Let There Be Light Review

Let There Be (additional) Light

Rev. Bill Hofer

     What a relief to take my wife to a movie where bad language is banned and evil is overcome.  Such was my experience recently when we attended a showing of the new, Let There Be Light starring Kevin Sarbo (God is Not Dead).  Unfortunately the writers and directors did not ban bad stereotypes and shallow character development.  I actually liked God is Not Dead and believe it had a useful message.  Mr. Sarbo must have, too, because he borrowed his character, attitude, and more than a little dialogue from his previous starring role.  What he failed to borrow is a story line worthy of his talent. Sarbo is a capable actor but overdoes it in this one trying to make up for an otherwise inexperienced cast.
    “Light” is trending 7.6 on the Tomatometer but that is only after 6 reviews.  The showing we attended had a decent crowd so it must be no one wants to be critical - that would be unchristian.  We are supposed to support clean movies so we will be treated to more of the same.  I’m sorry, but I don’t want to spend the Lord’s money on filth, or sophomoric fiction. 
      The movie opens with a debate between the “world’s greatest atheist” (Sarbo) and a Christian professor not up to the task.  In fact, the professor is dumbfounded by Sarbo’s vacuous argumentation.  Atheist #1 affirms the very thing he is arguing against and the “smart” Christian is without retort.  For example, “Don’t tell me about the love of God.  If He wants to sacrifice His own son that is fine with me, but he damn well should have left His hands off mine.”  Strong oratory.  Emotional punch.  But in haste to make a populist argument against someone he doesn’t believe exists, he admits the opposite. The Christian prof just sweats and cannot muster a cogent reply to take advantage of Atheist #1’s vulnerability.  
     Later in the movie, after “The World’s Greatest Atheist” predictably gets converted, the Christian professor is angry and disbelieving.  No rejoicing over a prodigal returning, no offer to help the fledgling believer grow in knowledge of his Savior. Not even, “I will wait to see if his conversion is genuine.”  Only bigotry – another predictable stereotype.     And what (or who) was the agent of change for this staunch atheist? Not a loving witness by a caring Christian.  Not a deeper understanding of God’s transforming Word.  But a dream after a car wreck.  This is a growing and dangerous trend among Christians, a subtle acceptance that subjective experience trumps objective argumentation.  In his cameo Sean Hannity opines, “You could actually say your dead son saved your soul.”  Former #1 Atheist ponders before, “Yeah, I guess you’re right.”  Why Christians would produce such emotionalism is beyond me. Christians still teach people are saved by believing the gospel, don’t they?  I do. I give “Light” 3 tomatoes because Christians are supposed to be generous.  

 Originally Published November 15, 2017

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