God’s Not Dead: A Light in Darkness Parent Guide

Christians looking for a dramatic conflict between church and state have turned to previous forays in the God’s Not Dead franchise for reasonably satisfying dust-ups. In this, the third installment, Reverend Dave Hill (David A.R. White) is the focus of attention. After a fire burns down his church, the university that owns the land upon which it sits decides they – figuratively – want to pave paradise and put up a coffee shop.

The arsonist is a disgruntled student (Mike C. Manning) who threw a brick through the building’s window and accidentally set off an explosion. Tragically, the angry outburst inadvertently took the life of a visiting pastor from Ghana (Benjamin A. Onyango), adding more fuel to the flames.

Determined to get his church back, Reverend Dave goes head-to-head with university officials, who are led by the school’s chancellor and good friend Thomas Ellsworth (Ted McGinley). For legal support, Reverend Dave turns to his brother Pearce (John Corbett), a crack attorney who, out of family love, accepts the case.

Immediately we sense some history between these siblings and it is arguably the best and most powerful aspect of this film. Put simply, Pearce’s faith isn’t rooted in the same soil as Reverend Dave’s. The conflict between them provides a compelling backdrop that eventually reveals the ecclesiastical leader’s own wrestles with his religious convictions. This is further enhanced when the young brick-thrower eventually confesses, with the hope of receiving forgiveness.

Typical content concerns are few in this PG-rated film. There’s no sex (other than some hand holding and a kiss). A college party portrays a bevy of young people holding the ubiquitous red cups, implying liquor is being consumed, and another adult drinks a couple of bottles of beer. However, there are verbal confrontations, and a few punches thrown. These, along with the opening explosion and depiction of a man being killed, may be scary for young audiences.

Likely to be most interesting to Christians, God’s Not Dead: A Light In The Darkness is the best of the trio because it is willing to admit that Christians, and even church leaders, aren’t perfect. (As obvious as this notion sounds, it’s been lacking in many other faith-based films.) It also demonstrates how two opposing sides can work together toward a compromise that has the potential to offer a better solution for both parties. Here’s hoping that audiences will take these sermons to heart and apply them long after the credits have rolled.

About author

Rod Gustafson

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.