Lee Strobel

{{Infobox writer

| image = Lee Strobel (cropped).jpg

| image_upright = 0.9

| name = Lee Strobel

| caption = Strobel in 2007

| pseudonym =

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1952|1|25}}

| birth_place = Arlington Heights, Illinois, U.S.

| death_date =

| death_place =

| occupation = Legal editor, writer, journalist, clergy

| alma_mater = University of Missouri (BA)
Yale University (MSL)

| period = Current

| genre = Christology
Historicity of the Gospels

| subject = Christian apologetics

| movement =

| spouse = Leslie Strobel

| partner =

| children = 2

| relatives =

| signature =

| website = {{URL|https://leestrobel.com}}

| awards =

}}

Lee Patrick Strobel (born January 25, 1952) is an American Christian author and a former investigative journalist.{{cite web|url=http://www.gospelherald.com/articles/68910/20161215/former-atheist-lee-strobel-on-the-case-for-christ-film-and-why-hes-encouraged-amid-post-modern-society-interview.htm|title=Former Atheist Lee Strobel on 'The Case for Christ' Film and Why He's Encouraged Amid Post-Modern Society (Interview)|first=Leah|date=December 2016|website=The Gospel Herald|access-date=March 24, 2017|last=Marieann Klett}} He has written several books, including four that received ECPA Christian Book Awards (1994, 1999, 2001, 2005){{cite web|url=http://www.ecpa.org/christianbookawards/gm1994.php |title=1994 Gold Medallion Book Awards Winners – Missions/Evangelism |access-date=October 28, 2008 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102231822/http://www.ecpa.org/christianbookawards/gm1994.php |archive-date=November 2, 2007 }}. ecpa.org and a series which addresses challenges to the veracity of Christianity.{{cite news|last=Smith|first=Lisa|title=Author digs deeper to defend Christianity|url=http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=36131|work=Daily Herald|date=September 12, 2007|access-date=November 5, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070922210241/http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=36131|archive-date=September 22, 2007}} He also hosted a television program called Faith Under Fire on PAX TV{{cite news|last=Falsani|first=Cathleen|title=Ex-reporter still asking tough questions on 'Faith Under Fire'|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4155/is_20041001/ai_n12567576|website=Chicago Sun-Times|date=October 1, 2004|access-date=November 15, 2007}} {{Dead link|date=September 2010|bot=H3llBot}} and runs a video apologetics web site.

Early life and education

Strobel was born in Arlington Heights, Illinois. He received a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School.Nancy De Gennaro,

[https://www.dnj.com/story/life/2014/10/23/bestselling-case-christ-author-speak-local-church/17785197/ Bestselling ‘Case for Christ’ author to speak at local church], dnj.com, USA, October 23, 2014

Career

Lee was a journalist for the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers for 14 years. In 1980, the UPI Illinois Editors Association newspaper award program gave him a first place for public service (the Len H. Small Memorial award) for his coverage of the Ford Pinto crash trial involving a class-action lawsuit against the Ford Motor Company in Winamac, Indiana.{{cite news|title=Tribune wins 21 awards in UPI contest|work=Chicago Tribune|date=May 16, 1980|page=5|id={{ProQuest|170148234}}}}{{cite news|title=Tribune Reporter Honored|work=Chicago Tribune|date=June 8, 1980|page=b12|id={{ProQuest|170211586}}}} Strobel later became assistant managing editor of the Daily Herald, before leaving journalism in 1987.Daley, Steve. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1986-05-25-8602070651-story.html Paper Didn't Trample Privacy With Scoop]", Chicago Tribune. May 25, 1986. Retrieved March 24, 2019.Swartz, Tracy. "[https://www.chicagotribune.com/entertainment/chicagoinc/ct-case-for-christ-lee-strobel-20170310-story.html Former Tribune journalist to premiere his new Christian film in Chicago]", Chicago Tribune. March 10, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2019.

Strobel was an atheist when he began investigating the biblical claims about Jesus Christ after his wife's conversion. Prompted by the results of his investigation, he became a Christian at the age of 29.{{Cite web|url=http://www.patheos.com/blogs/friendlyatheist/2009/01/02/lee-strobel-answers-your-questions-part-1/|title=Lee Strobel Answers Your Questions, Part 1|website=Friendly Atheist|date=January 2, 2009 }}{{Cite web|url=http://m.lifeway.com/Article/the-case-for-grace-lee-strobel-story|title=A Case for Grace: Lee Strobel's Story|website=LifeWay}}

Ministry

Strobel was teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, from 1987 to 2000.Mary Alice Benoit, [https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1999-10-15-9910150339-story.html WILLOW CREEK PASTOR FOLLOWING HIS CALLING TO CALIFORNIA CONGREGATION], chicagotribune.com, USA, October 15, 1999 In 2000, he became pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.Elaine Gale, [https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-mar-12-me-8083-story.html New Face of Faith], latimes.com, USA, March 12, 2000 In 2004, he left his post as pastor to host the Christian apologetics show Faith Under Fire.Hartford Courant,

[https://tdn.com/lifestyles/new-show-faith-under-fire-debates-spirituality/article_e7a3c80a-51d2-5670-86d5-68e1a3b0e03a.html New show 'Faith Under Fire' debates spirituality], tdn.com, USA, October 2, 2004

In 2014, he became a teaching pastor at Woodlands Church in The Woodlands, Texas, and a professor of Christian thought at Houston Baptist University.Allan Turner, [https://www.houstonchronicle.com/houston/article/An-atheist-finds-God-Lee-Strobel-joins-Houston-6071341.php An atheist finds God: Lee Strobel joins Houston church, university], houstonchronicle.com, USA, February 9, 2015

Recognition

In 2007, he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Southern Evangelical Seminary in recognition of his contributions to Christian apologetics.Tammy Ayer, [https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/2015/03/23/lee-strobel-brings-stories-grace-fort-myers/70339554/ Lee Strobel brings stories of grace to Fort Myers], news-press.com, USA, March 23, 2015

Personal life

Strobel and his wife Leslie have two children and several grandchildren. His daughter Alison is a novelist,[http://www.leestrobel.com/Bio.php About Lee Strobel] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071030213956/http://www.leestrobel.com/Bio.php |date=October 30, 2007 }}. Leestrobel.com. Retrieved on November 14, 2011. and his son Kyle is an Assistant Professor of Spiritual Theology and Formation at the Talbot School of Theology.

Film

Strobel appeared in the 2016 film God's Not Dead 2.{{cite news|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/gods-not-dead-2-offers-compelling-arguments-for-jesus-review-160490/|title='God's Not Dead 2' Offers Compelling Arguments for Jesus (Review) |newspaper=The Christian Post}} Retrieved November 2016

A film titled The Case for Christ, based on Strobel's book, had its theatrical release in April 2017.{{cite news|url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/ex-atheist-lee-strobels-journey-from-atheism-to-christ-hits-theaters-in-spring-2017-trailer-171159/|title= Ex-Atheist Lee Strobel's Journey From Atheism to Christ Hits Theaters in Spring 2017 (Trailer) |newspaper=The Christian Post}} Retrieved November 2016 The film was directed by Jonathan M. Gunn and is about an atheist reporter who tries to prove Christianity to be a cult.{{cite news|url=http://www.screendaily.com/news/afm-pure-flix-launches-talks-on-the-case-for-christ/5110996.article|title=AFM: Pure Flix launches talks on 'The Case For Christ'|publisher=Screen International|website=screendaily.com|author=Jeremy Kay|date=November 3, 2016}} Retrieved November 2016 The film was produced by Triple Horse Studios and distributed by Pure Flix Entertainment.{{cn|date=September 2022}}

Bibliography

Reckless Homicide? Ford's Pinto Trial (1980) {{ISBN|0-89708-022-X}}
Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary (1993) {{ISBN|0-310-37561-4}}
What Jesus Would Say (1994) {{ISBN|0-310-48511-8}}
God's Outrageous Claims (1998) {{ISBN|0-310-26612-2}}
Surviving a Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage (2002) {{ISBN|0-310-22014-9}}
Experiencing the Passion of Jesus (2004), with Garry Poole, Zondervan, {{ISBN|0-310-26375-1}}
Discussing the Da Vinci Code: Exploring the Issues Raised by the Book and Movie (2006) {{ISBN|0-310-27263-7}}
The Unexpected Adventure: Taking Everyday Risks to Talk with People about Jesus (May 29, 2009), Zondervan, {{ISBN|0-310-28392-2}}
Today's Moment of Truth: Devotions to Deepen Your Faith in Christ (July 12, 2016), Zondervan, {{ISBN|0-310-35940-6}}

="The Case for..." series=

The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus (September 1, 1998), Zondervan, {{ISBN|0-310-22605-8}}
The Case for Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity (October 1, 2000), Zondervan, {{ISBN|0-310-22015-7}}
The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God (2004), Zondervan, {{ISBN|0-310-26386-7}}
The Case for Easter: Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection (2004), Zondervan, {{ISBN|0-310-25475-2}}
The Case for Christmas: A Journalist Investigates the Identity of the Child in the Manger (2005), Zondervan, {{ISBN|0-310-25476-0}}
The Case for the Real Jesus: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks on the Identity of Christ (September 10, 2007), Zondervan, {{ISBN|0-310-24210-X}}
The Case for Christianity Answer Book (July 1, 2014), Zondervan, {{ISBN|0-310-33955-3}}
The Case for Hope: Looking Ahead with Confidence and Courage (2015), Zondervan, {{ISBN|0-310-33957-X}}
The Case for Grace: A Journalist Explores the Evidence of Transformed Lives (2015), Zondervan, {{ISBN|0-310-25923-1}}
In Defense of Jesus: Investigating Attacks on the Identity of Christ (2016)
The Case for Miracles: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Supernatural (2018)
The Case for Heaven: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for Life After Death (2021)

=Children's apologetics series=

The Case for Faith for Kids (2006), Zonderkidz, {{ISBN|978-0-310-71146-9}}
The Case for Christ for Kids (2006), Zonderkidz, {{ISBN|978-0-310-71147-6}}
A Case for a Creator for Kids (2006), Zonderkidz, {{ISBN|978-0-310-71148-3}}
Off My Case for Kids: 12 Stories to Help You Defend Your Faith (2006), Zonderkidz, {{ISBN|978-0-310-71199-5}}