J. Warner Wallace

James Warner Wallace (born June 16, 1961) is an American homicide detective and Christian apologist. Wallace is a Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview and an Adjunct Professor of Apologetics at Biola University in La Mirada, California. He has authored several books, including Cold-Case Christianity, God’s Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith, 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. He has been featured as a cold case homicide expert on Fox 11 Los Angeles, truTV (formerly Court TV), and NBC.

Wallace was born in Torrance, California. He 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). 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) 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. He also won the 2015 California Peace Officer Association COPSWEST Award for best solved cold case.

Conversion to Christianity

In 1996, Wallace became a Christian at the age of 35, after investigating the gospels as potential eyewitness accounts to the life of Jesus. 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.

Christian apologetics

Wallace began applying the principles of cold-case homicide investigation to Christian apologetics. He has written four books addressing the evidence for Christianity: Cold-Case Christianity, Alive, God's Crime Scene, and Forensic Faith. Wallace has been a guest on a number of television programs, including The 700 Club (CBN), Praise The Lord (TBN), 100 Huntley Street (Crossroads), and The Leon Show (TBN/The Miracle Channel). 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.

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.

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.

Forensic Faith

In Forensic Faith: A Homicide Detective Makes the Case for a More Reasonable, Evidential Christian Faith (David C. Cook, 2017), Wallace examines the rich evidential history of Christianity and calls Christians to accept their duty as "Case Makers," teaching them to accept their duty, begin training, learn how to investigate and communicate the Christian worldview.

Alive

In Alive: A Cold-Case Approach to the Resurrection (David C. Cook, 2014), Wallace provides an excerpt from Cold Case Christianity; A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels that is designed to be used as a tract or Easter church give-a-way. Wallace investigates the accounts of the resurrection of Christ and argues that there is compelling evidence to believe them.

Cold-Case Christianity for Kids

In Cold-Case Christianity for Kids (David C. Cook, 2016), J. Warner and Susie Wallace draw readers into the thrill of high-stakes investigation by showing them how to think rather than telling them what to think. In this children's companion to Cold-Case Christianity, Wallace gets kids excited about testing witnesses, examining the evidence, and investigating the case for Christianity. The book is supplemented by an interactive online academy at www.CaseMakersAcademy.com.

God's Crime Scene for Kids

In God's Crime Scene for Kids (David C. Cook, 2017), J. Warner and Susie Wallace provide an interactive book for kids ages 8–12. Readers will follow along with a mystery and explore evidence in creation that points to God's existence. The book is supplemented by an interactive online academy at www.CaseMakersAcademy.com.

So the Next Generation Will Know: Preparing Young Christians for a Challenging World

In So the Next Generation Will Know (David C. Cook, 2019), Wallace and Sean McDowell provide strategies and practical tactics from their own personal experiences to help parents, youth leaders, and Christian teachers train the next generation with a Christian worldview. Each chapter of So the Next Generation Will Know features information that speaks directly to the various adults in a student's life; interviews with pastors, apologists, teachers, and cultural experts; and examples of people and ministries who are pushing Generation Z towards Christianity.

Wallace has appeared in several television productions and news broadcasts. His cold cases have been featured on Dateline(NBC) more than any other detective in the country, and he has also been featured on North Mission Road (TruTV, formerly CourtTV). He's appeared several times as a homicide consultant on Behind the Screams (Reelz Network). Wallace also hosts a weekly television show, Cold-Case Christianity (NRBtv), and appeared in God's Not Dead 2 (PureFlix).

Wallace is married to Susie (co-author of their kids’ books). They have four children and live in southern California.