Trama

College philosophy professor Mr. Radisson's curriculum is challenged by his new student, Josh, who believes God exists.

Freshman university student Josh Wheaton attends a philosophy class, where Professor Radisson requires all students to submit a signed statement staying "God is dead" and never existed. When Josh refuses because of his own beliefs, the professor challenges him to defend his position, which leads to a series of confrontational presentations between himself and the professor, with the class as jury.—BakedEel

Christian college student Josh Wheaton attends a class on philosophy. When his professor tells all his students to dismiss the existence of God, Josh speaks up to object. The ongoing debate continues and finally Josh finds out why the professor insists on the nonexistent of God: "Because he took everything away from me!"—Alan Bourbeau

Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper) is a Christian who never thought his faith would get in the way of his higher education. so he's deeply shaken when, on the first day of Philosophy class, Professor Radisson starts by demanding that each student must deny God's existence to earn a passing grade. Although Josh tries his best to graciously refuse, Professor Radisson informs him that he can't stay in the class unless he makes an airtight argument for the defense. Not only that, but the semester will culminate in a debate between teacher and student on the subject. Should the class still remain unconvinced of God's existence, Josh will fail, sending his entire academic future up in flames..

Josh Wheaton (Shane Harper), a Christian college student in Carter, enrolls in a philosophy class (Called introduction to Philosophical though) taught by Professor Jeffrey Radisson (Kevin Sorbo), an atheist, who demands that his students sign a declaration that "God is dead" to get a passing grade. Even at registration, Josh was warned not to take Radisson's class, but Josh persists as otherwise he would have to rearrange his entire schedule. Radisson argues that science and facts have overtaken superstition and says that all the best philosophers in history were atheists.

Josh is the only student in the class who refuses to sign and is then required by Radisson to debate the topic with him, with the class members deciding who wins. If Josh fails, he will fail that section of the class, losing 30% of his annual grade. Martin is in the same class as Josh, and they become good friends. Kara is Josh's girlfriend and they have been together since high school. Kara came to her 3rd choice college so that she could be with Josh. They met at a Newsboys concert 6 years ago and Josh has bought 2 tickets for their upcoming show which is around their anniversary. Reverend Dave (David A. R. White), the pastor of St. James Church counsels Josh when he comes to pray at the church. Dave says that the inner doubt inside Josh is the Holy Spirit talking to him and its up to Josh whether he wants to listen.

Radisson gives Josh twenty minutes at the end of the next three lecture sessions to argue that God exists. In the first two debates, Radisson has counter arguments for all of Josh's points. Josh argues that Bible talks about the formation of the Universe, as described in the Big Bang. He says that there is a creator behind the creation. But Radisson quotes Stephen Hawking who says that a Universe can come into existence all by itself due to laws such as gravity. In the next class, Josh argues that Hawking has a circular reasoning which says that the Universe exists because it needed to exist. Furthermore, Josh quotes Hawking from his book where he says that Philosophy is dead. Josh also argues that if life has existed for 3.8 billion years, then in space of the last 90 seconds most of the major animal groups suddenly disappear and reappear in the form they currently hold. Not slowly and steadily like evolution suggests, but in planetary terms, almost instantly.

Radisson warns Josh that if Radisson is humiliated in front of his class, he will ensure that Josh as no future as a law student at the College. Josh's girlfriend Kara (Cassidy Gifford) breaks up with him, fearing that standing up to Radisson will jeopardize their academic future. When Josh refuses, Kara breaks up with him.

Reverend Jude (Benjamin Onyango) is a minister from Ghana who is Dave's friend. Jude is visiting to go to Disneyland, but Dave's car breaks down just as they are about to leave. Dave orders a rental and even that breaks down as soon as it is delivered.

In between the lectures, Radisson shares with Josh how he lost his devout mother, even when she staunchly believed in Him. Ultimately, it comes down to the third and final debate between Radisson and Josh, who again both make compelling points. Josh points out that without God, there is no reason for humans to be moral. If God does not exit, everything is permissible. Radisson compares religion to a disease that infects the soul when it is at its weakest. Josh says that God is about free will and gives the choice to humans to believe or not believe. Josh then halts his line of debate to pose a question to Radisson: "Why do you hate God?" After Josh repeats the question twice more, Radisson explodes in rage, confirming he hates God for his mother's death that left him alone despite his prayers.

Josh then casually asks Radisson how he can hate someone that doesn't exist. In the end, Martin (Paul Kwo), a foreign exchange student whose father had encouraged him not to convert to Christianity, stands up and says "God's not dead." Almost the entire class follows Martin's lead, causing Radisson to leave the room in defeat.

Against the backdrop of the debates, a series of peripherally related subplots develop. Radisson dates Mina (Cory Oliver), a Christian whom he often belittles in front of his fellow atheist colleagues. Mina believes it is unfair that Radisson is making Josh debate in front of the whole class in Radisson's field of expertise. Mina talks to Dave, who tells her that she is seeking acceptance from Radisson instead of looking for it within herself. Newly confident, Mina dumps Radisson.

Mina's brother Mark (Dean Cain), a successful businessman and atheist, refuses to visit their mother (Lenore Banks), who suffers from dementia and lives at an old age home. Mina is the only one who attends to her mother and visits her from time to time. Mark's girlfriend, Amy (Trisha LaFache), is a left-wing blogger who writes articles critical of Duck Dynasty's host Willie Robertson (himself). Amy questions Willie for selling devices that lure waterfowl to their deaths and making a fortune from it. Amy also wants to know why Willie invoke Jesus on every episode. Willie says that life is temporary and only God is eternal. When Amy is diagnosed with cancer, Mark dumps her. Mark was just named partner at his firm and viewed a sick Amy as a distraction.

A Muslim student named Ayisha (Hadeel Sittu) secretly converts to Christianity and is disowned by her father Misrab (Marco Khan) when he finds out. Ayisha works in the college cafeteria at lunch hour to supplement her income. Ayisha reaches out to Dave at the church.

Josh invites Martin to attend a Newsboys concert. Radisson reads a letter from his late mother and is moved to reconcile with Mina. Amy confronts the Newsboys in their dressing room but asks them to help guide her in converting to Christianity. On his way to find Mina, Radisson is struck by a car and fatally injured. Reverend Dave waiting at the intersection tends to Radisson and helps him as he dies. It is suggested that God made it so that Dave would be at that intersection when Radisson needed him the most.

Mark, at last, visits his mother, but mocks her for her faith; she responds that his financial success was given to him by Satan to keep him from turning to God, then she doesn't remember his name. At the concert, the Newsboys show a video clip of Willie Robertson congratulating Josh on standing up to Radisson and encourages the audience to text "God's Not Dead" as a message to others. The Newsboys begin to play their song "God's Not Dead", dedicating it to Josh.