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 enlarge | Author: Lee Strobel
Publisher: Zondervan
Category: Book
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Avg. Customer Rating:  213 reviews
Sales Rank: 3453
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 304
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Dimensions (in): 8.4 x 5.5 x 0.8
ISBN: 0310234697
Dewey Decimal Number: 239
EAN: 9780310234692
ASIN: 0310234697
Publication Date: October 1, 2000
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| Customer Reviews:
 Very good arguments for having faith. November 10, 2007
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
My thoughts on Strobel's book might be akin to what he summarized in the last part of it: "In several matters they were able to offer clear-cut explanations that definitely settled the issue in my mind. For some subjects that didn't lend themselves to that kind of decisive resolution, the scholars managed to dilute the potency of the objections by providing important context and insights."
There are many good points that the various interviewees brought out in regards to the issues. Like Strobel, the existence of suffering and the doctrine of hell were my main interests in reading this book. Not all objections were raised in this book, but are all objections that people would have ever raised in any book? People who argue this need to consider if that's ever been the case with books written by skeptics. Besides, there are plenty of good books out there that argue for Christianity and do just as well, if not better, a job.
However, there were times when I thought that either a better argument could have been used or that I disagreed with a doctrinal view presented. For example, I felt that Woodbridge apologized too much for the actions of what other so-called Christians did in the past. Although he gave good reasons for why these things happened, he apologizes for actions that, first, were not his fault. Secondly, he apologizes on behalf of a people who were not either truly committed to what Jesus taught or weren't aware of what he taught. It's unfortunate that those things happened in the past, but Christians who recognize that these things were not sanctioned by God in his Word should not feel as if they need to apologize for actions that they themselves do not and would not condone. That's sort of like saying someone is guilty of the holocaust because they're German.
In his interview with Geisler, I guess I can understand why Strobel includes a section on the reliability of the Bible, due to Geisler's reference to it in his arguments, but it seems like it's out of place. Strobel seems to go from discussing why pain exists to the reliability of the Bible. This section seems like it would be better suited for a book in his series, titled "The Case for the Bible" than it does here.
I found the interview with J.P. Moreland to be insightful. I think that Moreland's interview demonstrates that, along with simple answers not being sufficient for this topic, that God is not either. I think skeptics who argue against God tend to simplify him in order to "knock him down", thus creating straw men arguments. The more human or simple you make God, the easier it is to argue against him. Moreland's replies demonstrate that God is not a simple being.
Also, I felt that Anderson's discussion on doubt to be refreshing and sincere. He speaks as a person who has truly gone through and survived the gauntlet of doubt. He also makes a good point that having doubts doesn't necessarily not make you any less of a Christian. Anderson makes several good observations when he discusses the true motivations many people have against Christianity.
In all, Strobel's second book in his series did a good job and I think accomplished what he set out to do. I think that someone new to the area of Christian apologetics can definitely benefit from reading this book.
 Bringing Secular Reasoning to Christianity October 19, 2007
4 out of 7 found this review helpful
I want to show some grace here in this review so that I am not coming across as attacking the author or the participants that the author interviewed. I read The Case for Christ and very much enjoyed that book and thought it was done in a very tasteful manner, but this book left me shaking my head.
Lee Strobel unpacks this book just as he did with the Case for Christ, in that, he has 8 different questions that he would like answered and then goes and interviews 8 experts in those fields to answer those questions. The one thing I wish that he would have done is read some of the reviews and thoughts from readers and taken them to heart. The main complaint is that he just interviewed those who agreed with the Christian position and chose not to interact with those who were on the opposed side of the debate.
Although Strobel starts the book off on interviewing an atheist, Charles Templeton, this was the last time that he interviews anyone on the opposing side. Although, I do really like the way the book is set up with the interviewing process.
The questions that were to be raised in the book are the following:
1) If there's a loving God, why does this pain-wracked world groan under so much suffering and evil?
2) If the miracles of God contradict science, then how can any rational person believe that they're true?
3) If God is morally pure, how can he sanction the slaughter of innocent children as the Old Testament says he did?
4) If God cares about the people he created, how could he consign so many of them to an eternity of torture in hell just because they didn't believe the right things about him?
5) If Jesus is the only way to heaven, then what about the millions of people who have never heard of him?
6) If God really created the universe, why does the evidence of science compel so many to conclude that the unguided process of evolution accounts for life?
7) If God is the ultimate overseer of the church, why has it been rife with hypocrisy and brutality throughout the ages?
8) If I'm still plagued by doubts, then is it still possible to be a Christian?
Strobel, to answer these questions, goes to eight different men to help him answer these tough questions posed to the Christian faith. Some of those interviewed were Norman Geisler, William Lane Craig, Peter Kreeft, Ravi Zacharias, John Woodbridge and others.
We could always discuss the theological differences that I have between myself and the contributors, such as their views on libertarian free will, the views that hell is not a literal place with flames, the view that the big bang is true and God was the originator just 'tweaked' it to make it work, that God reacted to man and created hell, but it wasn't in His original plan, and so on. These are all things that contributed to a very poor discussion on the reason for faith. But, even above all these problems, Strobel forgets the biggest reason for faith in God and Jesus Christ: our sin.
Sin was completely left out of the discussion. This topic of us needing a Creator and Saviour to take our place of our sin was not in any of the discussions. The route that Strobel takes is more of a route in putting us in a court room. The atheists and agnostics as the prosecutors, God as the defendant and we are the jurors. We sit, listen, weigh the evidence and then choose who to follow. The problem is that this leaves God as a powerless being, ringing His hands, hoping we choose him. This is not faith! This is just choosing the lesser of the two evils, or the better of the two goods, depending on how you see it.
This book is really a bad attempt at presenting the true God. It really leans more towards Aristotlianism, where "reason governs us" instead of what we are told it should be: God and His word governs us. I am afraid that the bad theology presented here is not going to strengthen anyone's faith but in actuality, will make them rely on their intellect and thoughts on the issue. This is actually the reason that Strobel is able to bring in a Roman Catholic theologian (Peter Kreeft) and no have no issue with his thoughts on issues. Strobel really doesn't differentiate between the Catholics and Protestants but just merely continues to call them both "Christians." Ignoring the reformation or the Pope calling the Catholic church, "the only true church." (sidenote: I know this book was written before this declaration, but it was not a new declaration or something Protestants and Catholics didn't already know was the foundational thoughts of the Roman Catholic church)
Anyone who takes a long look at themselves will know that they change their minds on things all the time. They change their views on things all the time, so what is going to be different this time? The main proponent of faith was left out: Jesus Christ died for the sins of the people, the Holy Spirit gives them faith, calls them to His side, God justifies them with the blood of Christ, and perfects them until the day Christ returns. It is God's power that holds us, not our "weighing of evidence."
This is the reason I cannot recommend this book to anyone. It seems as though Strobel has placed God on the side of the road trying to "sell" His religion to people and hoping some will just choose Him. God is not a beggar.
One contributor said this: "God sends no one to heaven and He sends no one to hell" Although I agree that sin is what sends people to hell, it is not true that God doesn't send anyone to heaven. He is the only power that is able to send people to heaven.
It seems as though this book missed some key verses in the Bible:
For indeed He was crucified because of weakness, yet He lives because of the power of God. For we also are weak in Him, yet we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.
2 Corinthians 13:4
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.
John 6:44
Most important Paul lays out the importance of the Gospel, not secular reasoning or secular evidence for the case for faith:
For I determined to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him crucified. I was with you in weakness and in fear and in much trembling, and my message and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith would not rest on the wisdom of men, but on the power of God.
1 Corinthians 2:2-5
 True to its title September 28, 2007
0 out of 2 found this review helpful
For those wishing to find answers to troublesome questions about their faith, this book is excellent.
For those who are seriously investigating the issue of faith, this book presents some interesting arguments, but is of course very one-sided. Compared to a trial, it's like hearing the examination of witnesses without any cross-examination by opposing counsel. As such, it's true to it's title: it's the case for faith, not a balanced "faith on trial".
Some of the arguments are excellent, others are laughable. For example, the discussion of Hell should be very reassuring to many who have difficulty harmonizing that with a merciful and loving God. On the other hand, J. P. Moreland, an intelligent and highly educated man, says of sociobiology that it reduces morality to a happenstance outcome of evolution. This betrays profound ignorance of sociobiology, which discusses the "moral sense" but not morality (values being a subject for philosophy rather than science). The distinction undermines his argument, but the reader gets no clue about such fallacies.
 Every Molecule in My Being Was Stirred! September 18, 2007
2 out of 6 found this review helpful
I just finished this book. My faith was given such an electrified and energized jolt that I am left exhilarated and flabbergasted. The author goes into DEEP detail (so make sure you have the mental energy to really absorb some major information) and he PROVES 100% that GOD exists! You will not be able to argue any differently; I guarantee it!
Carrie Lynn Jones
Author of: It All Began... When Jesus Gave Me Sneakers
Excellent with some minor flaws August 30, 2007
3 out of 5 found this review helpful
In many ways, this is a wonderful book. The questions that he addresses are really the questions being asked; if you witness to non-believers, count on being asked them at some point. It's becoming more and more necessary these days for Christians to be able to answer these objections, especially in light of postmodernism, the "New Atheists," the aggressive promotion of Darwinism (and censorship of those who disagree), the absolute pervasiveness of secular humanism in the education system, etc.
I would absolutely recommend reading these before you go to college, if not sooner - as a current college senior (graduating in 2008), let me tell you that it is essential that you know how to answer these objections, especially if you go to a secular university. Tragically, many people don't really know how to do that and end up abandoning their faith in college as a result.
I once heard a story of a little boy who was asked what faith was and replied that "faith is believing something you know isn't true." Unfortunately, a lot of people seem to agree; this book shows that that sentiment is wrong. Faith is neither blind nor irrational. Strobel here isn't so much concerned with making a positive case for Christianity as he is for defending it against the major objections. Therefore the primary focus of the book is refuting the "Big 8" objections to Christianity (like "why would a God of love allow suffering if it was in His power to stop it?", "isn't it prejudiced to claim that Christianity is the only true religion?" or "isn't eternal punishment in hell unjust?").
The answers to these objections are informative and thought-provoking. There's definitely a lot of helpful material there. The chapters on evolution (chapter 3), the slaughter of the innocents (chapter 4), and the exclusivity of Jesus (chapter 5) were particularly strong. The chapter on suffering and hell were also very thought provoking, although I thought that they relied far too heavily on the free will argument, which I found disappointing as a Calvinist. I wish that the chapter on suffering discussed the Fall of Man more. The only chapter I thought was weak was the chapter on violence in church history; I really thought more could have been done with the topic.
Overall, in spite of some flaws (as I pointed out, I think it tends to rely too much on the free will defense), this is a very good book.
Even if - or especially if - you're not a Christian, I challenge you to read this book. See for yourself if Christianity can really answer its critics.
For you Christians out there, this book is a great witnessing tool. It can help you witness more effectively to non-Christians. It's also a great thing to give to non-Christians. Read it yourself too - it will strengthen your faith. As I said before, if you're in school, this is an absolute must-read, especially if you're about to go to college; this is one book you cannot go without reading, especially if you're going to a secular university. Chances are you WILL be confronted with the objections in this book, especially since so many of our universities are so pervasively secular these days. I can't help but think that a lot of people who left the faith in college might not have left if they had read this book before going.
This book is strongly recommended.
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