The Case for Christ

One of the best Christian films for a very long time! I used to be an atheist too, so the spiritual struggle he went through is way too familiar to me. Personally it touched me very deeply. My advice to skeptics: guys, open your hearts then you will be able to see some wonderful things "hidden" from you for now. Many thanks to Mike Vogel, well done, brother!

Prepare yourself for this shock: This is a Christian movie, and it is ACTUALLY GOOD! I expected this movie to be like other Christian movies, with cookie-cutter black-and-white characters which portray atheists as awful and heartless people and the hero as someone who can do no wrong. This movie was not that way. The characters are real and the roles are acted really well. There are also no cheesy conversions like in a lot of Christian movies. Everything seemed authentic. This is actually a good movie. I'm not saying it was good for a Christian movie, it was actually a good movie as far as all movies are concerned.

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." John 14:6.

Our attitude toward the truth determines the outcome of our lives. If we don't love the truth, if we resist it, we resist salvation. But if we do love the truth then we embrace salvation and we receive the reward: the crown of life.

But what did Jesus mean when He said that He is the truth? What is the truth?

The truth about who we are and about who Jesus is God's Word is true, and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) So the truth is the life of Jesus - which is to be manifested in us. (2 Corinthians 4:10) When we compare His life to our own lives and see how enormously different the two are, then a light turns on for us. The truth is that light which shines into our lives and reveals what we are really like by nature. It reveals the way that we must walk on in order to be transformed into the image of Christ. (Romans 8:29) The first step on the way of truth is taken when Jesus shines His light into our lives and we acknowledge that we are sinners in need of forgiveness, atonement, and justification. This causes us to repent.

This movie never gets out of the circus maximus tent.

It's as if the journalist decided to explore mathematics except they forgot something.

They go to the chalk board, in an attempt to prove '1' exists.

So they just write 1 1 1 1 1 1 1

OVER and OVER on the chalk board.

And yet ? somehow ?

This clown suit vacant of the clown ?

forgets to even DARE explore the beauty of ZERO.

Save yourself the trip - maybe stop off and visit Scientology? or a local Catholic Church ? same difference, only one I see is - Hubbard KNEW the only tax haven was through religion, most other families with 23 billion or more ? have family become senators to lower those taxes.

The only TAX you'll pay watching THIS film

is your OWN IGNORANCE TO EVER have brought it before your retina.

Me? I would have LOVED to just gone for a former Charlie's Angel's Kate Jackson flick on Lifetime - probably would have been more rewarding too !

"Christian" movies have a reputation of being artificial, unprofessional, and only appealing to those who are already indoctrinated. "The Case for Christ" breaks these stereotypes, delivering the best piece of Christian filmography that I've seen, as well as a good biographical drama by more general standards.

As mentioned, "The Case" avoids the pitfalls that the majority of Christian films fall into. It does not vilify atheists, make Christians appear impossibly pious, stuff the script with corny and unnatural dialogue (or significantly lack any other production quality), or contrive situations in order to "prove" Christianity (this is a biography, after all).

While the primary character, Lee Strobel, isn't a very nice person for most of the movie, he is no more flawed than most protagonists, and these flaws are never blamed on atheism, per se. Mike Vogel's portrayal of a man doing what he feels is best for his family and dealing with life's stresses, especially those that come from having one's worldview challenged, is genuine and moving.

I don't think many folks will come into the movie theater as skeptics and walk out as Christians, but I think the movie's producers were mature enough that that's not what they were intending or expecting. The movie likely won't answer all of a skeptic's questions (though the questions they do address are relevant, not straw men), but it answers enough of them that they should realize that (some) people do indeed have reasons for their beliefs.

Altogether, Christians and non-Christians alike should walk away from this movie with the desire to learn more, and they'll have experienced a good piece of cinema in the process.