Rating: 
Summary: 'To the making of books there is no end...
Review: ...and much studying is a weariness to the flesh', or so says the writer of Ecclesiastes.Mr. McDowell, as with many other apologists for the Christian faith (e.g. Lee Strobel's The Case for Christ one of the more obvious examples), has a veritable arsenal of books and answers and all the proof one needs for an intellectual defense of Christianity. This is perhaps one of the most comprehensive versions. It presents, in great detail, answers to those challenging questions and answers to many of the trivia that believers and antagonists alike are curious about. But there are many things troubling about this book and the genre of literature in which it falls. The use of the words 'warfare' and 'weapons' are ubiquitous in many of these works, so too such metaphors as 'evidence' and 'verdict'. Granted, Paul speaks frequently of the law and the idea of spiritual 'warfare' is a tenet of the Christian faith, but I really believe that this approach to presenting Christianity often misses the mark. I know of no one who has converted to Christianity based on the arguments as laid out in this book. Perhaps it will help someone overcome some doubts as to its intellectual edifice that will allow one to be moved by the gospel message, but it seems to me that way too much emphasis is placed on 'proving' the New Testament and Christianity as a religion. The truth is not the New Testament, the truth is not Christianity as a whole. Both are reliable sources, both provide guides unto the Truth, but neither one is perfect. Both are chock full of differences and divergencies that must be admitted to rather than resorting to intellectual gymnastics trying to prove something the writers themselves weren't trying to prove. While Christianity is a reasonable faith Paul himself admits that he was not winning people over by crafty speech. It seems that far too many of us fall into Bibliolatry and Religiolatry by this type of approach. It seems to me to border on the antithesis of what Jesus actually taught. In other words, it seems to me to pit the Christian religion against the rest of the world. Jesus did not defend a particular religious institution against the rest of the world. Jesus walked the walk. I do not recall him whipping out a list of apologetic resources. Of course, all this is merely my opinion. If you are looking for a book that preaches to the choir, one that establishes the intellectual edifice for the faith, this book comes highly recommended. Information is presented from a wide array of sources and the writer is well versed in apologetics. The writing is clear and precise and there are enough sidebars and graphics to keep the book visually interesting. It's one you can revisit time and time again. If this book helps ground someone's mind enough that they can rest assured that this faith is to be trusted and is quite reasonable then this book comes much recommended. Perhaps also it will get someone who is skeptical or put off by this particular faith (or, more likely, those who profess it) to look again from another angle. As for the 'faith' element itself, this book will not solve that issue. I used to want it proven to me as well. It never happened. The gospel message is much, much more profound than mere 'proof'. We must understand its limits and keep it in proper context (i.e. humility) and not use this to bash people on the head. Only one's walk can do that. It is the walk that reveals light to others.
Rating: 
Summary: great
Review: I used to teach Bible Study. Several of the leaders were not believers and this book gave then the "proof" that they neened to really believe. Anyone who has doubts should read this book.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: Indepeth, high-level thinking, researchable. It PROVES the Christian Faith.
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Summary: Evidence that can't be ignored, but some choose to do so
Review: This is an excellent reference book. Ever wonder how the bible came to be? How can 10,000 years of writings all have the same theme? How were the books of the bible chosen? This books goes on to prove beyond reasonable doubt that the bible is the inspired word of God. More evidence exists for the bible as true than any other historical document, this book proves it. Sadly, this review section has become another internet forum discussing "facts" about the bible, which turn into a lot of people expressing their beliefs (not facts). Great book, it is written like a text book, so it is intense at times.
Rating: 
Summary: Good points but too far spread out
Review: This book has many good points, including discussions on the knowability of truth, adressing postmodernism, mysticism, ect, however, it could have been compiled into a book half its size with the same amount of information.
The author will make a point, and then site many other author's quotes on the same subject, saying the same thing, with maybe one extra twist on each sitation. This make for very lengthy persuits of points that could easily be made in a much shorter time.
Rating:
Summary: Okay reference but don't bank your faith on it
Review: Josh McDowell is not a heavey hitting apologist and a number of his arguments are only skin deep. However, for his general audience the information is useful. The reader just needs to keep in mind that many of his points do NOT end the debate for most subjects, especially in regards to the deity of Jesus.
No doubt Catholics will easilly scoffe at his presentation of the sola scripture subject. But still, it's helpful in areas such as archaeology, etc.
If you want to read an indepth discussion on the arguments both for and against the deity of Christ, see the book "Jesus-God or the Son of God?", available here at Amazon.com
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Summary: BUY IT!!!!!!
Review: This is an absolute steal!!! The amout of quality info in this book for the price is unheard of! You will not find better information on a greater amount of topics for such a small price anywhere! I think I paid $... for mine at the local book store a few years ago, and consider that a steal for the amount of times I've used this book for reference. It's listed here for $..., unbelievable price!!! McDowell covers so many areas I don't know if I'll do him justice by naming a few. Testimony of the early Church Fathers, Historical Proof of Jesus by Secular, Jewish, and Christian writers from the 1st,2nd,3rd century. A ton of info on Mosaic authorship of the Torah, and opposing views (JEDP Theory). I constantly use this book as a reference to check what Papias said, or what Thallus said, or Polycarp or Tacitus or Josephus, Pliny the Younger etc. etc. In the back is a handy section giving a short paragraph of hundereds of Christian scholars/authors -- a mini biography....very handy for quick reference when buying a book. His case for the deity of Christ, OT prophesies fulfilled in Christ, and proof of the Ressurection are superb!!! Also he devotes a section at the end to "truth", very deep and thought provoking. The main point of this book is PROOF!!! McDowell does a great job in giving TONS of proof for everything he believes, but the skeptic will have a counter for everything. "For he who doesn't believe, no proof will ever be enough, for he who believes, no proof is neccesary" This is one of the most important books on my shelf. If you get one book on apologetics, this is the one!!! Eric
Rating: 
Summary: Catchy Title, Distracting Content
Review: This book, like it's earlier version, is a "20 pound term paper." Josh props up his premises with as many quotes as possible. But tons of quotes don't make something true. It's very human to trust that any book this long must be true; why would anyone do so much work putting it together if it wasn't? Sorry, but some guys like writing long books. Length doesn't not add up to truth, necessarily. I have no contempt for Josh at all; he got where he is sincerely, looking for happiness. But people get addicted to painkillers the same way. My space here is extremely limited, so here are a couple of things to think about: ETDAV is infested with flaws of reasoning that most individuals, especially young people, are defenseless against. Falacies of logic are primary tools of most major media and advertisers; after so much exposure to them, many individuals reason like their brains are installed backward. They want easy answers because their culture has reinforced the idea that answers should come easily: Buy a book, read it, believe it. Easy. Life's not like that, though, and seriously Bible knowledge is not easily aquired. It wasn't until I took a logic course in college that I knew there how much thinking and analysis could be improved. It was through such learning that I came to question my American Christian experience, to seek clarity and a more realistic though life. Some of the hardest questions about the Bible are the simplest. Here are a few McDowell does not cover. 1. If God inspired the Bible, why does it have any major problems at all?
2. Why are there 4 gospels and all those epistles instead of just one unified "New Testament?"
3. If a written record is/was so important, why did Jesus commit nothing to writing nor tell anyone else to take dictation?
4. Why are devotees of others faiths (or no faith) responsible for so much of the super cool stuff we enjoy in modern life?
5. What's up with this 2000 year delay in the second coming? (as if we haven't suffere quite enough yet?)
6. The god of the Tower of Babel story is threatened by the tower itself. How can this be?
7. Righteous Lot very crudely offered his virgin daughters to an angry mob for sexual sport. Nice guy; very righteous.
8. Lot's daughters got him drunk and conceived children by him. Nice girls; very righteous...
9. How has the Bible so easily been used to justify every sort of atrocity?
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Summary: Careful study blows critics away
Review: In plain-spoken English, Mr. McDowell's compilation is truly an amazing work. To those that deny that the Bible is the word of God and question it's authenticity, this book lays all that to rest. Only the willingly ignorant will still not believe after reading this book. "Reason" is looking at a subject objectively, examaining all the facts, then making an informed decision. If one does not like what it says, fine, but one cannot pretend that the knowledge presented in this book is not fascinating, as well as thoroughly and carefully researched. A great book on apologetics, and a highly recommended read for both skeptics and Christians alike.
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Summary: Old Nonsense Warmed Over..
Review: If circular reasoning and poor scholarship are your thing, then buy this book and it's predecessor.. Apparently the author has failed to discover that not a shred of convincing physical evidence has ever been uncovered to establish anything like a bonafide proof of Jesus' divinity, nor are we in possession of a single "near to original" copy of any new or old testament document, all of which places Mcdowell's book in the precarious position of having to rely on what amounts to hearsay, dogma and scriptures that one could reasonably conclude were written as self-fulfilling and religion-bolstering by their very nature. When we begin to adopt as real those miracles that defy modern science, and allow the passions of our faith to close our eyes to reality, then we've truly checked our right to honest scrutiny at doctrine's door. As a Christian from what detractors call the "liberal" school, I can't imagine doing that. Faith and Reason are incapable of reconciliation, and for exactly that reason one should never feel the need to defend their faith against attacks of any kind. It's personal, it's subjective, and those who, from either side of the argument, make factual statements about the existence or nonexistence of God are breaking the most basic rules of honest scientific/scholarly inquiry, because anything which is incapable of falsification is beyond the grasp of empirical proof or disproof and therefore moot.. For an interesting counterpoint to this book, read John Spong's "Rescuing The Bible From Fundamentalism". Unlike apologetic authors, Spong makes no case for inerrancy and developes a liberating message for those of us who keep science and religion separate.
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