Last night my family made its way to a local theater. It is
something we rarely ever do because there is rarely anything these days we feel
is worth going to see. So this was a rare exception.
The film opened across the country just a week before Good Friday. That timing
was no accident because of the theme. The title is "The Case For Christ". If
that sounds at all familiar, there is a reason. The movie was created from a best-selling book by Lee Strobel that has
sold some 14 million copies worldwide since the early '80s when it was
authored.
The basic premise is this. Mr. Strobel set out to disprove
the resurrection of Jesus Christ. He had become angered when his wife became a
born-again believer. So in order to do this, the award winning investigative reporter
for The Chicago Tribune put all of his considerable talents to work for almost two full
years. He was certain that Christianity could not stand up to any real
and deep scientific analysis. And his research left no possible angle uncovered. But the more the reporter dug into the known facts, the more he found the exact
opposite of what he set out to prove. To make a long story short, he eventually
gave in to the reality that Christ was real, died on the cross, was resurrected
from the grave and was who He claimed to be – God in the flesh and the Savior
of mankind.
This most powerful film was, in my estimation, able to
accomplish two great feats at once. First, it serves as an amazing witness to those who
might feel like Lee Strobel who was a committed atheist. The film
left no doubt as to the veracity of the Gospel accounts surrounding the resurrection. For any who may themselves doubt, or know
someone who is rejecting Christ on any level, this would be the film that could
speak to their disbelieving heart and change everything!
But the other aspect of "The Case For Christ" is how inspiring it is to those who have already
come to Christ through faith. The film, as revealed through Strobel’s careful research,
pointed out various aspects that prove out the Biblical accounts. He cites the
massive support of the manuscript evidence for the New Testament, expert
testimonies from the physiological and medical communities, and other aspects of
Biblical criticism and historical data. These all helped Lee Strobel come to
the conclusion of the reality and significance of the crucifixion and resurrection of God's Son.
As the film stated, the resurrection is indeed at the core of Christianity. Remove or disprove
it, and the faith becomes null and void as is verified in 1 Corinthians
15:16-18. “For if the dead do not rise, then Christ is not risen, And if Christ is not risen, your faith is
futile; you are still in your sins! Then also those who have fallen asleep in
Christ have perished.” But since the
resurrection is true, Christ is truly God and therefore able to be the
sacrifice for sin and the Savior of man!
If, when you read this, the film is still around, do
yourself a favor and take it in. Or perhaps do someone you know who desperately needs
Christ a bigger favor, and take them to see it. Either way it is a win, win! You will be encouraged in your faith, or, even better, perhaps see someone
come to the saving faith you already possess.
"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who
are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." (1
Corinthians 1:18-19)
Bill Breckenridge
