#pureflix

A prime example of this is found throughout the infamous first God's Not Dead film. For those who don't know, that's the movie where the 'innocent' Christian freshman boy Josh Wheaton essentially goes to existential war with his 'villainous' atheist professor Jeffrey Radisson. Okay, I'll admit this upfront, I personally dislike Joss Whedon- before it was cool to feel that wat- so I enjoyed the film making a cheeky play on his name like that.

The movie is mostly cast well, especially the ones playing the adults like Kevin Sorbo as Jeffrey and Dean Cain as atheist businessman Marc Shelley. Shane Harper as Josh is believable as a wide-eyed Christian raised boy venturing away from his comfort zone for the first time. The real problem is the execution of the story.

Before the many creative issues, so much suspension of disbelief is required not to lose the audience before the 10-minute mark. Yes, many college professors can be total narcissistic, self-absorbed windbags with easily bruised egos. Still, it's hard to imagine one starting a new semester by forcing his students to renounce their faith and/or disrespect their classmates' potential faith on paper. I can see a professor taking the opportunity to forcefeed a student humble pie, but Jeffrey goes from mildly mean-spirited to treating Josh like he's the one who demanded they debate God's existence.

One moment in the film is particularly appalling. In a quiet conversation between just the two of them, Jeffrey reveals to Josh that he used to believe in God before his mother died of cancer. Josh uses this information to distress Jeffrey during the next debate to the point that the older male almost completely breaks down. Josh's reaction to wounding his professor to such an extent is to smugly assert, "How can you hate someone who doesn't exist?" That was jaw-dropping cruelty. He showed not an ounce of compassion.

Now, I don't mean to demonize Josh here. Mainly because for all intents and purposes, he's a child. And honestly, the level he stoops to in order to one-up his professor was likely learned from interacting with Jeffrey. It's not what Josh did but how poorly the writers handle the aftermath of it. So much bad in this movie could have been fixed if they altered Josh's reaction to Jeffrey's sad rage. Josh should have seen Jeffrey as fully human in that moment instead of as his big, tall intimidating professor. He should have apologized and maybe even tried to hug him for letting it go so far. While it happening falls on Jeffrey for starting a pissing contest with a teenage boy, it was such a missed opportunity for fleshing out both of them.

This movie really could have spoken to Christians and even somewhat enjoyable to non-believers if Pureflix had not made everything so black and white. Kevin Sorbo and Shane Harper actually had nice chemistry during their scenes together. Imagine if the writers had dared to be- hear me out- original.

Josh could still be the Christian kid exploring the big ol' world for the first time. Maybe his family did not want him to attend a secular school, but he insisted he could handle it without compromising his faith or running back home in tears. He hears Jeffrey has an anti-Christian reputation and thinks if he make it through that class, he can make it anywhere. So, he starts the class, just waiting for Jeffrey to say something against the faith. Instead of saying anything overt, Jeffrey could comment how interesting Josh's cross is. Josh explains he wears it every day and Jeffrey leaves it at that, confusing Josh.

In addition to the philosophy class, Josh is trying to balance his other work and his very demanding girlfriend. When he scores low on his first paper- where he wrote about the philosophy of Christianity- Josh could accuse him of grading him down out of bias. Jeffrey remains calm, but cautions Josh to be wary of throwing around such accusations without proof. He also rhetorically asks if that cross Josh wears is a symbol of faith or a self-righteous badge of honor. As Josh is left dumbfounded, Jeffrey gives him a chance to make up the paper by doing a presentation in front of the class on the same topic. His grade will be decided by the reactions of his classmates. Josh accepts the challenge.

So determined to prove Jeffrey wrong, Josh neglects his other studies and girlfriend until they break up. All he wants is to hyper prepare for his presentation. He grows more and more frustrated and even starts questioning why he believes. Is it just about his upbringing? Is God real?

After getting downgraded in a couple of his other subjects, Josh comes to philosophy ticked off and just not himself. Jeffrey asks him if he's sure he's alright. Josh insists he's fine and wants to do his presentation. When Josh stumbles during it, Jeffrey cuts him off, declaring they don't have enough time and it will have to wait until the next session. Once they're alone in the classroom, Jeffrey brings up that he heard the boy's been floundering in his other classes.

Josh snaps, believing Jeffrey must be so satisfied but insists he's not giving up, do or die. Jeffrey doesn't react to the pained anger, but does mention he's surprised two of his professors graded him down since they're both devout Christians. This shocks Josh, who had no idea. Jeffrey throws him for another loop when he says that girl trouble is fleeting. Josh wonders how he could possibly know about his breakup. But Jeffrey remains vague and tells him to get going to work on that presentation, clearly quietly admiring his spirit, however stubborn.

When Josh goes to his other classes the next day, those professors heard he's been dealing with a lot of issues at the expense of his health and offer him extra credit options. Josh later finds Jeffrey in the man's office and demands to know why he helped him, assuming Jeffrey only wants Josh to submit to him and kiss his ring. Jeffrey only notes that the boy looks like hell and asks when was the last time he ate.

They go to a restaurant near Jeffrey's house, where he buys dinner for them both. Josh wonders why they didn't just eat in the school dining hall, but Jeffrey wanted a more private setting. He wants to know what's going on with Josh. The boy finally lets loose all the strife pressure he's under. He broke up with the only girl he ever dated and has been avoiding his family thinking they'll blame him for the breakup. He has to come home with stellar grades to prove he can handle everything. Josh bets Jeffrey considers him pretty pathetic.

Jeffrey tells him his primary feeling towards Josh is deja vu. Jeffrey remembers what it's like to be an unwaivering freshman believing he knows everything, determined to prove his professors wrong at all costa. He and Josh might have different beliefs, but share strong convictions. Moved, Josh apologizes for never giving Jeffrey a chance and even offers just to accept his original grade. Jeffrey says he's not getting off that easily and he aspects Josh to use the upcoming Sabbath for actual rest because come Monday, he has a presentation due. He also points out that, FYI, the Sabbath technically starts at sundown on Friday. Josh gets a good joke in, "Congratulations on acing first-grade Sunday School, Prof."

*Insert montage of Josh studying, making up with his girlfriend, sleeping, praying in earnest, etc*

Josh gives his presentation with a full, better informed heart and mind. He wins over the class enough to walk away with a B. Alone in the class again, Jeffrey commends Josh but also critiques what areas he needs to sharpen up if he really wants those stellar grades. Now, in awe of the man, Josh doesn't understand how such a decent guy has no moral compass. Jeffrey responds by reciting Scripture to him, reminding him that like the Good Samaritan, allies can come from where you least expect.

Before a more humbled Josh leaves, Jeffrey admits that he knows why Josh did not trust him initially. Jeffrey used to be a loud and hotheaded with his atheism and his more bullying methods almost ruined his career and worse, nearly drove a former student of his to the edge. It was a long time ago, but his tyrannical reputation has yet to fully recover. Jeffrey goes on to say that while he'll likely always be a skeptic, but encourages Josh to never lose his conviction.

We next see Josh taking his girlfriend to that Newsboys concert so that we can hear that song we all somehow agree is good. That night, Josh goes online to see the improvement in his grades. Excited to tell Jeffrey and thank him again the next day, Josh deflates when the professor doesn't come in. One of the faculty members enters to tell the class that Professor Radisson was in a serious car accident last night and is hospitalized. They're all shell-shocked, especially Josh.

As soon as he's done in school, Josh buys a card and goes to see Jeffrey in the hospital. The nurses can't give out info to non-family members. Josh pleads to see him for just a second, but the nurses remain evasive. Then, the two ministers show up and overhear, having just visited Jeffrey's sister. They tell Josh that they were the ones who waited with the professor until paramedics arrived. They then have to report that Jeffrey passed only an hour ago. At Josh's shattered expression, they go on to tell him that before he lost consciousness, Jeffrey accepted Christ as his Savior. They claim Jeffrey is at home with God.

A devastated Josh bitterly snaps at them to shut up. "He's not home! He can't ever go home again. Or teach again. Professor Radisson is dead! And as far as I'm concerned, so is God." Leaving the men shocked, he runs off.

Once back in his dorm, a completely outraged Josh kicks and throws things around. He even takes his Bible and throws it across the room.

*Insert melancholy montage of Josh going through the robotic motions and not wearing his cross anymore*

On the day of the funeral, his girlfriend tries to encourage him to go. Josh has no interest in losing it in front of people nor does he feel worthy because he spent most of his time with Jeffrey antagonizing him. His girlfriend brings up how he's neglecting school again and if the professor was there, he wouldn't accept that from Josh.

It's difficult, but Josh gets dressed for the funeral. He starts going to class again as well. When Thanksgiving break comes, he and his girlfriend go home. Josh's family apologizes for making him feel like he couldn't come to them. Josh admits he let his pride get in the way too much. It ends with them around the table, saying what they're thankful for. Josh is, of course, grateful to have known Jeffrey and God for giving them both second chances.

Roll credits, play cool song.

That might sound pretty corny to a lot of you, but it's much more relatable than the puke productions of Pureflix. Fleshing out Josh and Jeffrey makes all those subplots in the movie unnecessary. No one is made into a monster or as purely virtuous. We're all humans trying to navigate this world and we need to be compassionate and don't become the very enemies we detest. Also, a reminder that your 'own kind' won't automatically be the ones loyally supporting you. Show an elder trying to understand the younger generation and have the kid appreciate the wisdom. It would be way more devastating for Josh and the audience to never have seen Jeffrey's accident or get foreshadowing about it. Yes, he still converts but the tragedy of his gruesome death isn't sugar-coated because of it. Also, lots of people have gone through college burnout and struggled with depression and grief from a sudden loss. Christians do get downright angry at God and struggle with the faith. The Bible never once promised believers an easy road- quite the opposite honestly.