REVIEW: Anthem for a Nation DVD by New Liberty Videos

After watching previews for this film, I was really looking forward to the opportunity to review the Anthem for a Nation DVD by New Liberty Videos.

 

WHAT IS IT?:

The Anthem for a Nation DVD is a unique film that aims to demonstrate to viewers how our nation was truly founded on Christian principles, and the gradual shift that our country has made from that Christian foundation over time. 

From its footage of the beautiful landscapes of America to its grand federal buildings, it all proclaims a nation that was created because it sought to follow God.

Where do we stand now?  Is this nation as great as it once was?  Why has no other nation prospered like America?  How can we restore the values that brought us God’s gift of freedom in this land? These are the questions this video will seek to answer.

Take a look at the video preview for this brand new film.  You can purchase this DVD for just $19.95.  This film is intended for a general audience of adults and children, as you deem appropriate.

 

OUR EXPERIENCE:

After watching the video preview of this film, I went from little to no interest to great anticipation of seeing it and hoping to review it!  I have to say that I’m so thankful I had the opportunity to view it.  I watched it with my 10-year old daughter.  While I don’t think it moved her the way it did me as an adult with a better appreciation for American history and for God’s involvement in the prosperity of our nation, I’m still glad she watched it with me.  She was fascinated with the facts we learned about many of the federal buildings and monuments in Washington, D.C. So I want to summarize for you some of the information that stood out to us the most:

• Within a hundred years after the founding of the United States of America, 32 million people immigrated to our great nation.
• “In God We Trust” is engraved in the walls of many federal buildings.
• Major federal buildings and monuments in Washington, D.C. form a perfect cross when viewed aerially.
• The 10 Commandments hang above the Chief Justice in the United States Supreme Court.
• The Great Seal of the United States is inscribed with “God has smiled on our undertaking.”
• The Jefferson Memorial walls are carved with “God is the holy author of our religion.”
• The House and Senate each have a chaplain, open their sessions with a prayer, and have a dedicated room for prayer and meditation.  The window says “Preserve me, oh, God.  In thee do I trust.”
• The top of the Washington monument has a plaque that says “Praise be to God,” and it faces the East so it is the first point in the city to receive the morning sun.  No other building is allowed by law to be taller than the monument.  Therefore, those words were placed at the highest point of the tallest building in the most powerful city in the most prosperous nation in the world.  The cornerstone of the building contains a bible.
• Four paintings in the Capitol building show historical events in the founding days of our nation, and those paintings depict two prayer meetings, a bible study, and a baptism.
• Church services were held in the Capitol building for 75 years.
• Federal funds were used to evangelize native people.
• For 200 years, the bible was the best-selling book in America.

All of these facts were used to establish that our nation was indeed founded on Christian principles with a desire to do the will of God in all things.  Then the film shifts to show us how our nation’s court system began to slowly erode those principles by gradually removing God from our everyday lives and thereby failing to give credit to God for making our nation great.

• In 1963, our laws removed bibles from public schools.
• Following that move, there came a ban of many things such as nativity scenes, singing of carols, and celebration of Christmas in schools and public buildings.  Prayer was removed from schools.
• The federal government funded the instruction of humanism in public schools.
• Gradually, there became an increase of violence, dropouts, and teen pregnancies in schools.
• In 1973, Roe v. Wade essentially said there is no value in an unborn child, and therefore, an unborn child has no rights.  Whereas a blade of grass has value and therefore could be protected from trespass, an unborn child does not.

Then the film asked us to close our eyes and listen to the sound of be-bees hitting the side of a tin can. We were told that each be-bee represented 10,000 lives lost.  Then it named each of the major wars one by one and sounded out the number of lives lost in each one as represented by the be-bees.  Then it demonstrated the lives lost to abortions in this country since that fateful 1973 court decision, and shockingly, the sound of the be-bees went on for what seemed like forever.  Each ping of a be-bee broke another piece of my heart, and I was overwhelmed with emotion at the astounding number of innocent lives lost in this way.  It was truly a powerful statement beyond words.  My daughter looked at me as I was overcome with tears of grief.  Such a simple gesture made such a profound impact on me, as I think it would anyone watching and listening.  I wish more people could see that little demonstration, because I don’t think the numbers quite sink into people’s minds when you just read it somewhere.  This segment ended with the words “God help us.”  Indeed.

The film made a great point then…if we allow, encourage, and provide opportunities for our elected officials to pray, then why not our school children?  Do we think we have the strength to make this nation great instead of God?  A house cannot stand without its foundation, and as such, we must return to ours.  As a republic of the people, for the people, and by the people, we are the decision makers, so we are guilty of allowing the courts to remove God from our nation.  “The only way for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”  The bible says in 2 Chronicles 7:14 - If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (NIV)

The film states that the rebirth of our nation can happen when great numbers rise up to obey God.  We must remain one nation under God!  The film ends with beautiful footage of our American landscape as Lee Greenwood’s song “God Bless the USA” played in the background.  I felt so patriotic and moved by this point that I again burst into tears!  The closing stated that the film was dedicated to the Glory of God.  Amen! 

As if there weren’t already enough in this film to entice you to purchase it and see it for yourself, there is also wonderful bonus content included on the DVD.  I found myself just as interested and engrossed in the story told by Maria Anne Hirschmann of her upbringing in Nazi Germany and her indoctrination into that belief system and then how she came to encounter the generosity and kindness of American soldiers at the end of the war…the very enemy she’d been taught to hate.  This led her to come to America to see for herself what these people were like, and the truth of freedom she found in America led her to what made these people kind and generous and this nation so great…their belief in God.  She came to know Jesus and transformed her life.  She became an American citizen and explained that because she learned of freedom and truth the hard way, she will never forget it, but that she sees Americans who have known nothing but that freedom have come to take it for granted and to forget that it all comes from God.  Wow, that, too, was a mighty powerful message.  I also was not born a citizen of the United States, but I am one now, and I appreciate that opportunity, as well.  I, too, am saddened at the distance our nation has created from its Christian roots. 

There is an additional bonus feature that tells the story of Kitty Werthmann’s life growing up in Austria under Hitler’s regime.  This is also worth watching as she explains how freedoms were taken away from her people, and her mother saved her from a life of indoctrination by sending her away to a Catholic school.  When she returned, she saw how her friends had changed because religions was removed from their lives, and she became thankful that her mother had made that choice for her.

Truly, this film has a meaningful message for all of us…adults and children alike.  I especially want to sit down and watch this with my teenager.  As he studies AP History this year in 10th grade, I want him to have the underlying message of this film in the back of his mind.  I forsee lots of fruitful discussion to be had from watching this film together.

I definitely recommend that you take a look at this wonderful, patriotic film that reminds us what Christian America should look like.  I have the urge to share it with everyone I know!

Check out what other Crew members had to say about this and other great DVD films from New Liberty Videos by clicking the banner below.