The Case for Christ (Book Review)
Lee Strobel, The Case for Christ,
Secunderabad: Om Books, 2001, ISBN 81-7362-319-8, Rs. 119, pp. 297
The book is written from the
viewpoint of a journalist but it is easily noticeable that Lee was already a
Christian when he wrote this book. He follows the methodology of a criminal
journalist (his profession) in documenting and presenting the evidence. The
book may not satisfy many people and that is to be expected for either the
questions posed are not the same as that of the individual or the answers given
aren’t explained sufficiently. But one thing is certain, no one can deny the
evidence. I think that deserves to be mentioned. Irrespective of what your
background knowledge is on the matter, you cannot and should not be able to say
that the evidence proffered does not satisfy you. I think the author has done a
good job in ruling out that possibility.
The Case for Christ is a
brilliant book by atheist turned believer, Lee Strobel. Recently, his faith
journey has been adapted for the silver screen and I had reviewed the film
earlier. However, the film did not satisfy my intellectual curiosity and so I
hardly rested till I laid hands on the book. I have to admit right at the
outset that the book is great. The first page and the back cover are filled
with praises of noteworthy personalities in the field of Christian literature,
philosophy and evangelization, for the accomplishments of the author. Reading
their appreciation only augured my curiosity and interest.
The book is written from the
viewpoint of a journalist but it is easily noticeable that Lee was already a
Christian when he wrote this book. He follows the methodology of a criminal
journalist (his profession) in documenting and presenting the evidence. The
book may not satisfy many people and that is to be expected for either the
questions posed are not the same as that of the individual or the answers given
aren’t explained sufficiently. But one thing is certain, no one can deny the
evidence. I think that deserves to be mentioned. Irrespective of what your
background knowledge is on the matter, you cannot and should not be able to say
that the evidence proffered does not satisfy you. I think the author has done a
good job in ruling out that possibility.
He divides the book into three
parts. The first part is called ‘Examining the Record’. Here we are presented
with various forms of evidence like eyewitness proof, documentary proof,
scientific proof and so on. Each chapter is basically an interview with a
renowned scholar in that particular field. The language is fairly simple and
comprehensible and so are the arguments. The second part is ‘Analyzing Jesus’.
Here the person of Jesus is examined from different perspectives like
psychology, forensics etc. The final part is exclusively dedicated to ‘Researching
the Resurrection’. This is an exciting section (my personal opinion). Besides
being intrigued and enriched by the expositions of the various scholars I was
also introduced to these scholars, their specific qualification and their
works, which for me (being a candidate to the priesthood) is essential for my
personal study.
I warmly and eagerly recommend this
book to every person interested in the person of Jesus, believer and non
believer alike. I sincerely believe that every believer will greatly benefit
from the book and a non believer just might find a spark of faith. Whatever be
the case I don’t foresee anyone finishing this book and casting it aside as a
waste-of-time and unfruitful product.
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