The Case for Christ

“The only way to truth is from facts,” so says the banner hanging in the Chicago Tribune office on the day that Lee Strobel (Mike Vogel) is brought onboard as their newest journalist and soon to be legal editor. He is successful, has a beautiful wife, a young daughter and is sitting on top of the proverbial world.

Lee is also an atheist who, as he explains to his daughter, only believes in what he can “see and touch.” His wife Leslie (Erika Christensen) has been of the same mind until one day when a tragedy is narrowly averted and the nurse, Alfie (L. Scott Caldwell), who saves their daughter remarks that they should thank Jesus.

While Lee is grateful, though untouched by that statement, Leslie begins her own search for God which will lead her to believe in Jesus and become a Christian. Lee is so disappointed in his wife’s abandoning of reason that he begins his own quest, unknown to his wife, to debunk Christianity and all it stands for, in order to regain the rational wife he feels he has lost.

“The Case for Christ” is based on the powerful true story of Lee Strobel’s investigation to disprove the deity of Christ. In the film, he challenges every tenet of Christianity, including: the existence of Jesus, whether or not he ever died, his resurrection and more, but instead finds the evidence is strongly against his theory, eventually putting the award-winning journalist at odds with truth itself.

There is barely any objectionable material of concern in this film, making it a family-friendly movie. Lee and Leslie are seen kissing on several occasions, verbally fighting during others and the harshest words spoken are “jerk” and “prostitute,” and the latter is not directed towards Leslie, but is a reference to a biblical character. Alcohol is noticeable several times, as Lee drinks beers both at home and at a bar. On one occasion, he is seen in a drunken stupor during which he violently throws some kitchen pots down, but apologizes soon after.

Lessons

“The Case for Christ” is a positive and ultimately uplifting film that embodies some very biblical themes including fatherhood, seeking God, faith and humility.

Fatherhood: The most unexpected issue visited has to be that of the importance of fathers. Lee’s relationship with his own father is an estranged one and has kept them apart for years. When we finally meet him, he is cold, seemingly aloof and disinterested in his successful son Lee. There is incredible insight as to how this can impact one’s ability to relate to God our Father in Heaven. Suffice it to say that the Word of God is clear on what the role of fathers is to be in children’s lives—and the long term importance of loving guidance.

“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” —Ephesians 6:4

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” —Proverbs 22:6

Seeking God: Both Lee and his wife Leslie are shown seeking the truth about God, although their intentions are vastly different. Leslie is beginning to see how God has always existed, even in those years that she spent denying Him, and now she is earnestly trying to connect with her Lord. The Bible has good news for those like Leslie:

“I love those who love me; and those who diligently seek me will find me.” —Proverbs 8:17

Unfortunately, this is in stark contrast to Lee’s biased search for empirical proof that Jesus is only a myth.

“The wicked, in the haughtiness of his countenance, does not seek Him; all his thoughts are, ‘There is no God’.” —Psalm 10:4

However, Holy Scripture holds both hope and condemnation depending upon where your ‘heart’ is and your ultimate decision to receive or reject Jesus.

“…for the LORD searches all hearts, and understands every plan and thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.” —1 Chronicles 28:9

Faith: Lee is quick to mock Christians, and in turn his wife for what he understands is baseless faith. Although the preponderance of evidence he uncovers goes contrary to his ‘rational’ based atheism, Lee’s likewise non-believing mentor points out that denying God also requires a leap of faith, because not everything is ‘knowable.’ A God that can create the universe and all that it encompasses will never be completely understood by man. Praise God He has given us enough to find Him and not merely through His Creation, but through His Word and his only begotten Son who died for us.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” —Hebrews 11:1

Humility: Before Lee comes to his final conclusion, he is humbled greatly through a misreading of the facts on a criminal case he is working on. Understanding that your own bias will affect how you treat a story and craft the narrative is a lesson that is lost on many journalists today, but one that humbles the formerly proud Lee and makes him a better reporter and person.

“It is better to be of a lowly spirit with the poor, than to divide the spoil with the proud.” —Proverbs 16:19

“He leads the humble in justice, and He teaches the humble His way.” —Psalm 25:9

The main cast does a fine job, especially in the key supporting characters of Leslie (Christensen), Alfie (Caldwell) and the likeable co-worker Kenny (Mike Pniewski), with some less important characters, unevenly played, being given appropriately less screen time. However, the solid portrayal of Lee Strobel by Vogel is imbued with the realistic skepticism and self-righteous fervor that is crucial for the role.

In “The Case for Christ,” as in life, there is no abrupt realization of the truth, but rather a slow shedding of the falsehoods that are built up over a lifetime, and the film does a remarkable job of letting the audience feel what that must have been like. Highly recommended.

Violence: Minor / Profanity: None / Sex/Nudity: None

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