American Gospel: Christ Crucified

Christ Crucified picks up from Christ Alone and drives deep into the doctrine of substitutionary atonement. From skeptics and apostates, to sound biblical commentators, you can't come away from this movie without knowing the historic Christian doctrine. Soli Deo Gloria.

Eye-opening, thought-provoking treatise into many controversial subjects whose ponderance is long overdue in cinematic form. Theologians of all stripes (Christians and atheists) provide necessary context to the debate. Well worth the $5 rental from Vimeo.

This is created with the purpose of swaying people to Substitutionary Atonement which is what the producers believe. I follow a Christus Victor view as it lines up with many parts of the Bible and gives me a more logical and beautiful view of God, but I can understand people having other views. What I don't like is demonizing other views by stating that the Bible is CLEARLY stating x when the Bible supports multiple viewpoints depending on the verses chosen. They also choose some of the more progressive edges to create the greatest contrast and make it clear that they are following the RIGHT path. Even some of the ways they cut the scenes allows them to distort the message of the speaker. Unfortunately this is the case for many trying to make a point, be it global warming, veganism, capitalism, or in this case, substitutionary atonement. One of the pro substitutionary atonement speakers states that the progressives make the mistake of being so certain that their thinking is right, immediately followed by their camp stating that what they believe is clearly right. Less hypocrisy and more humility would do every follower of Christ a bit of good.

This movie/documentary is one of the best representations of what Christianity is all about.

Anytime anyone defends "the true gospel", they are defending the one that THEY believe to be correct.

This movie is well produced, however it is horribly biased towards a very twisted view of reality. The main thrust of the film is defending the idea of a tyrannical, psychopathic God with a multiple personality disorder who hates people and sends them to hell. This film is a desperate effort to stop the large movement of people finally recognising the sick nature of this belief system. The clock is ticking for these beliefs. Deep down conservatives know that people are becoming increasingly indifferent to this kind of Christianity, and they are having to bring out all the stops to try and prevent them from fading into history.

I can see why the evangelical and reformed community seems to love this film. That is because it reinforces the false security they find in thinking that only they know the truth, and that all other viewpoints are invalid. This will be incredibly comforting for those in the exclusive "saved" club. But for those who dare to think for themselves outside of a narrow, arrogant, and exclusive worldview, it will be disheartening and even laughable. Those labeled "progressives" are poorly and unfairly represented, while so called "experts" are given a pat on the back for explaining "the true gospel."

To summarise, if you are an evangelical you will love this film. If you're not, you will be somewhere between saddened and indifferent.