The Case for Christ

Year: 2007

Runtime: 71 mins

Language: English

Directors: Michael Eaton, Timothy Eaton

Documentary

A journalist’s personal investigation of the evidence for Jesus, drawn from the Gold‑Medallion award‑winning bestseller. It chronicles Lee Strobel’s two‑year quest, moving from atheism to belief as he scrutinizes biblical texts, historical sources and the life of Christ, presenting the findings of his rigorous search.

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The Case for Christ (2007) – Full Plot Summary & Ending Explained

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Lee Strobel was an atheist journalist and investigative reporter for the Chicago Tribune in 1980. He and his wife Leslie Strobel have a daughter named Alison and are expecting their second child. After receiving a very special recognition, Lee and his family went out for dinner to celebrate, and Alison choked on a piece of candy. A nurse named Alfie intervenes and saves Alison. She credits the event to God’s will, which Leslie takes to heart.

Leslie and Alfie became friends and started attending a Christian church together. Irritated, Lee unsuccessfully tries to dissuade Leslie. Due to advice from his mentor, Lee sets out to find evidence that the resurrection of Jesus did not happen. Meanwhile, Leslie gives birth to a son, Kyle.

Lee starts gathering information and evidence. Next, he tries to prove that the witnesses were hypnotized, but a psychologist proves him wrong. Lee then tries to gather evidence that Jesus may have not actually died on the Cross, or was taken off, but again, a physician proves him wrong, saying Jesus had to have died on the Cross.

Meanwhile, Lee’s estranged father tries to reconcile with him, but Lee brushes him off. His father dies soon after, and Lee learns that his father truly loved him, which surprises Lee.

Simultaneously with Lee’s pursuit to disprove the resurrection of Jesus, he is also investigating a case of the shooting of a police officer. At first, it looks like the convicted man is guilty and an informant for a gang, but Lee proves that the cop shot himself with a secret gun disguised as a pen, and the convict is freed.

Lee tries to get more evidence for his religious investigation, but his mentor explains that whether he chooses to believe or not believe, the last part of proving Jesus’ real existence is faith. When a colleague gives him a speech, Lee decides to take the leap of faith and believe. When he tells Leslie about it, they have a happy reconciliation and pray together.

Last Updated: October 09, 2025 at 16:37

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Investigative faith journeys like The Case for Christ

Personal quests that apply rigorous logic to questions of belief.If you liked the logical exploration of faith in The Case for Christ, you'll find similar stories here. This thread gathers movies about journalists, academics, and skeptics who embark on intellectual quests, examining spiritual beliefs through a lens of evidence and reason, often leading to profound personal transformation.

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Narrative Summary

Narratives in this thread typically begin with a protagonist firmly grounded in doubt or a secular worldview. A catalyst prompts a deep, personal investigation, following a logical progression of research, interviews, and contemplation. The central conflict is intellectual and internal, culminating in a paradigm shift that is both reasoned and emotionally resonant, often leading to reconciliation and hope.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared focus on the process of intellectual inquiry into matters of faith. They balance a skeptical starting point with a steady, deliberate pacing and a tone that becomes increasingly hopeful as evidence mounts and understanding deepens, offering a satisfying journey from doubt to conviction.

Documentaries about personal transformation like The Case for Christ

Real-life stories where a search for truth leads to a changed life.For viewers who enjoyed the personal investigative journey in The Case for Christ, this section highlights similar documentaries. These films follow real people on quests for truth that fundamentally alter their lives, blending factual inquiry with heartfelt human stories of change and rediscovery.

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Narrative Summary

These documentaries are structured around a central figure's mission to resolve a pressing personal or philosophical question. The plot unfolds linearly, presenting interviews, research, and personal reflections that build a convincing case. The emotional arc mirrors the intellectual one, moving from a state of uncertainty or conflict to one of resolution, clarity, and often, renewed purpose.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a steady, deliberate pacing that allows for deep immersion in the subject's thought process. They possess a medium emotional weight, balancing factual presentation with the high personal stakes of the protagonist's journey, and consistently end on a hopeful, satisfying note of transformation.

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