Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

JFH Music Review


Various Artists, The Case for Christ (Songs Inspired By the Original Motion Picture)
CLICK COVER TO ENLARGE

Various Artists
The Case for Christ (Songs Inspired By the Original Motion Picture)



Genre(s): Pop / Worship
Album length: 11 tracks: 41 minutes, 16 seconds
Street Date: April 7, 2017


READER RATING:   


In 1998, Lee Strobel published The Case for Christ, an account of his investigation into the claims of Christianity, ultimately resulting in his conversion. Now, nearly 20 years later, a movie adaptation of the book and his journey hits theaters with an 83% "Certified Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes (and doing much better than the new Smurfs movie). In tandem with the film is a soundtrack of songs inspired by the movie. Is the album as fresh as the film?

Most of the various artists gathered here are worship bands for mega-churches and follow in the synth-laden worship fare. As such, the album is more of a worship collection and less of a movie soundtrack, which works well given the film inspiring it. Like the movie and book, the big theme here is belief. The word "believe" makes it into nearly every song and three of the song titles. Although doubt is also mentioned frequently, these songs come from a place of emerging from unbelief into repentance. While this is fine so far as it goes, I can't help feeling it was a missed opportunity to have at least a couple of songs relating to Strobel's struggles before coming to faith. This would have added color and been nicely counteracted by the other songs' focus on faith.

With most of the songs being of similar style and theme, they tend to blend together. However, a few standouts include the opening title track by JT Murrell, which acts as a good summary of the film, book, and album. Others include New Hope Oahu's "The Evidence," which offers a nice twist on the theme by pointing to the church as being a case for Christ, and Soulfire Revolution's "Your Love is Chasing Me," featuring an interesting musical arrangement. Heriam's "Your Moment Has Come" momentarily breaks the worship feel to act as a fitting invitation to faith. But The Church Vessel, by far, steals the show on this album with two offerings ("Draw Near" and "Your Love") that sincerely convey the faith and love of Christianity and capture the listener's interest to hear more from them. The soundtrack's weakness lies mostly with the lyrics. Some songs stray too far into cliché territory and one or two suffer from clunky lyricism. NewSpring Worship's "Our Great God," though a fine worship song on its own, doesn't quite carry the theme along, especially given its place at the midway point.

If you come into this album expecting a variety of songs dealing with doubt and belief, you may be surprised at what you find. Although those themes are here, they are dealt with in the vein of worship. There's nothing too philosophical or even theological, just faith expressed in a simple form. If you remain skeptical, do a little digging, give the songs some time, and the album may surprise you like the movie has surprised critics.

- Review date: 4/8/17, written by John Underdown of Jesusfreakhideout.com



(JFH Sponsor Spot)

Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

 

. Record Label: DREAM Records
. Album length: 11 tracks: 41 minutes, 16 seconds
. Street Date: April 7, 2017
. Buy It: iTunes
. Buy It: Amazon Music (MP3)

  1. The Case for Christ - JT Murrell (3:45)
  2. Believe - Seacoast Worship (3:29)
  3. The Evidence - New Hope Oahu (3:19)
  4. Great and Mighty - Justin Land (3:31)
  5. I Believe - Cindy Cruse Ratcliff (3:40)
  6. Our Great God - NewSpring Worship (3:30)
  7. I Believe You Are Christ (feat. Open Heaven) - Faith Life Church (3:45)
  8. Draw Near - The Church Vessel (4:39)
  9. Your Love Is Chasing Me - Soulfire Revolution (4:10)
  10. Your Moment Has Come - Heríam (4:57)
  11. Your Love - The Church Vessel (2:31)

 



Leave a Comment

 

 

go to main Album review page
go to Album review archive

 

 

                 
Get the new FREE JFH MP3 compilation -- Vol. 14!

Search JFH



This Friday, October 3, 2025
ALBUMS
BASECAMP Beautiful Like the Truth [Polished Arrow]
Pat Barrett I've Got A Fire [Capitol CMG]
Elan Brio Millennium Funk (independent)
Kristene DiMarco MEMORADUM - EP [Bethel]
Heath McNease Autumn Sessions, Vol. 2 (independent)
Mystical Death Carnation EP (Remastered) [Rottweiler Records]
Matt Redman Life & Breath [Integrity]
Thrive Worship Jesus Song - EP [Integrity Music]
Bay Turner Better Days - EP [Centricity Music]
John Van Deusen As Long As I Am In The Tent of This Body I Will Make a Joyful Noise Pt. 1 [Anotherland]

SINGLES
Gabby Barrett Ain't Supposed To Be - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Mark Bishop Time To Let Go and Let God - Single [Sonlite]
Franni Cash Church Clothes - Single [Capitol CMG]
ChristianXXII & Futuristic Already Won - Single [DREAM]
Damian Back To You - Single [DREAM]
Dex the nerd who loves Jesus Salvation - Single [Syntax]
Drenae To the Cross - Single [Syntax]
Emerson Day This House Won't Fall - Single [Fair Trade]
Chris Ekiss Life's Biggest Questions - Single [Provident]
The Forerunner Manifesto (independent)
for KING + COUNTRY World on Fire (feat. Taylor Hill) - Single [Curb Records]
Forrest Frank JESUS IS COMING BACK SOON (feat. Josiah Queen) - Single [River House]
Vic Lucas Make a Way - Single [Syntax]
No Vain Glory MOVE YOUR BODY - Single [Syntax]
Nathan Oswalt MAKE UP YOUR MIND - Single (independent)
Drew Parker Blame Jesus - Single [Warner Music Nashville]
Razzie SHORTCUTS - Single [Syntax]
Shamash The Gulf Between Us - Single [Rottweiler]
Anne Wilson Carry Me - Single [Capitol CMG]
Zahriya Zachary Stay - Single [Bethel]

VINYL
Bleach Live/The Lost Show Vinyl (independent)

Next Friday, October 10, 2025
ALBUMS
Citizens m us eum [Anotherland Records]
Jesus Culture Send The Fire: Live From London [Capitol CMG]
Tasha Layton Life in Me [BEC]

SINGLES
Holly Brand One Thing He Wouldn't Do - Single [Integrity]
Chosen Road Daddy Was a Navy Man - Single [Thoroughbred]
Drakeford Writing on the Wall - Single (independent)
Amy Jay Back to What's Natural - Single (independent)
Run51 Song Of My Soul - Single [DREAM]
Zane Vickery Name (Live at Greenbriar) - Single (independent)
Vineyard Worship & Dreaming The Impossible Praise You For Eternity - Single [Vineyard]


For all release dates, click here!
 

Purchase Original Art Prints, Drawings, Stickers, Bookmarks and more from JFH's own John DiBiase!
Need proofreading and editing help? We've got you covered! Click here to learn more
Check out depositphotos for royalty free images