AFA Staff
AFA Journal staff reviews movies, books and other resources
Above, from God’s Not Dead 2, Grace and her lawyer stand in court to defend her religious freedom.
April 2016 – Picking up where the acclaimed God’s Not Dead left off in 2014, God’s Not Dead 2 joins new characters with the familiar, current themes with classic ones, and proves that the war against principalities is never truly over.
GND2 features many recognizable faces for movie and television fans. Melissa Joan Hart, Pat Boone, and Sadie Robertson are all on a journey together to examine whether a Christian teacher loses her right to religious freedom in her classroom.
Grace Wesley (Hart) is teaching her 11th graders the philosophy of nonviolence espoused by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. When one of her students asks about the parallels between Dr. King’s teachings and those of Jesus, Wesley affirms that the nonviolent philosophy of Jesus is an accurate and historical matter. But one student’s parents are offended and take Wesley to court.
In Wesley’s defense, her attorney calls two well-known, real-life apologists to the stand. Their testimonies provide historical credibility to Jesus’s existence, crucifixion, and resurrection.
Some plot points are rooted in the original God’s Not Dead, a big hit, but seeing it first is not essential for following the new film’s story.
While characters and the story are a work of fiction, the heart of the story is pulled from decades of media headlines.
GND2 is good watching for any movie lover, but it is especially potent for families with children in public education. Be sure to stay put while credits roll; you don’t want to miss the post-credit scene.
The movie was set to release April 1.
Teddy James
Born to Win
Based on the true story of Leon Terblanche, Born To Win tells the story of God’s redemptive power in one man’s challenging life. As a young child, Terblanche experienced abuse, rejection, abandonment, and loneliness, all of which led him to build a thick wall of self-protection and bitterness.
But when God meets with him in a church service, a miraculous change occurs, turning his emptiness and hurt into a ministry of hope and victory.
Unfortunately, despite its redemptive theme, the content is often objectionable – drinking and drunkenness, inappropriate women’s dress, and inappropriate language. For more information, go to borntowin.co.za/the-story/.
Debbie Fischer
Heart of the Matter
“We live in a pornographic world” are some of the first words viewers hear in The Heart of the Matter, a gripping new documentary that explores with compassion the issue of pornography addiction. Drawing from the experience and wisdom of ministry advocates, pastors, counselors, and ordinary men and women, and shot in a simple behind-the-scenes interview format, the conversational tone creates an approachable atmosphere in which to have a difficult and honest discussion.
Stories shared are at once gut-wrenching and eye-opening, offering profound insight into various issues that stem from porn addiction. But hope for healing comes through realistic strategies and a gracious presentation of the gospel of Christ.
Closing with the impactful reminder, “One day at a time – miracles have not ceased,” this documentary is for those desperate to help loved ones, and those too ashamed to ask for help.
Available on DVD and on-demand at theheartofthemattermovie.com.
Nicholas Dean
Owlegories Volume 2
It is time to return to Theowlogy 101 and sit under the tutelage of Professor Owlester in Owlegories Volume 2. (See AFAJ 2/15 for review of Volume 1.)
This time around, Violet, Twitch, Nora, Joey, and Gus are tasked to learn lessons about God from The Ant, The Fruit, and The Butterfly. In each episode, the students are challenged by the fiendish Devlin and his sidekick Fink.
As in the earlier volume of Owlegories, these new episodes include moments that will have both parents and children laughing out loud. And following the tradition established in Volume 1, each episode concludes with a clear application of the spiritual truths presented by a well-known speaker.
It is safe to say the Owlegories team has taken great care to produce something that will find a place in the homes of Christians across America for years to come.
Teddy James
No Fear
The title of Tony Perkins’s book – No Fear: Real Stories of a Courageous New Generation Standing for Truth – offers inspiration for American Christians living in a time of compromise.
Perkins has expertly delved behind the scenes to bring the reader detailed, personal stories of men and women thrust into the public eye simply by living out their devotion to God. From high school students such as Angela Hildenbrand who prayed at the end of her graduation speech under threat of going to jail, to Aaron and Melissa Klein who paid massive fines for refusing to provide a cake for a same-sex marriage reception.
Each story and its scriptural counterpoint inspires Christians to live with courage and undivided devotion to Christ, who, in some variation, said 21 times in the Gospels, “Do not fear.” Available at bookstores and online booksellers.
Anne Reed
Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child
In 1982 Boris and Dushka Vujicic gave birth to their first child, a boy whom they named Nick. Their child was born without arms and legs. Through grief, fear, and a shaken faith, they learned how to care for Nick.
That journey is documented in Raising the Perfectly Imperfect Child. Vujicic addresses the spiritual, emotional, and financial challenges they faced in equipping Nick for happiness, independence, and success in life.
Vujicic and his wife laid a solid foundation of faith for their son, who has become an internationally known inspirational speaker, author, devoted husband and father, and founder of the nonprofit organization Life Without Limbs. For more information go to penguinrandomhouse.com.
Debbie Fischer
