The Case for Christ
Directed by Jon Gunn
TheoScope Rating
Worldview · content · moral framework
Plot
An award-winning investigative journalist -- and avowed atheist -- who applies his well-honed journalistic and legal skills to disprove the newfound Christian faith of his wife... with unexpected, life-altering results.
Discern Score Breakdown
30%
30%
25%
15%
Audience Suitability
Kids
Under 10
Teens
10–17
Adults
18+
Family
Mixed ages
Content Flags
The Case for Christ is a biographical drama based on Lee Strobel's memoir of the same name, chronicling his investigation into the historical evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus. It is one of the most intellectually serious Christian films in the faith-based genre, engaging apologetics honestly rather than relying purely on emotional appeal. It lands as a strongly recommended film for teenagers and adults, with genuine evangelistic and discipleship value for families willing to engage its arguments together.
Pastoral Take
This is an excellent film for families with children roughly ten and older, and it is especially strong for teenagers who are beginning to wrestle with questions about whether Christianity is intellectually defensible. Parents of younger children may want to preview the marital tension and alcoholism subplot, which are handled tastefully but may prompt questions from sensitive kids. The film has genuine apologetic value — watching it together and then asking your teenager what they thought of the historical arguments for the Resurrection could open one of the best spiritual conversations you'll have all year.
Discussion Points
- 1Lee spends the whole movie trying to prove Christianity is false, but ends up becoming a Christian anyway. Have you ever been surprised by where following the truth honestly actually led you? What do you think it means that Jesus called Himself 'the Truth' — not just someone who teaches truth?
- 2Leslie keeps praying for Lee even when he's being cruel and dismissive about her faith. Why do you think she didn't just give up or fight back harder? What does the Bible say about how we're supposed to respond to people who reject what we believe?
- 3The film argues that the Resurrection isn't just a matter of personal belief but something that happened in real history that can be investigated. Does that change how you think about faith? Is there a difference between faith and blind belief, and what do you think the Bible means when it talks about faith as trust rather than just feeling?
- 4Lee's alcoholic father is a kind of shadow over his whole story — Lee is afraid of becoming him, but also afraid of forgiving him. When Lee finally confronts that at the end, it seems connected to his conversion. Why do you think forgiving a parent or admitting we've been wrong is sometimes the hardest part of coming to faith?
- 5The police officer subplot is about a man nearly destroyed by a lie, and Lee's journalism ultimately helps free him. How does that story connect to what the film is saying about truth more broadly — and what does Proverbs or the Gospel of John say about what truth actually does for people?
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Cast
Mike Vogel, Erika Christensen, Faye Dunaway
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