Lee Strobel didn’t set out to become a Christian. In fact, as an investigative journalist and legal editor at the Chicago Tribune, he was trained to approach everything with skepticism. For years, Strobel was an avowed atheist, convinced that faith in God was a crutch for the weak and unthinking. But his journey from atheism to faith is a story of relentless questioning, intellectual honesty, and, ultimately, life-changing discovery.

An Atheist by Conviction

Strobel grew up in a home where faith wasn’t a central theme. By the time he reached adulthood, he had embraced atheism wholeheartedly. For Strobel, belief in God seemed unnecessary and unscientific. His worldview was shaped by a commitment to reason, evidence, and materialism.

“I thought the idea of an all-powerful God was ridiculous,” he later said. “I considered myself too rational and too educated to fall for religious fairy tales.”

His atheism wasn’t just intellectual; it was personal. Strobel was a self-described hedonist, living for his own pleasure and success. His marriage to Leslie, though full of promise in the beginning, was strained by his career-driven lifestyle and frequent outbursts of anger. Religion, in his view, had no place in their lives.

The Catalyst: A Changed Wife

In the late 1970s, something happened that Strobel couldn’t ignore. His wife, Leslie, began attending church. At first, Strobel was dismayed. He feared that Leslie’s newfound faith would drive a wedge between them. But instead of becoming more rigid or judgmental, Leslie became kinder, more patient, and more loving.

“I was seeing positive changes in her,” Strobel admitted, “and it made me curious. I wanted to understand what was happening.”

Leslie’s transformation planted a seed of doubt in Strobel’s mind. Could there be more to Christianity than he had assumed? Reluctantly, he decided to investigate.

A Journalist’s Approach

Strobel approached Christianity the way he would any complex story: by following the evidence. He resolved to investigate the central claims of the Christian faith, particularly the resurrection of Jesus. “I figured that if I could disprove the resurrection,” he later wrote, “the whole house of cards would collapse.”

Armed with his journalistic training, Strobel embarked on a two-year investigation. He interviewed leading scholars, historians, and scientists. He pored over ancient texts, archaeological findings, and philosophical arguments. His research focused on several key questions:

• Was Jesus a real historical figure?
• Did He actually die on the cross?
• Was the tomb empty?
• Were there credible witnesses to the resurrection?
• Can we trust the New Testament documents?

The Evidence That Changed Everything

As Strobel dug deeper, he began to encounter evidence that challenged his atheism. He discovered that the historical evidence for Jesus’ existence was overwhelming, supported by both Christian and non-Christian sources. The accounts of Jesus’ death on the cross were similarly well-documented, leaving little room for doubt that He had been executed.

The resurrection, however, was a tougher pill to swallow. Strobel initially assumed that the empty tomb and resurrection appearances were either fabrications or hallucinations. But as he examined the evidence, he found compelling reasons to believe the accounts were genuine:

The empty tomb: Strobel learned that the discovery of the empty tomb was first reported by women, whose testimony was considered unreliable in first-century Jewish culture. If the story had been fabricated, why invent details that would undermine its credibility?

Eyewitness accounts: The New Testament contains multiple, independent accounts of people who claimed to have seen the risen Jesus. These accounts were written within the lifetimes of the witnesses, leaving little time for myths or legends to develop.

The transformation of the disciples: Strobel was struck by the dramatic change in Jesus’ disciples. After His crucifixion, they were fearful and in hiding. Yet, after claiming to have seen Him alive, they became bold evangelists, willing to face persecution and death for their faith.

The growth of the early church: The rapid spread of Christianity in the first century seemed inexplicable without a powerful catalyst. The resurrection provided a plausible explanation.

Breaking Down the Barriers

As the evidence mounted, Strobel found himself wrestling with the implications. His atheistic worldview no longer seemed sufficient to explain the data. But intellectual arguments weren’t the only barriers he faced. There were emotional and moral obstacles as well.

Strobel realized that if he accepted Christianity, it would require a radical change in his life. He would need to confront his selfishness, his anger, and his resistance to authority. It was a sobering realization, but it also brought a sense of hope.

“I began to see that Christianity wasn’t just true,” he said. “It was also good.”

The Turning Point

In November 1981, Strobel reached a breaking point. He had amassed enough evidence to convince him that Christianity was true, but he still hesitated. One day, he sat alone in his room, reviewing the case for and against faith. Finally, he made a decision.

“To remain an atheist,” he realized, “I would need to believe that nothing produces everything, non-life produces life, randomness produces fine-tuning, chaos produces information, unconsciousness produces consciousness, and non-reason produces reason.”

That, he decided, required more faith than believing in God.

Strobel knelt and prayed, confessing his sins and surrendering his life to Christ. It was the beginning of a new chapter, one that would transform his marriage, his career, and his purpose.

What Persuaded Him?

Several factors played a role in Strobel’s journey from atheism to faith:

The Evidence for the Resurrection: Strobel’s investigation convinced him that the resurrection of Jesus was not only plausible but the best explanation for the available evidence.

The Transformation of Lives: His wife’s changed behavior and the courage of the early Christians pointed to a faith that was not just intellectually credible but also powerfully transformative.

The Coherence of Christianity: Strobel found that Christianity provided answers to life’s biggest questions—questions about meaning, morality, and destiny—in a way that was both rational and deeply satisfying.

Personal Reflection: Strobel’s investigation forced him to confront his own biases and moral failings, opening the door to spiritual growth and renewal.

Legacy of a Case-Maker

After his conversion, Strobel left journalism to become a pastor and author. His book, The Case for Christ, has sold millions of copies and inspired countless readers to examine the evidence for themselves. Strobel’s story reminds us that faith and reason are not enemies; they are partners in the search for truth.

Lee Strobel’s journey is a testament to the power of honest inquiry and the transformative grace of God. For him, Christianity wasn’t a leap in the dark; it was a step into the light—a light that continues to illuminate lives around the world.