The one-star reviews seem to be by people who've read summaries of the film, but haven't seen it, because it's FAR more complex -- historically and theologically -- than they indicate.
The film shows examples from Church history of Christian leaders, and church members (lady who threw a stool), who disagreed with human authorities.
The film then compares how the Church and State have related to each other differently over time -- incl. Roman Catholic and early Protestant ideas -- of the Church being over the State, and the Church and State being co-equal.
The bulk of the film then shows how recent leaders wrestled theologically with biblical commands to obey BOTH God and God-ordained human authorities. The solution is NOT always simple, and so requires case-by-case analysis and discernment, outside of an actual word from God to do something.
About MacArthur, decisions at his church are made by a 30+ member board of directors. The film shows their process of coming to agreement. The comment by another reviewer about his "ego", which cites an anti-Christian attack piece as an authority, is irrelevant.
If you want to think and live biblically, esp. Under tyranny, the film will deepen your understanding of how to do that.
For everyone else, the film will show the high degree of character, and intelligence, of some local church leaders as they respectfully disagree, and work toward consensus.
RECOMMENDED FILM to see afterward, like dessert after a main course: Superspreader (2022). The Essential Church is how local church leaders responded. Superspreader is how an individual church member, with a parachurch ministry, responded.
RELEVANT PASSAGES, not incl. Hebrew midwives (Exodus 1), Daniel praying, etc.:
(a) "submit... to... governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God" -- Paul; Romans 13:1
"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution" -- Peter; 1 Peter 2:13
(b) "But Peter and John replied, 'Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than God'" -- Acts 4:19
"Peter and the other apostles replied, 'We must obey God rather than men.'" -- Acts 5:29
(c) "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's." -- Jesus; Matthew 22:21
"Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor." -- Paul, Rom. 13:7
(d) "Christ is the head of the church... the church submits to Christ" -- Paul; Ephesians 5:23-24a.
The film shows examples from Church history of Christian leaders, and church members (lady who threw a stool), who disagreed with human authorities.
The film then compares how the Church and State have related to each other differently over time -- incl. Roman Catholic and early Protestant ideas -- of the Church being over the State, and the Church and State being co-equal.
The bulk of the film then shows how recent leaders wrestled theologically with biblical commands to obey BOTH God and God-ordained human authorities. The solution is NOT always simple, and so requires case-by-case analysis and discernment, outside of an actual word from God to do something.
About MacArthur, decisions at his church are made by a 30+ member board of directors. The film shows their process of coming to agreement. The comment by another reviewer about his "ego", which cites an anti-Christian attack piece as an authority, is irrelevant.
If you want to think and live biblically, esp. Under tyranny, the film will deepen your understanding of how to do that.
For everyone else, the film will show the high degree of character, and intelligence, of some local church leaders as they respectfully disagree, and work toward consensus.
RECOMMENDED FILM to see afterward, like dessert after a main course: Superspreader (2022). The Essential Church is how local church leaders responded. Superspreader is how an individual church member, with a parachurch ministry, responded.
RELEVANT PASSAGES, not incl. Hebrew midwives (Exodus 1), Daniel praying, etc.:
(a) "submit... to... governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God" -- Paul; Romans 13:1
"Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every human institution" -- Peter; 1 Peter 2:13
(b) "But Peter and John replied, 'Judge for yourselves whether it is right in God's sight to listen to you rather than God'" -- Acts 4:19
"Peter and the other apostles replied, 'We must obey God rather than men.'" -- Acts 5:29
(c) "Render unto Caesar what is Caesar's, and unto God what is God's." -- Jesus; Matthew 22:21
"Render to all what is due them: tax to whom tax is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor." -- Paul, Rom. 13:7
(d) "Christ is the head of the church... the church submits to Christ" -- Paul; Ephesians 5:23-24a.