The Case for Christ is a 2017 film based on the real-life story of investigative journalist Lee Strobel and his conversion to Christianity. It is based somewhat on Strobel's 1998 book The Case for Christ, which investigates evidence for Jesus' miracles and resurrection, and describes the author's own journey from unbelief to faith. In the film, after a traumatic event, Lee's wife Leslie turns to the Christian faith. Lee sees this as a betrayal of their marriage and values, and sets out to disprove Christianity using his skills as a reporter.
The Case for Christ provides examples of:
- Appeal to Popularity: A priest in the film whom Lee interviews states there are many more copies of Gospels than other ancient works and thus implies that the Resurrection happened. This however does not mean they were accurate (he compares it for instance with The Trojan Cycle, a work of fiction, having less). At most, it proves that this was really popular (which is obviously true).
- Da Editor: Lee's boss at the newsroom, Joe Dubois, is a downplayed example.
- Diegetic Switch: While Lee is driving, his car radio starts playing "Carry On Wayward Son". We hear most of it in non-diegetic mode before it switches to diegetic mode for the last few seconds of the scene.
- Easy Evangelism: Averted; Lee spends most of the film trying to disprove Christianity. The experts he interviews never try to preach at him; they simply present him with the evidence, and he is gradually convinced by it. Also, he seems rather reluctant and uncertain about his choice, at first.
- Freudian Excuse: Lee has a bad relationship with his father; this is brought up as a possible motivation for his atheism.
- Heel–Faith Turn: Although he was never a villain, Lee's newfound faith does make him a better person.
- Hollywood Atheist: Averted for the most part; Lee is a reasonable man who refuses to believe because he doesn't think there's enough evidence. The supporting characters who are atheists or agnostics are all likeable and realistic people, too. Lee's atheist mentor even warns him against pursuing his quest to disprove Christianity, for fear of it ruining Lee and Leslie's marriage.
- I Should Write a Book About This: At the end of the movie, Leslie suggests that Lee write a book documenting his research. The book in question is The Case for Christ, naturally.
- Intrepid Reporter: Lee spends most of the movie trying to disprove the resurrection of Jesus.
- Miscarriage of Justice: Lee's investigation into a crime leads to an innocent man being sentenced to prison. He is later exonerated.
- Shared Mass Hallucination: Lee brings this up as a possible explanation of the Resurrection, but this is debunked by an agnostic psychology professor.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: After Lee's estranged father dies, Lee finds a scrapbook at his parents' house in which his father has documented all of Lee's newspaper articles, showing that his father was always proud of him.
