The stars of the new film “The Case for Christ” — a movie about an atheist journalist who went on a quest to try and disprove Christianity and, instead, ended up becoming a believer — recently revealed how the project impacted their own marriages.
Actors Mike Vogel, who plays author and journalist Lee Strobel, and Erika Christensen, who portrays Strobel’s wife, Leslie, reflected on the intense marital struggle that unfolded after Leslie became a Christian and after Lee, an atheist, struggled to understand why she would embrace faith so fervently (the Strobels recently told Faithwire all about their real-life struggle).
“The Case for Christ” film — and the book by the same name — document Lee Strobel’s story of abandoning atheism and becoming a Christian; he’s since gone on to become a bestselling author, pastor and apologist.
“Leslie’s love is remarkable. She’s a very passionate person and also not afraid to express the way that she’s feeling,” Christensen told The Gospel Herald during a red carpet event on April 6. “That’s the core of who she is, and what spoke to me about her. That’s what I love about her as a person and her as a character to play.”
The actress also reflected on how Lee and Leslie — despite facing a debate over her Christian worldview that truly threatened their marriage — relied on love to persevere.
“What kept them both going was that they cared so much about making it work, ultimately. They were both trying very different approaches to how to make it work, but they were both fighting so hard for that marriage,” Christensen added. “Lee and Leslie, in the middle of the craziest fights, would still know that they loved each other.”
Vogel, too, said that he’s inspired as a husband and father to see how the Strobels overcame those obstacles.
“You meet Lee and Leslie today, and they’re such a kind-hearted, beautiful couple, and so in love,” he said. “As a husband and as a father, it’s an awesome example for me to see that stand the test of time, but to also see that they’re human.”
Watch the real-life Lee and Leslie Strobel appear on “Pure Talk” to discuss how they both found faith, worked through their marriage and overcame the odds:
Vogel also recalled that a youth pastor once told him “love is choice,” a lesson that remained with him. Playing the role of Lee Strobel also brought that lesson back to his mind, as he had a front row seat to seeing two people fight hard for their marriage.
“There will be many times when you don’t feel love for your wife, or vice versa, she may not feel love for you, but that does not mean that you are not in love still,” the actor said. “It is a choice to pick up and continue in that.”
Read more about Strobel’s stunning, real-life conversion story here.
(H/T: The Gospel Herald)
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