Coming next spring, Pure Flix Entertainment will be presenting an original faith-based film centered on one of mankind’s greatest arguments: is God real? It looks like a powerful production, but it may not make it past your favorite Bible book store shelf without your help. (Scroll down to watch the trailer)

Here’s the scoop, the movie, “God’s Not Dead” is about Josh Wheaton, a college freshman who finds his himself having to defend his belief in God to a philosophy professor. On his very first day in the professor’s class, he is required to deny the existence of God or face a failing grade. He challenges the teacher and is given reprieve if only he can prove God’s existence. Josh could take the easy way out, but he’s just as stubborn as Professor Radisson and so the fight is on. That’s the basis of the story, but it also weaves in a few stories involving other troubled souls as well. The main question the film proposes is: How far would you go to defend your belief in God?

Pure Flix Entertainment is the largest inspirational film studio in the world and yet, many people are still unaware of the company. They have distributed over 75 faith-based films, and just being honest, some are better than others. Most of them never make it into actual movie theaters.

Faith-based movies have a stigma about them and oftentimes it is deserved. In general, faith-based movie’s budgets are small, some have to work with volunteers because they cannot pay their actors and while their hearts may be in the right place, sometimes their acting is lacking. Some films have poor production values and many try to get Christians to see them solely on the fact that the film has a good message. Unfortunately, most people don’t want to shell out their money on a film for just a good message. They want to be entertained, engaged, and emotionally moved – and rightly so! So, why support this movie? Here are four good reasons:

To Tell the Good News

Jesus knew that a good way to hold a crowd’s attention was to tell them a good story and the occasional fish and bread lunch. Today, we have so many avenues of technology fighting for our attention. Instead of fighting it, why not embrace it? Good stories are turned into great movies every year and every once in a while, they feature a powerful spiritual message. More of these should be created to share the gospel in fresh new ways. They don’t always have to focus on the end times either.

 To Tell a Good Story

As stated above, audiences won’t go to poorly made films and most church-goers don’t want to be guilted into seeing a faith-based movie because it will be “good for them.” A movie is only as good as its story, acting and production values. Without all three, you might as well stay home. Some faith-based production companies churn out films left and right, that are not worth our attention. However, when one is done well, it should be celebrated and promoted highly.

To Tell that Good Story to the Masses

I haven’t seen the final film of “God’s Not Dead” yet, so I cannot vouch for its quality. However, I have seen a number of Pure Flix Entertainment films and some have been very good. Much of this has to do with the quality of the acting. Unfortunately, not all of  Pure Flix’s flicks are created  equal. However, this film features some worthy actors including the underappreciated Kevin Sorbo (Hercules), Dean Cain (Lois & Clark) and David A.R. White (Evening Shade) and the story sounds intriguing. If this film is everything that they say it is, then we should get behind them in their efforts. Let’s not promote the movie for its “good message” – let’s promote the movie because it’s good…period.

Because The Studio Needs Our Help to Share that Good Story

Faith-based movies are starting to see some traction in the local multi-plexes, but they are still a tough sell. Movie theaters have had a hard time filling their seats and many don’t want to take a chance of a showing a faith-based movie if nobody will come to see it. Let your local theater know that you want to see this film and others like it. We’re talking simple supply and demand principles. Good art is worth seeing.

For more information about “God’s Not Dead” and how you can help get the word out, visit the official website.