Rating: 
Summary: Provides a compelling argument
Review: I liked reading the criticisms to this book because some presented valid arguments concerning the book. I especially agree with those who say that Strobel stopped short of exploring common Biblical objections to greater depth. However, I'd like to suggest that Strobel is not attempting to prove Christianity. Alternatively, I think Strobel is attempting to gather evidence to either support or contradict Christianity. I think Strobel did well to show that, although the events outlined in the book occurred 2000 years ago, we can still construct a history of what occurred. It is true, however, that our primary piece of evidence is the Bible. The question is, can you believe the Bible? I think Strobel is providing evidence to support his claim that the Bible is believable. He is not able, however, to prove the Bible. We can no more prove the Bible than can we prove the 'Big Bang' Theory because we weren't there. But we must choose to believe something. I feel that Strobel provided enough evidence for me to be confident in my belief that Jesus is God's Son, that He died as a payment for my sin, and that He came back to life to show that death is not my final destination.
Rating: 
Summary: A good introduction to some tough issues...
Review: I've not only read this book, but given away over 18 copies of the mass-market paperbacks to friends (Atheist, Agnostic, and Christian), and it has made for some interesting discussion between us. Though a bit "simple" in places (for a man that's read most of the books by the contributors), it covers a GREAT deal of territory, in a way that most anyone at all familiar with these issues could EASILY understand. "Jesus and the Victory of God" by N.T. Wright might be much more well developed, but "the Case for Christ" will do a better job of getting the message out, and making an issue of Jesus to whomever reads it. Buy a copy for yourself and a friend.
Rating: 
Summary: Rhetoric in support of Fundamentalism
Review: Knowing that I am a fan of G.A. Wells, a colleague gave me this book to read. I give it two stars because the interviews are interesting. But PLEASE do not mistake this for a scholarly work. Its sole motive is to convert. Its interesting also in that it gives you an idea of what Fundamentalists think passes as evidence for their views.If you are really interested in investigating these issues then a good place to start is: < The Quest for the Historical Jesus> by Albert Schweitzer. From there move on to: < The New Testament: The History of the Investigation of its Problems> by Werner Kummel. Then from there onto <Who wrote the New Testament> by Burton Mack. You can check the bibliographies in these books to follow up. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. This adage is aptly illustrated by one reviewer's response to the Sept 11 review ( which I agree with ). Rome occupied and ruled Judea from 63BC, but it did not become a PROVINCE until 6AD. That is what the reviewer was stating. There was ( and is a big difference ). When the area was promoted to provincial status, then a census was conducted. As I said a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, and this is what the author of this book is hoping the reader will have.
Rating:
Summary: Not fundamentalism, just facts
Review: No wonder this book won a Gold Medallion and was named one of the four most influential Christian books of the year -- it's compelling, well-written, and thoroughly researched. To suggest this book comes from a fundamentalist perspective is silly and simply misleading; it's clearly based on solid historical data that would lead any reasonable person to the same conclusion. As someone well-versed in classical history, I can say that this book is accurate and fair. No, it doesn't explore every nuance of every issue, as some reviewers might wish. There's simply not space enough to do that on every topic. The author made it clear he was dealing with the objections HE had as an atheist. His issues might be different from some others, but for the most part they represent the most frequently asked questions about Jesus. Be wary of people who try to make historical assertions in reviews without giving the author the time or place to respond in kind. Having read this book, I can say it deals responsibly with the historical matters it discusses. Frankly, its historical analysis is much more cogent and precisely accurate than some reviewers who seek -- unsuccessfully -- to undermine it. Also, contrary to some assertions, the author makes it abundantly clear that he is an atheist-turned-Christian and that he's now a Christian pastor. I'd say that shows he really did find the evidence for Jesus to be convincing!
Rating:
Summary: Not enough argument, but a good book for proof Jesus lived
Review: I agree with some of the people who gave the book a 1- or 2- star rating, but it didn't come across to me as if the author was weighing the verdict, as he has been accused. I did not know that there were so many reassurances that Jesus lived and that the Gospels are true. If Strobel had included every question we wanted, the book would have been bigger than a dictionary! I liked that he interviewed each person seperately and I liked the small introductions he gave the people he interviewed. I didn't like that he only read a skeptic's work and then asked the professor or whomever he was interviewing about the skeptic's quote. I would rather he interview at least one skeptic and get what a skeptic actually says down in print, instead of qoting essays, books or whatever he quoted. The book is good because it gives Christians and those who are curious a little meat to chew on: that Christ really did live and that Christ really was who He said He was. It is not to be placed in the great apologetical works many people here seem to want it to have been. For what the book promises and then delivers, I liked it. I have loaned it to three other people and they all have said the same thing as I did: I didn't know there were so many things that helped prove Jesus was really alive and that the writers were really there!
Rating:
Summary: Fascinating journey from atheism to Christianity
Review: I found this book to be a fascinating account of the historical evidence that convinced an atheist to become a follower of Jesus Christ. In this book, Lee Strobel, the Yale-trained former legal editor of "The Chicago Tribune," retraces the investigation that brought him to faith in Christ. He certainly doesn't hide the fact that he is currently a Christian minister, having been convinced by the evidence that Jesus really is who he claimed to be. His original investigation, conducted for 21 months until November 1981, was done while he was a spiritual skeptic. This book goes back and reconstructs that journey through interviews with more than a dozen leading scholars and experts. While these scholars tend to be conservative theologically, the author peppers them with arguments from liberals and atheists, thus forcing them to defend Christianity as being true. My personal conclusion is that they defended it quite well. In fact, I think they did it too well for atheists and others who want to attack this book because they disagree with its ultimate conclusion. Don't be put off by critics who raise issues that the author isn't there to counter. As this book demonstrates, there are ample answers available.
Rating: 
Summary: Illustrastes the bankrupcy of modern fundamentalism
Review: This is a poorly written book that resorts to cheap rhetorical tricks to establish the author's argument that there is strong historical evidence for the Fundamentalist Christian view of who Jesus was. The author pretends that it is an unbiased investigation by a journalist trained in the law. The author leaves out the fact that he is currently a pastor of a conservative Christian Church and the 'investigation' was conducted while he is a pastor. Additonally, all the author's sources are conservative Christians who already agree with the author's conclusion. This is hardly an unbiased investigation. The author makes much of the fact that he was trained in law and was a journalist and all of his sources have Ph.D.s. A book such as this could easily dupe the average reader is unfamiliar with ancient literature and history. Perusing the footnotes, one sees that many of the author's sources are books written by fellow fundamentalists. Mainstream scholars will never refute a book like this since they would view it as beneath themselves to respond to such a shallow and unlearned book. The book is full of half-truths and misinformation. For example, in the chapter titled The Scientific Evidence, the author has a section called Puzzle 1: The Census. In this section, the author attempts to defend the gospel story of the census against our knowledge that the governor of Syria, Quirinius, did not rule the area until 6 AD (The gospels would put the census prior to this date. ) The author describes a coin that was found dating from 11BC with the name Quirinius in micrographic letters which establishes that there was another Quirinius who was proconsul. This supposedly establishes that the census took place during the timeframe of Jesus' supposed birth ( The author implies that this other Quirinius is a new discovery, but has in fact been know since the turn of the century). However, the author leaves out other details, which establish the legendary nature of the account. There is in fact no evidence outside the gospel account for a census of the whole Empire under Caesar Augustus ( contra Luke 2:1 ). Obvious ancient authorities such as Monumentaum Anycyranum, Dio Cassius and Suetonius are silent. The only people who speak of it are Christians from the sixth century onward. The first regional census in Palestine did not occur until 6 AD under the second Quirinius. Palestine did not become a Roman province until 6 AD. Therefore, there would be not be any reason for a census prior to this. In fact, when the census did occur in 6 AD it caused such uproar that the Jews revolted under the leadership of Judas the Gaulonite of Gamala. If another unprecedented prior census of a nonprovince had occurred, it would also have caused a revolt. But, Josephus only recorded the census and revolt in 6 AD. All other sources are also silent about this. A further objection to Luke's account is that even the census of 6 AD would not have affected Galilee where Mary and Joseph lived. When Herod died, the southern part of his kingdom ( Idumea, Judea and Samaria) was given to his son Archelaus, but Galilee in the north was put under another son, Antipas. Archelaus was deposed in 6 AD and his territory annexed to the Empire, but Antipas remained in office and ruled Galilee until 39 AD. Luke implies that the inhabitants of Galilee were affected by a Roman census that in fact only applied to the southern provinces. The author's technique is the typical straw man device. He will take one objection, quote a conservative Christian scholar who disagrees and then conclude that this settles the case. The author acts as if the objections he has chosen are the only ones. Additionally, the author only deals with objections that were typically made during the nineteenth century. The world of twentieth century biblical scholarship is completely ignored by the author. This book says a lot about the intellectual bankruptcy of modern Christian Fundamentalism. It's only redeeming value is the insight it gives one about the movement. Unless you're buying it for this reason, don't waste your money.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent account of one man's search for the truth of Jesus
Review: This book is one to read and share with both believers and non-believers about the evidence regarding Jesus. Lee Strobel takes you through his own journey from aetheism to Christianity based on historical, scholarly, and archealogical evidence. A very inspiring book!
Rating:
Summary: Perfect for our information driven society
Review: In our age of information at the click of a button, people want answers now. Christians need to be able to give the answers concerning their faith in Jesus. Lee Stobel does a great job of taking academic research and making it very consumable to the average person. He makes a very strong "case" for the historical reliability of the gospel writers and the man they wrote about.
Rating:
Summary: An outstanding achievement
Review: This is absolutely the finest introduction to the evidence for Jesus that I have ever read, and I've read plenty of them (I have an MA in Philosophy of religion). The author conducts solid, critical, and highly readable interviews with some of the finest theologians and Christian thinkers around. He has just the right combination of skepticism and a willingness to come to reasonable conclusions. For those who think he doesn't probe enough -- what book are you reading? This book delves into the most controversial and cutting-edge issues involving Jesus. The author takes the toughest objections from atheists like Michael Martin and forces Christians to give reasonable answers. He builds his case point by point, in a solid and methodical way. If you read one book concerning the evidence for Christianity, make it this one. If you are planning to give a spiritual seeker one book about Christianity, make it this one. I agree with Billy Graham that this is a powerful and persuasive volume that should be widely shared. Don't be deterred by those who say the author didn't interview non-believers; he did something better -- he took the best arguments from skeptics and put Christianity to the test. Some folks might not like the fact that Christianity wins.
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