Melissa Joan Hart plays teacher Grace Wesley, while Jesse Metcalfe portrays her lawyer Tom Endler defending her Christian faith in “God’s Not Dead 2,” which hits theaters April 1, 2016.
All it takes is the mention of one name to set off a political firestorm:
Jesus.
Protests, a potential firing and a law suit spell high drama in “God’s Not Dead 2,” starring Melissa Joan Hart and Jesse Metcalfe. In a newly released trailer for the film, Hart plays Grace Wesley, a Christian teacher who corroborates the principles of Jesus Christ during a class discussion. When a student notifies a parent of Wesley’s actions it isn’t long before two opposing camps are up in arms.
Although moviegoers will have to wait until April 1, 2016 to see how God will prevail in a battle that moves from the classroom to the courtroom, the trailer provides an intriguing taste of what audiences can expect.
“What makes nonviolence so radical is its unwavering commitment to a nonviolent approach,” says Grace Wesley to her classroom of students.
When a pupil questions if that concept is similar to Jesus preaching to love one’s enemies, Wesley agrees.
“You have heard it said, ‘love your neighbor and hate your enemy,'” Wesley tells the class, repeating Matthew 5:43. “But I tell you: love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.”
Little does Wesley know how much she would have to rely on that very Scripture to gird her in a fight for something much bigger than herself.
While it seems the world is against one lone teacher who attempts to stand up for her faith, a lawyer, played by Jesse Metcalfe, is willing to join in the fight, along with some of Wesley’s students who engage in a protest.
“I would rather stand with God and be judged by the world, than stand with the world and be judged by God,” Hart’s character says in the trailer. “I’m not going to be afraid to say the name Jesus.”
Another character’s statement in the movie trailer succintly captures the gist of the film. “If we sit by and do nothing, the pressure we’re feeling today will mean persecution tomorrow. We’re at war.”
By Christine Thomasos , called from Christian Post