Abstract
In this paper, I analyze the evangelical Christian film series God's Not Dead. I argue that the film series functions as Christian Nationalist propaganda through its rhetoric and aesthetic choices. I then develop two forms of epistemic manipulation that the film uses to fulfill its propagandistic function: hermeneutical priming and linguistic hijacking. I suggest that the film series' use of these rhetorical strategies highlights some of the ways that evangelical Christian cinema is engaging with rising right-wing political movements and developing unique evangelical imaginations.
Recommended Citation
Entrekin, Brant
(2025)
"Hermeneutical Priming and Linguistic Hijacking in the God’s Not Dead series,"
Journal of Religion & Film: Vol. 29:
Iss.
2, Article 3.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.32873/uno.dc.jrf.29.02.03
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.unomaha.edu/jrf/vol29/iss2/3
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
VolNum
29
Included in
Christianity Commons, Epistemology Commons, Ethics and Political Philosophy Commons, Other Film and Media Studies Commons