Really good argument, but I just didn't love the way in which it was written. I wish it had a little more emotion in it. The facts presented were awesome though! ( )

I'm not quite sure how to review this book. I was not convinced at the end, one way or the other. I have always been a questioning person in faith, but have attended church and lean toward belief most days. I did learn a lot about the people who documented Jesus' life, especially since I've never read the Bible cover to cover. ( )

"If you were a journalist, how would you investigate the hottest news story in history? Join award-winning reporter Strobel as he probes the life of Jesus Christ. Interviewing 13 of the country's top Christian scholars, he ferrets out incontestable historical, scientific, and psychiatric evidence to support the claims of Jesus. A unique approach to apologetics!" From https://www.christianbook.com/christ-journalists-personal-investigation-evidence...

I'm a sharp nosed journalist and quite the skeptic so I set out to really dig into the evidence on the question of Christ. I went to ten different fundamentalist christians and asked them some hard questions like: "Is it really true that Jesus is Lord?". The man sipped his coffee and looked me in the eye and said "Yes". Being the astute critical mastermind that I am, I wasn't going to let him get away that easy, so I asked: "And what about all those academics who say there are mistakes and contradictions in the Bible, are they just wrong?". He chuckled to himself and said "Indeed they are". He waved some papers in my face and said it was all evidence of how wrong they were. I was stunned. My immense skepticism had been completely refuted. I fell to my knees and thanked Jesus for dying for our sins.

Lee Strobel must think the reader a complete moron. ( )

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 present evidence.

My first problem with Strobel is that he is a mediocre writer. There is a lot of shifting in chairs, sipping coffee, leaning forward in excitement, and grinning with confidence. I think that all of this description of his interview subjects is meant to build their ethos, and to create a sense of realism, but what you get is gruelling repetitiveness and a wish that he would just get to the point.

C.S. Lewis is much better, mainly because you get a sense of candor and honesty about his spiritual belief- he not trying to hoodwink anyone, merely express his true faith the best way he knows how. The Case for Christ, on the other hand, is a classic example of card-stacking and argumentative sleight of hand.

Some basic logical problems with the specious reasoning of this book:

1) Strobel argues that the apostles could not have lied about the resurrection without the people of Jerusalem refuting them. Well, most people of Jerusalem DID NOT adopt Christianity. It is entirely possible that they saw this as just another sect that they could ignore.
2) People do not die for a lie - I agree with this. But a lot of religious belief could generously be called delusional - meaning that the early followers of Jesus actually believed in the Resurrection, ignoring contradictory evidence to grasp on to a belief that gave their lives meaning and purpose. The great classic work on religious fervor is William James' "The Variety of Religious Experience". I assume most Christian apologists disregard James, because he clearly shows how people's spiritual experiences can lead them to extreme acts.
3) Strobel never addresses the supernatural vs. materialism piece. How do you bring a dead body back to life? Does it require supernatural "magic", or is there a rational scientific explanation? People for many centuries were absolutely convinced of the existence of witches and demons in their midst. From the modern perspective, these beliefs can be explained away as a lack of understanding of natural phenomena.
4) Christianity spread rapidly through the Roman Empire - which is not proof of the truth of its claims - and coincided with the decline of Rome and the onset of the dark ages. Not exactly an argument in favor of Christianity.
5) He interviews psychologist Gary Collins, who professes a belief in demons as a cause of psychological distress / mental illness. Dr. Collins should have his license revoked.
6) This was the most offensive part:
"I shook my head, saddened at the thought of how many other Jewish children have grown up thinking of Christians as their enemies."
Does Strobel not know about THE CENTURIES of persecution and slaughter of Jews by Christians, culminating in the Holocaust? Do Jews have no reason to suspect Christians, especially when Christians call them IGNORANT for not embracing the "truth of Christ"?

I would like to hear more about Strobel's supposed "atheism" before he started writing this book. Did he read the great skeptical writers and philosophers? Or was this a canard to draw in unbelievers?

Also, the ad hominem attacks on the Jesus Project as being "radical, left-wing scholars" does nothing to diminish their arguments. Why not interview one of the participants, instead of giving all of the page space to their right-wing critics?

As an agnostic, I don't believe that this conversation will ever be over. What troubles me is that Evangelicals (along with radicals in all religions) are not content to let people alone with their beliefs. Atheists can be just as strident and dogmatic in their desire to convert people. To me, it is interesting that people are drawn to religion - but the individual should have the freedom and autonomy to find his own way through life.



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A basic understanding of the evidences of Christ. Should be read as a first step toward a deeper understanding of Jesus and Christianity. ( )

If you were a journalist, how would you investigate the top story in human history? Join the award-winning former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune as he cross-examines scholars to uncover incontestable evidence supporting Jesus' claims. Includes updated archaeological material, an interview with Strobel, and more. A powerful defense of the Christian faith!

The author is clearly a Christian apologist, and while the interviews conducted are generally excellent it should be noted that each interviewee is also an apologist. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book as it presents an informative counterbalance to the positions taken by secular professors who tend to be quite skeptical.

The book discusses most of the core issues involving the Christian faith, so can serve as a springboard for both believers and non-believers who are interested in further researching the subject.

I enjoyed this book and recommend it. ( )

I was obligated to read this during a summer home at my parents, while meeting with their pastor one-on-one for a few weeks, to address my burgeoning skepticism. It didn't work. ( )

The Case For Christ
Being an atheist, Strobel felt certain his findings would bring Christianity's claims about Jesus tumbling down like a house of cards. He was in for the surprise of his life. Join him as he retraces his journey from skepticism to faith. You'll consult expert testimony as you sift through the truths that history, science, psychiatry, literature, and religion reveal. Like Strobel, you'll be amazed at the evidence - how much there is, how strong it is, and what it says. The facts are in. What will your verdict be in The Case for Christ? ( )

In this revised and updated bestseller, The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel cross-examines a dozen experts with doctorates from schools such as Cambridge, Princeton, and Brandeis, asking hard-hitting questions--and building a captivating case for Christ's divinity.

I’ll admit that it’s been at least ten years since I read this book, but I have watched the 2017 movie, The Case for Christ, which dramatizes the author’s search. It shows Strobel as a young, atheist newspaper journalist in the 1970s, his desire to disprove his wife’s newfound faith in Christ, and the strain this conflict of beliefs put on their marriage.

Although the film focuses on Strobel’s relationship, it also introduces the viewers to some of the experts he interviewed and the answers he received to his challenging questions, such as “Does evidence exist for Jesus outside the Bible? Is there any reason to believe the resurrection was an actual event?”

This well-documented book contains three sections: “Examining the Record,” “Analyzing Jesus,” and “Researching the Resurrection.” Each chapter ends with a few discussion questions and a short list of resources for a reader to dig deeper into the subject.

https://lorindasponderings.com/2018/11/16/dusty-pages-or-divine-word-part-2/

I enjoyed it. He paced it evenly and kept it interesting with his colorful descriptions of the conversations he had and the various experts he met. not a dry theological book, by any means. very easy to read for the common man who is interested in learning a bit more about historical evidence for/against Jesus.
the author is a Christian, and all the experts that he talks to are also Christians. even though he stresses objectivity, I wonder how an atheist or a non christian would review the book. I also wonder if there are any counterarguments or opposing views that are not addressed in the book.

all in all, it's a good starting point for anybody wanting to expand his knowledge of the subject, and is not limited at all towards nerds or "philosopher" types. ( )

Solving the Biggest Mystery of All Time
An investigative journalist and self-proclaimed atheist sets out to disprove the existence of God after his wife becomes a Christian.

Rated PG for thematic elements including medical descriptions of crucifixion, and incidental smoking

Interesting interviews. This book chronicles Strobel’s quest for proof, not that Jesus existed, but that he was the son of God. I was a bit disappointed because the proof is from a legal definition rather than a scientific one.

So, a person could reject the preponderance of the evidence or refute Strobel’s subject matter experts; thereby rejecting the conclusions. From that perspective, the discussions are more about the author’s personal spiritual journey than a proving of Christianity.

Interesting to read, but by no means a presentation of fact. I guess that’s what faith is all about. ( )

I find religion fascinating and being from England I had assumed that my school lessons about Christianity had given me a solid foundation of knowledge on the subject. As a result I have read about many of the other major religions in the world but had neglected to read further on Christianity. The synopsis for this book had me intrigued as it promised to present an evidence based exploration on the existence of Jesus.

Strobel starts off by explaining he was a crime reporter and had attended many court cases over the years as part of his job. He stated that he wanted to investigate Jesus by looking and the evidence on both sides just as they do in court. This is the first failure on his part as he only speaks to experts who support the existence of Jesus. At no point does he interview sceptics and this hurts the book in a big way in my opinion. It's not all bad though. I found the evidence presented well thought out and has inspired me to read deeper on the subject. The writing is simple enough for a layman like me to understand what is going on without it feeling too dumbed down. After finishing the book I read a rebuttal online and it revealed to me that there is a lot more to scholarly Christan knowledge than I had ever imagined. Someone with little knowledge of the minutiae (like me) could be easily swayed by many of the arguements in the book without realising there is a strong counterpoint to be made by others. I really wish this had been a more balanced book as it would have improved it greatly in my opinion. ( )

I doubt there's much I can add to what's already been said about Lee Strobel's The Case for Christ. Read it! This is a book that has the potential to change your life.

Christianity is perceived by many as something intelligent people don't take seriously (this despite the fact that many of the greatest minds in history have been Christians; but I digress). As the former legal editor at the Chicago Tribune and with a law degree from Yale, Strobel is no mental slouch, and he sets out to interview 14 experts on various aspects of Jesus's life and resurrection, as well as the Bible itself and other historical sources. His journalistic training shows not only in his bulldoggish tenacity to get to the heart of the matter, but also in his ability to tell a great story.

The Case for Christ is intended for a popular audience, yet has numerous end notes, as well as a helpful reading list for further study at the end of each chapter. (As I've noted elsewhere, "popular" and "academic" titles and topics do not have to be mutually exclusive). It is a book that can be used as a quick reference, and one that challenges you to pick it up again.

There is a reason why millions of copies of The Case for Christ have been sold. There is a reason why it has been translated into multiple languages. There is a reason why it has been made into a motion picture. That reason is the truth and clarity of its message. Read it: you will not be disappointed. ( )

When I review religious books, I feel that I should state that I am an atheist. Nonetheless, I try to review the book from the point of someone who may disagree with me. It is necessary to distinguish between "Jesus" and "Christ." I know a number of liberal Christians, and indeed, some atheists, who are certain that Jesus did exist, but they don't believe that he was the messiah, or, Christ. Some of these Christians still think that he is a prophet, even if not divine. Strobel takes a more conservative view: he is arguing that the Christian Testament can be taken literally and that Jesus is indeed the messiah.

Given the number of editions and spinoffs of this book, obviously mainly Christians find it inspiring. I am always rather annoyed with Strobel because in this and The Case for a Creator, he is falsely claiming to be asking tough questions. No, he is clearly choosing speakers who will say what he wants to hear. They have impressive credential, but they would get a lot of argument from other qualified professinals. Strobel mixes the interviews with stories from his time as a journalist, which I suppose is intended to convince the reader that he is, as he claims, asking tough questions. No, he's lobbing softballs, if not snowballs. He will tell his experts: you know, some people disagree with you, The expert will firmly announce that whoever disagrees is wrong, and as far as Strobel is concerned, that settles that. I assume many of his readers feel that same.

I would only caution believers that trying to use these arguments with knowledgeable people can be risky. The fact is that experts disagree more than Strobel lets on; believing readers who want to debate with others are poorly served by not being told this. I know a man with a Ph.D. in New Testament studies, who taught religion at a well-regarded private college, and while he believes that Jesus is a prophet, and religion is central to his life, he doesn't believe in miracles, salvation, eternal life, or even that Gods listens to prayers. He likes Paul Tillich's view of God as an impersonal being who is "Being Itself." If Strobel were to ask him, he could marshal a number of other experts to support his interpretation. The reader may find that the arguments of Strobel and his experts are not as effective with everyone as they might suppose.

My point is, before one goes out to argue as a sheep among wolves, one should know what the wolves might argue -- getting caught flat-footed is embarrassing. A lot of atheists and other non-Christians are actually quite knowledgeable. According to the Pew Forum, atheists actually score higher on tests of knowledge about Christianity than most Christians do. Look through Richard Carrier's The Case Against the the Case for Christ, just to have an idea of what one might be up against. ( )

A fantastic read. Reminds me of a "Dateline Investigation" as it goes through almost every claim against the Bible. I was surprised at how objective Lee Strobel was conducting the interviews. He asked some tough questions and really put the experts to the test.

In the end, the evidence in clear Christ is who He said he was. ( )

This book was not for ME. Maybe it’s written more for a person like Strobel himself, at the time, questioning Christianity. It was written at an elementary level, more journalistic than providing facts. I did not learn anything new. I found it difficult to read and disappointing although I generally liked his premise. ( )

When a prominent journalist decides to prove his wife's faith is based on myth and superstition, he digs deeper and deeper into the study of the Bible and the historical records. What he finds changes his life and his marriage. Based on a true story, this book has also been made into a movie. ( )

Fantastic; this book is so intelligent and so well-researched. I'm going to lend my copy to some of my athiest friends. ( )

This book is an excellent resource both for people first considering Christianity or Christians who want more confidence in their beliefs. ( )

Lee Strobel's book got really big when I was in college and he makes a really good argument for why the Creationism theory isn't so far-fetched. I really love his stuff - he looks at everything through the lens of a journalist, someone who is investigating the situation and trying to come to conclusions. ( )

I have read this book before, and probably will again. Strobel presents evidence for Christ and the resurrection that changed his mind and had him converting from an atheist to a Christian. Sometimes it is not bad to be reminded! ( )