New Movie Coming to Theatres THIS WEEK: The Case for Christ
If you’re a journalist, being a legal editor for the Chicago Tribune is the epitome of success in the secular world. Lee Strobel achieved this success, yet there was still a hollowness—an emptiness. That’s how the Case for Christ began.
So what was he to do when his wife Leslie became a Christian and passionately proclaimed the good news? The same thing he had always done: use his investigative journalism prowess to uncover the truth. Little did he know that his wife had just handed him the most sensational story of his life.
The Case for Christ, premiering in theatres nationwide on April 7, presents the true story of self-proclaimed atheist Lee Strobel (played by Mike Vogel) and his quest to challenge the historical validity of the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ—the foundation of Christianity. After all, if the resurrection is a farce, Christianity is a “house of cards.”
Questions to challenge you
The movie’s compelling trailer advances many point-blank questions common to skeptics and believers alike, such as:
- “If somebody wanted to do an investigation into Christianity, where would you start?”
- “How do we even talk about historical evidence for the resurrection? The gospels are filled with contradictions.”
- “Do you really want to know the truth or is your mind already made up?”
- “We all bet our lives on something. The question is: What’s it going to be?”
If you are not hooked yet, consider this: the hard-nosed Lee Strobel is now an evangelistic Christian. In this movie, which closely parallels Strobel’s book of the same name, you get up close and personal with Strobel as you watch his journey from atheism to faith unfold.
What could cause such a transformation?
After all, intellectuals, academicians, and journalists tend to be dogged in their beliefs (or lack thereof) because they stake their professional reputations on their beliefs.
Only the power and truth of the resurrection could crack such a tough outer shell. Strobel uncovers historical evidence of the empty tomb, and his shell does indeed crack. In the trailer, Strobel declares, “[My journey to faith] changed me forever.”
His proclamation mirrors his wife’s earlier in the movie: “What I felt is something more real than anything I have ever felt in my whole life.” New Christians will no doubt identify with this sentiment. But what about those who are further along in their spiritual journey? It is too easy to become complacent.
Far from complacent, Strobel actively speaks and writes about his faith still today—over 35 years after his conversion. His passionate faith, as well as his journey from resolute atheism to profound belief, has influenced millions—and likely many more after the release of this movie.
You can’t help but compare Strobel’s modern journey to faith to the Apostle Paul’s ancient journey. Both Paul and Strobel were once fervently anti-Christian until they discovered truth. This profound transformation gave them credibility with both Christians and anti-Christians, enhancing their ability to influence others for Christ.
In 1 Corinthians 15:9-10, Paul remarks, “For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain…”
God used Paul and Strobel’s atheism to substantially further His kingdom. No doubt He will use the premier of The Case for Christianity to do more of the same. Whether you are a Christian or an atheist, this action-packed adventure will leave you thinking. The best part? It’s not fiction; it’s true!