The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
Is there credible proof that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God? In The Case for Christ, Lee Strobel, former legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and New York Times bestselling author, retraces his own spiritual journey from atheism to faith and builds a captivating case for Christ's divinity.
In this revised and updated edition of The Case for Christ, Strobel cross-examines a dozen experts with doctorates from schools such as Cambridge, Princeton, and Brandeis, asking hard-hitting questions--and taking a deeper look at the evidence from the fields of science, philosophy, and history.
In his comprehensive investigation, Strobel doesn't shy away from challenging questions, including:
- How reliable is the New Testament?
- Does evidence for Jesus exist outside the Bible?
- Is Jesus who he said he was?
- Is there any reason to believe the resurrection was an actual event?
- What does all of the evidence point to--and what does it mean today?
Winner of the Gold Medallion Book Award and twice nominated for the Christian Book of the Year Award, The Case for Christ has been adapted into a major motion picture and has now sold over 5 million copies worldwide.
This edition includes scores of revisions and additions, including updated material on archaeological and manuscript discoveries, fresh recommendations for further study, and an interview with the author that tells dramatic stories about the book's impact, provides behind-the-scenes information, and responds to critiques of the book by skeptics.
Strobel's thorough examination reads like a captivating, fast-paced novel. But it's not fiction: it's a riveting quest for the truth about history's most compelling figure. Discover The Case for Christ today.
Praise for The Case for Christ:
"Nobody knows how to sift truth from fiction like an experienced investigative reporter, or to argue a case like someone trained at Yale Law School. Lee Strobel brings both qualifications to this remarkable book. In addition to his own tremendous testimony as atheist-turned-Christian, the author marshals the irrefutable depositions of recognized "expert witnesses" to build his ironclad case for Jesus Christ. The Case for Christ sets a new standard among existing contemporary apologetics."
--D. James Kennedy, PhD, senior minister, Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church
Top Highlights
“It is the simple truth to say that the New Testament books became canonical because no one could stop them doing so.’” (source)
“The standard scholarly dating, even in very liberal circles, is Mark in the 70s, Matthew and Luke in the 80s, John in the 90s. But listen: that’s still within the lifetimes of various eyewitnesses of the life of Jesus, including hostile eyewitnesses who would have served as a corrective if false teachings about Jesus were going around.” (source)
“So look at what Jesus is doing by applying the term ‘Son of Man’ to himself,’ he continued. ‘This is someone who approaches God himself in his heavenly throne room and is given universal authority and dominion. That makes ‘Son of Man’ a title of great exaltation, not of mere humanity.’” (source)
“Once a person is hanging in the vertical position,’ he replied, ‘crucifixion is essentially an agonizingly slow death by asphyxiation.” (source)
“We have what are called uncial manuscripts, which are written in all-capital Greek letters,’ Metzger explained. ‘Today we have 306 of these, several dating back as early as the third century. The most important are Codex Sinaiticus, which is the only complete New Testament in uncial letters, and Codex Vaticanus, which is not quite complete. Both date to about A.D. 350.” (source)
Numerous books on apologetics explain why the reader should believe in Christ. However, Strobel's experience as a legal journalist sets The Case for Christ apart. His background gave him access to many preeminent scholars and helped him investigate the questions many people wrestle with today.
While consulting these experts, he unpacks more than a dozen common questions that might hold the reader back from believing or might cause doubt in someone's mind. Today, many assume the evidence shows Christianity is false. Strobel analogizes this assumption to an informant giving him a tip that changed his views on what seemed to be a solid legal case. For Strobel, the event that initiated this investigation about faith was his wife's sudden conversion to Christ.
Just as he made assumptions in this case, he assumed everything he had heard as an atheist was true. But as he investigated, his worldview unraveled. He invites the reader along on this journey and helps them to see what makes Christ so compelling.
The Case for Christ is as readable as a novel, but the investigative quality gives the readers firm reasons to believe. The Catholic apologist and philosophy professor Peter Kreeft noted that the book was "a convincing case, an exciting read." As the reader walks with Strobel through the various pieces of evidence, they will read fourteen compelling interviews that present why believing Jesus is God is reasonable.
The Case for Christ is not only a thorough investigation into Christianity's claims, but also a compelling and enjoyable read.
The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel is an enjoyable read and an excellent resource for any pastor. Initially skeptical, Strobel dives into many challenging topics about whether Jesus is God or not. In his interviews with some of the leading experts in their fields, he explores questions about textual reliability, the person of Jesus, and Christ's resurrection.
The reader will learn the steps that Strobel went through in his conversion and get to sit in on fourteen conversations with some of the most outstanding scholars of their age. These scholars include:
- Dr. Bruce Metzger, leading textual critic and professor emeritus at Princeton Theological Seminary
- Dr. Craig Blomberg, distinguished professor emeritus of New Testament, Denver Seminary
- Dr. D. A. Carson, distinguished emeritus professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School
- William Lane Craig, professor of philosophy at Houston Baptist University and Biola University
These scholars and nine others unpack reasons for belief. Strobel concludes his journey by noting, "I had wanted to believe that the deification of Jesus was the result of legendary development in which well-meaning but misguided people slowly turned a wise sage into the mythological Son of God. That seemed safe and reassuring; after all, a roving apocalyptic preacher from the first century could make no demands on me. But while I went into my investigation thinking that this legendary explanation was intuitively obvious, I emerged convinced it was totally without basis."
In walking with Strobel through this investigation, the reader will not only learn of his compelling story of conversion but also see the evidence that there are compelling reasons to believe that Jesus is God incarnate.
Product Details
- Title : The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
- Author: Strobel, Lee
- Publisher: Zondervan
- Publication Date: 2016
- ISBN: 9780310346166
