The Case for Christ

Jan 26, 2016 Ancient rated it did not like it

Recommends it for: People not looking for real answers, Christians who really don't want to challenge their beliefs

Shelves: religion, f-this-crap

Rated 1 star for false advertising, poor journalism, poor investigation, poor argumentation, and poor scholarship.

There's not enough room here to critique all the specifics of this book, so I'll get right to the heart of things (if you're interested in a more detailed critique, check out Robert M. Price's excellent The Case Against the Case for Christ. Or check out the review at infidels.org).

At the beginning of The Case for Christ Strobel presents himself as a journalist and a former athe Rated 1 star for false advertising, poor journalism, poor investigation, poor argumentation, and poor scholarship.

There's not enough room here to critique all the specifics of this book, so I'll get right to the heart of things (if you're interested in a more detailed critique, check out Robert M. Price's excellent The Case Against the Case for Christ. Or check out the review at infidels.org).

At the beginning of The Case for Christ Strobel presents himself as a journalist and a former atheist/skeptic who is about to conduct a serious investigative search into whether or not Jesus is exactly what orthodox/fundamentalist Christian churches teach him to be - the God Man with miraculous powers born of a virgin to die for the sins of the world, etc., etc.

But here's the problem - the contents of this book are nothing resembling serious investigative journalism. They are a collection of arguments, quotes, and information almost 100% of which are supplied by a small group of like-minded, Evangelical Christian apologists. Strobel never interviews any of the many, many other scholars with views that differ from that of this small, very conservative Evangelical group. (And there are plenty of scholars just as, if not more, qualified and respected who would disagree with what the members of Stobel's clique have to say.)

I rate TCFC at 1 star not because I disagree with the arguments presented in it (which I do), but because it's so dishonest. It claims to be investigative reporting when it presents only a mass of one-sided, biased apologetical material. After having spent years as an investigate journalist, Strobel is either clueless as to what constitutes investigative journalism (possible, but unlikely), or he began this project already possessing a set of strong religious convictions, proceeded to gather only those arguments, interviews, and info which support these particular convictions, and then combined that material into a book dishonestly marketed as investigative journalism (the more likely case).

Strobel is free to write whatever kind of books he wants, but he isn't free to make false claims without expecting to be called out on them.

The true intended audience for TCFC are Christians who are looking for somebody to tell them exactly what they want to hear, that all the traditional (and overly-simplistic) beliefs they were taught about Jesus in Sunday School are true and proven. TCFC is not a book written for critical thinkers looking for an honest exploration of well-researched and well-supported scholarship and arguments concerning who Jesus was.

If you are interested in a more honest discussion of opposing viewpoints about Jesus written for the average reader where different sides get to present their own views in their own words (although one that is still quite slanted in it's presentation), check out Will the Real Jesus Please Stand Up? edited by Paul Copan. ...more

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Mike Valerie wrote: "Hmmm. I recommend you watch some of the historical debates between the top scholars of the world. They are the LEADING scientists, the ...more
May 05, 2016 08:25AM

Ancient Valerie,

"Hmmm. I recommend you watch some of the historical debates between the top scholars of the world. They are the LEADING scientists, theologian ...more
updated Jul 04, 2016 01:34AM

Jul 26, 2008 Brooke rated it did not like it

Shelves: non-fiction

My review for this book and The Case For Faith are the same, since I read them at the same time five years ago and can't remember which topics were in which books. I managed to forget I ever read them, and only when I saw them on this site did remember.

These books were given to me by a guy I was dating at the time who decided I'd only be an acceptable wife if I converted to Christianity (I'm currently single, if you're wondering how well that went over). It's a shame he chose these books as hi My review for this book and The Case For Faith are the same, since I read them at the same time five years ago and can't remember which topics were in which books. I managed to forget I ever read them, and only when I saw them on this site did remember.

These books were given to me by a guy I was dating at the time who decided I'd only be an acceptable wife if I converted to Christianity (I'm currently single, if you're wondering how well that went over). It's a shame he chose these books as his main plan of attack, because they're terrible.

Lee Strobel's first mistake is that he tries to answer everything with a pat, definitive response. The tone he uses is one that says, "AH! This is so simple, now that you've explained it! How does anyone not understand?" As most people realize, religion is complicated and often requires you to just believe in things that you take on faith, rather than because it's been proven by evidence. Trying to argue for faith makes faith a moot point.

When answering the question, "If there's a God, why does he allow such suffering in this world?" Strobel trots out the tired response, "Because God gave us free will." For a book that's supposed to help convert people, that answer isn't going to reassure someone who had strong objections in the first place. It also fails to acknowledge that we really just don't know, and that we tell ourselves this to try to make sense of things, not because we know for sure.

Strobel also tried to address deep questions with anecdotes - one that sticks out in my mind to this day was a response to a question about how people who never heard of Jesus could be saved, and isn't it a flaw of the religion if it only applied to people who happened to live in a place where Jesus was brought to their attention? Strobel somehow thought that a story about a Muslim girl in a Muslim country who one day randomly thought "I need Jesus's help" and secretly became Christian answered it sufficiently and proved that we will just know Jesus in our hearts.

Other answers required a preexisting belief in order to make sense. They reminded me of the circular argument the aforementioned ex-boyfriend would give for Jesus's divinity - Jesus is God, so since he says he's God, if I don't believe he's God, I'm calling God a liar.

The kicker for me was a chapter about the prediction of the Messiah in the Jewish bible - Strobel managed to find an ignorant Jew who must have never done even the minimal Torah study. With his help, Strobel spins a conspiracy where Rabbis hide the fact that the Jewish bible prophesied the arrival of the Messiah. The ignorant Jew tells Strobel all about how he didn't know such a thing was foretold, and it was such a revelation to him that he converted to Christianity. I want to find this guy and smack him up the side of the head with my Tanakh and suggest he look up that little thing about the descendant of King David.

Strobel would have done far better to admit that these are complicated questions for which we don't have all the answers, if we have any at all. The fact that he has an answer for everything just makes him look silly and arrogant. If religion were this easy, we wouldn't have the Talmud and Midrash. ...more

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Fallyn Marie I agree with Robin && Every other comment disagreeing with Brooke... You seem really hostile && your "review" was just a hostile attac ...more
Mar 21, 2015 12:17AM

Tawfik Nasser Brooke do u speak hebrew ? (more easy to talk and for the sources i want to give you)
First of all i think that giving you a religion book on a date an ...more
18 hours, 30 min ago

Sep 26, 2011 Malcolm rated it it was amazing

As with any religious book, objectivity is impossible (since religion, by loose definition, is subjective experience of that which is unproven); so here's my subjective opinion as a Christian.

Non-believers
If you are a non-believer, you're going to fall into one of three general groups: atheists, agnostics, and seekers (and that fourth most special group made up of all the people who just refuse to be grouped by a small-minded Christian, dammit :) ).

If you are actually a member of that fourth g ...more

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Jan 01, 2013 Danielle The Book Huntress (Back to the Books) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Anyone who has questions about the faith of Christianity and the person of Jesus Christ

Shelves: favorites, christian-theology, owned-copy, nonfiction, audiobook, library-checkout, 2012-sky-s-the-limit-club, yearly-reading-challenge

This review is probably not as well-crafted as I would have hoped, since I am very swamped right now, and unable to do better. However, I wanted to write my thoughts on the book to the best of my ability as soon after I finished the audio version as possible so I wouldn't forget too much. I hope to reread it and analyze it more at a later date.

When I finished this book, I felt that Mr. Strobel tackled the tough questions about Christ that one might ask if they were skeptical about the faith and This review is probably not as well-crafted as I would have hoped, since I am very swamped right now, and unable to do better. However, I wanted to write my thoughts on the book to the best of my ability as soon after I finished the audio version as possible so I wouldn't forget too much. I hope to reread it and analyze it more at a later date.

When I finished this book, I felt that Mr. Strobel tackled the tough questions about Christ that one might ask if they were skeptical about the faith and the person of Jesus Christ. I grew up in a Christian home and I have been a personal confessor of faith in Jesus for well over twenty years. However, it was good to take a hard look at the questions I didn't have the answers for from a scholarly standpoint. And I believe that Jesus wants anyone who chooses to follow him to count the cost and look hard at who he is. He is honest and righteous and doesn't want anyone to be misled about who he is. So I would say that anyone of my bent is encouraged to do the same.

I felt that Mr. Strobel showed his investigative journalism chops in addressing those important aspects of Christ's identity and the reliability of the evidence of his claim as the Son of God who died for the sins of every person who ever lived, and rose again from the grave, and the areas that one might use to discount his message and the affirming power of faith in Jesus Christ as the Messiah. Ultimately, those who choose not to believe will probably continue to not believe (and they have that choice), but those who want to take that step to believe in him and have some factual proof about him and what faith in him offers, they will find enough here to further confirm that faith in Jesus is not blind faith, but a reasonable, eyes open step of faith. What I do not propose here is that this book takes the place of the Holy Bible, but instead, Strobel's investigation shows that the Bible is a reputable historical document and what it says about God and Jesus Christ is historically accurate. And for those who seek further inquiry, one will find a very good bibliographical source of reputable scholars who can offer even more sound information about Jesus Christ, the historicity of his persona, and the proven historical accuracy of the New Testament Gospels and how they relate to the Old Testament. In fact, this was one of strongest elements of the book for me, since it gave me even more books to read as I get the opportunity.

While I have seen plenty of 1 star reviews for this book, I personally feel justified in giving it 5 stars. One might argue that I like it because it justifies what I believe. That's not completely untrue. It does justify what I believe. I'm glad that I walked into this book with my brain prepared to take a hard look at the evidence and that scholarship was rewarded in Strobel's methodical and thorough investigative process. Let me add that I would have believed what I did anyway based on the process of my individual faith walk. Instead, this book just provides more solid evidence to underpin what I already believe.

I am a rational person. Very analytical, and I have never felt that having faith in God requires throwing out the thought processes and rational inquiry. After all, God gave us brains and he expects us to use them. So for me, this book takes a thinking person who values factual evidence and solid inquiry on a logical investigation into the identity of Jesus of Nazareth, who has proven he is the Son of God in so many ways that those who believe in him will not find themselves disappointed with that decision in the long run.

I would recommend this book. ...more

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Jan 29, 2008 Michael rated it did not like it

Shelves: history

This book will not persuade anyone who doesn't believe in his heart already.

Strobel claims to have been a serious skeptic about Jesus and to have done these interviews in the style of a serious journalist in order to decide for himself whether Christians are right.

I don't believe him. As an actual skeptic who is very familiar with the Bible, I find that Strobel consistently avoids the obvious problems with the arguments put forward. He interviews only Christians and blindly accepts everything t ...more

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Sep 18, 2007 Joanna rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Recommends it for: anyone

The Case for Christ is a collection of interviews that retraces journalist Lee Strobel's journey from skepticism to faith. Not content to merely take someone's word for it, Strobel used his journalism and law training to track down and agressively interview experts on Christ and the Christian faith. Because Strobel is willing to ask taboo questions and attempts to poke irreparable holes in his own faith, the answers he finds from various professors and clergy are both compelling and intellectu ...more

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Apr 24, 2008 Jeremiah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christian-apologetics

This book is quite possibly the most readable and engaging book to ever hit the field of apologetics; I recommend it to every Christian. The book chronicles Strobel's inquisitive journey as he questions some of the most astute thinkers alive today about some of the most pressing questions a Christian can ask. Read it for no other reason than to ground yourself more deeply in the True faith, to stand strong and to live a life of bold confidence.

P.S. Buy and watch the DVD (by the same title) that ...more

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Apr 05, 2008 Nicole rated it it was amazing

AWESOME!
The Case for Christ records Lee Strobel's attempt to "determine if there's credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God." The book consists primarily of interviews between Strobel (a former legal editor at the Chicago Tribune) and biblical scholars such as Bruce Metzger. Each interview is based on a simple question, concerning historical evidence (for example, "Can the Biographies of Jesus Be Trusted?"), scientific evidence, ("Does Archaeology Confirm or Contradict J ...more

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Dec 29, 2007 Mark Conwell rated it it was amazing

Recommends it for: Anyone

This book thoroughly investigates Jesus claim of being the one and only son of God. Lee Strobel took the time to seek out and question scholars who provide overwhelming evidence for Jesus as the Messiah. I have seen several criticisms of this book that say Lee did not talk to scholars who refute Jesus life, death, and resurrection. However, as a former atheist Lee gives due attention to the opposite side of the argument. As a Christian, I would recommend this book to anyone and challenge people ...more

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Oct 07, 2012 Yvonne rated it liked it

Recommended to Yvonne by: LuAnn

Shelves: books-i-read-on-the-mission

Although this is not on the 'approved' LDS missionary library, I read it anyway because of friend of mine asked me to. It was very interesting to see the archeological and historical proof that Strobel had for the life of Jesus Christ. It was also good to understand what kind of proof many Evangelicals want to see before they accept the Book of Mormon as true. However, just because there is historical or archeological evidence supporting the existence of Jesus Christ doesn't prove that he is the ...more

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Sep 20, 2011 Kate rated it it was amazing

This is a great read because it is not one-sided. Lee Strobel is a former journalist and legal editor of the Chicago Tribune. He uses his skill in research to provide a book that explores the claims of Christianity. I like that Strobel writes almost in a detective-style format, he offers challenges, interrogates witnesses, challenges his sources, and presents the evidence in a blunt and organized manner. He examines the evidence with neutrality and attention to detail. It is refreshing to read a ...more

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Sep 19, 2011 Kerrie rated it did not like it

Shelves: religion

I pretty much agree with everything Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins have to say on the subject of religion (with a few exceptions), but I'm not about to limit my reading material to what fits my worldview. I'm entirely open to reading religious material and see what it has to say. This book was put into my hands by a Christian who said it proved beyond a doubt that Christ existed, was resurrected, and therefore Christianity/God/salvation was real. This story has obviously convinced bill ...more

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Kerrie I have no idea what you're saying or trying to say. But I'm looking forward to your 5-star detailed review of this book that explains exactly what is ...more
Mar 06, 2015 05:54PM

Nicol Hi Kerrie.

I haven't read this book yet, but it's on my to-read list. I read your review and your first response. I am glad that you are reading books Hi Kerrie.

I haven't read this book yet, but it's on my to-read list. I read your review and your first response. I am glad that you are reading books like this and challenging yourself to analyze the view that stands in opposition to your own beliefs. I'm trying to do more of that too. I'm in Camp Jesus at this point, but I haven't always been. I went from Catholic to Atheist to Agnostic to Spiritual to Christian over a period of about 10 years. I (kind of) understand where you're coming from, since I've been on your side of the fence as well. It seems like you're really striving to understand, so I just want to say one thing. I didn't choose faith because it is comfortable. In fact, I'm one of those "crazy," "fundamentalist," threatening Christians. Inherently, this often makes me very uncomfortable. It's uncomfortable socially, that's for sure. Try admitting that you believe in Creation to a bunch of super educated colleagues. Barf! Additionally, there is a piece of Christianity that I have only just begun to understand: trust. Here is one example of trust that is tough for me. To lay down my wants and needs before God, and simply trust him to care/provide for me (and my family- even more difficult) in times of trouble, is astonishingly uncomfortable. But that's what the faith part of faith is all about. I'm struggling to rewire my own brain; Christianity demands that you accept God as your provider and salvation. This means rejecting the notion that one is in control of his own fortune and future, both here on Earth and in Heaven. That, at times, gives me serious indigestion. Faith is very challenging if one is actually being faithful.

There is something I've heard referred to as "prosperity gospel;" I don't know a lot about this concept, but my general understanding leads me to believe that this is the part of Christianity (if you can call it that) to which you are referring. Prosperity gospel would be the comfort food of preaching; it's very feel-good and gives a person warm fuzzies... and maybe some false beliefs about what it means to be a Christian.

I wish I could come up with a good title that would really illustrate the true meaning of Christianity (aside from the Bible). I'm stumped right now. You could always try some CS Lewis. I've heard really good things about Mere Christianity, but I haven't read it myself.

I hope that I didn't come across as preachy or condescending or anything like that. I just saw an opportunity to communicate about the topic with you- and you seem genuinely curious and thoughtful about it. Figured I'd share.

Be well. ...more
Apr 24, 2015 05:52PM

Dec 04, 2010 George rated it it was amazing

Really guys, what are you disputing? Facts are facts. I was not an atheist, but have done great study on the reliability of the manuscripts of the New Testament. I have also debated in a liberal seminary with professors and scholars which I attended. Their arguments were blowing in the wind. There is NO reason to believe that Jesus was not who He was reported to be. Although I do not know Lee Strobel, he seems to have put forth a reasonable and well researched argument. Is it not liberals that a ...more

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Mar 19, 2008 Daniel Lundgren rated it really liked it

I really liked this book at the time. It was reassuring to have something so concrete in high school. While I think it was helpful at the time, I find myself not needing it as much at this stage of my life. Hopefully this is because I have moved past the need for an intellectual defense of my faith towards a discipleship under the lordship of Christ based upon who he is as seen in scripture and through the experience of Christians throughout the ages. Ultimately, I think this is a book for Chris ...more

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Aug 04, 2014 Melody rated it it was amazing

Shelves: to-buy, favorites, christianity, nonfiction

This book was great. My fiance is really into apologetics (defending christianity), and is a fan of Josh McDowell so this was my first book into this topic so I thought it would be interesting to compare this author to McDowell.

Lee Strobel is a former athiest who on finishing this book became a Christian. He was and is an award winning legal journalist for the Chicago Times and has a fantastic resume/experience in journalism and law (from Harvard).

So when his wife becomes a Christian and he noti ...more

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Nov 21, 2010 April rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-a-copy

I agree with the review on the book's back cover which says-" Author Lee Strobel is an award winning journalist at The Chicago Tribune. He received his Master's of
Studies in Law Degree from Yale Law School. This is a book about a seasoned journalist who was a spiritual
skeptic of one of the Biggest Stories In History - He investigates in this book the question-
"Is there credible-evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God? Retracing his own spiritual journey from Atheism to Faith- ...more

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Apr 08, 2015 Barry rated it did not like it

Shelves: spirituality-religious-history

Another book that I had high hopes for that didn't deliver. In fact, I think I have less faith in Christ for having read this book.

Lee Strobel is a journalist who converted to Christianity from Atheism and now makes millions of dollars selling 'The Case For..XXX" books. This book supposedly details his journey from skeptic to believer in which he interviews several different experts on topics related to Christ.

His conclusions are transparent from the outset and I found the scholarship and logi ...more

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Oct 12, 2016 Angela Watts rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christianity-etc

Great book. I'm sick right now so I can't give much of a review but... Probably will give one later (and fix my review for the other book, Case For Creator...)

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Jun 29, 2009 Michelle rated it did not like it

Recommends it for: No one, except as an exercise in recognizing poor logic.

Shelves: religion-spirituality

Welcome to The Case for Christ, an investigation into the Christian faith with all the intellectual rigor of a teen study Bible. Join Lee Strobel as he examines the evidence from all sides by interviewing theologically conservative male Christians. You'll be astonished by the pronouncements of scholars who don't cite their sources, who appeal to proof-by-martyrdom, who regard early church creeds as evidence of historical events, and and who think first-century Jews believed in Hell. Please keep Welcome to The Case for Christ, an investigation into the Christian faith with all the intellectual rigor of a teen study Bible. Join Lee Strobel as he examines the evidence from all sides by interviewing theologically conservative male Christians. You'll be astonished by the pronouncements of scholars who don't cite their sources, who appeal to proof-by-martyrdom, who regard early church creeds as evidence of historical events, and and who think first-century Jews believed in Hell. Please keep your hands and your credulity inside the car at all times.

Debunking every piece of nonsense presented in this book would be a book in itself, so I'll stick to underlining a few overarching errors in judgment.

Lee Strobel believes that his background as a legal journalist qualifies him to evaluate the validity of the Christian faith. That's his first mistake. The interview format is a great idea, though, because it allows Strobel to simply record the assertions of his interview subjects without citing sources or asking them to do so. The endnotes Strobel does provide don't begin to cover all the claims his witnesses make. This isn't so bad when someone says, "I think..." but it becomes a serious problem when the interviewee claims that "an increasing number of scholars are expressing serious reservations..." without mentioning who these scholars might be or how he knows this in the first place.

Strobel second mistake is to loudly proclaim his skepticism (though he is a professing Christian) while interviewing only people who agree with him. Methinks - well, you know. Even in the chapter titled "The Rebuttal Evidence," we don't actually get to see any of the rebuttal evidence; Strobel provides a hasty explanation of the Jesus Seminar, and quickly turns to a conservative scholar, who, unsurprisingly, refutes it. Strobel tells us that this scholar debates atheists "for fun," yet calls in his expertise only to scoff at the opinions of one small group of liberal theologians, and somehow considers this a fair rebuttal.

Strobel's third and silliest mistake is to apply American legal standards to matters of history, archaeology, literature, and philosophy. This courtroom model leads Strobel to conclude, presumably with a straight face, that if the New Testament writers got the names of the towns and reigning monarchs correct, they probably got everything else right. If you aren't convinced by this ridiculous claim, you may as well stop reading, because there isn't a chapter that follows that isn't predicated on the assumption that the New Testament is historically accurate, even though one of Strobel's later witnesses calls this assumption into question.

At this point, it hardly matters that Strobel is a thoroughly mediocre writer.

If you are a curious nonbeliever investigating Christianity, don't bother reading this book. Look for someone who actually made an effort.

If you're a Christian and you feel that your faith needs some bolstering by reason, ask yourself whether evidence would change your mind, one way or the other. If it wouldn't, why bother looking at evidence?

If it would, see above about "effort."
...more

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Jul 09, 2013 Josh rated it did not like it

It is no wonder that Christians need primarily to witness to converts because you'd have to be incredibly stupid and/or deluded to think that anecdotes constitute data.

I was challenged by a Christian to read the Case for Christ because I was allegedly making claims that have been refuted in this book as well as in its companion, "The Case for Faith" by the same author. It is hard to decide where to begin. First of all, I did not find one shred of real evidence in favor of Christianity, but that It is no wonder that Christians need primarily to witness to converts because you'd have to be incredibly stupid and/or deluded to think that anecdotes constitute data.

I was challenged by a Christian to read the Case for Christ because I was allegedly making claims that have been refuted in this book as well as in its companion, "The Case for Faith" by the same author. It is hard to decide where to begin. First of all, I did not find one shred of real evidence in favor of Christianity, but that is perhaps because Strobel immediately did himself a disservice by only visiting professionals who have ~~wasted~~ spent most of their lives building persuasive rationalizations that believers could take as permission to continue believing in the face of blatant contradiction. Theologians and apologists are perhaps the last people someone should consult if he or she is looking for objective evidence concerning the validity of Christianity. They wouldn't be very good theologians if they admitted honestly that there is no real evidence--that it is only by faith that Christianity is validated--and so the appeal to religious authority makes this book unconvincing. But there is no discussion as to how we know the Bible is divinely revealed, how we know it can be trusted implicitly, what evidence there is besides what the Bible says that would indicate that Jesus was divine--or that the character depicted in the gospels even existed. It is not enough for Bruce Metzger to assure me that it's all true. If Neil deGrasse Tyson tried to convince me that the Earth went around the sun, it wouldn't just be me taking his word for it--there would be demonstrable evidence to make a truly compelling case. But that is the difference between science and theology: In science there is supporting knowledge, verification and reproducible demonstration; in theology there is only opinions, authority and subjectivity. Science is self-correcting in the face of new information; theology stubbornly refuses new information and believes that the stasis of its doctrines and faith is the only thing keeping it holy.

Second, there is also a real lack of support for much of the claims being made by the interviewees. They make a claim and move on. No real challenge, no verification. Strobel just takes on faith whatever the theologian has presented because there is also no real evidence that Strobel was a real atheist at the outset of his "spiritual journey." But that is just it--Christians seem to delight in debasing their pre-Christian ways by putting what they perceive as the worst possible label on their pre-conversion unbelief: for some it is "satanism," while others just claim to be "atheists." The whole book can be reduced to: How do we know that Jesus is Christ? Because the Bible says so! And so do some obscure historical texts that were written (and probably later edited by Christians for conformity) centuries after the last eyewitnesses passed away. How do we know the Bible can be trusted? Because they Bible says it can be trusted! And if you trust any ancient history, you shouldn't have any problem accepting the truth of the Bible. Unfortunately for Strobel, extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence, and I don't care if Alexander's best biography came 300-500 years after he lived because his biographers aren't claiming he is God's one and only begotten Son in whom I should believe or suffer the eternal torments of damnation.

The only thing I am persuaded of is that this is the kind of anti-intellectual garbage that already-convinced believers give to their young when the young first present doubts so as to stifle any emerging critical faculties that might arise as the youth become adults. Don't think about it. Just take it on faith. Don't rock the boat, just swallow it whole and be grateful that Jesus Christ is Lord and the Holy Spirit can reveal the truth to our hearts! Perhaps the most humorous moment was during the interview with William Lane Craig (Billy the Craig as I call him). Craig's refutation of a criticism is an ad hominem attack that philosophers can't understand the evidence in the same way that a historian does. Never mind that Craig is a theologian and (hack) "philosopher," just take it on faith that secular scholars who earn PhDs in philosophy haven't a clue as to how the discourse of history/historiography functions. It's humorous because I've never seen a theologian who didn't cheat on rational discourse by making the claim that their objective truth is revealed by the subjective experience of Christ in whom all truth is revealed ("For the one who believes...."). That is the only way Christians can establish the "truth" about Jesus and the validity of the church: by changing the rules of logic and the stretching definitions so that they can believe whatever they want to regardless if whether or not that belief is supported by fact. ...more

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May 30, 2011 George rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: church-book-club

It was interesting to read others' reviews of this book before writing my own. Of the (only) three one-star reviews I read, I think each person missed the point and, frankly, had expectations that were too high for the book. So, the most helpful review in this forum is to say that this book is, in fact, as advertised -- it is ONE MAN's review of information that led him to Christ [the sub-title makes this clear]. Strobel tells us that he researched the existence of Jesus Christ in 1981; this boo It was interesting to read others' reviews of this book before writing my own. Of the (only) three one-star reviews I read, I think each person missed the point and, frankly, had expectations that were too high for the book. So, the most helpful review in this forum is to say that this book is, in fact, as advertised -- it is ONE MAN's review of information that led him to Christ [the sub-title makes this clear]. Strobel tells us that he researched the existence of Jesus Christ in 1981; this book is a review/refreshing of the research he personally and privately conducted in the early '80s, published in 1998. In this book, Strobel interviews highly credentialed scholars in various subject areas related to each of those questions/issues/topics. Perhaps it could be better titled, "_A_ Case for Christ" or "Lee Strobel's Case for Christ," but the fact remains that the book is as advertised -- one guy's search for understanding about the earthly existence of the person of Jesus Christ.

In that vein, I think this book is an excellent first look at this topic. It doesn't answer, or even pretend to answer, every single concern someone might have on this topic, but it provides an excellent framework to begin to investigate the topic individually. You're immediately told that Strobel is a convert to Christianity, so there are no tricks at the end--you always know where the book is headed. Strobel provides detailed introductions to each "expert witness" that speak to their ability to weigh in on a subject and provides citations of their work and additional articles on each topic. If you don't know where to begin on a search to understand the existence of Jesus, I think this book would help. If you're convinced that Jesus is a myth or legend, I think this book would provide lots of food for thought that would require additional research in order to resolve that belief. If you do believe, this book would be useful and highly interesting, but...would probably only prompt you to do more research.

Why?
Because there are a few failings of the book as a definitive piece of scholarly research (but it never pretended to be that, so...maybe I'm unfair). First: I'm sure that in an effort to make the information accessible, Strobel's journalistic style suffered. Strobel is too present in the work; the book is more a travelogue from argument to argument than it is a dispassionate dissertation on various items. Strobel injects himself and his interview subjects into the book, but it falls a bit flat because we know that he converted to Christianity from atheism 17 years earlier. This style degrades the seriousness of the book, but does make it highly readable.

Second: Not every scholar he interviews is on equal academic/professional standing -- although each interviewee is highly, highly credentialed and he only presents one view per each topic. My only example re: professional standing demonstrates my own bias: the gentleman he interviews early in the book has degrees from Yale and Princeton; he subsequently interviews a gentleman teaching at Jerry Falwell's Liberty University. Fairly or unfairly, I judge Liberty University poorly because of some of the statements of its founder (although I did just check and Liberty is accredited by the same organization that certified Vanderbilt University, Duke University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill). Strobel could have helped us by providing multiple first-hand viewpoints per topic. He does establish that he's interviewing THE EXPERT on a topic, but it would've helped to have multiple opinions. He does provide information from contrary viewpoints, though -- but only in the form of a literature review. I think he may have been better served to have had additional view points per topic.

This book is definitely worth reading; it will likely be a quick but thought-provoking read and will likely spur you to additional research. ...more

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Mar 23, 2011 Mike (the Paladin) rated it really liked it

Shelves: christian-theology

Good book. Some might say a bit sensational but then we may not have been where the writer has. I have given away several as gifts.

One of the objections I've read to this book is that the author tries to give "comprehensive" answers to "all" questions about Christianity. All groups of Christians don't agree on all these things. Still He's only attempting to give a perspective on them that makes sense to him and can to others. It's sort of the best anyone can do, lay out the best argument they ca Good book. Some might say a bit sensational but then we may not have been where the writer has. I have given away several as gifts.

One of the objections I've read to this book is that the author tries to give "comprehensive" answers to "all" questions about Christianity. All groups of Christians don't agree on all these things. Still He's only attempting to give a perspective on them that makes sense to him and can to others. It's sort of the best anyone can do, lay out the best argument they can with the understanding they have.

I've seen comments from those who were upset at his answer to what is possibly the most asked question Christians hear. (And it's usually said "at them" or "us" rather than "asked"). It is of course, "why, if there is a good God are there disasters, why is there evil?"

I saw someone very upset who said that Strobel's answer was "free will". Well, that's a very simplified version of the answer. The answer goes all the way back in the Bible to the Adam and Eve story. Whether you accept it as a detailed account of creation or simply an account God gave that could be understood by humans from each generation whether primitive or (what we would call) modern. I've heard the story explained that when Adam and Eve took of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, that they suddenly "understood the difference" in good and evil. But the point of the account was/is that by deciding that they would disobey God "they" Adam and Eve, that is"humanity" took to itself the authority to decide what is good and what is evil. Humanity rejected God's authority and God allows it in that He doesn't force us.

Think about it. What people are asking when they ask this is "why won't God let me live just the way I want to and still make everything nice"? Now that is what's being asked. God basically is letting us have free rein. He only goes far enough to keep His hand in. He doesn't let us wipe ourselves out, he tells us He'll come and rule in the future, but pretty much all else He's left up to us. Maybe part of the reason is so that "we" (humanity,that is) will never be able to say, "if you'd just have given us a little longer, we'd have done it without you, we'd have gotten it right."

C.S.Lewis wrote (I think it was in Mere Christianity) that in the end all people would say to God Thy will be done or if they refused God would say to them, alright your will be done." Free will is God's way, but He refuses to let us destroy ourselves, no matter how much we may insist on it.

I suppose the bottom line is that seldom will two people take exactly the same route to faith or lack thereof. I'd suggest reading and taking the book for what it is, Strobel's experience, and get what you can from it. For example, I love almost everything C. S. Lewis has written, but he came to faith from atheism through the study of philosophy and classic thought. I read Pilgrim's Regress and got very little from it as I don't have Lewis's background in those disciplines. Lewis when he wrote the book did it because he thought (at the time) that most others came to faith in Christ the same way he did. I got what I could from that book. The same here. ...more

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Jul 01, 2012 John rated it really liked it

Shelves: christian-studies

As is always the case with Lee Strobel books, the big problem with THE CASE FOR CHRIST is that it's written by Lee Strobel. Lee Strobel used to work as a journalist for the CHICAGO TRIBUNE and was also trained as a trial lawyer--a background which he's inordinately proud of and can't help referencing nearly every other page or so, beginning with the front cover. His background is the main angle for the book's marketing strategy and is largely responsible for making him a best-selling author. Ir As is always the case with Lee Strobel books, the big problem with THE CASE FOR CHRIST is that it's written by Lee Strobel. Lee Strobel used to work as a journalist for the CHICAGO TRIBUNE and was also trained as a trial lawyer--a background which he's inordinately proud of and can't help referencing nearly every other page or so, beginning with the front cover. His background is the main angle for the book's marketing strategy and is largely responsible for making him a best-selling author. Ironically, though, this aspect of the book is also its biggest failure. Many people read Strobel's writing because they assume that, as a journalist, he will approach the topic from a relatively unbiased perspective and that, because of his lawyer experience, he knows how to avoid the kind of things that would lead to a mistrial. Well...wrong on both counts.
I'm delighted that Strobel is a professing Christian, but I think it's cheesy that, during the course of this book, he sort of half-pretends to be a skeptic. He interviews a host of Bible scholars from different backgrounds and acts as though he's grilling them in order to get answers. Strobel calls it "playing Devil's advocate," but it all comes across as being very silly and disingenuous, and it's obvious that his blustering is only done for dramatic effect. The Bible scholars he interviews certainly realize from the outset that Strobel is on their side, and, sure enough, he readily concedes to their every argument.
I realize I sound like I'm attacking THE CASE FOR CHRIST, which must seem odd in light of my four star rating. The truth is that I found it to be both entertaining and very informative. I could care less about Strobel's bias... Personally, I think the idea of absolute journalistic integrity sounds nice, but realistically is little more than a pipe dream. I'd just as soon journalists wore their biases on their sleeves so we could easily see exactly where they were coming from. Anyway, Strobel is more of a glorified interviewer than an actual writer, and he doesn't really contribute much to the overall content of the book apart from introducing each of his interviewees. As with his other books, it is the people he interviews who are the main focus of the book, and it is they who serve to make it interesting.
This book will give you a whole new perspective on the gospels. It will also introduce you to a bunch of new authors you might want to check out. It covers a lot of ground in a short time, and it's never boring. Despite all its flaws, I think that counts for quite a lot. ...more

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Apr 13, 2008 Skylar Burris rated it it was ok

Shelves: christianity

The author compares his investigation of the evidence for Christianity to his investigation of evidence for a legal case when he worked as a lawyer. While I appreciate the point he is making, this constant method of comparison becomes a bit tedious; as a reader, I just want to get on with the apologetics. His interview style is likewise wearying. While he's telling me what professor this or that is doing with his pipe before answering his question, I just want to say, "Get to the point." The int The author compares his investigation of the evidence for Christianity to his investigation of evidence for a legal case when he worked as a lawyer. While I appreciate the point he is making, this constant method of comparison becomes a bit tedious; as a reader, I just want to get on with the apologetics. His interview style is likewise wearying. While he's telling me what professor this or that is doing with his pipe before answering his question, I just want to say, "Get to the point." The interviews themselves seem a bit contrived, as though he was selecting and arranging his questions in order to produce a certain set of desired responses: leading the witness, so to speak. When reading his accounts of these interviews, I did not feel persuaded that Strobel was being convinced of the evidence for Christianity via his investigation, but that he was already convinced prior to the interviews, and that the interviews themselves are little more than a rhetorical device. There's nothing wrong with using rhetorical devices in apologetics, but then you shouldn't pretend it's something other than a device, and Strobel pretends it's an empirical investigation born of doubt; I think this tactic is very much going to hurt his case with atheists and agnostics who will see it (perhaps not wrongly) as a ploy and then consequently discount the very real and otherwise persuasive evidence he does present.

In short, I would have preferred a straightforward recounting of the evidence on behalf of Christianity. There are many nuggets of persuasive value in this book, but you have to wade through a lot of extraneous material to get there. I wasn't learning anything I haven't already read before in other, more concise or more poetical apologetics, and so I ended up putting the book aside unfinished. If I were to suggest an apologetic, it would not be this one. I would suggest Mere Christianity, Misquoting Jesus, or What's So Great About Christianity long before I would suggest this one.
...more

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Oct 04, 2013 Mex rated it did not like it

Shelves: religion, crap, fiction

I have often been told by Christians to read this book for all the answers about why I should become a Christian. I got the book some time ago but never quite got around to finding time to read it until now.

I am honestly staggered by how poor this book is, it's nothing but wall to wall straw men, special pleading, and quite frankly out and out lies. An example of the lies is the author claims he 'found' Christ while writing this book, then later says he was 'totally won over' by arguments from W I have often been told by Christians to read this book for all the answers about why I should become a Christian. I got the book some time ago but never quite got around to finding time to read it until now.

I am honestly staggered by how poor this book is, it's nothing but wall to wall straw men, special pleading, and quite frankly out and out lies. An example of the lies is the author claims he 'found' Christ while writing this book, then later says he was 'totally won over' by arguments from William Lane Craig years before he even thought about the book, a little research shows he was an evangelical preacher for twenty years prior even to that, I honestly doubt he was ever the sceptical Atheist he claims he was. Another example is he asks the reader to approach the book with an open unbiased mind because (he claims) the book is totally unbiased, but each and every 'expert' he interviews throughout the book is an evangelical writer, each of whom have made a vast amounts of money writing about (and continuing to write about) Christianity, if they say anything against it they stand to lose a fortune, hardly unbiased if you ask me. This is my major problem with this book, it presents itself to be something which it is in fact the complete opposite of.

Strobel himself acts as devil's advocate asking what he laughingly refers to as the 'hard' and 'tricky' questions, but I have *NEVER* heard anybody raise any of these questions because they are all either far too easy to side-step and misdirect, or have been fabricated purely to make the speaker look good by defending against them.

One 'Expert' claims the gospels were written by the disciples immediately after seeing the crucifixion, and everybody agrees with that. In reality the gospels were written much later (Mark around 70AD followed later by Matthew and Luke, and then John coming in somewhere around 120AD), they were also originally unnamed anonymous writings with the names we know them by today only added much later again. This is not some Atheist conspiracy, it is practically universally accepted, so much so it is taught in all but the most extreme of seminary schools all over the world.

Another 'Expert' when asked if it was possible Christ was crazy when he claimed he was the son of god, said people with delusions always have other psychological problems (totally untrue, but we'll ignore that), and proves Christ was totally sane by referencing him crying over the dead body of Lazarus, as any normal person would at the loss of a friend, however he totally forgets that Jesus apparently has the power to resurrect anybody he likes, so isn’t this crying over something so easily fixed actually showing the opposite of what the 'Expert' claimed, it's like getting counselling for dropping your keys rather than just bending over and picking them up. NOTE: I am not saying I believe he was insane, I'm just using this as an example of the poorly thought out arguments presented in this book, and I could continue to give examples, but I see little point in that.

The format Strobel uses throughout the book is;
An anecdote about a modern criminal case that bears little more than a superficial passing resemblance to what is to be discussed in the following chapter.
Introduce the 'Expert' for that chapter, describing every facet of their education and work history in an attempt to place them as either the top, or only expert in the field rather than just somebody with letters after their name who Strobel knows will 100% agree with his particular beliefs.
Ask overly simplified questions.
Blindly accept grossly oversimplified answers, usually saying that's so obvious now you explain it, I totally believe you (normally suggesting the reader accept it too without further thought or study).
Ask how much the expert loves Jesus (always a great deal, unsurprisingly as they were hand picked for this exact reason).

Each and every point raised in the book is far more complicated than Strobel claims, instead of a single line or two sound-byte where the reader is expected accept without consideration or research, they each deserve much more honest discussion, some with a minimum of a page or two, most with a minimum of a book or two. This again brings us back to planned dishonesty of the book.

This book is clearly designed for people who want to bolster their faith, but not study it, or even think too hard about it, if you fall into this group, get the book now, you'll love it, if not just keep looking. It is often referenced that the average Atheist knows far more about religion than the average theist, the fact so many Christians recommend this book shows that statement to be very accurate. Instead of recommencing this book, Christians should be hugely embarrassed it actually exists!
...more

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Jan 30, 2014 Mr. Brammer rated it did not like it

Admittedly, there was very little chance that this book was going to change my skeptical worldview. I think a lot of people cross a threshold of inquiry from which it is impossible to return. Regardless of what Strobel writes in this book, it is clear that he wanted a change in his life, and he only interviewed apologists that would grease his path to faith. To use his somewhat tortured analogy of building a legal case, it is a bit like a trial in which only the prosecution was allowed to presen ...more

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Oct 13, 2016 Rusty added it · review of another edition

Shelves: prose, non-fiction, history, religion

I mentioned recently, uh, in a review of something a month or two ago, that I’m probably going to be reading a LOT of religious books over the next year or so. This is an example.

Since, as I mentioned recently, the recent conversion (or re-conversion) of a loved one means topics like the ones covered in this book are regular conversations for me nowadays. It’s tough because a religious experience is so subjective that it’s really hard to engage with a believer intellectually about their beliefs ...more

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May 30, 2010 Grace Le Fay rated it really liked it

Shelves: non-fiction

Lee Strobel, a Yale-educated journalist and once-atheist, lays out the historical reasoning that led him to become a Christian. This book caught my eye in Koorong because it was cheap, had a plain cover, boring typeface, and basically seemed un-flashy and down-to-earth. Nevertheless it took me a good few months to start reading it. I shouldn’t have put it off – it’s a worthwhile read. There’s so much indisputable historical evidence – stuff that even sceptics admit must be true – about Jesus tha Lee Strobel, a Yale-educated journalist and once-atheist, lays out the historical reasoning that led him to become a Christian. This book caught my eye in Koorong because it was cheap, had a plain cover, boring typeface, and basically seemed un-flashy and down-to-earth. Nevertheless it took me a good few months to start reading it. I shouldn’t have put it off – it’s a worthwhile read. There’s so much indisputable historical evidence – stuff that even sceptics admit must be true – about Jesus that by the time you close the book you’ll be struggling to find a way to dispute Christ and the resurrection. I’m not saying the book is infallible – plenty of critics have a shot at Strobel’s drama-infused, non-neutral storytelling style, and I agree: I think the book could have been better without some of the theatrics. (Side note: the argument that Strobel only interviews Christian authorities seems hypocritical. Would an atheist author of an atheist book interview Christian experts?) But if you ignore all of that, you’re still left with a multitude of facts that you can’t hide from. The Jesus story is so deeply written into history that I’m left thinking you’d have to really want to twist the facts to deny the Christian truth. But as easy as it is for my mind to believe, I still have a sceptical heart and I’m waiting for that experiential faith to (re-)happen. I hope it does.

A quote from C.S. Lewis (who is a-maz-ing!):

I am here trying to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about Him: “I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would either be a lunatic…or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God: or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, or you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon: or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that option open to us. He did not intend to.

...more

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Dec 12, 2007 Craig rated it it was ok

This book is not very well written both in terms of the writing itself and in being unconvincing. The author interviews several conservative scholars about many of the common challenges to the Bible and Christian theology and gets their responses. No problem there. The trouble is that the author tries to pretend he is this hard hitting journalist who doesn't pull any punches and rattles his subjects with bull-dog like tenacity and... you get the picture. Well the reality is that he is none of th This book is not very well written both in terms of the writing itself and in being unconvincing. The author interviews several conservative scholars about many of the common challenges to the Bible and Christian theology and gets their responses. No problem there. The trouble is that the author tries to pretend he is this hard hitting journalist who doesn't pull any punches and rattles his subjects with bull-dog like tenacity and... you get the picture. Well the reality is that he is none of those things. Each interview has the same pattern.

1. Introduce subject
2. Build the credibility of the subject both in the professional and personal sense ("I was expecting an ivory tower dork-wad, but was surprised to find a super smart awesome guy.")
3. Present a series of challenges to Biblical accuracy or Christian theology ("Can the Gospels really be relied upon as accurate?")
4. Listen to the response ("Yes and here is why.")
5. Make slanted statements about any consensus amoung Biblical scholars, "the majority of reputable scholars are fairly comfortable with most of such and such.")
5. Admit that the interview subject is right "Okay, okay, stop pummeling me with your unassailable arguments." "I now see that the weight of the evidence is overwhelming." "I couldn't argue with his rock solid arguments." blah, blah, blah.

No real attempt at counter argument is made. There is no hard hitting journalism. There is no real attempt at cross examination (no pun intended). After about the third interview, I began to actually feel uncomfortable for him in that he was still trying to keep up this charade of confrontational skepticism.

That being said, the book does have some positive aspects. It does provide a good overview of many of the criticisms of the Bible as well as an initial response to those criticisms. I know that you can't present every answer and counter arguement to every issue in one book, but the way it is done just isn't going to be very convincing to anyone. I think that such a weak effort can actually have the opposite of the intended effect and make people more skeptical. As someone who is already a believer, I think we can do much much better than this in terms of defending the Bible and the faith. ...more

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May 03, 2015 Barry rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: jesus

The premise of this book is straightforward: a journalist sets out to put the basis of Christian beliefs to the test to evaluate its validity. Mr. Strobel had had years of investigative journalist experience on his side, along with a law degree, and a long-time repulsion to all things Christian. That changed when his wife converted to Christianity. At first dreading the change and the effects it might bring his way, he soon noticed that she was becoming a much happier, more loving person, and th ...more

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