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Summary: Skeptics and Believers Will Identify With Strobel
Review: Throughout this book, Strobel hosts interviews with great Christian apologists of today's world. While his interviews lack a 3-D kind of depth by not digging further on issues still debatable for hard-core skeptics, the evidence and apologetics are immense and astounding. This book is truly a collection of the more relevant, up-to-date apologetics of the day that can entertain even Christian believers just wanting an affirmation or a tool for evangelism. While this book is not comprehensive, Strobel ends up coming out with strong evidence for the faith. He made me come out of this half-believing: I grew in my faith * 2! To add to that, this book reads like a story of another man's search for truth... and I immediately identified with Strobel as a kindred spirit. Not only was he honest about his doubts, he was not afraid to keep digging further despite getting already reasonable answers. This is a must read. This may not immediatel convince the normal skeptic on the street, but it's more of a headstart than many apologetics books I have read. This is an incredible tool to read more than once.
Rating: 
Summary: Leaves You Wanting More
Review: If you've ever had any doubt about the authenticity of the New Testament, this book will erase them. If you're a Christian who is interested in scholarly studies of your faith, you will simply love this book. Strobel asks the key questions about Christ: 1. Is the Bible the authentic work of eyewitnesses?; 2. Is Jesus really God? 3. Did Jesus really die on the cross and rise from the dead? To find his answers, he interviewed many of the foremost scholars of theology, archeology, and history. The evidence he presents in this book will strengthen your faith. For those of you who think Christianity cannot be an "intellectual" faith, this book will prove you wrong. It leaves you wanting to read more, and then gives you an excellent list of scholarly studies for you to take up next. I couldn't recommend it higher.
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Summary: A fascinating book...A MUST READ
Review: Highly interesting. Provides excellent answers to many historical, scientific and anthropological questions raised by the Resurrection. Particularly interesting is the analysis of the medical facts surrounding Jesus' death and resurrection. A fundamental aspect of the book is that the author poses questions an attorney might ask, however, I find that he might have treated his "witnesses" with particularly soft gloves. In all fairness, however, the professors and theologians would probably not have agreed to be interviewed had he thrown hard-hitting punches, as individuals, especially accomplished academics do not tend to voluntarily submit themselves to rude treatment.
Rating: 
Summary: A Little Knowledge is a Dangerous Thing
Review: Lee Strobel has a little knowledge. And like most people with a little knowledge, he believes that truth is obvious, that an open mind and a bit of study will lead inescapably to the conclusion that his beloved faith is true. But the real "case for Christ" is much more complex, and I might add, shakey, than Strobel and his guests let on. Serious students of Christian origins will understand the need to dig much deeper than Strobel suggests is necessary.
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Summary: Evidence That Demands A Better Investigator
Review: Mr. Strobel makes a few strong points, such as that the time elapsed between the events of Christ's life and the recording of them was short compared to other historical documents that are regarded as reliable, and that the disciples perceived some experience after Christ's death that transformed them from a group of quivering jellyfish into a potent force unafraid of death. Additionally, Mr. Strobel's pose of the cynical interrogator is appealing for those who are reading the book from a questioning standpoint themselves. But his continuation once his experts have finished belies his cynical stance. If he feels that the expert has not gone far enough in his answer, Mr. Strobel feels compelled to add more supposition and conjecture until all possible loose ends are wrapped up. In this, he goes far beyond what the testimony of his own experts can support, and frequently does so in direct contradiction of the overwhelming body of scholarly opinion. In short, if you already believe and want to read something that backs you up, this is your book. If you're truly searching for current scholarly opinion, you would do well to search further.
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Summary: A good investigation
Review: While I am still not convinced, Strobel has laid out all of the arguments and presents his case with conviction. Keep an open mind and this will be a rewarding book (and whatever you believe, you will find it worth the attention).
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Summary: Offensive and poorly written
Review: This book is nothing but an excuse for Christian apologists to represent their beliefs as facts. Nothing more. Many of the supposed "objective" arguments for Christ trotted out in this tome can be attacked by grade school logic, and the rest don't stand up to intense scholarly examination. The conversation regarding the apparent infallability of the Gospels due to their chronological proximity to the actual event of Jesus' death can be put into perspective by using the author's annoying and flimsy tact of relating the search for objective truth about Christ to modern events: otherwise reputable people have been seeing Elvis alive (and writing about it, reporting it, even) since the year he died. Has the litany of writing on the Kennedy assasination (much produced in the same month he was killed) done anything to give us a complete accurate picture of what actually happened? Furthermore, I found certain parts of this book to be offensively anti-Semitic, especially the interview with the Jewish man who is now a Christian. At the end of this book, I was left with the same impression I had of Christian belief before I read it: if you believe, you believe. Not because the facts say so (for crying out loud, the New Testament says a virgin man died and came back to life... how different is that from saying there's a spaceship behind a comet, when it all boils down to it?) but because belief (in anything) stands by itself. Why anyone can't just admit that and forego ideological posturing posed as truth is beyond me. I take it as a sign of weakness. But if you're a nonbeliever, read the book anyway: it will get your dander up and, in the end, give you a good laugh.
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Summary: Review of The Case for Christ
Review: There are probably no more important historical questions than those involving the life and death of Jesus of Nazareth. His birth divides time worldwide into two parts: B.C. (before Christ) and A.D. (anno Domini--Latin for "in the year of our Lord"). His death is celebrated as a national holiday in many quarters of the world. The New Testament, a collection of 26 books written roughly 2000 years ago, is still the best-seller of all time. Who was this man--the most influential person who has ever lived--and why was his life so important? Lee Strobel, a former atheist and legal editor for the Chicago Tribune, sets out in The Case for Christ to find intelligible answers to such questions. By cross-examining scholars from a variety of fields he probes into the most relevant issues having to do with the life and death of Jesus Christ. While an in-depth summary of each chapter is beyond the purview of this review, a sampling of several chapters should provide a helpful overview of the central arguments. The book is divided into three parts: examining the record, analyzing Jesus, and researching the resurrection. In the first part, Strobel cross-examines prominent scholars such as Bruce Metzger, Professor Emeritus of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary. His primary concern here is whether Jesus' biographies, those recorded in the New Testament, are reliably preserved for us today. The real issue is that since there are not any extant original manuscripts of the gospels (that is, not any still in existence), how can we be certain that what we have today are accurate copies of the originals? Metzger's reply is stunning. Most works of antiquity are survived by only a few copies of the originals. A few have more, such as Homer's Iliad of which we have roughly 650. By contrast, there are over five thousand ancient Greek copies of the New Testament, some fragments going back as early as 100 A.D. This fact, along with many others Metzger mentions, offers solid evidence that these biographies of Jesus are the most well-attested works of literature in ancient history. In part two he interviews scholars like Ben Witherington, who is recognized as one of the leaders in the field of Jesus studies by both friend and foe of the Christian faith. Some contemporary critics argue that Jesus himself did not claim to be of divine origin, let alone the one and only Son of God. Against such a view, Witherington establishes several points. First, it is clear that many of the Jews, including the leaders and authorities, saw Jesus as one claiming to stand in a role much different than a mere religious teacher or even prophet. He had the Twelve Apostles, for example, each representing one of the twelve tribes of Israel. But Jesus was set apart from them-he was authoritatively over them, in a sense, just as the God of the Old Testament was over the tribes of Israel. Secondly, Jesus viewed his miracles (and, it should be added, there is strong attestation that Jesus, his twelve disciples, and other followers saw and performed acts of healing and exorcism which were beyond the natural realm) as ushering in the Kingdom of God. As such, through him the power and promises of God were literally coming to pass. All of this, combined with Jesus' new and authoritative teaching, led the religious leaders to eventually crucify him. No, Jesus was not merely an "innocuous sage" spewing forth rhythmic parables, and he did not see himself as such. He viewed himself as the early Christians did, and that is why he referred to himself as the "Son of Man," an Old Testament title carrying transcendent and messianic implications. Finally, in part three, Strobel focuses on what is probably the most significant of the three parts of the book. Here, he interviews four scholars on various questions involving the resurrection of Jesus. He cross-examines, for example, William Lane Craig, an internationally recognized scholar in the fields of theology and philosophy. Craig has written numerous books and journal articles on the resurrection, and has debated scholars as renowned as John Dominic Crossan and Anthony Flew. In this chapter, Craig tackles the question directly: did the tomb of Jesus miraculously become vacant? First, in response to Strobel's questions, he notes a number of claims which are supported by good evidence, including the following: Jesus was really buried in a tomb; the tomb was secure, with guards posted; the tomb became empty, as confirmed by reliable eyewitnesses. Next, Craig responds to arguments against the empty tomb-arguments put forth by leading critics. These arguments include apparent discrepancies in the gospel accounts, doubt about the reliability of the eyewitness testimony, and an apparent lack of early Christian proclamation of the empty tomb. Craig responds to each criticism and follows up with his top six reasons for believing that the empty tomb is a historical fact. His argumentation is quite persuasive. It's no wonder Craig's debates with leading critics are often considered to be devastatingly powerful. The Case for Christ is compelling. Like Socrates of old, Strobel is "keen, like a Spartan hound, at chasing and runing down arguments" (Plato's Parmenides). However, unlike many books on such deep theological, philosophical, and historical issues, this one is actually a joy to read. If one is already a believer, it will surely strengthen his or her faith in the risen Christ. If one is a seeker or skeptic, it will provide real food for thought. I would encourage those in the latter camp to read this book, study the material in it, and then try to refute it. It has been just such a process that has led me ever closer to truth, and ultimately to the Savior himself.
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Summary: A Skeptic Interviews Christian Scholars
Review: Easy to read and easily understood. Great gift for those who are questioning. The author does not need to interview the opposition...he writes from the point of view of the opposition. Being a skeptic himself at the time of the interviews, he had studied the beliefs of the opposition enough, so as to be able to ask tough questions of the Christians scholars and authorities he interviewed. Lee Strobel has a Master of Studies in Law from Yale Law School...so when I say he studied...remember the author is no stranger to studying carefully and digging deep. I recommend also "Evidence That Demands a Verdict" and "Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Book II" by Josh McDowell...a one time atheist.
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Summary: Preaching To The Choir
Review: If I could, I would give this book two ratings depending on the audience. If you're a Christian, this is probably a four or five star book. If you're not a Christian, especially if you're a "seeker" interested in exporing the possibility of Christianity being valid, this is probably a three star book. Since Strobel seems to target the "seeker" audience with this book, I'll have to rate it as three stars. Mor thoughts for both audiences: For Christians who already accept as facts what the book tries to prove, this book is an excellent addition to your library and a thoroughly enjoyable and engaging read. One has a sense of traveling with Strobel as he interviews the various people he used as sources in this book. This book also provides good information that can be used when sharing your faith, but be prepared for questions from enquiring skeptics that Strobel doesn't answer. For the "seeker," Strobel claims to provide conclusive proof for the existance of Jesus Christ as not just a historical figure, but as the Son of God. I think he succeeds in opening the door for people interested in exploring those posibilities, but not in providing the "slam dunk" needed. Most of his arguments lack acknowledgement or rebuttal of typical counter-arguments. After reading a chapter, you might be left saying "Yeah, but what about..." I highly recommend the book, but encourage people to realize that the material presented in the book should only be considered a "first start."
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