The movie “Interview with God,” is centered on the life of Paul Asher, a young Christian journalist who begins to question his faith after spending time in war-torn Afghanistan. Paul receives an invitation to engage in three 30-minute interviews with God. Intrigued, Paul accepts. (Warning: Spoiler Alert)
An Interview with God – Christian Movie Review
What is the meaning of An Interview with God?
The storyline of the movie does a wonderful job of exposing the reality of an individual’s wrestling with God and his personal faith. Paul’s marriage is falling apart and his prayers, from his perspective, seem to go unanswered. While parts of the movie are thought-provoking and could serve as good conversation-starters, in the end, it is not particularly profound and leaves the viewers with more questions than answers. However, based on an interview conducted by Christian Post with Harrison Powell, co-producer, perhaps that is the movie’s primary intent.
Powell says, “I hope people will leave realizing that God loves them, and because of that, there is no question that is off-limits or question that He can’t handle or that in the asking, could ever change His love for us. I want people to feel empowered to share and discuss the tough questions in life.”
An Interview with God Theology
As a Bible teacher, I could not help but shake my head at some points throughout the movie. For example, when God concedes that perhaps He was “too harsh” during Old Testament times, the hair on the back of my neck curled. Does it honor God to present Him as second-guessing Himself? No. I understand the aim is to soften our idea about God, but is this biblical? – is it even wise? I would argue that it is quite dangerous. God, in His grace, has given us His Word. This needs to be our standard as to Who God is, not our feelings, which are unreliable and severely uninformed in comparison with God’s infinite wisdom.
There is also a discussion about free will and God’s will. God quips with Paul by responding, “if everyone attempted to do everything according to my will, nothing would get done.” God then goes on to describe a person paralyzed as to whether to brush their teeth vertically or horizontally. Again, I recognize the producers’ intent, but for someone unfamiliar with Scripture, this could lead down a wrong path by downplaying the importance of God’s will, which directly relates to His holiness. When Jesus taught us to pray, He begins by acknowledging God’s holiness. It is through this lens that we are to embrace the rest of the prayer, including, “…Thy will be done on earth, at is it in heaven.” (God is not concerned about how we brush our teeth, but He is most definitely concerned about eradicating evil.)
In the discussion of salvation, evil, and Satan (hell is never mentioned), God replies, “Satan is overrated” and “he (Satan) only has the power we give to him.” While it is true that Jesus has crushed our enemy Satan (and sin and death) through the Cross, and by the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians can resist the devil’s schemes and defeat his attacks (1 John 5:18), it is still important to remember that we live in a sin-cursed world that is ruled (temporarily) by Satan, albeit within God’s prescribed limits for God’s own purposes (1 John 5:19). While the devil is nothing more than a single fallen angel (a mere creature), he and his demon cohorts nonetheless have power, but only because God allows it for His purposes, which are often far above our understanding. In short, GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL.
What is the message in the movie Interview with God?
While I agree we as Christians very often give Satan more credit than he deserves, it is dangerous to sidestep the reality that he does wreck havoc on this world by enticing and enslaving people in sin (even though none of us can ever claim, “the devil made me do it.”
More importantly, as the movie addresses evil and Satan, it seemed odd that an acknowledgment that hell exists was left out altogether. At one point, God suggests to Paul that miracles are “within” each of us to live out and, in effect, make the world a better place by healing marriages, caring for the sick, etc. God encourages Paul, “you have more power than you know.”
I would agree; however, without a sound understanding of what the Bible actually teaches on these topics, this could mislead viewers to simply embrace God’s love, ignore that hell exists, and “go and make the world a better place”. But Jesus’s great commission was not to go and “make the world a better place” (actually, the Bible tells us that this world is reserved for judgment; 2 Peter 3:7), but rather to evangelize the world. “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19-20).
Why is speaking to God important?
Is An Interview with God a good movie?
Overall, the producers’ aim is worthy – to encourage conversations about God and faith, and in that regard, I would say they succeeded. The quality of the film is very well done. Even the concepts of God, evil, and salvation, if taken as a whole and carefully considered in light of the Bible (you almost need to “read between the lines” to get the gospel message), are reasonably on target (more on than off, but that’s the best I can say).
However, there are many places where, if what is being presented about God (or evil, salvation, etc) are taken separately, they could lead down the wrong path. While I commend the producers that pieces of the true gospel are ‘sprinkled’ in here and there, I felt it could have been more clearly presented – if not in the movie itself, then at least in the interview at the end, which would have been far better had they interviewed pastors or others who had some theological training to lead us into a deeper discussion and a more careful presentation of the gospel.
- Quality: 4 stars
- Human interest/story: 3.5 stars
- Theology: 2.5 stars
Discover more Christian Movie Reviews: RISEN and The Shack
For a powerful exploration of God’s sovereignty over Satan, dive into the fascinating story of the man rescued from an army (legion) of demons through this 6-week, action-packed Bible study, LEGION: Rediscovering the God Who Rescues Me. You’ll never look at the story the same way again.
Shadia is a passionate Bible teacher, author and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of God’s Word. She holds a master’s in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and is author of several books and Bible studies.
I just saw the movie last night, and I find your review right on point. I could not have said it better myself.
However, I would add that there were points in the movie where I kept expecting something that the screenplay writer didn’t provide – then I would be disappointed – missed opportunities in my opinion, particularly in the end, where God’s character says “very bad things happen to very good people” as he walks away into what I guess was the light of glory – I expected an image of Christ on the cross – the most terrible thing happening to the only truly Good Person.
Also, I was disturbed near the end when we discover God’s character had taken on the form of a person who died in Afghanistan, and without explanation. (lots of other details really needed some explanation somehow) “things aren’t how they look” just doesn’t cut it. Perhaps if the friend in the e-mail said, “my search came up completely dry” or even went so far as to say “there’s an odd resemblance to the image in the Shroud of Turin” or some other reference to an earthly representation of Jesus, would have been far better.
On the positive side of things, as you pointed out, the movie has things mostly right, and it’s good to see this sort of thing in movie theaters – far better alternative to most of the stuff on the movie screens these days.
Hi William. I could not agree with you more. In truth, I probably could have written another thousand words. The points you brought up disturbed me as well, along with a few other bizarre scenes, like the ghostly voices and the twinkling lights-whispers combo, which seem a bit New Age, in my opinion (God is not a God of confusion. When He speaks, He speaks clearly). However, as you said, taken as a whole, the movie seems to try to point people in the right direction – and it most certainly is far better than all of the evil disguised as “entertainment” out there. With helpful biblical guidance, the movie could serve as a conversation starter with unbelievers, which seems to be the producers’ aim. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, William.
Can someone explain to me what were the whispering that the main character was hearing in his apartment?
This movie has inspired me in so many ways. And it has opened my curiosity to further understand God’s word. So dispite all of the contradictory comments from people, I believe this movie is a great eye opener for all of us. I have been in so many churches where the preacher, minister, what have you as respect to their given title, have mis-led more people down the wrong path, by each and every theme’s interpretation of God’s word. It is within every individual power to seek the real truth of God’s word for themselves and not to put their full trust into another individual’s interpretation of God’s word. I truly believe that more people have been mistakingly mislead by more churches and self proclaimed ministers than anywhere. We each need to seek the truth ourselves and realize and question everything they are being taught. Even Jesus was fooled andbbetrayed by his own decipals.
Hi LP. Thank you for commenting and sharing your honest question regarding the nonsensical “whispering” in the movie. At best, I would suggest this may have been the movie director’s attempt to reflect the main character‘s own internal confusing thoughts. It is unclear whether we – as the audience – are to presume the whispering was audible or just in the mans own mind. Either way, I consider the nonsensical whispering (along with the strange “fairy” lights in another scene) as entirely unbiblical and therefore only serves to degrade the film’s credibility (at least from a Christian perspective). The Bible makes it clear that, “God is not a God of confusion but of peace” (1 Corinthians 14:33). Thank you for writing!
The whispering was a female speaking portions of the Psalms…It was not nonsensical, but hard to understand without having the subtitles/captioning on (for the deaf and hard of hearing). A lot of people must have missed that, because whispers are hard to hear even for those with good hearing.
God can handle all the [bleep] involved when it comes to not presenting Him in the “Biblical Sense”.
Being acknowledged and being made known is the priority… not making Biblical Scholars.
While I have not seen the movie ( I was away during it’s brief airing) I am hoping to see it sometime.
I would be amiss if I did not address those who want the “Bible version” of everything related to God that it was those same types ( Yes, in your sermons you call them Pharisee’s, as if they were some evil people)…they missed the message of Christ! Let us beware that we do not repeat that mistake..
Reading Ezekiel 33-35 may be in order… God’s heart is revealed in that He (God), wants the lost sought for and found; if it takes a little out of the box presentation to reach those that most of us have offended with our “Biblical teachings”… then so be it… It honors our God.
” I agree that God can use other things to confirm His Word, but if we don’t know His Word, how can we trust these secondary ‘voices?’ ”
– To respond to your thought. “They show that what the law requires is inscribed on their hearts, and to this their conscience gives supporting witness.” (Romans 2:15)
God’s word is already inscribed in our hearts. The secondary voices you speak of are not separate from God but simply one with God.
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)
We are the spirit of God and he is the spirit of us. We are that we are as God said I am that I am to Moses.
I think this movie was a great interpretation of the Holy Bible and more specifically the New Testament because it gives value to the idea that God’s ways are not open to our understanding. We cannot logically compartmentalize miracles or God’s grace. The mind is only supposed to support the heart. The heart is where everything is created.
The movie starts with God moves in mysterious ways. The following quote reads Now comes the mystery.
Hi Eddy. Thank you for your comments. I think if I understand what you are aiming to say, that we are fairly close in agreement but I would add that it is God’s written Word that should serve as our ultimate source of complete and perfect truth. Certainly the Spirit does speak to us, but we also know that God warns that “the heart is deceitful above all things” (Jeremiah 17:9). And while God’s Word to mankind throughout history has been through progressive revelation, we know that we now hold the complete Word of God as He has chosen to reveal it to mankind (Revelation 22:18). As such, we are wise to make it our aim to know what He has revealed in His written Word (2 Timothy 3:16) and to humbly weigh other voices against His written Word to ensure that it is trustworthy (and not presume that we cannot be fooled by the enemy who masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Of course, there are many in this world who still do not yet possess His written Word and we know that God continues to speak to them (and us) in various ways. God desires for us to delight in His Word and to honor His Name and His Word above all things, “…you have exalted above all things
your name and your word” (Psalm 138:2). May we endeavor, therefore, to bring His holy Word to souls hungry for His precious truth and promises.
Blessings to you and Thank you for writing.
It is Biblical that God was too harsh in OT times. The movie made the point that the Bible is God’s word as understood and translated by men. It wasn’t God who made Himself out to seem so harsh back then, wiping out everyone by flood, destroying cities with fire from the sky, calling bears down to kill youth who called a prophet bald, etc.
And, if doctors of theology and pastors had gotten their way, the movie would have suffered from their disagreements on key points and fell short of the level of poignancy that made it so thought provoking. For example, the reason the movie doesn’t talk about hell is likely because the writers and producers could not agree on whether it’s a place of eternal fire, or a spiritual condition, or temporary, or a feature of life, or a consequence in death, or punishment, or a rehabilitation program, or something the vast majority of people are sentenced to because they failed to confess Jesus before dying, etc. As it was, many of God’s answers were frustratingly cryptic or vague, probably to avoid criticism such as yours. Such answers are less useful. The movie was right to portray Paul as exasperated by such answers and questions from God.
I liked the movie, it did provided a nice thought process while watching relating to my own life. Like I love how they bring things out that are considered too taboo to mention out loud. There are things we all feel should not happen or exist, suicide, war, famine, ect but why is it here and why if God is all powerful and hates evil things does it? It shows a frustration with God over these questions and I felt that while watching. I also get tingles which I believe is God comforting me because I feel so much over those issues. I don’t believe God is to blame for these issues but I can’t help but think of it, I’m sorry but it’s there. Like reading the old testament and seeing that it seems humans are just play things for Satan and God. Go ahead and test Job Satan. He’s loyal to me and will take it all and still love me. I can say my sister loves me that much, that I can do whatever and she’ll still love me which could be so but if I did it then I’d be an asshole and everyone would think so too.
In the movie it said that the torah and new testament is God’s words but as understood and written by man. I do see that as so because too many things are left unaswered. Like why were so many destroyed by the flood. Just reading the old testament doesn’t give you enough reason to justify mass killing but if you looked at the book of enoch you’d realise we were beyond currupt as a whole and nothing good was being produced even love was currupt to some odd I love you because your my child but not more than myself type thing. Yes I read enoch as Jesus did quote from that book. Anywho our sourroundings are of great importance. If only bad happens then that’s all you know and all you will produce. It’s why we need to turn off the tv every now and then.