'God's Not Dead: In God We Trust' Reviews: "Characters don’t dialogue with each other so much as trade ham-fisted buzzwords"

Photo Courtesy of Fathom Events

         On September 12, 2024, 'God's Not Dead: In God We Trust' was released by Fathom Events, receiving predominantly negative reviews from critics. In the film, "In a time of profound political, civil, and spiritual turmoil, Reverend David Hill grapples with the crucial question: Does God still have a place in politics? Compelled to enter a congressional race after the sudden death of a favored incumbent, David faces off against state senator Peter Kane, a formidable opponent determined to push religion out of the public square and cause greater divide. With relentless scrutiny and immense challenges, David's campaign becomes a beacon of hope and optimism for many people yearning for spiritual and moral leadership. As he navigates the treacherous waters of modern politics, David's faith and principles are put to the ultimate test. "God's Not Dead: In God We Trust" explores the enduring relevance of faith in public life and the critical fight to keep religious values at the heart of governance. Featuring a star-studded cast and powerful message, this film calls on believers to stand firm in faith and make their voices heard." The ensemble cast includes Dean Cain, Ray Wise, Scott Baio, Isaiah Washington, Samaire Armstrong, and Charlene Tilton. Read the full review round-up below.

       Joseph Holmes of Christianity Today notes, "Characters don’t dialogue with each other so much as trade ham-fisted buzzwords. The acting ranges from wooden to wildly over the top. The religious and political arguments are lazy and surface level." Adding, "In this iteration, the government will no longer fund a women’s shelter because a Bible study is held on its premises. Reverend Dave, whose church supports the shelter, is persuaded to run for office so he can allocate money appropriately. At the movie’s end, onscreen text tells audiences to “vote.” God’s Not Dead has come full circle—from the relatively small stakes of a classroom and a passing grade to a call for Christians to grasp political power. If it’s not already obvious, I’m no fan of the God’s Not Dead movies. But that’s not because I dismiss the concerns that motivate them. There’s some potential in the In God We Trust story. Reverend Dave’s dynamic with his reluctant political strategist, Lottie Jay, is a classic Mr. Smith Goes to Washington setup. One scene, in which Lottie advises her candidate before a talk show appearance and he interrupts her to pray, got a genuine laugh out of me."

       Collin Garbarino of WORLD says, "God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust entertained me to some extent. The production values are on par with the average Hallmark Channel film, and the dialogue didn’t make me cringe. The premise is admittedly a little silly, but the movie possesses a certain self-awareness that keeps the mood from slipping too deeply into melodrama. However, I found both the theological and political perspectives disappointing. Dave’s struggles hardly count as persecution when compared with the trials of Christians around the world, and the film muddles Christian priorities by claiming that if only America would turn back to God, then our country would be strong again—as if the gospel promised political success. Don’t the martyrs attest to God’s faithfulness, despite losing their lives? Not only does In God We Trust indulge in sub-Christian ideas, it does so in a way that’s often full of self-contradiction."

        Plugged In writes, "Rev. Hill, as we’ve seen throughout this franchise, is a caring and conscientious fellow—presented to us as an incorruptible paragon of Christian humility and righteousness. And when the movie opens, he has no interest in diving into the world of politics. Really, he mainly wants to keep a women’s shelter run by his church open and viable. That blend of righteousness and humility makes David an attractive political candidate. It’s hard to stay clean in the dirty world of politics, of course, and he has opportunities to dive into the muck with everyone else. But for the most part, he refuses." 

        Daniel Blackaby of The Collision notes, "Unless you’ve been blissfully living under a rock, you know an American presidential election is looming on the horizon. For better or worse (and let’s be honest, it’s definitely for worse), politics has infiltrated all aspects of life, leaving many Christians to wonder how to navigate this new reality. In God’s Not Dead: In God We Trust, Director David A. R. White offers one solution: to become more politically active. The God’s Not Dead movies have always been the most “socially conscious” of the faith-based films, and an opening montage featuring visuals of covid lockdowns, vaccines, and riots establishes that the latest installment also addresses contemporary issues. Unfortunately, the filmmakers are unable to craft a good story along the way. A heavy-handed political speech delivered through the vehicle of an uninspiring faith-based movie, this film is unlikely to satisfy anyone beyond those desiring the cheap dopamine jolt of seeing their political ideologies or religious beliefs affirmed."