J. Warner Wallace | |
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Born | James Warner Wallace June 16, 1961 Torrance, California, U.S. |
Occupation | Homicide detective, Christian apologist, author, pastor |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | California State University at Long Beach University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles Sheriff's Academy Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary |
Subject | Christian apologetics |
Website | |
coldcasechristianity |
James Warner Wallace (born June 16, 1961) is an American homicide detective and Christian apologist. Wallace is a Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview and an Adjunct Professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology (Biola University) in La Mirada, California. He has authored several books, including Person of Interest, Cold-Case Christianity, God's Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith, in which he applies principles of cold case homicide investigation to apologetic concerns such as the existence of God and the reliability of the Gospels. He has been featured as a cold case homicide expert on Fox 11 Los Angeles, truTV (formerly Court TV), and NBC.
Wallace was born in Torrance, California. He graduated from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Explorer Academy in 1978 (earning the Honor Cadet award). From there he went on to pursue a career in the arts, earning a bachelor's degree in design from California State University at Long Beach and a master's degree in architecture from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).[1] In 1988, Wallace returned to law enforcement, attending the Los Angeles Sheriff's Academy as a recruit for the Torrance Police Department (graduating again as the Honor Cadet). During his law enforcement career, Wallace served on a number of assignments, including SWAT, Gang Detail, and Robbery Homicide.[citation needed] He was also one of the founding members of the Torrance Police Department's Cold-Case Homicide Unit.[citation needed]
As a homicide detective, Wallace has investigated a number of high-profile cold-case murders.[citation needed] His cases have been featured on Dateline (NBC)[2] and North Mission Road (truTV). As a founding member of the Torrance Police Department Cold-Case Homicide Unit, Wallace earned the Sustained Superiority Award from the South Bay Police and Fire Medal of Valor committee.[3] He also won the 2015 California Peace Officer Association COPSWEST Award for best solved cold case.[4]
In 1996, Wallace became a Christian at the age of 35, after investigating the gospels as potential eyewitness accounts to the life of Jesus using his detective expertise.[5] Wallace attended and eventually joined the staff of Saddleback Church. He later enrolled in the Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary master's program in theological studies, while serving as a youth pastor at Rock Hills Church[where?] and later as a lead pastor for an organization called the Rising Tide.[citation needed]
Wallace began applying the principles of cold-case homicide investigation[how?] to Christian apologetics. He has written five books addressing the evidence for Christianity: Person of Interest, Cold-Case Christianity, Alive, God's Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith. Wallace has been a guest on a number of television programs, including The 700 Club (CBN),[6] Praise The Lord (TBN),[7] 100 Huntley Street (Crossroads),[8][9] He has spoken on several radio broadcasts, including The Laura Ingraham Show, The Eric Metaxas Show, The Janet Mefferd Show, and In the Market with Janet Parshall.[citation needed]
Wallace has appeared in several television productions and news broadcasts. His cold cases have been featured on Dateline (NBC).[2] he has also been featured on North Mission Road (TruTV, formerly CourtTV). He appeared several times as a homicide consultant on Behind the Screams (Reelz Network). Wallace has hosted a weekly television show, Cold-Case Christianity (NRBtv),and appeared in God's Not Dead 2 (PureFlix).
Wallace is married to Susie who has been his co-author and editor. They have four children and live in Southern California.[1]