Rob Reiner’s film, ‘God & Country: The Rise Of Christian Nationalism,’ hit theaters this weekend and had a disappointing turnout at the box office. While the results may not surprise conservatives, progressives were taken aback by the lackluster response. The film managed to bring in a meager $38,415 over the extended four-day weekend.
The movie premiered in 85 theaters, and each theater only averaged $451 in ticket sales over the course of four days. This is an alarmingly low number. If we assume that the film had at least one showing per day, it means that it brought in around $112 per day, or an estimated ten viewers daily spread across multiple showings.
Considering the average attendance, it appears that only three to five people, on average, watched the film during each showing.
The film features a lineup of well-known progressives, such as Jemar Tisby, David French, Kristin Kobes Du Mez, Phil Vischer, Skye Jethani, William Barber, and Russell Moore. The central theme of the movie accuses politically active conservative Christians of embracing “Christian Nationalism” and allowing politics to overshadow their faith.
However, a closer look at those delivering this message reveals a case of DARVO (an acronym for “deny, attack, and reverse victim and offender”). Every one of the film’s talking heads shows signs of theological compromise when it comes to politics. In our previous articles, we have demonstrated how the so-called “experts” involved in ‘God & Country’ either diverge significantly from Christian theology and practice or compromise on essential Christian ethics.
For instance, there is Simone Campbell, one of the featured speakers in ‘God & Country,’ who identifies as a Queer-Affirming Zen Mystic and denies Jesus’s miracles. Another talking head, Anthea Butler, identifies as a Christian in name only, quite literally. These individuals and others like them make up the cast of this film, but their attempts to promote it fell flat.
Ultimately, the lack of interest in ‘God & Country: The Rise Of Christian Nationalism’ suggests that it failed to resonate with audiences. And that’s a positive outcome since the film offers little of value to viewers.
Thoughts on Rob Reiner’s ‘God & Country: The Rise Of Christian Nationalism’
Perhaps the silver lining in this situation is that more people will become aware of the presence of individuals like Russel Moore and Beth Moore, who identify as Christians but hold anti-Christian views.
At least they are making their true beliefs known to genuine believers.