Story
God’s Not Dead 2 is a sequel to God’s Not Dead and has some of the same characters. It takes place in a US public high school. A student asks history teacher Grace Wesley (Melissa Joan Hart) a question about Martin Luther King’s non-violent approach during the civil rights movement. Grace responds by quoting Jesus’s admonition to ‘Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you’.
The reaction is extreme. Someone complains that Grace is ‘preaching in class’, and many at the school argue that she has broken the rules about what’s allowed to be taught in schools. The school board and American Civil Liberties Union both get involved, but Grace refuses to apologise for her statement. She maintains that she was not preaching but quoting and that she did nothing wrong.
The matter goes to court. Grace is represented by a kind lawyer named Tom Endler (Jesse Metcalfe), who is willing to take a chance on her and admires her resolution. The prosecution is led by the chief attorney from the American Civil Liberty Union, Peter Kane (Ray Wise). As the court case progresses, the movie’s focus shifts from whether Grace made a wrong decision to whether Grace and Tom can prove that Jesus was a historical figure.
Themes
Religion; the law; relationships; staying true to one’s beliefs
Violence
God’s Not Dead 2 has some limited violence. For example:
Sexual references
None of concern
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
None of concern
Nudity and sexual activity
None of concern
Product placement
None of concern
Coarse language
None of concern
Ideas to discuss with your children
God’s Not Dead 2 focuses primarily on a struggle between individuals and public institutions.
When Grace’s job is threatened and she’s told that she must apologise for including religion in class, she remains steadfast in her beliefs. She’s presented as an inspired, motivated woman who won’t buckle under the pressure. In standing up for what she believes in the face of extreme opposition, she inspires others to stand beside her. In this way, the movie highlights the importance of friendships and supportive relationships in challenging situations.
The movie also presents a critical perspective on religion’s place in a public education system and emphasises vastly different perspectives on the matter.
The movie’s themes and scenes of heated argument make it more suitable for older children, so we don’t recommend it for viewers under 13 years.