Deserves a wide readership

In a sense criticism or praise of this book needs to bear in mind that Strobel himself is really only responsible for the interviewing of scholars and compilation of the resulting material. However, it goes without saying that the book we are reading in its final form is most likely the result of more intimate collaborations than just one-off interviews.

This book is a thorough defence of Christianity chapter-by-chapter, interviewee by interviewee. Apologetic material such as this is very important in the life of the Church. One can only thank God for the popularity of this volume.

Blomberg, in his chapter on "The Eyewitness Evidence", notes that Q is a hypthosis. I agree. It needs to be seen as just that. Q (Quelle, or source) material is that which the Gospels Matthew and Luke are said to be based on, aside from marcan material. Many such hypotheses are entertained in the field of New Testament criticism. Two good books which provide balances to some of these hypotheses are:

Bauckham, Richard (1998) The Gospels for all Christians. Edinburgh: T&T Clark (Multi-author work).

Linneman, Eta (1992) Is there a Synoptic Problem? Rethinking the Literary Dependence of the First Three Gospels. Translated from the German edition Gibt es en synoptisches Problem? by Robert W. Yarbrough. Grand Rapids: Baker.

I enjoyed and agree wholeheartedly with Moreland's comparison of Paul's conversion with that of Mohammed's alleged visitations by the angel Gabriel in a cave (p336).

This is a well priced paperback that is a good refresher for Christians and also one well worth picking up for non-Christian family, friends and relatives. If they are not the reading type, Josh McDowell's "More than a Carpenter" is about a third of the thickness, and possibly half the price.

Great List of Citations, Notes and Index at the back of the book.

Highly recommended.

a newbie-friendly apologetic

"The Case for Christ" by Lee Strobel is a great book for anyone who is interested in why Christians think they have proof that their bible is true. Lee acts as a skeptic asking the most incredibly skeptical questions that he sounds ridiculous (at least to me) much of the time. He does this to make sure that he asks the toughest, most pointed questions to the expert that he is interviewing to make sure that they are using solid reasoning for their answers. He interviews a number of experts (in their own various fields) about the reasons they are Christian. He goes over as much evidence from their field against Christianity as the space in the book permits. The experts he interviewed were all very clear in their reasoning and make very strong arguments for their beliefs. I definatelty recommend this and the other "The Case for..." books by Lee Strobel (The case for Faith, Easter, etc).

One thing I see other people having a problem with here is the fact that Lee Strobel only interviews Christians in the book (by the way, he does in The Case for Faith). Well, we need to think about this. He is trying to give the most prominent Christian scholars tough questions that will force them to defend their beliefs with details. He comes at them with tough arguments about contradictions in the bible and things of that sort and he pushes them hard. He isn't trying to find out why skeptics don't believe the bible is true, he is trying to find out why christians believe it is and he is trying to stump the smartest ones! He is acting as a skeptic (he used to be one) and asks them about the arguments that used to keep him in his athiesm and even does a ton of research on critics of Christianity (such as Michael Martin) and throws quotes from them at these experts. Honestly, when I read this book the first time (a while ago. I've read it a few times now) I would see him ask a question or make a claim that sounded really bad for Christianity (or take use a quote from a skeptical scholar) and I thought the experts would just cringe and hide under the desk. I found that the experts did their best to explain their point of view and they disposed of some very tough arguments against them. The point of this book wasn't to interview Christian scholars and skeptic scholars to get their points of view. The point was to push the christians scholars to force them to give solid reasoning for their positions. I don't think all of their arguments are 100% solid but I think that the majority of the evidence points to the Christian point of view and these guys show why. I've seen skeptical reviewers say things like "don't believe what they say", or "nothing of what they say has anything to do with fact", but that is a desperate attempt to try to make everyone else as closed-minded and bias as them. Read this book. It's a good one.

Fantastic witnessing material

This is - bar none - my favorite witnessing tool to give out. Why? Because it not only appeals to unbelievers but believers as well! I have been a conservative witnessing Christian for over 20 years and this book taught ME a few things! If you are looking for an easy to read and understand book to give to anyone who has either major questions about Christianity OR if you know someone who is struggling with their faith and you want to help them 'take it to the next level'. THIS is the book you MUST get!

What I do is regularly buy a 'six pack' of them and keep them in my car. Then, when anybody shows an interest in Christianity or is a believer that can't defend or doesn't understand the basics of the faith I give them this book FREE of charge. It's cheap enough to do that. It can be a very rewarding ministry for you as you 'cast your bread upon the waters'.

Read it for yourself and you will see that all the basic articles of Christianity are covered and there is even a chapter in there for our Jewish friends. It's deep enough to get a layman soaking wet and if they want to do more exploring of this fascinating subject the book is filled with a great reference guide of books that will take them deeper in all the topics

This truly is a must read for anybody that is serious about evangelizing and encouraging their circle of influence be they Christian or non-Christian alike.

Peace to you in Him