The Essential Church

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.

Before you see this movie that paints one church as being under siege during the pandemic, think about the thousands of other churches that didn't feel threatened by the health mandates. Think about the churches that still managed to deal with the situation via virtual services and even community outreach programs. Think about the movie's bias in favor of John MacArthur and his church.

Jim Hinch, senior editor of the Christian Guideposts magazine, wrote an excellent article "How the Pandemic Radicalized Evangelicals" (Los Angeles Review of Books, August 15, 2021). He points out that John MacArthur had a long history well before the pandemic of wanting to maintain absolute control over Grace Community Church and its seminary. A former seminary administrator said that MacArthur ""does not like anyone telling him what he can or cannot do." A former deacon described the church as a toxic environment. MacArthur's responses to the pandemic were just another episode of his wanting to hold on to power.

Hinch also described how other churches, including Rick Warren's Saddleback Church, dealt with the pandemic without defying the health restrictions.

The movie is a propaganda piece that contains no information that would refute MacArthur's claims.

The cinematography of the documentary was quite astonishing, but this is not the most compelling part of the film. There was wonderful research that was clearly elucidated throughout the entire film.

This film was emotional, taking the viewer through many turns of the essential church story and other historical stories. Anyone who has not seen this movie must watch this movie for many reasons, especially those that are against the decisions that Grace Community Church and other similar churches made during the Covid-19 pandemic. This movie made biblical arguments that were wonderfully sound and encouraging to all Christians.

Wow! Just wow! Grace Productions drove it home, revealing truth that the whole world obliviously ignored. Jesus is going to use this documentary to change lives, however small or large the group of people impacted, it will be used. And already is. Delivering truth about the "pandemic", and revealing the necessity of having church. The Church will bow only to Christ, not the State, not a king, not any governing authority. It has helped my understanding on Church gathering, and the need for fellowship, no matter the circumstance, because the Church has always been essential. Christ, not caesar, is the Head of the Church! Believers must be ready to give everything up for the Lord, the Gospel, and the Church. Thank you! This documentary was well made, with an amazing intro, an amazing concept and it brought truth together so powerfully that you just know the Hand of God was involved in this. May people see and hear the truth.

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.