The documentary, American Gospel (Christ Alone), made attempt to introduce Biblical Gospel to modern folks by looking mostly at what the Gospel is NOT. Most people in our time have come to associate the Gospel with the Prosperity Gospel, which is not the same at all. In fact, the Prosperity Gospel is polar opposite to what Jesus’ preached and taught.
What began as the Word of Faith (health and wealth) movement in the US over forty years ago has spread to many parts of the world, with strong adherents in the developing countries of Africa and Asia particularly. Their message is very appealing to the general populace and promises the best of two worlds. Beside the justice of Scripture, time have proved the Word of Faith movement and its adherents as men and women destitute of the truth, thinking that gain is godliness, thinking and teachning that men and women can arm-twist the Sovereign God to do their selfish bidding. From such the Bible enjoins us to “turn away”.
“If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.” – 1 Tim 6:3-5
The documentary is of great media quality in both pictures and audio.The producer creatively use Scripture to expose the Word of Faith baseless claims and mis-interpretation and mis-representation of the Gospel. And like the Lord, Paul and John (et al) named the false preachers and teachers in the early days of the Church, the producer did not shy away from naming names, which is a necessary and very welcome development in defending the Truth. “For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?” 1 Cor 14:8
The documentary is in series:
American Gospel: Christ Alone
American Gospel: Christ Crucified
American Gospel: Spirit and Fire (2022)
As at the time of this review (26th Sept. 2021), only the Christ Alone is free to watch/stream on YouTube. One will have to pay to watch the others. You many wonder why one has to pay to watch/stream a Christian documentary? The producer answered this themselves from the FAQs:
Q2. Why aren't these films free? Aren’t you selling the gospel? Aren’t you being hypocrites and being like the prosperity preachers that you criticize? A: First, we have provided a free 1-hour version of the gospel portion of “AG1: Christ Alone” on Youtube here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocHm18wUAGU We've also released a free chapter of "AG2: Christ Crucified" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9QVz-iFZp8 Secondly, Transition Studios is not a non-profit Christian ministry that can accept donations. We are a small video production company that produces documentary films. Most ministries that provide “free” films are only able to do so because they have monthly donors who are supporting the film financially on the front end of production (so they aren’t really free). Since we are unable to accept donations, we ask for your support on the back end of production, by purchasing our films. When you buy our films you help us offset the costs of producing a film (cost of travel, filming, editing, animation, music composition, legal fees, etc.) and you help support the production of future projects. We believe that it’s biblical that people should be paid for their work. For those who still think it’s wrong to sell a film about the gospel, have you ever made the same objection to your Christian bookstore when you purchased your Bible? Finally, there’s nothing inherently wrong with wealth. What prosperity preachers do is prey on the poor and the sick, making them promises of health and wealth if they sow financial seeds into their ministry. They then take your money and live in excess and luxury. We aren’t making those unbiblical promises, nor are we living in luxury because of this work. We only ask that if you appreciate these films, that you please support us through the purchasing of our films. If you are having financial difficulty, please contact us.
Overall, we’ll recommend every believer to watch, download and share this interesting Christian documentary. It is a good thing we are beginning to put mainstream media to use to go on the offensive in order to “contend earnestly for the faith once delivered unto the saints.”
