J. Warner Wallace
J. Warner Wallace | |
---|---|
Born |
James Warner Wallace June 16, 1961 Torrance, California, U.S. |
Occupation | Homicide detective, Christian apologist, author, pastor |
Nationality | United States |
Alma mater |
California State University at Long Beach University of California, Los Angeles Los Angeles Sheriff's Academy Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary |
Subject | Christian apologetics |
Website | |
ColdCaseChristianity.com |
James "Jim" Warner Wallace (born June 16, 1961) is an American homicide detective and Christian apologist. He has authored several books, including Cold-Case Christianity and God’s Crime Scene, in which he applies principles of cold case homicide investigation to apologetic concerns such as the existence of God and the reliability of the Gospels. Wallace serves as an adjunct professor of apologetics at Biola University and hosts the weekly television program Cold-Case Christianity on the NRB Network.[1] He has been featured as a cold-case homicide expert on Fox 11 Los Angeles, truTV (formerly Court TV), and NBC.
Biography
Wallace graduated from the Los Angeles Sheriff's Explorer Academy in 1978. From there he went on to pursue a career in the arts, earning a bachelor’s degree in design from California State University at Long Beach and a master's degree in architecture from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).[2] In 1988, Wallace returned to law enforcement, attending the Los Angeles Sheriff's Academy as a recruit for the Torrance (CA) Police Department. During his law enforcement career, Wallace served on a number of assignments, including SWAT, Gang Detail, and Robbery Homicide. He was also one of the founding members of the Torrance Police Department's Cold-Case Homicide Unit.
Investigative work
As a homicide detective, Wallace has investigated a number of high-profile cold-case murders. His cases have been featured on Dateline (NBC)[3] and North Mission Road (truTV). As a founding member of the Torrance Police Department Cold-Case Homicide Unit, Wallace earned the Sustained Superiority Award from the South Bay Police and Fire Medal of Valor committee.[4] He also won the 2015 California Peace Officer Association COPSWEST Award for best solved cold case.[5]
Conversion to Christianity
In 1996, Wallace became a Christian (previously having been an atheist) at the age of 35, after investigating the gospels as potential eyewitness accounts to the life of Jesus.[6] Wallace joined the staff of Saddleback Church, while continuing to serve as a cold-case homicide detective. He later enrolled in Golden Gate Baptist Theological Seminary, earning a master’s degree in theological studies.[2]
Christian apologetics
Wallace began applying the principles of cold-case homicide investigation to Christian apologetics. He has written three books addressing the evidence for Christianity: Cold-Case Christianity, Alive, and God's Crime Scene. Wallace has been a guest on a number of television programs, including The 700 Club (CBN),[7] Praise The Lord (TBN),[8] 100 Huntley Street (Crossroads),[9] and The Leon Show (TBN/The Miracle Channel).[10] He has spoken on several radio broadcasts, including The Laura Ingraham Show, The Eric Metaxes Show, The Janet Mefferd Show, and In the Market with Janet Parshall. Wallace also has a cameo role in the film God’s Not Dead 2, playing himself testifying in a court scene.[2]
Books
Cold-Case Christianity
Wallace’s first book is Cold Case Christianity; A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels (David C. Cook, 2013), presenting ten principles of cold-case homicide cases and using them to investigate the claims of the New Testament gospels.[11]
Alive
In Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection (David C. Cook, 2014), Wallace investigates the accounts of the resurrection of Christ and argues that there is compelling evidence to believe them.[12][13][14]
God's Crime Scene
In God's Crime Scene: A Cold-Case Detective Examines the Evidence for a Divinely Created Universe (David C. Cook, 2015), Wallace utilizes a simple investigative template to examine eight lines of evidence in what he calls the “crime scene of the universe,” arguing they point to the existence of God.[15]
Cold-Case Christianity for Kids
In "Cold-Case Christianity for Kids", detective J. Warner Wallace draws readers into the thrill of high-stakes investigation by showing them how to think rather than telling them what to think. (David C. Cook, 2016), In this children's companion to the bestselling Cold-Case Christianity, detective Wallace gets kids excited about testing witnesses, examining the evidenece, and investiagting the case for Christianity.[15]
Personal life
In 1979, Wallace married Susie, and they have four children and live in southern California.[2]
References
- ↑ "Homicide Detective Brings Cold-Case Christianity to NRB" The New York Times, Retrieved on 2015-11-05.
- 1 2 3 4 About the Author – J. Warner Wallace. "About the Author - J. Warner Wallace". Cold Case Christianity. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
- ↑ "Jim Wallace", Nbc.news, Retrieved 2015-11-03.
- ↑ "Resolution No. 2012-42", City Council, City of Torrance, California. Retrieved 2015-11-02.
- ↑ "2015 Best of COPSWEST Winners.", Cpoa.org, Retrieved 2015-11-02.
- ↑ "'Cold-Case Christianity': The Gospel Through a Homicide Detective's Lens", Christian Post, May 7, 2013. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
- ↑ "Investigating the Truth of the Gospel", CBN. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
- ↑ "J. Warner Wallace on TBN With Rice Brooks", YouTube, April 7, 2015. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
- ↑ "Investigating the Supernatural", 100 Huntley Street. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
- ↑ "The Leon Show", TBN, June 25, 2014. Retrieved 2015-11-03.
- ↑ J. Warner Wallace. Cold-Case Christianity, January 1, 2013, David C. Cook, ISBN 1-434-70469-6
- ↑ ALIVE by J. Warner Wallace. "ALIVE by J. Warner Wallace". Cold Case Christianity. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
- ↑ "Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection - Kindle edition by J. Warner Wallace. Religion & Spirituality". Amazon.com. Retrieved 2016-04-07.
- ↑ J. Warner Wallace. Alive, March 1, 2014, David C. Cook, ISBN 143470744X
- 1 2 J. Warner Wallace. God's Crime Scene, August 1, 2015, David C. Cook, ISBN 1-434-70784-9