Lee Strobel on Apologetic Engagement

"The average Christian in the pew is not reading books by Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, but their neighbors and coworkers are. I think congregations are putting pressure on churches to equip them better, educate them more and give them opportunities to grow in this area. Churches that have relied in the past on a lifestyle evangelistic approach that lacks intentionality need to be a little more intentional in reaching people and bringing answers to their questions. I’m all for lifestyle evangelism, but I’m also in favor of intentionality, where we seek out opportunities for spiritual conversations and are equipped to explain the gospel and why we believe it."

—Lee Strobel
From What's Trending in Apologetics Today

Introducing the Center for American Evangelism

Introducing the Center for American Evangelism at Houston Baptist University. Lee Strobel, Mark Mittelberg and Garry Poole, and under the leadership of HBU President Dr. Robert B. Sloan, Jr., are launching an exciting new initiative to address the challenges facing Christianity in America.

Their mission is to bring leadership, vision, innovation, and training to students, pastors, church leaders, and congregations throughout our nation, to help us all regain our focus and passion for fulfilling the Great Commission (Matt. 28:18-20). They aim to accomplish this through numerous strategic efforts: forums for pastors; classes for students; conferences and seminars for church leaders; simulcasts to churches; newsletters and social media; and new curricula that will bring fresh vision and training to Christians and churches all over America.

Learn more about the Center for American Evangelism here.
You can also support them here.

Lee Strobel Interview Transcript

The following transcript is from an Apologetics 315 interview with Lee Strobel. Original audio here. If you enjoy transcripts, please consider supporting, which makes this possible.

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BA: Hello, this is Brian Auten of Apologetics 315. Today I interview Lee Strobel. Lee is probably best known as the author of a series of best-selling Christian apologetics books: The Case For Christ, The Case For Faith, The Case For a Creator and The Case For the Real Jesus, among others. As a former atheist and professional journalist, Lee became a Christian after investigating the evidence for Jesus. The purpose of our interview today is to learn a bit more about Lee's background, ask him about his experience as an apologist and what advice he has for apologists, and find out what his current projects are. Well, thanks for joining me today Lee!

LS: My pleasure Brian — thanks for having me! I'm a big fan of your website; I visit there multiple times a day and it's just a tremendous resource so I'm very happy you asked me to join you.

BA: Excellent. Well, Lee, this interview is particularly special to me as it seems in my mind that you've been one of the most influential popular apologetics authors, at least in my time I think. There must be countless up-and-coming apologists who, maybe, got into the field through reading The Case For Christ or The Case For the Creator. So my question first is, since you wrote This Case For Christ back in '98, what sort of response have you had from those who've read your books?

Why Does God Allow Tragedy and Suffering?

Why Does God Allow Tragedy and Suffering?
by Lee Strobel

A message delivered Sunday, July 22, at Cherry Hills Community Church, Highlands Ranch, Colorado

MP3 Audio here. Video can be found here. PDF here.

It was the worst mass shooting in American history – 70 people shot by a gunman, 12 of them killed, while they were watching the midnight showing of a new movie just 21 miles from where we’re sitting. There are no words to describe the anguish being felt by those who are suffering today; our heart and prayers have – and will – go out to them. There are so many tragic stories, so much pain. And many people are asking the question, “Why? Why did God allow this?”

This has been a heart-rending summer for Colorado. First came the wildfires, which ravaged the houses of hundreds of our neighbors – and prompted many of them to ask the question, “Why?” And those two tragic events are on top of the everyday pain and suffering being experienced in individual lives – maybe including yours. There’s illness, abuse, broken relationships, betrayal, sorrow, injuries, disappointment, heartache, crime and death. And perhaps you’ve been asking the question, “Why? Why me? Why now?”

Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask Simulcast

Are we on the cusp of a golden era in the field of Christian apologetics? Two of the leading apologists of our day think so. (See Lee Strobel's article here.) In this audio interview provided by BreakPoint, John Stonestreet speaks with Lee Strobel and Mark Mittelberg about the centrality of Christian apologetics and how Christians can confidently answer the "tough questions." They also talk about their upcoming "Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask" Simulcast, which is a great way to introduce apologetics into your church. More info on the March 10, 2012 simulcast can be found here at the event page.

Full Interview MP3 Audio here. (25 min)
Enjoy.

Book Review: The Ambition by Lee Strobel

When you pick up Lee Strobel's latest book, you might be wondering where the words, "The Case for..." have gone. Strobel, the best-selling author and former legal editor of The Chicago Tribune, has written a number of popular non-fiction books such as The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, The Case for a Creator, and the list goes on. All of them have been well-received and extremely helpful books making the case for the truth of Christianity. But Strobel's newest book is a fiction novel.

Apologist Interview: Lee Strobel

Today's interview is with apologist and author Lee Strobel. He talks about how God has used his books, his journey from atheism to Christianity, the role of evidence and the influence of the heart, being a popularizer, his upcoming book The Ambition, areas where Christians can reach culture, lessons from journalism, advice for apologists, and more. Subscribe to Lee's newsletter here.

Full Interview MP3 Audio here (54 min)

Lee's books include:
• The Case for Christ, The Case for Faith, The Case for the Resurrection, The Case For A Creator, The Case for the Real Jesus, and his new novel, The Ambition.

Enjoy.

Subscribe to the Apologetics 315 Interviews podcast here or in iTunes.

Scientism by Lee Strobel MP3 Audio

In this talk, Lee Strobel looks at the relationship between faith and science, presenting some of the scientific evidences that point to a Creator. His talk covers some of the content he lays out in The Case for a Creator as well as examining the point of view of scientism, as displayed in Stephen Hawking's The Grand Design. This lecture is part of this series of talks. Includes a Q&A at the end.

Full MP3 Audio here.

Enjoy.

Sunday Quote: Lee Strobel on Apologetics

"For me, apologetics proved to be the turning point of my life and eternity. I'm thankful for the scholars who so passionately and effectively defend the truth of Christianity - and today my life's goal is to do my part in helping others get answers to the questions that are blocking them in their spiritual journey toward Christ."

- Lee Strobel, author of The Case for Christ, quoted from the Apologetics Study Bible.

Antony Flew Interview Videos by Lee Strobel (w/ MP3)

Here is an interview by Lee Strobel of the late Antony Flew, not too long after his rejection of atheism. Video clips in five parts at LeeStrobel.com:

• Why did your beliefs change? (2:06)
• What is God like? (5:08)
• A Creator was involved in the creation of life (2:59)
• Afterlife and Christianity (5:42)
• My time with C.S. Lewis (1:35)

All interview audio in MP3 here. (17 minutes)
Enjoy.

Check out There is a God by Antony Flew. (review here)

Does the God of Christianity Exist and Does it Matter? MP3 Audio

At the Christian Book Expo 2009, William Lane Craig, Christopher Hitchens, Douglas Wilson, Lee Strobel, and James Denison dialogue on the topic: Does the God of Christianity Exist and Does it Matter?

Video of the forum debate can be found here.
The apologia podcast also did a live recording at the event which is an interesting listen. Get it here.

Full MP3 Audio here.

Enjoy.