Review — American Gospel: Christ Crucified
If you’ve got some extra time at home due to quarantine measures, consider turning off Netflix and watching a Christian documentary instead. American Gospel: Christ Crucified would be a great use of your time!
Note: American Gospel: Christ Crucified (hereafter referred to as “AG2”) is follow-up to American Gospel: Christ Alone (or, “AG1”), released in 2018. Both movies are documentaries that attack heresies within American “Christianity.” Brandon Kimber directed both films, and they both have the same format and “feel.” For a review of American Gospel: Christ Alone (AG1), click here. Both films are available at the same site, click here.
AG2 VS. AG1
Perhaps the most helpful way to review AG2 is by comparing it to AG1. Here are some things that were the same and some things that were different.
Things that Were the Same
- Theologically Rich – Like AG1, AG2 is bursting with meaty theological content. This is because in calling out error, the film also gives a detailed explanation of the truth–in this case, specifically the truth about the atonement. Watching either movie often feels like the proverbial “drink from the firehose.” Even as a seminary-trained pastor, there were things that I learned.
- Artistically Well-made – Like AG1, AG2 is a very well-done piece of work. It will hold your attention. The film’s ability to develop an idea without a narrator is impressive. It is not “cheesy” at all.
- Militant in Tone – Both AG1 and AG2 rebuke false teachers and are very direct. Also, they make clear that the heaven and hell are at stake when it comes to these theological issues. This is not a “feel good” film, nor should it be, given the subject matter. We really are in war against Satan, and false gospels truly are circulating all around us! As Christians, we need at least a basic understanding of who the false teachers are, what they are saying, and why that is a problem biblically.
Things that Were Different
- Different Theme – Whereas AG1 targeted the Prosperity Gospel, AG2 goes after Progressive Christianity (a term that I was unfamiliar with). For those who don’t know, Progressive Christianity is a postmodern, post-liberal theological movement led by individuals such as Rob Bell and Richard Rohr. It is the theological outgrowth of the liberal wing of the emerging church movement. As a unifying theological theme, AG2 focuses on penal substitutionary atonement, which, because it is the very heart of the gospel, is very important for every Christian to understand.
- Longer – AG1 was 139 minutes. AG2 was 176 minutes. From my perspective, those extra 37 minutes were unnecessary. There were multiple points where I thought to myself, “That could have been cut.”
- Heavier – Unlike AG1, which merely includes video clips from false teachers, AG2 interviews several unbelievers or false teachers. They are Bart Compolo (son of prominent evangelical pastor Tony Compolo), Tony Jones (a popular pastor and theologian within the emerging church movement), and Adam Narloch and John Williamson (co-hosts of The Deconstructionists Podcast). Bart talks about his journey from evangelical pastor to secular humanist, Tony argues against the penal substitution model of the atonement, and Adam and John take shots at many foundational Christian beliefs. In my opinion, the addition of these interviews makes the film much more sobering than AG1.
How to Use It
AG2 is worth watching for any American Christian. I pray that many within Progressive Christianity would watch the film and leave that heretical movement. God used AG1 in that way. We have a dear lady who left the Prosperity Gospel and came to our church after watching AG1.
I also hope many Christians in good churches will watch the film and find that it strengthens their understanding of doctrine and their ability to spot false teaching.
Lastly, some churches may want to show AG2 in one of their weekly gatherings (maybe on Sunday night or Wednesday night). (Be aware that the film is more Calvinistic than AG1, so that may be an issue for some churches. And of course, you will want to vet the movie yourself before deciding if it is best for your congregation.)1
If you do show the movie to your church, I would suggest splitting it up into two or three services and prepping some guided discussion to follow each viewing. Also, if you show the movie publicly, make sure that you pay the license fee!
If you are an individual watching the movie, talk to your pastor if you have any questions about it. Doing so could generate some good discussion.
In summary, American Gospel: Christ Crucified is a very thoughtful, biblically-sound documentary that will encourage you. Check it out!
Kris Schaal is the Associate Pastor at Life Point Baptist Church, Apple Valley, CA. He wrote this piece for his church blog, we adapted it for Proclaim & Defend with permission.
- Also, note that we mean this suggestion for the day we return to “normal” times. You should not share the film on your own YouTube channel, for example! — Ed. [↩]