Rating: 
Summary: Lee's Strobel's Kangaroo Court
Review: This book is a good read - so good I read it twice. Alas, this speaks only to its qualities as a piece of prose exposition, and not to the force of its arguments on behalf of the Christian faith.Strobel calls on his experience as a court reporter to give us what he claims is a proper trial of Christian claims about Jesus. But the book is nothing of the sort. In a real trial there would be a prosecutor - an advocate to make claims against Christianity that could then be rebutted by the defense. Instead, Strobel, an admitted Christian, plays the prosecutor's role. By contrast, scholars who defend Christian claims are allowed to speak for themselves. Strobel goes around the country and interviews them, and quotes them directly. In a real trial these defense statements would then be subject to cross-examination by the prosecution. But no such thing happens here. The result is a Kangaroo Court, a fixed jury, and a travesty of justice. Would it really have been so hard, as long as he was doing all that traveling, to have met with the critical scholars as well, and to have given them their own voice? Why didn't Strobel give us more back-and-forth, more argument and counter-argument, claim and counter claim? Why did he feel compelled to erect so many straw men for his preferred scholars to knock down, while also allowing them to make so many howling assertions that went unchallenged? To ask the question is to imply the answer. I have sought in vain for a good, factual defense of the Christian faith -- one that provides all the evidence and the competing theories, and then sets them against each other. Instead, the best that can be offered is C.S. Lewis giving us metaphors, Chesterton giving us beautiful rhetoric, and Strobel giving us a fraudulent trial. I will give this book 2 stars, because, as I say, it's a good read, and apparently the best that can be done for the Christian faith. But it's time for a little fresh air. To be fair, read the Strobel book, but then, again to be fair, read "The Jesus Puzzle" by Earl Doherty. In the Doherty book you will find everything "The Case for Christ" lacks -- all the evidence, all the claims and counter claims, and a thesis that actually explains the evidence rather than trying to obscure it. You should also visit Doherty's website, The Jesus Puzzle, and read it thoroughly. You won't be disappointed. It even contains a lengthy critique of the Strobel book that gives Strobel and his scholars full voice.
Rating: 
Summary: Extremely readable for everyone
Review: The Case for Christ gets five stars because, while it deals with many theological issues concerning Jesus Christ, it is not written as a technical theological book. Rather, the former skeptic Strobel asks some of the tough questions that many skeptics pose to Christians every day. Many a Christian has been scared from sharing his faith because he doesn't have all the answers, and that's a shame. The nice thing about this book is that Strobel asks prominent Christian scholars about the authenticity of Christ, His nature, and the veracity of the resurrection. Strobel interviews such greats as Bruce Metzger, Edwin Yamauchi, Gary Collins, D.A. Carson, William Lane Craig, Gary Habermas, and J.P. Moreland. While the aforementioned scholars have all written plenty on their own, many of their tomes are unreadable by the average Christian layperson. But The Case for Christ is not too theological or difficult to understand. In fact, I guarantee that it is very readable for a high schooler because a dozen or so of my 11th grade students have all loved it. I have even considered buying the cheaper paperbacks and taking them around to my skeptic neighbors. (I might just do this in the summer.) I believe anyone with doubts about Jesus Christ will view Him differently after reading this book. The Christian layperson will also benefit by learning answers to support her beliefs (1 Pet. 3:15-16). For these reasons, I highly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: A good read - but falls short of providing a convincing case
Review: It is very clear that Lee Strobel is a jounalist and lawyer and also a very good writer. At first consideration one might think that these qualifications would make him a credible researcher. However, when one considers more closely - they realize that journalists write not only to inform but also to titillate - they also are not required to be objective, often offer editorial opinion, and are not required to be accurate - but only that they have sources for what they write. After all they are commonly called "reporters" by most people. Likewise, when considering the emphasis of a lawyers training - they are trained to be great analysts and debaters - but their training is almost always applied to a position or predetermined conviction. They gather and analyze their evidence not to find the "truth" but to argue and convince one of their predecided position on a particular issue. Lee Strobel has done a great job of gathering and analyzing his case for Christ. He has lined up some world renown expert witnesses that definitely support his (predecided) position that Jesus Christ is divine. However, his feable half-hearted attempt at representing the other side of the argument are almost shameful. As a lay person interested in early church history - with very little time to research - I myself could line up an equal number of expert witnesses from world renowned biblical scholars - that could refute all the points he made with his expert witnesses. Basically, this book is a great work of Christian apologetics that will make Christians feel good about their own beliefs and decision for follow Christ - but provides very little objective evidence for a non-beleiver - and at worst case misinforms the novice about early Christian history.
Rating:
Summary: A Powerpacked Layman's Apologetic
Review: Excellent book. Stroebel takes evidence and places it within reach of every Christian. It reads well, and moves quickly. It was never intended to be a seminary text, but rather an introduction to the subject and an understandable way for every man to embrace the Truth of Jesus Christ. It is an excellent jumping off point for serious study of the finest conservative scholars of today. It won't change the heart of the hardened skeptic..."the fool has said in his heart there is no God". Jesus said to the Rich Man in Hades that even a resurrection from the dead will not turn the pagan mind or heart. I think Stroebel understands that, and didn't intend for his book to either. The illumination of the Holy Spirit, and the realization that the Christian World view is the only truly logical view jumps from the pages of this book. The pagan is in a completely different world. Reason, logic, and evidence are on the side of Christ. Evidences are like the videotape of the big game, won with a three point jump shot with two seconds on the clock. We just look and say "wow!". It doesn't win the game...it just documents the wonder of it all. Scoffing pagan...buy Bertrand Russell. Serious Christian, buy Stroebel and pray that the Lord of the Harvest would send workers into His fields. Know that science, reason, logic, and the best attested to facts of antiquity rest on your side. You are not stupid, you are not lame. You make no apology for the "faith once delivered to the saints". It is the "power of God unto salvation". You go forth well armed!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent, great and awesome apologetics book
Review: Undoubtly, this book strengthen my faith and have more confidence to introduce Jesus Christ with others. Resurrection is the most convincing part of the book. The book is interesting but little bit difficult to read because some difficult point are written too brief. I suggest that people who read this book should think thoroughly, digest the information and tell to other in your own word. Overall, it is an awesome book and thank you for Mr Lee's work. I think this book can help a lot of people.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Evidence For The Hardest Of Skeptics
Review: Lee Strobel has done an outstanding job in bringing out the hardest questions any skeptic could ask. Then seeking to find the real answers from those most qualified to give evidence of the truth. A brilliant work. If you are looking for the truth or just want to be able to convince others of it, then this book is a must read. You won't be disappointed!
Rating:
Summary: best recent introductory apologetic
Review: If look up from the trees (the specific issues each chapter deals with) and you look to the forrest, this book was brilliantly done. Strobel is following the same basic outline as "More Than a Carpenter," although I believe this book is better than that old standard. The progression of the book is like Panzer divisions sweeping across France swiftly. First, Strobel establishes the general trustworthiness of Scripture. This is really easy to establish, given archeology and the great manuscript evidence the Bible has going for it. (Not to mention the attestation of early church fathers which Strobel didn't mention.) Once this point is established, it is game, set, match. Strobel very clearly in his first section establishes the fact of the general reliability of Scripture. In the second section, Strobel deals with objections and questions regarding the person of Jesus. He has a wonderful chapter with a Messianic Jew that dealves into fulfilled prophecy like Isaiah 53. The third section is extremely strong as well. It argues for the Resurrection of Jesus. Simply put, there is no plausible naturalistic scenario that accounts for all of the facts surrounding the Resurrection. You can establish that Jesus died, that the tomb was empty, and that his followers claimed to see Him and honestly believed they saw, ate, and talked with a Resurrected Jesus. Only an anti-supernatural bias or wish-projection is available to explain the Resurrection away. This is a really strong book. I will echo the other reviewers. It is introductory. Conceivably, some of the chapters could have been argued better, but they were all argued very well. That's just nitpicking. This book is better than his follow-up the Case for Faith, but that book is highly recommended as well. TCFC has the advantage of having a unified progression. First, you establish Scripture. Second, establish the person of Christ as historical and deal with objections. Third, end with the Resurrection. You can establish the reality of Christ with just the first one or third one by itself. Taken as a whole, you have a rock-solid apologetic.
Rating: 
Summary: Compelling evidence, but doesn't follow through
Review: The Case for Christ is marketed as the author going in search for the truth, but pretty soon into the book, I got the feeling that Strobel already had his mind made up before these interviews. That's really beside the point, but anyway... The book gives compelling evidence for the validity of the Gospels, often using a combination of historical evidence and common sense, but comes up short in that all of the experts interviewed by the author are Christians themselves. The evidence would be much more believeable if a non-Christian were to say, "I do not belileve Christ is the son of God, but in fact he did live during this time and was crucified..." The author seems only interested in following up with points that strengthen the case for Christianity. In one interview, the subject bluntly states there are "issues" with Christianity that cannot be explained, but Strobel just passes over this without following up at all. The book is interesting and an easy read, but if you are not a Christian and trying to get hard, unbiased facts, this may not be for you. The study guides at the end of each chapter make it seem like a Sunday School text, meant to reinforce Christian beliefs that already exist. Strobel does cover many of the questions you may have on your mind concerning the evidence that exists for Christ, and the diversity of the people interviewed may give you many other references to check up on.
Rating: 
Summary: Just a thought
Review: If you are looking for an objective view of christianity, Don't look here. Mr. Sobel might be a journalist, but he has lost the objectivity that is so prized in his profession. If you look at the rest of his books they are all about how to recruit the non-believer and eduacte the poor barbarians. I wish some one would worry less about converting the world and do what I'm doing. I'm a christian but is the bible an acurrate representation of christ and his life? Who knows, not Mr. Sobel
Rating:
Summary: Decent Effort But Flawed
Review: This book will not convince anyone with logic skills who doesn't already believe. If you want to give a skeptic something to think about, try "God of Jesus" by Patterson. People like Strobel will end up destroying Christianity by pushing reasonable people away with their stretched beyond all credibility "logic".
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