Our Team
Founder – David Z. Bodenheimer
My Calling. With Faith & Law Apologetics, I found my calling in making the case for the New Testament and Jesus Christ. Based on a 40-plus-year law career of building cases, examining eyewitnesses, and litigating disputes in Washington, DC, I turned my focus to the best and greatest case of my life – defending the New Testament and Jesus Christ. Examining the Scriptures, applying the best-evidence standards, and bringing the top experts, I explain how the New Testament not only surpasses the toughest historical and legal standards, but also stands as the best-documented, most authenticated record in all of ancient history.
My Background. As a native North Carolinian, I grew up in High Point, NC. Taking the Tar Heel path to UNC Chapel Hill, I earned an English degree and law/MBA degrees, finally leaving when Dean Smith won a National Championship. Pursuing my legal career in Washington, DC, I spent 6 years as a Navy civilian lawyer and over 35 years with DC law firms representing clients in litigation and disputes involving federal contracts and investigations. Read More here. Now I reside with my wife Rita in God’s wonderful creation in Southport, NC.
My Path. As we know, “God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28 (NASB). In a God-moment, my teenage niece asked whether I had read two authors (Josh McDowell & Lee Strobel) who have written great defenses (Greek term: “apologia”) for the authenticity and truth of the New Testament. A prayer in the gym, encouragement from new friends, and many opened doors made me realize that God gave me my legal skills for a purpose: to defend the Scriptures and Christian faith. Welcome to my journey!
Our Mission
Defending faith and making disciples is our calling
| Defending Faith | Making Disciples | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Scriptures |
We must defend our faith, as Peter, Paul, and Jude explained. 1 Peter 3:15 (“ready to make a defense”); Philippians 1:16 (“defense of the gospel”); Jude 3 (“contend earnestly for the faith”). |
Jesus Christ gave us the Great Commission, calling us to “make disciples of all the nations.” Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8 (“witnesses . . . even to the remotest part of the earth”). |  Starting with Scriptures |
| Challenges | When skeptics challenge the truth of the Scriptures and Jesus Christ, we must be ready and able to contest their allegations. | Making disciples may sometimes require that we respond to the skeptics’ attacks, doubts, and arguments seeking to test the truth of the Scriptures and Jesus Christ. |  Responding to Skeptics |
| Mission | Against such challenges, we must defend. Our mission is to deploy the Scripture’s plain language, strongest historical evidence, best experts, and legal advocacy that serve this purpose of defending our faith. | Making disciples requires defending and sharing our faith. Our mission is to provide the tools – including historical proof, leading experts, and legal advocacy as needed – to carry out the Great Commission. |  Making Disciples |
Our Plan
Making the case for the New Testament and Jesus Christ begins with a plan, just as lawyers need a trial plan before entering the courtroom.
Framing the Issue. The issue and answer before us are this:
- Issue. Did Jesus Christ walk among us, teach us, die on the cross for us, arise on the third day for us, save us by grace through faith, and deserve our worship as Lord and Son of God?
- Answer. Yes, Jesus Christ did all of this for us.
Building Our Case. Our plan is simple: follow the evidence. As such, we will:
- Marshall evidence establishing the reliability and authenticity of the New Testament;
- Apply well-recognized historical and legal standards to this evidence; and
- Develop the evidence and arguments proving the case for Jesus Christ and the New Testament.
Making Our Case. In our Courses section, we bring written analyses and oral presentations tackling fundamental questions with compelling historical evidence and leading experts, including the latest course: Historical Proof for the New Testament: The Strongest Factual Record in Ancient History.
Using Testimony. In our Testimony section, we identify our key witnesses. These witnesses include the original New Testament eyewitnesses and the latest experts:
- New Testament Eyewitnesses. The New Testament is built upon eyewitnesses who actually saw, heard, and even touched Jesus Christ. Learn more.
- New Testament Experts. The best expert witnesses include those who have gathered the compelling evidence and made the case for New Testament reliability, eyewitness testimony, and Jesus Christ.
- Personal Testimony. Those coming to salvation have followed many paths to faith, ranging from Old Testament prophecies to historical evidence.
Analyzing Evidence. In our Evidence section, we summarize both the evidentiary standards and best resources for building the case and advocating for the truth and authenticity of the New Testament. With these resources, you can build your own winning case for defending the New Testament.
