The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0310209307 ISBN 13: 9780310209300

Publisher: Zondervan, 1998

Using the dramatic scenario of an investigative journalist pursuing his story and leads, Strobel uses his experience as a reporter for the Chicago Tribune to interview experts about the evidence for Christ from the fields of science, philosophy, and history.

Review:

." . . utterly fascinating . . . I wholeheartedly recommend it." --Ravi Zacharias

From the Author:

Is there credible evidence that Jesus is the Son of God?
Not too many years ago, I was an atheist. My agnostic wife's conversion to Christianity prompted me to use my legal training (M.S.L., Yale Law School) and journalism experience (I was the legal editor of "The Chicago Tribune") to systematically investigate whether there's any credible evidence that Jesus is the unique Son of God. "The Case for Christ" retraces the two-year quest that rocked my world. But instead of me merely describing the evidence that convinced me Christianity is true, I interviewed thirteen leading scholars and experts, posing to them the tough questions I had when I was a skeptic. These authorities, with doctorates from Cambridge, Princeton, Brandeis, and other prestigious institutions, were forced to defend their positions with compelling evidence and persuasive logic. Among the topics I cover are: € Historical evidence: Are there really enough reliable documents supporting the life, teachings, and resurrection of Jesus? € Scientific evidence: Do archaeological findings support or contradict the historical accounts of Jesus? € Psychiatric evidence: Did Jesus ever claim to be God? If he did, was he crazy? And does he fulfill all of the attributes of God? € Fingerprint evidence: Do ancient prophecies -- written hundreds of years before Jesus was born -- really point to him alone as being the Messiah of Israel and the world? € Plus powerful evidence from four leading authorities on the ultimate authentication of Jesus' claim to being God: his resurrection from the dead. I wanted the book to be both reliable and readable. I have been extremely gratified by the reaction of renowned law professor Phillip Johnson of the University of California at Berkeley, who wrote: "Lee Strobel asks the questions a tough-minded skeptic would ask. His book is so good I read it out loud to my wife evenings after dinner. Every inquirer should have it." Hank Hanegraaff, the nationally syndicated "Bible Answer Man" and president of the Christian Research Institute, was especially gracious in his review: "This is not a dry-as-dust theological treatise. 'The Case for Christ' is a supreme example of investigative journalism that reads like a fast-paced novel. I couldn't put it down. I will go so far as to say that 'The Case for Christ' is the best presentation of the historical evidence for Jesus, in print at a popular level, that I have ever read." Others who have strongly endorsed the book are Bruce M. Metzger, professor emeritus of Princeton Theological Seminary; well-respected scholars J. P. Moreland, Thom Rainer, Peter Kreeft, and Gregory Boyd; Ravi Zacharias, one of the world's foremost defenders of Christianity; famed psychologist Gary Collins; and such highly regarded Christian leaders as Bill Hybels, D. James Kennedy, Bill Bright, and Luis Palau. I wrote this book for three audiences. First, it's for Christians who want to be prepared to defend their faith when it's challenged by skeptics like I once was. (I include a chapter responding to the liberal Jesus Seminar's conclusions that Jesus never said most of what the New Testament claims he said.) Second, it's for Christians who are wavering in their faith and want to anchor it firmly once more. Third -- and most of all -- it's for spiritual seekers who are truly interested in investigating for themselves whether it's rational to put their faith in Jesus of Nazareth. No single book can answer every question. However, I encourage anyone who is authentically curious about Jesus to read "The Case for Christ" with an open mind and sincere heart. Weigh the evidence for yourself. Reach your own verdict. I'll be cheering you on.