Product Description

Using the dramatic scenario of an investigative journalist pursuing his story and leads, Strobel uses his experience as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune to interview experts about the evidence for Christ from the fields of science, philosophy, and history.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #10760 in Books
• Published on: 1998-09-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 304 pages

From the Author
Is there credible evidence that Jesus is the Son of God?
Not too many years ago, I was an atheist. My agnostic wife's conversion to Christianity prompted me to use my legal training (M.S.L., Yale Law School) and journalism experience (I was the legal editor of "The Chicago Tribune") to systematically investigate whether there's any credible evidence that Jesus is the unique Son of God. "The Case for Christ" retraces the two-year quest that rocked my world. But instead of me merely describing the evidence that convinced me Christianity is true, I interviewed thirteen leading scholars and experts, posing to them the tough questions I had when I was a skeptic. These authorities, with doctorates from Cambridge, Princeton, Brandeis, and other prestigious institutions, were forced to defend their positions with compelling evidence and persuasive logic. Among the topics I cover are: € Historical evidence: Are there really enough reliable documents supporting the life, teachings, and resurrection of Jesus? € Scientific evidence: Do archaeological findings support or contradict the historical accounts of Jesus? € Psychiatric evidence: Did Jesus ever claim to be God? If he did, was he crazy? And does he fulfill all of the attributes of God? € Fingerprint evidence: Do ancient prophecies -- written hundreds of years before Jesus was born -- really point to him alone as being the Messiah of Israel and the world? € Plus powerful evidence from four leading authorities on the ultimate authentication of Jesus' claim to being God: his resurrection from the dead. I wanted the book to be both reliable and readable. I have been extremely gratified by the reaction of renowned law professor Phillip Johnson of the University of California at Berkeley, who wrote: "Lee Strobel asks the questions a tough-minded skeptic would ask. His book is so good I read it out loud to my wife evenings after dinner. Every inquirer should have it." Hank Hanegraaff, the nationally syndicated "Bible Answer Man" and president of the Christian Research Institute, was especially gracious in his review: "This is not a dry-as-dust theological treatise. 'The Case for Christ' is a supreme example of investigative journalism that reads like a fast-paced novel. I couldn't put it down. I will go so far as to say that 'The Case for Christ' is the best presentation of the historical evidence for Jesus, in print at a popular level, that I have ever read." Others who have strongly endorsed the book are Bruce M. Metzger, professor emeritus of Princeton Theological Seminary; well-respected scholars J. P. Moreland, Thom Rainer, Peter Kreeft, and Gregory Boyd; Ravi Zacharias, one of the world's foremost defenders of Christianity; famed psychologist Gary Collins; and such highly regarded Christian leaders as Bill Hybels, D. James Kennedy, Bill Bright, and Luis Palau. I wrote this book for three audiences. First, it's for Christians who want to be prepared to defend their faith when it's challenged by skeptics like I once was. (I include a chapter responding to the liberal Jesus Seminar's conclusions that Jesus never said most of what the New Testament claims he said.) Second, it's for Christians who are wavering in their faith and want to anchor it firmly once more. Third -- and most of all -- it's for spiritual seekers who are truly interested in investigating for themselves whether it's rational to put their faith in Jesus of Nazareth. No single book can answer every question. However, I encourage anyone who is authentically curious about Jesus to read "The Case for Christ" with an open mind and sincere heart. Weigh the evidence for yourself. Reach your own verdict. I'll be cheering you on.

From the Back Cover
Is there credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God? Retracing his own spiritual journey from atheism to faith, Lee Strobel, former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, cross-examines a dozen experts with doctorates from schools like Cambridge, Princeton, and Brandies who are recognized authorities in their fields. Strobel challenges them with questions like How reliable is the New Testament? Does evidence exist for Jesus outside the Bible? Is there any reason to believe the resurrection was an actual event? Strobel's tough, point-blank questions make this remarkable book read like a captivating, fast-paced novel. But it's not fiction. It's a riveting quest for the truth about history's most compelling figure. What will your verdict be in The Case for Christ?

About the Author
Lee Strobel, a former atheist and award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, is a teaching pastor at Saddleback Valley Community Church and the author of numerous books, including the Gold Medallion winners The Case for Christ and The Case for Faith.

Customer Reviews

Accessible but slightly simplistic
I would highly recommend this book to anyone exploring Christian apologetics for the first time. It is a compellingly written and easily readable defence of Christian claims about Jesus Christ. Strobel tackles the subject from about every conceivable angle by investigating everything from the geography of the New Testament to the events surrounding Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. It is on this latter point that the book builds is case most strongly, providing credible arguments for a rational basis for believing in the resurrection.

The book's structure is both its strength and its weakness. The author assumes the role of detective as he jets around America meeting and interviewing experts on the various aspects of the case he investigates. The cross-examinations that take place are recounted to the reader and make for more lively reading than a traditional narative. The interviews are also cleverly interspersed with the little anecdotes that tie in with the unfolding argument. However, the question-and-answer format tends to leave gaps in the arguments and gives the overall case a disjointed feel. Also, arguments tend to get simplified because they are related in the form of a dialogue.

On the whole, the book is well-written and accessible, but slightly simplistic, and can serve as a good starting-point from which to explore the case for Christ further.

Christ presented credibly, convincingly and compellingly
I have been wrestling with Christianity and was attracted to this book by the many mysteries that it claimed to clarify. I was in no way disappointed.

I don't think that the author claims to offer a 100% money-back guarantee that you will find Christ upon reading this book, he does however present in a very readable manner, a case for Christ which if not leading you to a spiritual conclusion will lead you to questioning any doubts that you might raise.

Strobel critically analyses the foundations for which 12 well-chosen prominent scholars base their faith and in much the manner of his education as a successful journalist looks for specific factual evidence, a quest which ultimately leads to his own spiritual fulfillment. It's absolutely genius how he manages to seize the reader's attention with some brilliant and gripping analogies (right from page one!) proceeding to relate them directly to the bible with enviable ease.

I have only just finished this book and immediately starting reading the equally 'unputdownable' follow-up, 'a case for faith'. I would suggest you buy both books as the 'case for jesus' book will leave you thirsting for more of Strobel's no-nonsense approach to the key questions playing on your mind.

I would encourage everyone to read this book. Lee Strobel presents not only a case for christ, but a case for a brilliant piece of work.

What do you want to read this for?
One thing you have to do is to approach this volume, as any other book, with some idea of what the author intends and the readership aimed at.

The blurb shows that this is a recap of the thinking he went through examining the "evidence" for Christ. It also states that he is a trained journalist and is now a believer.

Straight away this will give the book a bias and a level of content. Look at the publisher. What other sorts of books do they print?

I liked this book. It is simple, biased to my thinking and readable. It didn't tell me any conclusions that I don't already hold but it did help me put some flesh on arguements I may have. It will also point to further resources that may have a more scholarly approach and give more details.

The bible teaches that the wisdom of God is foolish to the wisdom of this world. You can't expect to be convinced into the kingdom but this book may create some doubts to the pat answers many modern philosophers give.