American journalist
Lee Patrick Strobel (born January 25, 1952) is an American Christian author and a former investigative journalist.[1] He has written several books, including four that received ECPA Christian Book Awards (1994, 1999, 2001, 2005)[2] and a series which addresses challenges to the veracity of Christianity.[3] He also hosted a television program called Faith Under Fire on PAX TV[4] 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.[5]
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.[6][7] Strobel later became assistant managing editor of the Daily Herald, before leaving journalism in 1987.[8][9]
Strobel states 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.[10][11]
Ministry
Strobel was teaching pastor of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, Illinois, from 1987 to 2000.[12] In 2000, he became pastor at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, California.[13] In 2004, he left his post as pastor to host the Christian apologetics show Faith Under Fire.[14]
In 2014, he became a teaching pastor at Woodlands Church in The Woodlands, Texas, and a professor of Christian thought at Houston Baptist University.[15]
Recognition
In 2007, he was awarded an honorary doctoral degree by Southern Evangelical Seminary in recognition of his contributions to Christian apologetics.[16]
Personal life
Strobel and his wife Leslie have two children and several grandchildren. His daughter Alison is a novelist,[17] 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.[18]
A film titled The Case for Christ, based on Strobel's book, had its theatrical release in April 2017.[19] The film was directed by Jonathan M. Gunn and is about an atheist reporter who tries to prove Christianity to be a cult.[20] The film was produced by Triple Horse Studios and distributed by Pure Flix Entertainment.[citation needed]
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