Lee Patrick Strobel (born January 25, 1952) is an American Christian author, Baptist pastor, professor, and a former investigative journalist. He has written several books, including four that received ECPA Christian Book Awards (1994, 1999, 2001, 2005). ecpa.org and a series which addresses challenges to the veracity of Christianity. He also hosted a television program called Faith Under Fire on PAX TV and runs a video apologetics web site.
Early life and education Lee Patrick Strobel was born on January 25, 1952, 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, 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. Strobel later became assistant managing editor of the Daily Herald, before leaving journalism in 1987.Daley, Steve. "Paper Didn't Trample Privacy With Scoop", Chicago Tribune. May 25, 1986. Retrieved March 24, 2019.Swartz, Tracy. "Former Tribune journalist to premiere his new Christian film in Chicago", Chicago Tribune. March 10, 2017. Retrieved March 24, 2019.
Strobel has said he 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.
Ministry Strobel was teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, from 1987 to 2000.Mary Alice Benoit, 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, 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, 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, An atheist finds God: Lee Strobel joins Houston church, university, houstonchronicle.com, USA, February 9, 2015
In 2020, he founded the Lee Strobel Center for Evangelism and Applied Apologetics at Colorado Christian University.CCU, Strobel Center at CCU Launches Applied Apologetics Programs, ccu.edu, USA, March 31, 2020
Recognition In 2007, he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Southern Evangelical Seminary in recognition of his contributions to Christian apologetics.Tammy Ayer, 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,About Lee Strobel . 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. Retrieved November 2016
A film titled The Case for Christ, based on Strobel's book, had its theatrical release in April 2017. 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. Retrieved November 2016
Bibliography Reckless Homicide? Ford's Pinto Trial (1980) Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary (1993) What Jesus Would Say (1994) God's Outrageous Claims (1998) Surviving a Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage (2002) Experiencing the Passion of Jesus (2004), with Garry Poole, Zondervan, Discussing the Da Vinci Code: Exploring the Issues Raised by the Book and Movie (2006) The Unexpected Adventure: Taking Everyday Risks to Talk with People about Jesus (May 29, 2009), Zondervan, Today's Moment of Truth: Devotions to Deepen Your Faith in Christ (July 12, 2016), Zondervan,
"The Case for..." series The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus (September 1, 1998), Zondervan, The Case for Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity (October 1, 2000), Zondervan, The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God (2004), Zondervan, The Case for Easter: Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection (2004), Zondervan, The Case for Christmas: A Journalist Investigates the Identity of the Child in the Manger (2005), Zondervan, The Case for the Real Jesus: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks on the Identity of Christ (September 10, 2007), Zondervan, The Case for Christianity Answer Book (July 1, 2014), Zondervan, The Case for Hope: Looking Ahead with Confidence and Courage (2015), Zondervan, The Case for Grace: A Journalist Explores the Evidence of Transformed Lives (2015), Zondervan, 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) Is God Real? Exploring the Ultimate Question of Life (2023) Seeing the Supernatural: Investigating Angels, Demons, Mystical Dreams, Near-Death Encounters, and Other Mysteries of the Unseen World (2025)
Children's apologetics series The Case for Faith for Kids (2006), Zonderkidz, The Case for Christ for Kids (2006), Zonderkidz, A Case for a Creator for Kids (2006), Zonderkidz, Off My Case for Kids: 12 Stories to Help You Defend Your Faith (2006), Zonderkidz,
Novels The Ambition: A Novel (May 14, 2011), Zondervan,
References
External links
Official website