Rating: 
Summary: Book isn't what it claims to be
Review: I bought this book hoping to see someone approach questions of faith objectively. Our minister had mentioned this book in a sermon, and since I have always had many questions and doubts about organized religion and the way religion interprets the Bible, I bought it.I should mention I am a former newspaper journalist and an extremely logical person. I smell bias miles before I see it. And this book, while claiming to be a journalist's "investigations" of religious issues, is clearly written by someone who is a Christian and already believes certain interpretions on these topics. It doesn't take long to figure this out. First of all, the author chooses to approach Christian experts and ask them why they believe the way they do. There is no corresponding interview of non-Christian scholars who believe differently. The assumption is that the author represents the non-Christian view. Unfortunately, the author never offers any well-reasoned objection to any of these issues. He simply states an opinion that expresses doubt, then goes out in search of an answer from a source that provides only one side. When the author first approaches an "expert," he chooses words that exaggerate his initial doubt almost to hyperbole. He practically dares the Christian expert to make a case. The effect is to demean anyone who questions these beliefs, by making anyone who doubts seem unbalanced and emotional. Once the Christian expert calmly and reasonably (and it is always calmly and reasonably) offers his argument, the author drops the charade and transitions to an almost open wonder of something he never puts much effort in questioning. One of the first chapters, which includes an alleged interview with a man who once preached with Billy Graham and then had a crisis of faith and chose a faithless path, is telling. At this chapter's conclusion, the author relates an anecdote that is entirely his interpretation of what he witnesses and in doing so the anecdote renders the interviewee's position worthless. All because this author chose to interpret something that was highly subjective! The author does not do this to any of the Christian experts. There are countless examples of this bias. After three chapters, I finally pulled out a yellow highlighter and started marking every place the bias appears. My book now looks like a well-used college text. This is not the work of a journalist. Some may find its content comforting, but be very aware that this book is not much different than the view from most mainstream Christian religions. It is only unique in that it pays lip service to doubts. Unfortunately, it never really explores both sides.
Rating:
Summary: Logic?
Review: It was a very good thing Strobel explained early in the book what a good investigative journalist he is and how he likes to ask the really tough questions. It was a good thing, because I never would have realized it from his writings. (...) Strobel did an unusual thing in his introduction. Not in asking “What is faith?” The unusual thing was that rather than defining it, he states basically infers that the faithful already know what it is. I found it an interesting choice to avoid the subject. Strobel makes many points that use contorted logic. Despite the contorted logic he presents, he sometimes arrives at some truths anyhow. Some points I agree with, some I don’t. (...) As it was explained in the book, either A. There is no God; or
B. The Bible is literally true. One of the concepts he relied heavily on was the argument that, “Christianity is better than other religions, therefore it is true.” (...) I found two things interesting in the chapter on the origin of life. The first is that Strobel avoids discussing the entire subject of Theistic Evolution -- the idea that God could have created the world using evolution if that is how God chose to have it happen. I was amazed that the subject wasn’t even broached. My second wonder was, “Why does he care?” How is insignificant. Only who is important. He has an interesting use of statistics. (...) Based on what I’ve typed thus far, it must be hard to believe that I am glad I read the book. I am glad mostly because of the summary. There were three things I liked about the summary. The first was a sense that Strobel realized that not all of his arguments were convincing. He seemed to state that he chooses to have “faith” despite the fact that he hadn’t proven his thesis conclusively. I respect that. The second was what he seemed to miss in the book, but realized in the conclusion, that faith/belief is a choice. In one chapter he makes fun of atheists who refuse to believe even after you prove the case logically. In another chapter he states that even if an atheist proves her case logically, you shouldn’t change your beliefs because there must be something wrong with their argument you missed. I find it intellectually dishonest to think some people are stupid to cling to their pre-formed opinions, but others aren’t. That he realized in the conclusion that faith/belief is a choice, was a good thing The third is that faith/belief is an act. He realizes that in the process of having a choice, the person partakes in the action of faith/belief. Faith/belief is clearly in the realm of actions, not graces. Strobel didn’t take it to the next natural level, that only one who believes works achieve salvation could believe that salvation is achieved by faith/belief. (That or the person holds two opposing opinions, and that happens a lot.) This book will never convert an atheist, but people who agree with his philosophy will applaud it’s “logic.”
Rating: 
Summary: Strong, clear answers
Review: The author does a great job of answering the toughest questions asked about Christianity, but in an easy-to-read conversational style that makes it a very engaging, comfortable read.
Rating:
Summary: self-contradiction
Review: If God really exists, then why do people have to write books to make it convincing?
Rating: 
Summary: There are answers to your questions!
Review: This book is a superb (and necessary!) follow-up to Strobel's "The Case for Christ." This volume deals with the Big Eight objections to Christianity: 1) Evil.
2) Miracles.
3) Evolution.
4) Dying Children.
5) Jesus is the only way to heaven.
6) Hell
7) Christianity's bad example in history
8) Since I have doubts, I can't be a Christian. So if you have any questions along these eight areas, this book can be helpful. Strobel follows the pattern used in "The Case for Christ" by interviewing world-renown experts in these areas. Two conversations jump out-Peter Kreeft, a Catholic theologian and philosopher who discusses the nature of evil; and Ravi Zacharias, an India-born theologian whit one of the keenest minds alive, who discusses Jesus' exclusive claims as Savior of the world. As you can see, this book deals with "Broad Christianity," and has multicultural insights to these questions. I am impressed with Strobel's smooth style of writing. It is written on about the high-school level, so anyone can understand the ideas, issues and responses. This book was a quick read for me, since it is only eleven chapters long. Granted, these chapters are moderately long, but Strobel did a capital job of editing the conversations down to the manageable and essential level. Lastly, I am impressed with the hard answers to the hard questions to Christianity. All of the interviewees are respectful of non-Christians beliefs. This is not a bash book, but a restrained and fruitful discussion of the ideas surrounding Christianity. True for You, but Not for Me : Deflating the Slogans That Leave Christians Speechless by Paul Copan would be a nice companion volume, since they cover the same ground, but have different approaches to the truth. ONE FINAL POINT: On page 96, William Lane Craig, Ph.D., says that there is a "blatant lack of corroboration" in archaeological discoveries with "The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ." This is sheer and utter nonsense. For example, Immanuel Tov, Dead Sea Scroll Czar, pointed out in a colloquium that the famous Copper Scroll is similar to the gold plates that the Book of Mormon was written on. Secondarily, the Book of Mormon mentions a place on the Arabian Peninsula called "Nahom,' and a place called "Nahem" was found in Arabia. You do the math. Moreover, there are other evidences besides archeology to support the Book of Mormon, as there are other evidences besides archeology to support Christianity. See Hugh W. Nibley's "Lehi in the Desert and The World of the Jaradites" for a primer on the evidence and data, and then go to "Since Cumorah," and "The Prophetic Book of Mormon," both by Hugh Nibley.
Rating:
Summary: awesome!
Review: This book is incredible! I have been a Christian for several years now, but reading this book taught me so much about my faith. Strobel's use of interviews and examples are powerful and convicing. If you want to shake up your faith or learn more abot Christianity, I definitly recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: Great - If you have an open mind
Review: This book is a great place to start if you have someone you'd like to witness to who just flat refuses to believe that the Bible could be true.If I had the choice of one book to debate them with - I'd have to pick this one. It's a good read for those who think you are an idiot if you believe that God created life - but have no trouble believing life arose from non-life.
Anyone keeping an open mind, truly looking for answers, will be moved to thought. If your mind is made up, and you refuse to believe any amount of logic or evidence - don't bother.
I'll tell you this - if you are undecided - give it a shot. After all - you're talking about eternity.
Rating:
Summary: Good starting point for anyone who wants answers
Review: Although I'm not a Christian, recently I have been interested in exploring spiritual issues (probably a product of turning 30!). As a mechanical engineer, I tend to have a logical approach to life, and so I have rather systematically been reading literature ranging from books by atheists (such as George Smith) to books by people defending their faith in God (such as Patrick Glynn's "God: The Evidence"). Of all the books I've read (more than 30 at this point), I have to rank "The Case for Faith" and its companion volume "The Case for Christ" as among the best. I know that conclusion will rankle people whose approach is to fold their arms across their chest and defiantly dare anyone to try to provide any evidence for faith. But adamant skepticism becomes just plain silly after a while. In my view, a person who's honestly evaluating the evidence will have to admit that there are, indeed, significant strands of evidence that point toward the veracity of the Christian faith. At least, that's my opinion at this point. Contrary to some others, I think this book's treatment of the pain and suffering issue is well-reasoned and as persuasive as anything I've seen on the subject. If people want something more in depth, they should try the writings of Alvin Plantiga, the most respected philosopher of the 20th Century, who has written extensively on this topic from a Christian perspective. While this is an emotional issue (and one the author admits is a stumbling block for many), the existence of pain and suffering falls far short of disproving the existence of God. That's why few atheists even bring it up in debates anymore -- the last time one tried, Dr. William Lane Craig demolished him. Further, as Dr. Peter Kreeft points out in this book, critics must then wrestle with more than 20 arguments in favor of Christianity. And that's the point -- anyone can claim the Christian evidence falls short, but why can't they come up with a coherent philosophical viewpoint that accounts for ALL of the evidence? As the author claims in the last chapter of this book, only a theistic viewpoint -- in fact, only a Christian viewpoint -- can account for all of the evidence offered in these two books. That's why I'm taking the claims of Jesus seriously at this point. Other chapters were very enlightening in helping me sort through my faith questions. The chapter on the impossibility of life emerging from nonlife was, in my assessment, extremely powerful. There seems no way around the scientific hurdles there. The author's interview with Dr. Ravi Zacharias on Jesus being the only way to God handled this touchy subject very well. And I could relate very much to Dr. Lynn Anderson's discussion of doubt. Doubts are what have kept me away from becoming a Christian. Personally, I felt like the author went as far as he could in exploring these eight objections to Christianity. To pursue some of the rabbit trails others have suggested would have resulted in an encyclopedia. These books are like overviews. What I especially liked was the bibliography. This has pointed me toward books that go much further in depth on each objection covered in the book. All in all, I found "The Case for Faith" and "The Case for Christ" to be great resources. I recommend them both.
Rating:
Summary: Nice....if you have a hard time thinking critically
Review: Blabber disguised as critical thinking. The logical steps the author and his "experts" take are disturbing. This is susposed to prove christianity??? Oh, and I love how his first "expert" links atheism to communism, slick one there!
Rating: 
Summary: Lets you down when you need it most.
Review: At the beginning of The Case For Faith, I found a list of questions which inspired me to buy this book. Each one is a roadblock to faith. To some degree, I have wrestled with every question posed. In some cases, I have answers that I find satisfying. In others, I certainly do not. Unfortunately, Mr. Strobel does not change my mind on any point. I had hoped for fresh perspectives and thoughts, logical answers I hadn't considered before. Instead, I find the same unsupported, illogical rhetoric I endured in church in my youth. It is full of straw men. When he quotes Atheists and Agnostics, he chooses statements that are plainly naive and wrong, and easily refuted. He purports to face the hard questions, the ones you are discouraged from asking in sunday school. But when the questions are hardest, he punts. I won't bother with a long, boring theological argument. But here's the kind of "logic" you'll encouter: "The Moon is made of green cheese. Since it is made of green cheese, it'll make great sandwiches." Typically, he makes a statement of fact without defending or backing it, and then proceeds to his conclusions based on that "fact". When he proves to me the part about the moon being made of cheese, I'll be more impressed with the part about the sandwiches.
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