The Case for Christ

     It’s time for another movie night out.  “The Case for Christ,” (IMBD 2017, PG) is based on the book written by Chicago journalist Lee Strobel in 1998.  Strobel was an avowed, self-proclaimed atheist.  He was entrenched in investigative journalism and the imperative to prove or disprove everything with facts and evidence.

     Strobel was the married father of a young daughter at the time.  After a chance (?) encounter at a restaurant, when a nurse saves his daughter from choking, his wife, also an atheist at the time, begins to consider if this was more of a divine intervention versus a random coincidence.  As she’s drawn closer into friendship with the woman who saved her daughter’s life, she accepts an invitation to attend church with her.  Slowly, through love and gentle witnessing, the wife feels she needs to commit her life to the Lord.

     This upsets Strobel, who proclaims his wife is “different” now, and when he confronts a Christian co-worker about the claims of Jesus’ resurrection, the co-worker challenges him to use his investigative journalism skills to disprove this truth.  The remainder of the movie explores Strobel’s journalistic and legal investigation, following his interviews with Biblical scholars, scientists, historians, and even psychiatrists (were the witnesses to the resurrection suffering “mass delusion?”).  Needless to say, the marriage becomes rocky, as his wife patiently prays for her husband to understand her newfound faith.

     The movie presented some compelling evidence that even Christian viewers may have forgotten about, including the fact that there were over 500 original published reports of Christ sightings published at the time, from both religious and historical sources.  A medical doctor graphically describes how one dies from crucifixion, disputing any speculation that an individual could survive such a gruesome form of killing (and later be declared alive). 

     While this type of movie simply reaffirms what Christians already believe, it may be an appropriate film to share with a doubting, skeptical, confused, or unsure family member or friend.  Whether a movie can be an evangelistic tool by itself is debatable, but it could prompt a viewer to consider exploring further research. 

     One reviewer felt that the film should have presented more counter arguments in order to be more balanced.  However, since the film isn’t a documentary, but a personal experience journey, we get to watch one man’s enlightenment from confronting his biases and objections and forming his own conclusions. 

     The pacing of the film and the content keeps interest, the acting is credible, and the real-life depiction of a couple struggling to find unity when one partner accepts the Lord, is an identifiable circumstance.  I love the holiday release of resurrection films, and this is one more to add to your collection. 

     Another great source, if you’re in the reading frame of mind, is Joyce Meyer’s Battlefield for the Mind.  Meyer addresses topics such as doubt, judgment, and negative thoughts.  One friend has used the book already to minister to someone needing a spiritual boost.