#152 Lee Strobel - Who is Jesus Christ the Son of God?

Lee Strobel, an investigative journalist and legal editor turned Christian author, approach his conversion to Christianity with the same rigor that he brought to his journalism career. This transformative journey from staunch atheism to devout Christianity is both well-documented and deeply personal.

Strobel was a former atheist and investigative journalist who set out to disprove Christianity, but ultimately converted after a rigorous investigation of the evidence.

Strobel's atheistic background stemmed from his upbringing, education, and personal lifestyle as an immoral, drunken, and narcissistic individual who did not see a need for God.

Strobel's turn toward atheism began in middle school with pressing questions about suffering and hell going unanswered, leading him to believe that such queries had no good responses. His faith further eroded in college influenced by skeptical teachings of the historical Jesus, leading him to embrace atheism. At that time, as he recounts, he led a self-destructive lifestyle, characterized by excessive drinking and narcissism, based on his belief in the absence of ultimate accountability.

Strobel's wife's conversion to Christianity sparked his investigation, as he sought to disprove the faith and save his marriage.

Lee Strobel's transformation from atheism was catalyzed by his wife Leslie's unexpected conversion to Christianity — news which he received as an atheist with dismay and fear of judgment. It created a significant conflict in their marriage, with difficulties arising from church attendance and financial contributions to the church. This became the catalyst for Strobel's mission to disprove the faith in an attempt to reconcile their divergent beliefs.

After a lengthy process of researching historical and scientific evidence, including the resurrection of Jesus, Strobel had a profound change of heart and accepted Christianity.

Determined to debunk Christian beliefs, Strobel embarked on a vigorous investigation with the aim to dismantle the burgeoning Christian belief system which threatened his marriage and worldview. Spanning nearly two years of meticulous research into the resurrection of Jesus Christ, along with evaluating historical and scientific evidence, Strobel faced a sh ...

Lee Strobel and various scholars and experts provide evidence for the existence of God and the historical fact of Jesus' resurrection, which he describes as the linchpin of Christian faith.

The universe had a clear beginning point, suggesting the need for a powerful, eternal, and transcendent creator.

Lee Strobel discusses the modern scientific understanding that the universe had a beginning, which has shaped philosophical arguments for the existence of a creator. He cites a theorem by cosmologist Alexander Vilenkin, which suggests that even if our universe is part of a multiverse, the multiverse itself would require a beginning. Dr. William Lane Craig's argument is brought into the discussion: "Whatever begins to exist has a cause. We now know that the universe began to exist. Therefore, the universe has a cause behind it." This cause's qualities align with the characteristics of the God of the Bible: transcendent, immaterial or spirit, eternal, powerful, smart, personal, and caring.

The fine-tuning of the universe's physical laws makes the existence of life virtually impossible without an intelligent designer.

Strobel highlights the extreme fine-tuning of the physical constants and laws in the universe, where minute alterations would eliminate the possibility for intelligent life. He cites examples such as the precision of gravity and the ratio between electromagnetic and gravitational forces. Using an analogy of dimes spread across continents piled to the moon, Strobel underscores the improbability of life originating by chance, suggesting an intelligent designer is more likely.

The complex, information-rich nature of DNA points to an intelligent source behind the origin of life.

Strobel then turns to biology, describing DNA as a double helix with a four-letter chemical alphabet containing precise assembly instructions. He compares the quantity of data in a single cell to more words than are found in 200 years of the Sunday New York Times. Strobel insists that nature produces patterns, not information, which requires intelligence. He references Stephen Meyer, who has examined all alternative explanations for the origin of life, concluding that the hypothesis of a creator is the most plausible.

The historical evidence for the death and resurrection of Jesus is overwhelming, including early eyewitness accounts, the empty tomb, and the transformed lives of the disciples.

Strobel delves into the resurrection of Jesus, stating it would substantiate Jesus' divine claims if true. He acknowledges his investigation using four words beginning with 'E', where 'Execution' signifies Jesus' death by crucifixion, which was unanimously agreed upon by various sources. He refers to a journal that concurs with the crucifixion facts.

Early reports of the resurrection, including named eyewitnesses and enemies of Jesus admitting the empty tomb, were traced to the ver ...

In discussing the intersection of the supernatural with Christian faith, speakers Lee Strobel, Shawn Ryan, and others provide insights into how miracles and other extraordinary events support and challenge modern conceptions of Christianity.

Miracles, where God intervenes in the natural order, are more common than commonly believed, with many documented cases.

Lee Strobel discusses the frequent occurrence of miracles, citing a scientific poll in which 38% of American adults claimed they had experienced at least one event that could only be explained as a miracle of God. Even if a majority were coincidental, a significant number of genuine miracles would still remain. Strobel also notes that claims of miracles are not evenly distributed worldwide—they tend to cluster in areas where the gospel is newly emerging, such as Mozambique, China, and Brazil.

Scientific studies have found inexplicable healings and transformations that defy medical explanation and point to divine intervention.

Strobel lists several instances of miraculous healings that defy medical explanation. One of these includes Barbara, who suffered for years from multiple sclerosis and was healed instantaneously on a Pentecost Sunday. Another instance is a woman blind for 12 years due to juvenile macular degeneration who, after her husband’s prayers, gained perfect sight, a healing that has persisted for 47 years. This event was recorded in a secular medical journal, providing a scientifically documented case of miraculous healing. Similarly, a boy born with gastroparesis experienced instantaneous relief after a pastor prayed over him.

In Mozambique, a notable outbreak of miracles was documented when a team tested the level of vision and hearing of individuals; nearly everyone improved significantly after prayer. These findings were published in the respected Southern Medical Journal, further asserting a miraculous component to these events.

Personal testimonies of supernatural encounters, such as deathbed visions and divine revelations, provide further evidence of God's active presence in the world.

Personal testimonies of supernatural experiences abound. Lee Strobel provides several examples: Noor, a Muslim mother from Cairo, had a profound dream of Jesus, which led her to encounter an undercover missionary the next day. This man shared the Gospel with her, a theme common in Middle-Eastern countries where it is illegal to share the Christian message. Another story recounted by Strobel involves Robert (Evil Knievel), an atheist who reported that God spoke to him on a Florida beach, prompting a radical transformation in his life.

These miraculous experiences complement and support the historical and scientific evidence for Christianity, strengthening the case for its truth.

Miraculous eve ...

Lee Strobel delves into the intricacies of prayer and God's relationship with humanity, emphasizing the significance of a relational response to the divine.

Prayer involves a multifaceted approach of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication, modeled on Jesus' teaching.

Strobel outlines his personal prayer routine by enumerating the components of adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication. Drawing inspiration from Jesus' teachings, Strobel believes that prayer should be addressed primarily to the Heavenly Father, although he acknowledges the validity of praying to Jesus or the Holy Spirit. In his prayers, he starts with adoration to honor God for who He is and for His actions. Confession follows, where Strobel acknowledges his sins and seeks forgiveness, hoping to remove any "static" in his communication with God. He then expresses gratitude during a time of thanksgiving for God's protection and provision. Lastly, Strobel engages in supplication, openly sharing his needs and requests.

The purpose of prayer is not to manipulate God, but to align one's desires with God's will and to experience His guidance and provision.

Strobel hints at an attitude of trust and expectation when he prays for his needs, maintaining that the act of supplication is not to coerce God but to align with His will. He trusts God's guidance and provision, demonstrated by acknowledging that regardless of whether specific requests are granted, God’s decisions are made in his best interest. Strobel likens God to a discerning parent who knows what is best for their child, accepting that the answer to a prayer might sometimes be "no" for good reasons. He understands that not receiving what one prays for can be a blessing, as God’s wisdom surpasses human understanding.

God's "hiddenness" or perceived absence can be attributed to humanity's tendency to suppress the evidence of His existence and our own unwillingness to seek Him.

Strobel addresses God’s perceived absence, suggesting the issue lies with humanity’s propensity to suppress evidence of God’s existence rather than with God. He cites Romans 1:20, stating nature itself provides clear evidence of God's work; yet, humans often choose to live on their terms, dismissing indications of the divine. Historical acts of God, such as the parting of the Red Sea, did not prevent apostasy, indicating that undeniable evidence of God’s ...

Lee Strobel explores the Christian understanding of Jesus Christ's life, death, and resurrection, emphasizing its significance for salvation and the transformation of believers' lives.

Jesus is the unique Son of God who claimed divinity and proved it through His resurrection, making Him the only path to reconciliation with God.

Strobel asserts that Jesus' death on the cross was a necessary sacrifice to pay the penalty for human sin, offering forgiveness and eternal life as a free gift of God's grace. He explains that because of sin, humanity is separated from God and cannot enter heaven. By dying on the cross, Jesus atoned for this sin, and because Jesus is God, it was God Himself who made this sacrifice.

The resurrection of Jesus demonstrates His triumph over death and validates His claims about His identity and the salvation He offers. Strobel specifically notes that Jesus' resurrection is a key factor in the acceptance of Christianity because it confirms His divinity. He expresses that Jesus' suffering, horrific death, and subsequent resurrection were all part of God's plan to redeem humanity.

Jesus' death on the cross was a necessary sacrifice to pay the penalty for human sin, offering forgiveness and eternal life as a free gift of God's grace.

Strobel touches upon the idea that human beings earn death due to sin—such as ignoring or blaspheming against God—but Jesus' death offers the free gift of eternal life that cannot be earned and must be received. He describes God’s solution to the problem of sin, with Jesus acting as a perfect substitutionary sacrifice—a "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world."

The resurrection of Jesus demonstrates His triumph over death and validates His claims about His identity and the salvation He offers.

Strobel mentions that the resurrection confirms Jesus as the unique Son of God. He implies that the resurrection is necessary for believers to experience their own resurrection after death. The resurrection is celebrated on Easter and is seen as pivotal, demonstrating Jesus' victory over death.

Jesus' life, teachings, and actions provide a model for how humanity should live, prioritizing love, service, and obedience to God.

Strobel notes Jesus' role as a model for how humans should live, emphasizing love, service, and obedience to God. He talks about leading his family in these values, reflecting on his own transformation after adopting Christian beliefs and the influence of the Holy Spirit in his life.

The transformative power of Jesus' message and the Holy Spirit's work in the lives of believers further testify to the truth and importance of the Christian faith.

Strobel's personal story illustrates the transformative power of Jesus' message. He shares how his and his family's lives have been changed, including his son, a PhD in theology, and his daughter, a novelist, who int ...