Rebellion of Thought

Review by Ed Vitagliano
 

 This provocative film produced by brothers Brad and Kent C. Williamson is marvelous in what it does right but frustrating in what it fails to do – and what it does wrong.
  As an explanation of the knotty issue of postmodernism, Rebellion of Thought does a magnificent job unraveling the complexities of this dominant worldview of our age. Questions, such as the following, are presented in an intriguing manner: Is there absolute truth? Are we responsible for our own actions? What is evil, and does it exist?
  The experts interviewed – D.A. Carson, Gene Edward Veith, James Spiegel and others – are articulate and insightful. Man-on-the-street interviews conducted by the Williamsons are likewise fascinating, and stylistically the film is engaging.
  But in reality, Rebellion of Thought is two films, and that’s what tarnishes the end product. When the Williamsons turn to the challenges facing the church in a postmodern age, the documentary not only turns preachy, it seems to fall into the postmodern ditch itself.
  “Is the church broken?” is a question the filmmakers ask and answer in the affirmative, and it’s pretty heavy-handed viewing. Church life in the West is “not what God intended,” they assert. Things like going to church, an emphasis on discipleship and personal growth, even the preaching of the Gospel on TV and radio come in for rough treatment.
  Rebellion of Thought deteriorates into a rage against “big buildings, fancy worship centers, carefully scripted and choreographed worship services” and a litany of other complaints.
  These may very well be legitimate complaints, but how would we know? Suddenly the phalanx of experts who were marshaled in the first part of Rebellion of Thought virtually disappears. They are replaced by scenes of the Williamsons chewing the fat at restaurants or in motel rooms.
  After leveling serious charges against what they consider to be a failed institutional church, all we get are the personal opinions of the Williamsons, as if they are allowed to construct their own reality out of thin air. How postmodern is that?
T  here are some images of a gay pride parade that might prove offensive to some. There is one minor profanity and one use of the “f”-word, which is bleeped but still perceptible, by a man interviewed on the street.
  Rebellion of Thought is not rated. The DVD and an accompanying study guide are available.