: A Light in Darkness' and escalating the theme of Christian persecution.

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