Rating: 
Summary: A fascinating personal testimony
Review: I admit to not having read all 134 reviews, so if mine is similar to others, I apologize. I did read some. Most of them either praise Mr Strobel for compelling writing (I agree) or good apologetics (again, I agree), or either dismiss the book for lack of any skeptic interviewees. I only partly agree on that last point. Yes, it would have been nice to hear Michael Martin speak with Lee Strobel rather than just having a quote from his book. This would have made the opposing side more personable, something I missed. However, the argument that Mr Strobel disregards their expert opinions is fallacious, as he gives verbatim citations from their books and properly references them. (Personally, I find the reference section to be one of the strongest parts of this book.) And contrarily to those who find Mr Strobel to be a yellow yes-man, I am impressed by the skeptic he was accepting something as true that he formerly sincerely disbelieved. It takes as much guts to admit your opponent is right as to ferociously take a stand against him. In reading this book, I appreciated Mr Strobel's systematic approach, the eye for detail, the examples from court cases, the personal touch, and the suggested readings listed at the end of each chapter. These are, of course, Theist or Christian references - unfortunately, as some would say - but after all, Mr Strobel is (though post-hoc) building the Case for Christ and therefore interested in corroborating his statements (or rather those of the people he interviewed). Again, see the reference section for the works of cited atheists or liberal theologians. Obviously, as these reviews show, the book won't convince everyone. I do think it makes a strong case for the veracity of the gospel accounts, and while I disagree that Christians should mass-proselytize their atheist friends with this book, it's certainly a recommended reading for anyone interested in this question and can serve as a good discussion-opener, particularly as the book itself provides questions for discussion. Plus, it's not expensive.
Rating: 
Summary: The case against Lee Strobel
Review: If Lee Strobel had stuck to his title and not offered his introduction, I could think more highly of his book. He has interviewed a number of (mostly conservative, it seems) Bible scholars. He could offer their views and leave it at that for someone else to build The Case Against Christ. But he doesn't do that. Instead, he tells us that he will act as a journalist and as a lawyer, preparing a mock trial in which we readers will be the jury. Strobel, however, acts neither as an investigative journalist nor does he produce a fair trial. Any journalist worth his salt is going to go to the sources for his information at least as to what those sources believe. Strobel is content to let others characterize their opponents. Thus we cannot know if they and their positions are accurately presented. As best as I can determine, they are not. And this is the problem with Strobel's "trial." How can Strobel act for both sides of the question? He pretends to "cross examine" his experts, yet when they make questionable statements that any true opponent would question, he just figuratively nods his head and mumbles approval. It's the equivilant of a baseball catcher moving his glove back behind the plate after catching an outside ball to make the umpire think it's a strike. Sometimes one of his experts will in effect contradict another, yet Strobel pretends everything is of a piece. For instance, Craig L. Blomberg confidently states that the apostle Matthew wrote the gospel named for him. But another of his experts, Bruce Metzger (in the Oxford edition of the RVS, which he edited in 1962) plainly states in the introductory notes to the gospel that Matthew was NOT written by Matthew, although he may have had a group of sayings compiled by Matthew as a source. So Strobel does not, indeed CANNOT present a fair hearing of both sides of the issues he raises. He is biased in favor of his preferred point of view and his commitment for 20 years as a minister. No lawyer can adequately represent two sides. In a trial, both sides must have an equal opportunity to present their cases and to cross examine the other. Strobel does not let this happen. He wants to present only one side. Therefore, Strobel appears to be offering one thing, a fair and balanced study of the historicity of Christ and the gospels; but he actually offers something else, an apology for his particular view. Unfortunately, the less-than-careful reader will take him at his word and not realize that MUCH more scholarship is needed for anything approaching a confident decision.
Rating:
Summary: Much needed book
Review: In a day and age when skepticism and critical thought prevails, apologetics is a must. Strobel does a fine job at presenting solid evidence for Christianity. The book is an easy read with its novel format. I especially was impressed with the portions on the reliability of scripture. Many people are able to acknowledge that there is a God, but are not willing to accept the Bible as the inspired, infallible word of God. This book should be bought in mass by Christians and destributed to anyone who is Atheistic or skeptical in their lives. This book needs to be handed to every public University student so they can read it and conclude that there is indeed a truth in this world and it is Christ.
Rating:
Summary: A TERRIFIC book by a TERRIFIC author
Review: Okay, so I'm biased. The author of this book, Lee Strobel, is myhusband....I'd encourage anyone -- whether a Christian or seeker -- to check out Jesus themselves. This book is a great place to start. Lee takes the objections that he had as a skeptic, as well as the biggest challenges to Christianity from liberals and atheists, and seeks answers from such leading historians and theologians as Dr. Bruce Metzger, Dr. Edwin Yamauchi, Dr. William Lane Craig, Dr. Craig Blomberg, Dr. J. P. Moreland, and others. Lee leaves it up to each reader to reach his or her own verdict....
Rating: 
Summary: Not the greatest, but very interesting
Review: Lee Strobel could have gone deeper. As the book is, it seems he only brushed the surface. Personally, I think he should have interviewed skeptic scholars as well to see what they had to say.However, most of the arguments are very interesting and are at least worth checking into. It does show that not all scholars are anti-Christian, as so many people think. It also shows that even though skeptics (and even skeptic scholars) ask tough questions there are answers for them that are least worth mulling over a bit. It's not as if Christians are ignorant and don't delve into the history and facts themselves. Don't take anyone's word for this book, or any Christian book, especially the Bible. Read them for yourself and really study them.
Rating:
Summary: Biblical authors didn't know, they guessed
Review: The reader from Portland, Oregon makes quite a few mistakes, and could mislead readers about this book. He writes, "the disciples of Jesus didn't just believe Jesus was resurrected in the ultimate authentication of his identity as God, they KNEW it was true because they were in a unique position to actually encounter and interact with him." Wow, that's a BIG statement. If those same disciples had written the New Testament, we might be able to decide if that is true or not. As I understand the Bible, the Gospel of Mark was written by a secretary of Peter who never met or heard Jesus. And the Gospels of Matthew and Luke were copied from Mark. So how are any of the Gospels accurate? Does it prove anything that the disciples were willing to die for their beliefs? I have to think it doesn't. People who have a winning cause don't have to die for their beliefs. I think Strobel did a poor job of writing an investigative book. If Peter made up the resurrection to further his own aims, as has been suggested, then doesn't the recent "Left Behind" series prove that Christianity began as an End of the World cult? A whole series of books describing how the world will end, as predicted by the words of Jesus? If I had witnessed Jesus die on the cross, I might have had nightmares about it, and told my friends. When Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and met a man she recognized as a gardener, and then realized he was Jesus when she heard his voice, that sounds a lot like a dream to me. The kind of dream that a close follower of Jesus might have told the group, as proof that Jesus had gone on to heaven and was happy. Lee Strobel never investigates the most likely or best explanation for the resurrection accounts. He sets us straw men, things that are very unlikely, and then lets some Christian scholar confirm they are unlikely.
Rating:
Summary: Gripping and Inspiring
Review: This book provides wonderful information helpful to people willing to allow Christ to enter their lives. The author truly convinced me that he approached Christ's resurrection and deity with skepticism but with study and investigation with an open heart he came to believe in the Lord. The stories of Jews who when they actually read the Gospel found the truth blew me away. Of course, Christ is not calculus. You can only find him if you're prepared to not deny him. Even then, he often drags us kicking and screaming out of the dark into the light. But if you can't imagine believing in Christ without a video tape of his resurrection or a personal visit, then I'm afraid you won't get much out of this wonderful book....yet.
Rating: 
Summary: Misleading
Review: "A Journalist's Personal INVESTIGATION of the EVIDENCE FOR JESUS." Strobel's book appears, after a cursory glance of the cover, to be a examination the life and circumstances of Jesus Christ. Admittedly, I was hooked. I should have realized that this could not be fully realized. Strobel does not "prove" Christ. In fact he does little to establish anything beyond what we know from the Bible. The reality is that the journey that morphed into The Case for Christ eventuated as an explaination of doctrine. Once I relinquished my frustration from unfulfilled expectations, The Case for Christ was provoking and readable. Buy it, with the correct expectations.
Rating:
Summary: Good apologetics; seriously flawed investigative jouralism
Review: Lee Strobel is an investigative jouralist and claims that this book is his investigation into the divinity of Jesus of Nazareth. He interviews many people who are experts in their respective fields. They each, in turn, make their case for Christ. However, this book represents anything but a balanced investigation. When investigating the truth of any claim, it is imperative that individuals on all sides of the issue be questioned, not just the pro side, and not just the con side. The Case for Christ is just what it says, a case FOR Christ. No one who disbelieves the divinity of Jesus is interviewed which makes for extremely poor investigative journalism. I hope Mr. Strobel was not this sloppy when investigating criminal cases and such. However, if you are looking for a very good apologetics book, this book is for you. The various experts present their cases cogently and with fervor. For the sceptic, they are far from convincing, but some of the best I have read. Since the book claims to be an investigation into the evidence for Jesus (see the subtitle), I rank the book a 3 as it failed in its mission to be an investigation. It was very good at presenting the evidence in favor of Jesus' divinity, but failed miserably at presenting the opposing evidence.
Rating:
Summary: Strongly recommended
Review: Good book. Written in a fashion that appeals to a wide array of readers on both sides of the spiritual spectrum. In the opinion of one reviewer who clearly has an anti-Christian bias, the book relies on less than scientifically accurate data to prove the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The problem with his analysis is three-fold: 1. It carries with it strong anti-religious overtones 2. He defines (incorrectly) the author's objective and key evidence, thereby making it easier to devise a rebuttal argument 3. He defines what is considered an acceptable threshold of proof or evidence, then convienently claims that the author does not meet that threshold As such, his review lacks credibility. I, on the other hand, thoroughly enjoyed the book. When read as a supplement to the many books on the subject (including, of course, the Bible, itself) one simply cannot dismiss Christianity as just another religion. There's something to this faith, folks. It changed the world. Bottom line. Read the book and make your own decision. Please don't dismiss it simply because someone who didn't get much love growing up and has a bone to pick with organized religion didn't like it.
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