Rating: 
Summary: Not Convincing at all
Review: Lee Strobel's book, despite its high sounding title, miserably fails to make a case for the historicity of Jesus Christ. Strobel, without doubt, is a dramatic writer. Unfortunately, drama cannot substitute for substance, logic and consistency. Drama is not evidence. Strobel is a former legal affairs journalist. Strobel's background makes it harder for me to believe that his earnestness about his case for Christ is real. What is real is his immaculate understanding of his main audience (hordes of believing Christians) who are predisposed to accept any "evidence" that confirms their belief in Jesus Christ as a historical character. Strobel deftly exploits this predisposition of his audience to the fullest. To those who are not similarly predisposed, but eager to sincerely hear his case, Strobel's brilliance fails to dazzle. In fact, the lack of substance in his "case" is disappointing, even annoying. PREPPING HIS AUDIENCE -- STROBEL'S INTRODUCTION Strobel cleverly uses the introduction of his book primarily to prep his audience. He starts out by informing his audience that he was an atheist. [Message: "Unlike many of you, I am not predisposed to believing."] It was the sudden conversion of his wife to evangelical Christianity that changed Strobel's life. The wife's conversion impelled Strobel to take Christianity seriously and to inquire the historicity of the Gospel accounts. Immediately he puts his audience into a great, positive mood by claiming that Christianity had no negative effects on his wife. Strobel's initial fears regarding her wife's conversion, such as her turning into a "sexually repressed prude," were groundless. Much to Strobel's relief, Mrs. Strobel maintained her "upwardly mobile lifestyle." Not only that, to Strobel's utter amazement, Mrs. Strobel miraculously developed "integrity" of character and "personal confidence." To the believing audience the message is clear: Jesus Christ has to be real to cause such "fundamental changes in her character." To the unbelievers the subtle message is: "No further proof is necessary. But since I said I will give you evidence for the historical reality of Jesus Christ, I shall condescend." To further prep his audience Strobel asserts, "we can't have absolute proof about anything in life." That is a specious statement. Who is asking for "absolute proof?" All that is being asked is proof beyond a reasonable doubt. By making this "absolute proof" statement, Strobel is once again sending a subtle message to his audience: "There is sufficient "proof" for the Jesus story. But the skeptics are not going to believe even if "absolute proof" were offered." Strobel continues this technique through out his book of sending subliminal manipulative messages to his ingratiated audience. "THE EYEWITNESS EVIDENCE" That is the title of Strobel's first chapter. When I read that title I thought Strobel is going to do what no one has done: Present eyewitnesses accounts of the life of Jesus Christ. So what is Strobel up to? Well, through an irrelevant contemporary story of a black youth named Leo Carter, who witnesses murder and in the process almost gets killed, Strobel is dramatizing the importance of eyewitness testimony. Thank you Mr. Strobel for the dramatic story of Leo, or we would not know the central importance of an eyewitnesses testimony. Strobel writes: "I knew just as Leo Carter's testimony clinched the convictions of three brutal murderers, eyewitness accounts from the mists of distant time could help resolve the most important spiritual issue of all." Leo Carter's story as an eyewitness to multiple murders is real life drama. I begin to shift in my chair with excitement at the possibility of meeting the Leo Carters of "distant time." Strobel punctures the balloon of my excitement. Instead of bringing eyewitnesses to the witness box to get "solid answers," who does he bring? Hold your breath! It is Craig Blomberg, the author of The Historical Reliability of the Gospels." So much so for the eyewitnesses! To clear the mist hanging over Strobel's opening chapter, let us imagine that Strobel is in the courtroom before the judge. He just finished relating Leo Carter's story. This is what happens next. Judge: "Mr. Strobel now produce your eyewitnesses please."
Silence.
Judge: " Mr. Strobel, I heard your irrelevant story about the black kid, now will you produce the eyewitnesses for your case, please."
Silence.
Judge: "One last time, Mr. Strobel, do you have an eyewitness?"
Strobel: "Your honor, I have an expert who can testify..."
Judge: " Mr. Strobel, by the story of the black kid you gave me the impression you had eyewitnesses -- don't you even have one eyewitness?"
Strobel: "I have an expert, actually several scholarly, sincere, Christian experts, who are willing to testify."
Judge: "So, you concede you have no eyewitness for Jesus Christ?"
Strobel: "Your honor, I will offer you expert testimony that shall convince you and the jury of the authenticity of the Jesus story." That summarizes what Strobel's book is about. From here on all that Strobel does is talk to Christian experts who according to him are scholars of distinction and know their subject well. So much so that Strobel does not see the necessity to talk to any neutral or "non Christian" sources. Strobel's case is exclusively based on interviews he conducts with Christian "experts ." This one sided opinion is presented as "testimony." And woe unto you if you do not believe this testimony. Case closed. Strobel completely aligns himself with the religious mindset and the book is nothing but a reinforcement of "accepted" Christian belief and scholarship. Not only his "case" has no eyewitnesses he has nothing to offer by way of new research or unbiased answers. Is this deception or what? Why not tell the reader at the outset, "Look I have nothing new to offer. I concede there are NO eyewitnesses for my case for Christ. But I can offer you the expert opinion of Christian scholars who know what they are talking about." Such forthright statements are not made because such an admittance does not sell.
Rating: 
Summary: an excellent primer for the orthodox view of jesus
Review: Strobel, I'm sure, didn't set out to provide an exhaustive list of evidences for the existence, deity, and resurrection of Christ. That would require a much longer, and tedious, book. He does, however, provide sufficient evidence. While a skeptical reader may not be convinced after reading the book, he cannot say that there is no or little evidence for the authenticity of traditional christian belief. Whether he believes the evidence is a different matter altogether. Strobel, therefore, provides a lengthy bibliography for those who want to do a more extensive study on the subject. In addition, he provides resources written by Crossan, Martin, and other non-believers. This indicates to me that Strobel is not afraid to let the reader see both sides of the issue. Most books on Jesus that i've read written by liberal scholars almost never point readers to resources that expound an opposing view. For a more scholarly (yet highly readable) treatment of the orthodox view of Jesus, I'd recommend The Historical Jesus by Gary Habermas, and Jesus Under Fire by M. Wilkins and J.P. Moreland. As for the negative review dated Sept 11, 1999, the reviewer states that Palestine didn't become a roman province until 6 a.d. This is simply false. Any perusal through a book on Roman or Palestine history will show that Jerusalem was conquered by Pompey in 63 BC.
Rating:
Summary: A Literary Masterpiece
Review: I recently asked a Christian friend how he could possibly believe the Jesus story as outlined in the gospels when there were so many other plausible explanations as to what may have occured. He suggested I read this book. I bought the book and began reading it this morning. It was so captivating that I didn't put it down until I finished it! Instead of popping off with one's personal opinion refuting common objections to the gospels, the author addresses 13 experts in the fields of theology, history, philosophy, psychology, archaeology, and pathology with some of the same objections I have had regarding the Jesus story, plus some that I hadn't yet thought of. No creampuff questions here, mind you. These were difficult questions that I was certain could not reasonably be answered in the affirmative. I was shocked to find that in each case, overwhelming evidence was presented that supports the life, death, and resurrection of Christ as outlined in the Bible. This is not the outcome I expected to have from reading this book. Rather, I was certain I would come away with a more solid foundation of why I was right to not believe this legendary story of Christ. I don't recall ever reading a book that has moved me like this one has. I would recommend this book to agnostics as well as Christians. However, athiests may not care too much for it, as indicated by the other ratings posted here. Either way, I feel that this book is well-worth reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Does Not Live Up to Expectations
Review: Perhaps my expectations for the book were too high. I selected this title after many Christian friends recommended it to me as I am discovering Jesus and building my own relationship with Him. The book is not investigative at all, is written at a fifth grade reading level, and his goal is underserved in the way the book rushes to its conclusions, as if they were the only viewpoints or the logic used is the only way to reach his goal. Strobel would have been more cogent and maintained more of his credibility if he had written a book that does not pander to already strongly-held beliefs. As he and his experts reach their conclusions, I found myself only 40% of the way there in his logic - to which Strobel will wrap up the chapter with a statement of unwavering conviction that he is right and how could anyone not see it based on the "evidence" just given. One of the key criticisms in the book is of the group Jesus Seminar, who Strobel and his expert claims are faulted because they reach conclusions based on preconceived and incorrect assumptions. That is my exact criticism of this book as well - Strobel starts with a strong basis in faith, interviews others of similar viewpoints, and then reaches the conclusion we knew all along he was going to reach anyway. However, someone who is trying to build a relationship with Jesus will learn a great deal about Christian history, thought, and theology from Strobel - he interviews many of the leaders of Christian scholarship today and their influence and erudition is evident. My advice is to not rely solely on this book, but seek out other sources to develop your faith. I recommend this book on that basis only, and ask that you read it with an open mind. It's not the beliefs I disagree with, just the condescending manner in which they are presented. Despite what I did learn from the book, it has left a bad overall taste in my mouth.
Rating:
Summary: National Enquirer journalist writes book.
Review: How can Mr. Strobel as a journalist write a book and only interview those people that support his particular point of view. If Mr. Strobel decided to write a book on the war in Iraq his only sources would be Sadam and his generals.
This book is so biased that to list all the fallacies it contains would require another complete book. The following is a very brief list of some of the errors it contains. First -Scientist state that science cannot prove or disprove the existence of a god.
To interview an individual who claims that scientific evidence proves the universe is infinite and therefore god exits is just plain wrong. That the universe is opened or closed tell us nothing about the existence of god. On page 120 Mr. Bill Craig claims that Hawking is guilty of deception because he uses imaginary numbers in his equations. The implication here is that imaginary numbers are not real numbers. He than goes a step furthers and states that because Hawking uses imaginary numbers "even he wasn't able to successfully write god out of the picture". Dear reader, imaginary numbers are real, if you do not believe me try this, touch the terminals of a charged capacitor and tell me if the jolt you received was real or imagined. On page 256 his proof for the existence of free will consists of the following gem ."we do have free will...we all know that deep down inside." Only the scientific illiterate would believe what is presented in this book.
Judging from the content of this book I suspect that Mr. Stobel honed his journalistic skills at the National Enquirer
Rating: 
Summary: The good and the bad
Review: First the good news: This book is great for anyone who is trying to piece together who Christ is and what Christinality is. The material presented in this book is invaluable. If you are atheist/agnostic/or whatever - i encourage you to take your questions seriously, and this book offers some interesting, factual historical material to build your decision. Strobel has taken great pains to uncover and summarize the history of Christ, which makes this book both fascinating and commendable. Now the bad news: I must say that it is written with bias. I am a Christian , so of course i agree with the conculsion. But, Strobel inadvertently hurts his case by interviewing ONLY evangelical scholars. In fact, i found myself DESPERATELY wanting to hear what the skeptics had to say. I guess he figured he was the skeptic, so no use in interviewing any other skeptics. But, then he rags on the Jesus Seminar and these other atheists, and they have no opportunity to defend themselves. In a healthy debate, you would definetly interview BOTH points of view. Therefore, if i was an unbeliever reading this book, i would most likely dismiss it b/c it did not show both sides of the story. I do believe the arguments and evidence for Christ far outway those against Christ. But, by not interviewing the other side, you don't give the skeptics a chance to be right or wrong - there's no healthy debate. And, for a skeptic reviewing this book for harsh evidence - that's a problem. Even though great information is in this book, it is probably thrown out by a skeptic just b/c the book is so biased.
Rating: 
Summary: Opened doors
Review: I read this book a few years ago while just investigating christianity. I was very skeptical, and had all kinds of doubts, based on my knowledge of evolution, my public school education, exposure to the discovery channel, PBS, etc., which all tend to support a mere mythological view of christianity. I read the whole book in a matter of days, and was very impressed with the amount of topics that were satisfactorily covered in this book. I'm not going to say I gave my life to Christ immediately, but this book opened the door for me to take Christ seriously, and to apply the same skepticism toward scientific theory that I had previously applied only toward religion. I eventually became convinced of the reality of God and the truth of the gospels, and have since trusted my life to Christ gratefully. I've bought several copies of this book and given it as a gift to family members and other non-believers in hopes that it will open doors for them as it did me. This book isn't perfect, but its a very readable exploration into christian apologetics for a newcomer. I read The Verdict recently (the book written to counter this one), and it was surprisingly weak. Nearly every major argument in The Verdict was based on the same faulty logic (argument from silence). I started highlighting major logical fallacies from the beginning, and got about halfway through that book before my hand had turned yellow and I decided it just wasn't challenging enough. The sheer inability of the author of The Verdict to adequately challenge the arguments in this book are a testament to its quality. I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone, along with Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis.
Rating:
Summary: the Case for Christ and its pros and cons
Review: The Case for Christ was a very interesting novel about a journalist's (Lee Strobel) search for the truth about the figure of Jesus Christ. In order to do this in a fashion in which most people would accept, he interviewed several experts in the subject he was investigating. He went to scholars and professors at several different universities and study groups to find facts about the prophecies of Christ, His resurrection, His crucifixion, objections to the life of Christ, and several other key factors to dispute, about the man of Christ.
Though Strobel investigates in a new and interesting manner, there are flaws to his method. The first flaw is the fact that before every interview, Strobel must take two to four paragraphs to show the credibility of each interviewee. Though this is a necessary section of each interview there are so many different interviewees that it is difficult because credibility facts interrupt the arguments for each point. These facts may be necessary to establish the credibility of the witness, but I think it would have been wise to give us all the credibility facts either at the end or the beginning of the book.
Even though there are ways to improve the style of writing for this particular purpose I believe Strobel's "interrogation" of each individual expert results in several points that can no longer be disputed. One example of this is the interview with Dr. Alexander Metherell, which brought about the scientific evidence that Jesus did in fact die in the cross, which refutes the swoon theory of Jesus' resurrection. Not only does Strobel present evidence well in The Case for Christ, but he also does it in such a manner that each interview compliments the previous to give the book a smooth rhythm or flow.
Rating:
Summary: Misses its audience
Review: Read these reviews, folks. The arguments in this book only seem to make sense to "believers". The cases made in this book are actually highly illogical--even to me, a Christian. A few reviewers wrote off the people who gave this book one star as "atheists". But these so-called atheists wouldn't waste their time reading a book like this if they weren't interested in who Christ is. (Would a believer read a book on atheism just for fun?) These so-called atheists are supposedly the audience this book is directed to....and it seems to fail miserably with them. What a missed opportunity! If these are the best arguments Christianity has to offer, we're in trouble.
Rating:
Summary: Great Read, Right for the Genre
Review: Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ" is a readable presentation of the apologetics in favor of the orthodox Christian faith as held by Catholic, Orthodox and Protestant communions worldwide since the earliest days of the church. Though the subject matter is somewhat technical at times, it is as understandable as any work of this genre probably can be. Strobel does not explore beyond orthodoxy in his interviews, but then, that was not his purpose in writing this book. It is a defense of the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith, and a successful one at that, in my opinion.
| 
