Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: totally biased yet facinating and convincing Review: While Mr.Strobel definitely presents his "Case for Christ" with eloquence. And the book is doubtless a "must have" for all Christian apologists. Still it causes me concern as a fledgling follower of Christ. It alludes to the fact that the authors search for the truth led him to his current belief in Christ. Though it is possible, I find it difficult to believe that a skeptic and self proclaimed atheist would depend solely on thirteen "Christian scholars" to base his supposed skeptical investigation on. To represent the truth of Christ to a doubting world it would behoove "Christian" authors to stay clear of such obvious gray areas.Still, I found the book fascinating and would recommend it without hesitation. It is, in my opinion one of the best single volume sources for Christian apologists.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: You can't compare the martyrdom of the apostles to WACO Review: Here is the difference between those who were martyred for Christ (like the disciples) and those who died for Heaven's Gate, David Koresh or Jim Jones..... The main question to answer is this ---- Who would die for a lie that they KNEW was a lie? Answer : NO SANE PERSON WOULD ( not even the followers of the Heaven's Gate cult ). The disciples of Christ ORIGINALLY thought that Christ was truly dead and were afraid. WHAT MADE THEM CHANGE THEIR MIND to COURAGEOUSLY FACE DEATH ? The simple, straightforward answer was --- they were confronted with the undeniable truth of the resurrection. The Followers of Jim Jones, Koresh, etc. died because they THOUGHT they had the truth even when it was a lie. In contrast, The disciples died because what they thought was a lie turned out to be UNDENIABLY TRUE. This is the simple difference we should not lose sight of. Just because the death of cultists and the death of the martyrs share some common characteristics ( i.e., they both believe they died for the truth), does not mean that there is no difference ( i.e., that Christ rose from the dead but Koresh did not ). We have to take the evidence IN ITS TOTALITY before making any decision. That is why this book is so valuable. It can only be appreciated when ALL the evidence is taken with an unbiased mind.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Great re-cap of the evidence for Jesus Christ! Review: I appreciated the scope of the work done by Strobel, even if some subjects were not dealt with in detail. As an attorney myself, I don't think Stobel could have argued a case before "jury" any better. And what a collection of expert witnesses! In answer to the below customer comments, the purpose of Strobel's book could not have been to detail every pro and con argument over the last 2000 years. For instance, there a numerous books that each deal with only the subject of prophecies or miracles, although the index points to those subjects being covered as well. For those mentioning the Jesus Seminar, perhaps the point by point rebuttal by Wilkins and Moreland, "Jesus Under Fire" would be helpful. Strobel's book is a great step at summarizing all the major areas of evidence with bibliographic notes for more indepth research. The attacks of the book show how effective his book must be!
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Outstanding Book! Review: Lee Strobel is a masterful writer. His ability to interview great scholars with probing questions and distill their answers in an accessible way is truly remarkable. It is difficult to believe that anyone--except perhaps someone with an obstinate and unteachable commitment to Christianity's falsehood--would not find this book compelling and pesuasive. Francis J. Beckwith, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy, culture, and law, Trinity International University (CA campus).
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Strobel's book is a good example of thoughtful Christianity. Review: Lee Strobel's book demonstrates that Christianity is a religion worth thinking about. Though readers may not agree with all of Strobel's conclusions, they will find many useful ideas to ponder that go far beyond the bare assertions that often pass for religious thinking in our culture. We are recommending this book to anyone interested in assessing some of the reasons for believing in Christianity as opposed to mere emotional appeals for religion or the equally troublesome existential approach, "Try Him [Jesus], you'll like Him."
Rating: ![3 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-3-0.gif) Summary: Well-written, but (yes) one-sided. Review: This book is probably the best of the popular Jesus apologetic bunch (e.g., _Evidence that Demands a Verdict_, _Who Was Jesus?_, etc.) Strobel uses the narrative device of interviewing individual scholars on issues, rather than simply presenting a detached appraisal of the evidence; this makes for easy reading and a good sense of the "back-and-forth" on a controversial issue. However, Strobel doesn't give each side its say. As he writes, "I selected experts who could state their position and defend it with historical evidence that I could then test through cross-examination...I challenged them with the current theories of atheists and liberal professors." But he didn't take the next step of interviewing the skeptics; this would have both enhanced the depth of the book and made for a better introduction to the subject. (I concede in passing that, yes, it is _The Case for Christ_, not _The Case of Jesus of Nazareth_, but the way Strobel constantly notes his thorough examination of the evidence makes the omission more egregious.) So, Strobel ends up interviewing Craig and Habermas and Blomberg and Witherington and Moreland (all quite accomplished and bright, but nonetheless all evangelical conservatives) and countering them with objections from Michael Martin (who, as Craig notes, is not even a historian) and the nuttier members of the Jesus Seminar. It would have been nice to see Gerd Lüdemann and Michael Goulder and Peter Carnley, if nothing else, to shake things up. I agree with much of the book, but many of the conclusions reached are more tentative than they seem (at least, that's how it looks to me; I've read all along the Craig-Brown-Meier-Fuller-Wells continuum). Another notable omission: the Humean problem of miracles, which is quite probably the biggest problem people have with accepting the Resurrection (my father, a devout conservative Christian all his life, has had many a doubt due to the implausibility of a man rising from the dead). At least a section on that, I would think, is essential. But in fairness to Strobel, he does a fine job of marshalling the evidence. He doesn't talk down to the readers or make the mistake (made by a few commenters below) of treating the evidence as intellectual Kryptonite that will drive an atheist instantly to Christianity or insanity. This is a popular work nearly as good as the more academic intros _Risen Indeed_ (Stephen T. Davis) and _In Defense of Miracles_ (ed. Geivett & Habermas). (In due honesty, I should state that I am an atheist)
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Awesome witness from an intellectual perspective Review: I have given out many copies of this book to non believers of Jesus as God. This book has been especially effective to the highly educated because it wipes out argumentative discussions with a fact building case. If people are honestly seeking answers, check out this book!!!!!!!!
Rating: ![2 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-2-0.gif) Summary: Fundamentalist Counteroffensive Fails Review: I just want to point out that, even though I gave this book a low score, I am neither an agnostic nor an atheist. I must say that I found the reviews written about this book even more entertaining than the book itself. I was especially amazed by reviewers who felt that the existance of Christian martyrs proves the truth of Christianity. Nearly every religion--from the ancient Hebrews to 20th century Tibetan Buddhists--has its martyrs, so what does this prove? Let's face it. Whether or not Jesus was God Incarnate cannot be proven through historical investigation. Lee Stobel certainly proves nothing in this book. Readers who see this book as evidence of anything are either simple-minded or stubbornly (or worse yet, fearfully) clinging to church tradition. No theologian has ever satisfactorily explained the incarnation of Christ. For an intelligent discussion of this issue, check out the writings of Christian scholar, John Hick. Most people who have any knowledge of this subject at all would agree that the Gospels are not eye-witness accounts. They were written as statements of faith, not as historical documentation. Statements of faith are open to metaphorical/symbolic interpretation. What did Jesus mean when he claimed to be the son of God or to be one with the Father? He was frustrated by the lack of understanding in his own disciples. Sadly, he continues to be misinterpreted to this day.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: Awesome! My faith was dramatically bolstered by fact! Review: Thank you Lee Strobel for taking the time to research and write this book! I have to either believe the over-whelming evidence for Jesus being exactly who the bible says he is, or I have to blindly (and hopelessly) look the other way.
Rating: ![5 stars](http://www.reviewfocus.com/images/stars-5-0.gif) Summary: An excellent read! Review: This book is the best starting point that I've read on the topic (not the endpoint as one critic says it is). It is highly readable, the anecdotes interesting, and we get a larger glimpse into the personal lives of these scholars than we normally get. Strobel's aim is to retrace the same path that he took during his own investigation (which is why he doesn't say much about what he does now - but that's not relevant since he could just as well have written it soon after his investigation) and present the objections that most garden variety skeptics have. Those who didn't think he was thorough enough should note that he listed the scholars other books where these points are presented in greater detail. For those who don't think it was balanced, it is, after called "The Case FOR Christ". Is Strobel preaching to the choir? At least one reviewer stated that the book was instrumental in his becoming a Christian. In any event, most controversial books, especially on this topic, are doing just that. Read it and decide for yourself. It's way cheaper than the grossly over-priced skeptic books on the topic.
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