The God Who Speaks
This week’s film review is for the documentary “God Speaks,” written and directed by Michael D. Perkins
Description
God Speaks is a documentary that traces the evidence for biblical authority and reliability.
Firstly, I’d like to take the opportunity to say that the Bible stands by itself for reliability and authority, since it is the Word of God. I chose to review this documentary because it gives glory to God for His Word and the existence of all things.
The documentary focuses on the the Bible, being God’s written revelation to His people. There are lots of interesting facts, such as how many authors were involved in writing the Bible and the time span (roughly 40 authors and an estimate of 1500 years). There is emphasis on how the Bible’s purpose is to bring us back into fellowship with God and with each other - mirroring the character of God, which was mirrored in Jesus Christ.
There are various people interviewed that have testimonies how the Bible is meant to lead, guide correct and help us see things how they really are. Meaning, that we have a biblical worldview. There was also a key mention of how the Bible shows us what sin is - because how else would we have a moral code? This moral code reflects how our Creator is the author of the Bible.
Another guest spoke of how the Bible tells us who we are, what we are and is the only source on this earth that has the satisfying answers to why we are here, where we are going and why it matters. We can’t get answers to these questions by looking at nature, or relying on the wisdom of mankind.
God speaks, highlights how as the only speaking creatures, we are made in the image of God. One guest speaker said, that what makes life worth living is getting to know God, who if we commit our lives to, will never leave us or forsake us. I couldn’t agree more and cherish the verse he was referring to in Hebrews 13:5 - Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as you have: for He has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.
The question: What is God like? was reviewed and the point made was, if we think of that question by ourselves, it remains a mystery. However, God’s Word tells us what God is like - holy, and the ten commandments show us who God is - good.
There is a segment about the significance of the ten commandments - the eternal law of God. This made me think of the Sabbath and how so many Christians believe in the untruth that the day was changed, when the Bible gives no indication of this, in the three years Jesus had his ministry. But the Sabbath is just one of many ways the body of Christ has gone away from its foundation - the Bible.
God Speaks, talks about how the Bible reveals God’s plan through the ages and God’s relationship with the human race - a redemptive history and how Jesus is the fulfilment of God’s plan - right on time, as prophecy predicted.
The history of the writing of the Bible is a thread throughout the film. There is talk about which books make up the Bible and why some books were excluded, based on scripture and most importantly, how the books of the Bible were directed by its Creator, not man.
There is discussion about “The Word”, as described in John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and how it applies to Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the Word who became flesh, and how this relates to how God has revealed Himself to us, through His Son, Jesus Christ. There is discussion about how the miracles Jesus did on earth shows His power and how Jesus showed His ministry was an extension of the Word - not an abolishment of the Word. There are references to verses such as “Your word is truth” which is taken from John 17:17 - Sanctify them through your truth: Your word is truth. and Matthew 5:17-18, Think not that I have come to destroy the law or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say to you, til heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
Another guest makes an excellent point about Jesus’ message to the Pharisees. They added to and contradicted the law. Jesus never accused them of caring too much about the Law, because the Law is the final authority of God.
There is also discussion about how the Old and New Testament are only separate in reference to a pause in time - but the Bible is a whole book, comprised of these two sections. Everything from Genesis to Malachi, the last book in the Old Testament points, to Jesus. Jesus said so himself: John 5:39 - Search the scriptures, for in them you think you have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.
Luke 24:27 - And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, He expounded to unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.
Luke 24:44-45 - And He said to them, These are the words which I spoke to you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me. This makes me think of Christians who call themselves New Testament Christians, thinking they are focusing purely on Jesus Christ, when Jesus has made it clear that the Old Testament was all about Him too.
I like how the film makes it clear that although we read about the lives of individuals like Paul, who was called to serve after persecuting Christians, God inspired what Paul said. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says, All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. 17 That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto good works.
With this in mind, I really like how there was emphasis on how the modern church - the body of people who follow Jesus Christ, should be about the authority of the Word of God. There is a discussion about what happens when we deviate from the Word of God - how the modern church has done this in many ways and the terrible consequences it’s facing for that choice.
One guest speaker reminds us of a sobering fact: Satan’s tactics have not changed since the Garden of Eden: Cause doubt which will lead people to deny and disobey God.
Our world shows non-believers and believers alike doubting the ultimate authority of the Word of God, which leads to denial of its significance in our daily lives, which leads to disobeying its instruction.
Towards the end of the film, one guest speaker mentions people who find the Bible boring and how that reflects on how they have not had an encounter with the Lord. I really like how he points out that no one in the Bible, upon encountering God was bored. There were many extreme reactions. but never boredom. So what or who are people encountering when they claim they have tried to read the Bible, but find it boring? Not the supreme Creator of the universe, for sure.
The last segment fits well into the advice given by another guest. That we approach the Bible with submission not judgement, because if we do, then we will encounter our Creator, who wants not only to be known by us, but wants to have a deep relationship with us - as it was meant to be, in the beginning.
One thing I missed in the film was a discussion about the hope we have in the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and his coming reign. There is plenty of talk about salvation, but I would have liked to hear about where the salvation plan was leading - a new earth, in God’s Kingdom.
SUMMARY
God Speaks, is a reflective film about our Creator, and His desire to reveal himself to His creation, through His Word, which He sent, in the flesh - Jesus Christ. It glorifies God by speaking of the ministry of Christ and how Christ pointed to God, the Father, through His written word. It encouraged my faith because it had the emphasis on the right things: Our Creator, God, His written word and the revealing of His character - a living example of the Word, Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the World. God Speaks, encourages us to delve into the Word of God, the Bible - every day, as it is our guide and authority - we can’t afford to be without it.
I watched, God Speaks, on the Christian Movies Channel on YouTube.
Thank you for reading this review. Until next time - peace be with you.
Source for film thumbnail
