Comedian Challenges Skeptic Bill Maher to Read Lee Strobel’s A Case for Christ
By Movieguide® Contributor
While appearing on Bill Maher’s podcast, comedian Chris Distefano professed his faith and challenged the host to read A Case for Christ.
“I believe in Jesus, by the way,” Distefano said on the January 21st episode of the “Real Time” podcast, perFaithwire. “The factual evidence that [Christ] existed is kind of overwhelming.”
Distefano revealed his background with faith began when he was a child as he grew up going to Catholic school. However, he never connected with the Bible and did not take his faith too seriously until recently when he read Lee Strobel’s A Case for Christ.
The book offers an extremely deep look into the historical evidence of the existence of Jesus, His miracles, His death and resurrection, and the spread of the early church. Strobel wrote the book from the perspective of a skeptic as he was not a believer until the evidence he accrued to write the book convinced him.
Distefano found the evidence compelling as well and since reading the book, has become on fire for the Lord.
Maher, however, was unmoved by Distefano’s story, saying that he finds the evidence for Jesus“underwhelming.” Maher’s main point in his argument is that whether Jesus existed does not matter, it is only his resurrection that has significance, something Maher does not believe occurred.
To further his point, Maher likened the Bible to “a game of telephone,” where the stories that we read in it now have little basis in real events.
“According to Case for Christ, independent sources who didn’t know each other who wrote about [Jesus] within 20 years of His death… talked about these miracles happening as in real-time,” Distefano countered.
Distefano also challenged Maher to read the book, to which Maher said, “Yeah, I will.”
Please pray for Maher that he will have an open mind about Christianity and that the Holy Spirit will place it on his heart to consider the truth found in the Bible.
Movieguide® previously reported:
Spoiler alert: Jesus is Who He says He is, and Strobel came to Christ through the investigation.
“It’s just encouraging that God is still in the life transformation business,” Strobel says of THE CASE FOR CHRIST movie’s impact. “The Gospel still works, and the Gospel is in the movie. A lot of the evidence for the resurrection of Jesus is in the movie, and there’s enough in that movie for people to come to faith in Christ if they’re ready.”
Actor Mike Vogel plays Strobel, and was in the middle of a pivotal scene when Strobel says God showed up in a cool way.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.
What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.
You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.
Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.
