People scoring this with 1's or low reviews are doing so because they're the Covid maniacs that are still wearing a mask today, while they drive alone and probably when they shower. It's been scientifically and medically proven (a simple google search will show you) that masks, social distancing and lockdowns not only were ineffective but had negative impacts. And the jab, well, another simple google search will show you that these big corps are getting sued through the nose. This documentary is fantastic and a must watch and only exemplifies truth and it does it in an engaging way. Well done Grace Community Church! One of the best documentaries I've ever seen.

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.

I never understood why they just didn't do everything they could to protect the body of Christ. Why was it so hard to just put a mask on and distancing? It seems that would be showing care for each other. We are to be salt and light. How much damage was done to the unsaved who watched this whole thing unwind. What I heard from folks was why can't we all work together on this. Millions of lives are being lost. That is extremely concerning. The blatant refusal to not work with local authorities only tells me that this was more about control than a godly approach, how can we work together to keep everyone safe.