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The Case for Easter
Did Jesus of Nazareth really rise from the dead? Of the many world religions, only one claims that its founder returned from the grave. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very cornerstone of Christianity. But a dead man coming back to life? In our sophisticated age, when myth has given way to science, who can take such a claim seriously? Some argue that Jesus never died on the cross. Conflicting accounts make the empty tomb seem suspect. How credible is the evidence for--and against--the resurrection? Focusing his award-winning skills as a legal journalist on history's most compelling enigma, Lee Strobel retraces the startling findings that led him from atheism to belief. He Written in a hard-hitting, journalistic style, The Case for Easter probes the core issues of the resurrection. Jesus Christ, risen from the superstitious myth or life-changing reality? The evidence is in. The verdict is up to you.
Unknown Binding
First published January 27, 2004
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About the author
Lee Strobel
226 books1,802 followersLee Patrick Strobel is an American Christian author and a former investigative journalist. He has written several books, including four that received ECPA Christian Book Awards (1994, 1999, 2001, 2005)[2] and a series which addresses challenges to the veracity of Christianity. He also hosted a television program called Faith Under Fire on PAX TV and runs a video apologetics web site.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 317 reviews
May 4, 2020
Everyone agrees that the the bedrock of Christianity is the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This book aims to arms Christians with the facts to prove that Jesus really did rise from the dead following his cruxifixction to show others why we believe in God. Strobel doesn’t waste a page arguing for the resurrection and interviews three renowned scholars to make his case. In his interviews, Strobel brings up every objection to the resurrection and his interviewees always respond with grace and clarity. If you want a more comprehensive case for the resurrection I recommend reading “The Case for Resurrection” by historian Gary Habermas.
April 2, 2022
This is a short little book. It is a collection of some content found in Strobel’s earlier Case books. Still good stuff
October 30, 2013
While non-denominational, New Testament Christians find no Biblical authority to observe Easter as a religious holiday, we do firmly believe in what it is intended to represent—the resurrection of Christ from the dead. Of course, the real question is, did Jesus of Nazareth actually rise from the dead? The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very cornerstone of Christianity. Christianity is the only “world religion” which claims that its founder returned from the grave—and then offers any genuine evidence that such an event occurred! But, how credible is the evidence for--and against--the resurrection? Author Lee Strobel, a graduate of Yale Law School, award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, and a spiritual skeptic until 1981, focuses his skills as a legal journalist on these most important questions.
Drawing on expert testimony first shared in his blockbuster book The Case for Christ, Strobel examines The Medical Evidence--was Jesus' death a sham and his resurrection a hoax? He looks at The Evidence of the Missing Body--was Jesus' body really absent from his tomb? And he considers The Evidence of Appearances--was Jesus seen alive after his death on the cross? Maintaining the same style he used in The Case for the Creator and The Case for Faith, Strobel interviews several well-respected experts on the resurrection, including Alexander Metherell, M.D.; William Lane Craig, Ph. D.; and Gary Habermas, Ph. D., and challenges them with some of the most common and most difficult objections to the resurrection. Is the claim that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead a superstitious myth or a life-changing reality?
The book affirms that Christ really did die on the cross, and not just faint from exhaustion; that He experienced a bodily, and not just a spiritual, resurrection; and that He was seen alive after his death. The reader can hear the evidence and reach his own verdict. There are many interesting details. For example, the very first witnesses to the resurrection were women, yet the testimony of women was considered practically worthless in the first century, and women were not even allowed to testify in legal courts. Not only would the Bible writers have no incentive to put this detail in if the account were not true, they almost certainly would have left it out if it didn't actually occur. Critics, especially unbelieving atheists, may complain, carp, and cavil about Strobel’s work, but that is about all they can do. They cannot truly answer it.
Drawing on expert testimony first shared in his blockbuster book The Case for Christ, Strobel examines The Medical Evidence--was Jesus' death a sham and his resurrection a hoax? He looks at The Evidence of the Missing Body--was Jesus' body really absent from his tomb? And he considers The Evidence of Appearances--was Jesus seen alive after his death on the cross? Maintaining the same style he used in The Case for the Creator and The Case for Faith, Strobel interviews several well-respected experts on the resurrection, including Alexander Metherell, M.D.; William Lane Craig, Ph. D.; and Gary Habermas, Ph. D., and challenges them with some of the most common and most difficult objections to the resurrection. Is the claim that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead a superstitious myth or a life-changing reality?
The book affirms that Christ really did die on the cross, and not just faint from exhaustion; that He experienced a bodily, and not just a spiritual, resurrection; and that He was seen alive after his death. The reader can hear the evidence and reach his own verdict. There are many interesting details. For example, the very first witnesses to the resurrection were women, yet the testimony of women was considered practically worthless in the first century, and women were not even allowed to testify in legal courts. Not only would the Bible writers have no incentive to put this detail in if the account were not true, they almost certainly would have left it out if it didn't actually occur. Critics, especially unbelieving atheists, may complain, carp, and cavil about Strobel’s work, but that is about all they can do. They cannot truly answer it.
April 15, 2012
This was an interesting read. Lee was a journalist for the Chicago Tribune with journalism and law degrees. He was an atheist. His wife converted to Christianity … and he decided to investigate Christianity in the same way that he would any other journalistic piece of work. He spoke to leading experts in various fields about crucifixion and resurrection. The purpose of the research was to debunk his wife’s new belief system. The proof that he was presented with convinced him of the reality of Jesus and he became a Christian himself.
I am already a Christian myself so the book only verified some of the things that I already knew. I did like Lee Strobel’s way of methodically looking at each aspect of the core basis of the Christian faith … the book isn’t fussy or bogged down in unnecessary long explanations. Instead the language is simple and to the point. He took his questions to the experts and let them explain their beliefs and evidence. The evidence, in my opinion, is irrefutable but as I have already stated, I am already a Christian.
A lot of the information presented in the book I already knew. However, some of the medical aspects were new to me and I found it interesting (if somewhat distressing in places). The medical side of the crucifixion was examined and discussed. A very detailed description of each stage of the process proves that it could not have been survived and the talk of Jesus actually swooning on the cross and being taken down (believed dead) is debunked. Valid points are made about society at that time, about women and class.
One point that I thought was well made was that of the Disciples after Jesus had left them. They spent the rest of their lives proclaiming that the man that they knew was the Son of God. Now, if Jesus had really been mortal and died on the cross, they would have known that they were wrong about Him. The normal response to this would have been for them to try to take up the threads of their previous lives and forget that they had ever met Him. Instead they allowed themselves to live the rest of their lives in poverty, being beaten and tortured in the name of Jesus. It would seem a high price to pay for a lie.
I am already a Christian myself so the book only verified some of the things that I already knew. I did like Lee Strobel’s way of methodically looking at each aspect of the core basis of the Christian faith … the book isn’t fussy or bogged down in unnecessary long explanations. Instead the language is simple and to the point. He took his questions to the experts and let them explain their beliefs and evidence. The evidence, in my opinion, is irrefutable but as I have already stated, I am already a Christian.
A lot of the information presented in the book I already knew. However, some of the medical aspects were new to me and I found it interesting (if somewhat distressing in places). The medical side of the crucifixion was examined and discussed. A very detailed description of each stage of the process proves that it could not have been survived and the talk of Jesus actually swooning on the cross and being taken down (believed dead) is debunked. Valid points are made about society at that time, about women and class.
One point that I thought was well made was that of the Disciples after Jesus had left them. They spent the rest of their lives proclaiming that the man that they knew was the Son of God. Now, if Jesus had really been mortal and died on the cross, they would have known that they were wrong about Him. The normal response to this would have been for them to try to take up the threads of their previous lives and forget that they had ever met Him. Instead they allowed themselves to live the rest of their lives in poverty, being beaten and tortured in the name of Jesus. It would seem a high price to pay for a lie.
April 1, 2012
This is ninety pages of quick and dirty apologetics, arguing from a historical and anthropological standpoint the crucifixion and death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ.
All in ninety pages
I haven't spent much time on the argument against Easter. Weirdly, it just didn't occur to me. After reading, although I'm far from a historical/ theological expert, I now know what to say when the phrase "Christian mythology" is used.
This is a book I would give to a nonbeliever who needs to hear a rationale for Christ. It's concrete. There isn't much in the way of smoke and mirrors.
Really though, it still boils down to faith. Even with the evidence, one has to be willing to consider the universe is far bigger than what we can see and that God walked the Earth in the form of a man, only to die and excruciating death, resurrect, and ascend into the heavens. I'm convinced God set it up that way because if we can prove everything, where does faith fit?
All in ninety pages
I haven't spent much time on the argument against Easter. Weirdly, it just didn't occur to me. After reading, although I'm far from a historical/ theological expert, I now know what to say when the phrase "Christian mythology" is used.
This is a book I would give to a nonbeliever who needs to hear a rationale for Christ. It's concrete. There isn't much in the way of smoke and mirrors.
Really though, it still boils down to faith. Even with the evidence, one has to be willing to consider the universe is far bigger than what we can see and that God walked the Earth in the form of a man, only to die and excruciating death, resurrect, and ascend into the heavens. I'm convinced God set it up that way because if we can prove everything, where does faith fit?
April 30, 2022
An incredible breakdown into the case study of Easter. I loved the interviews and facts that were brought out in this book. So fascinating and really helps with having answers confirmed, though my heart and mind were very much confirmed in these things already, it never hurts to look further into details pertaining Christ and look for evidence with an investigative, criticized approach for non-bias information and solid facts for the unbeliever to fully believe.
Great accompaniment to Strobel's other works!
Great accompaniment to Strobel's other works!
April 18, 2025
'Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.”'
- Acts 17:32 ESV
In the gospel accounts we read about three groups of people who Jesus often came into conflict with. The first were the religious leaders of whom it was said they did the things they did to be seen by other people. Today we would refer to such people as virtue signalers. The second were the scribes, analogous to the academic world. The third were lawyers. They received such a bad rap because of the propensity to use legal codes to bring about desired outcomes instead of bringing about justice. Despite their prominent place in society, it wasn't the virtue signalers, the academics, or the lawyers who transformed the Roman Empire from the inside out. It was accomplished, at least initially, by the first century equivalent of blue collar workers.
What accounts for this transformation of not just one society but much of the planet? People still debate this today but it ultimately goes back to an outrageous claim they made: someone they knew had died, physically resurrected from the dead, and then instructed them to publicize this fact and the implications of it far and wide. Even someone who doesn't actually believe this happened has to admit that someone coming back from the dead is not something of minor importance. You don't even have to understand what the implications are to recognize that something so entirely, unfathomably against the grain of everyday experience cannot not have implications. It is no less an outrageous claim from where we stand in the early years of the twenty-first century than it was when it was first made those long years ago. We just hear about it so much we forget about how outrageous a claim it really is. While it is probably safe to assume no one disputes it is an outrageous claim, things become a bit more contentious when it comes to determining whether it is a rational claim. Is it? Well, that depends......
The Case For Easter is divided into three sections that examine the events that underpin the festival now celebrated globally as Easter. The first section considers why crucifixion was used as a method of execution and details from a medical perspective what it does to a human body. Essentially, if you were nailed to a roman cross, there was zero chance you were coming down from it alive. Even if you somehow did survive – a miraculous event in itself – you would not be inspiring any revolutions. The whole point of such a brutal and public method of execution was to make you the example that ensured everyone else stayed in line. The second section considers the circumstances surrounding the empty tomb; elaborating on the burial practices of the time period, the expectations placed on soldiers to fulfill their duties, and other historical background information. Disinterring a tomb was a far more elaborate affair than visiting a graveyard with a shovel and a flashlight under cover of darkness. Lastly, the post-resurrection appearances of Christ are considered. It is certainly the case that people have died for things they believe to be true throughout history. Just recently I was reading a news report of seventy Christians beheaded in a church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The question that needs to be asked of the original disciples is the opposite of this though; not is anyone willing to die for something they believe to be true but why would anyone be willing to die for something they knowingly have fabricated? These were people who were on the scene when and where it all began. If they made up these stories, they knew they were not true. Is is psychologically tenable for an individual to persist in a lie that is going to cost them their life, perhaps that of their loved ones, and really serves no purpose if they are fully aware it isn't true (which they certainly would be aware of if they made it up)? Is it psychologically tenable for a multitude of people to do that? Skeptics make much of the fact that there were various messianic movements springing up in this time period that fizzled out once the leaders were put to death but this is more of a problem for skeptics than it is for believers. One must wonder why all of those movements dissipated once the leaders of them were executed just as one might expect but this one – to quote the onlookers of the day – went on to turn the world upside down.
The author makes a good legal case that the resurrection really did happen. However, it is worth noting this book is built on the assumption of the veracity of the source material. Jesus is mentioned in passing in a few extra-biblical historical documents from the same time frame but the gospels are the only ones that are anything like the modern genre we refer to as biographies. The legitimacy of the christian faith stands or falls on their veracity. Having looked into this previously, I am persuaded the source documents are historical records, not fabrications.
Traveling even further back along the evidential chain, one might not even care to try and determine for themselves if the source documents were trustworthy if prior to that one did not have reasons for thinking the universe was permeated by and originated from a transcendent Spirit instead of believing it had come from nothing and is governed by inflexible, mechanistic laws that somehow had been generated by the very system within which they appeared (ie. that, much like the universe itself, simply appeared).
In other words, it's a cumulative case. Is believing someone rose from the dead rational? Well, if the universe we live in is like the first description, it is perfectly rational. If the universe we live in is like the second description, it is irrational nonsense.
I happen to believe it is perfectly rational. This short little book concisely but not exhaustively lays out some of the reasons why.
- Acts 17:32 ESV
In the gospel accounts we read about three groups of people who Jesus often came into conflict with. The first were the religious leaders of whom it was said they did the things they did to be seen by other people. Today we would refer to such people as virtue signalers. The second were the scribes, analogous to the academic world. The third were lawyers. They received such a bad rap because of the propensity to use legal codes to bring about desired outcomes instead of bringing about justice. Despite their prominent place in society, it wasn't the virtue signalers, the academics, or the lawyers who transformed the Roman Empire from the inside out. It was accomplished, at least initially, by the first century equivalent of blue collar workers.
What accounts for this transformation of not just one society but much of the planet? People still debate this today but it ultimately goes back to an outrageous claim they made: someone they knew had died, physically resurrected from the dead, and then instructed them to publicize this fact and the implications of it far and wide. Even someone who doesn't actually believe this happened has to admit that someone coming back from the dead is not something of minor importance. You don't even have to understand what the implications are to recognize that something so entirely, unfathomably against the grain of everyday experience cannot not have implications. It is no less an outrageous claim from where we stand in the early years of the twenty-first century than it was when it was first made those long years ago. We just hear about it so much we forget about how outrageous a claim it really is. While it is probably safe to assume no one disputes it is an outrageous claim, things become a bit more contentious when it comes to determining whether it is a rational claim. Is it? Well, that depends......
The Case For Easter is divided into three sections that examine the events that underpin the festival now celebrated globally as Easter. The first section considers why crucifixion was used as a method of execution and details from a medical perspective what it does to a human body. Essentially, if you were nailed to a roman cross, there was zero chance you were coming down from it alive. Even if you somehow did survive – a miraculous event in itself – you would not be inspiring any revolutions. The whole point of such a brutal and public method of execution was to make you the example that ensured everyone else stayed in line. The second section considers the circumstances surrounding the empty tomb; elaborating on the burial practices of the time period, the expectations placed on soldiers to fulfill their duties, and other historical background information. Disinterring a tomb was a far more elaborate affair than visiting a graveyard with a shovel and a flashlight under cover of darkness. Lastly, the post-resurrection appearances of Christ are considered. It is certainly the case that people have died for things they believe to be true throughout history. Just recently I was reading a news report of seventy Christians beheaded in a church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The question that needs to be asked of the original disciples is the opposite of this though; not is anyone willing to die for something they believe to be true but why would anyone be willing to die for something they knowingly have fabricated? These were people who were on the scene when and where it all began. If they made up these stories, they knew they were not true. Is is psychologically tenable for an individual to persist in a lie that is going to cost them their life, perhaps that of their loved ones, and really serves no purpose if they are fully aware it isn't true (which they certainly would be aware of if they made it up)? Is it psychologically tenable for a multitude of people to do that? Skeptics make much of the fact that there were various messianic movements springing up in this time period that fizzled out once the leaders were put to death but this is more of a problem for skeptics than it is for believers. One must wonder why all of those movements dissipated once the leaders of them were executed just as one might expect but this one – to quote the onlookers of the day – went on to turn the world upside down.
The author makes a good legal case that the resurrection really did happen. However, it is worth noting this book is built on the assumption of the veracity of the source material. Jesus is mentioned in passing in a few extra-biblical historical documents from the same time frame but the gospels are the only ones that are anything like the modern genre we refer to as biographies. The legitimacy of the christian faith stands or falls on their veracity. Having looked into this previously, I am persuaded the source documents are historical records, not fabrications.
Traveling even further back along the evidential chain, one might not even care to try and determine for themselves if the source documents were trustworthy if prior to that one did not have reasons for thinking the universe was permeated by and originated from a transcendent Spirit instead of believing it had come from nothing and is governed by inflexible, mechanistic laws that somehow had been generated by the very system within which they appeared (ie. that, much like the universe itself, simply appeared).
In other words, it's a cumulative case. Is believing someone rose from the dead rational? Well, if the universe we live in is like the first description, it is perfectly rational. If the universe we live in is like the second description, it is irrational nonsense.
I happen to believe it is perfectly rational. This short little book concisely but not exhaustively lays out some of the reasons why.
February 6, 2024
Great primer on the evidence of the resurrection. Also a great size and writing style to read with someone who might be skeptical.
April 12, 2024
This book was convicting and encouraging. Christianity hinges on the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I don't give out the gospel enough. Reading through all that Jesus went through for me is motivating me to tell more people about His Salvation.
June 12, 2013
That one star is for the interesting details about what the body goes through during crucifixion in chapter 2. This tries to present evidence to validate the resurrection of Christ, but other than the interesting anatomical presentation, the rest is just quoting the bible as fact. For those of us who see the bible as allegoric tales, this does little to change minds. This was given to me, along with its longer cousin (The Case for Christ) by my father's priest in an attempt to convince me. This is the second a steady stream of books (currently 3 more sit on my shelf) that has done the opposite. If you're trying to convert someone, I can't recommend this. If you're looking for proof that Christ rose again, I also can't recommend this.
January 13, 2009
I'm not the target audience for this book. Sadly, this was my first to read for Lee Strobel. I had higher hopes than what I ended up finding. Seeking to find strong arguments for the Christian faith, I, instead, found strong arguments about the caliber of three one-sided researchers (if we can call them so). In between their biographies, the author filled in the pages with typical newspaper fillers, enough to fill an empty tomb. I wanted evidence, instead I found marketing techniques for Easter. One good thing about the book (besides it being short), is the reference page towards the end.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 28, 2016
This easy to read booklet is a perfect tool to help people understand the reality of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a journalist, Strobel investigates three critical questions around the resurrection:
1. What is the medical evidence of the death of Jesus?
2. Is there evidence that Jesus' body was missing from his tomb?
3. Was Jesus seen alive after his death on the cross?
Each question is carefully researched and answered--so even the skeptic would marvel at the answers and research.
This booklet is a quick read yet fascinating and recommended.
1. What is the medical evidence of the death of Jesus?
2. Is there evidence that Jesus' body was missing from his tomb?
3. Was Jesus seen alive after his death on the cross?
Each question is carefully researched and answered--so even the skeptic would marvel at the answers and research.
This booklet is a quick read yet fascinating and recommended.
February 3, 2020
A compact apologetic for the resurrection from an evidential perspective.
The format of the book mirrors the gospel proclamation of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Concerning His death, medical evidence is put forward to demonstrate that He really did die.
Concerning His burial, historical arguments are put forward for the empty tomb.
Concerning His resurrection, historical arguments are put forward that Jesus really did make post-mortem bodily appearances.
This little book is helpful throughout and written in a winsome manner. It is directed to both the believer and the skeptic and served as useful refresher.
The format of the book mirrors the gospel proclamation of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Concerning His death, medical evidence is put forward to demonstrate that He really did die.
Concerning His burial, historical arguments are put forward for the empty tomb.
Concerning His resurrection, historical arguments are put forward that Jesus really did make post-mortem bodily appearances.
This little book is helpful throughout and written in a winsome manner. It is directed to both the believer and the skeptic and served as useful refresher.
March 31, 2024
Just what I needed today. 100 pages of fact, love & resurrection. I’m so grateful to know God
August 5, 2025
A little briefer than I would’ve liked, but the information is solid and, being the type of guy who looks at references, the references are too. Overall a solid entry. Can’t wait to read the long form.
4.0 🌟
4.0 🌟
April 17, 2017
Yesterday I went to see the new movie "The Case for Christ." I am a theologian so well familiar with Strobel's name, though admittedly, I have never read any of his books myself. The movie piqued my interest, and so when I got this free book at a local Good Friday church service, I decided to have a read. At first glance, this book is highly well reasoned and thought-out. I appreciate it's straight forward lay-out as well as its convincing arguments from a wide range of scholars. I also appreciate the story behind it, that Strobel was an ardent atheist set out to prove Scripture wrong and yet wound up a Christian himself (he would not be the first atheist this has happened to and many well educated and scholarly individuals have come to the same conclusions). I also appreciated that even as someone already convinced of the resurrection story, the arguments made by leading forensic pathologist, Dr. Robert Stein, really help put Christ's suffering and death into much more perspective for me. Having grown up in the church and being a seminary graduate, I was well aware that crucifixion was a terrible, terrible way to die, however, hearing a medical opinion on the topic really touched on how much we mean to Christ that He was willing to undergo these horrendous acts for our own sake.
My only concern with Strobel's book is that while I think it is a great encouragement for those already inside the fold and provides additional evidence and reassurance for our beliefs, I am not too sure of what it does for those outside. I don't doubt that God may use a book like this to bring others unto Himself, however, I believe it was likely written at a different era. 20 years ago, people were more likely to engage in sound and logical arguments. Unfortunately, today, I feel that many atheists are atheists because they choose to be. That is to say, they will continue to find and poke holes in all arguments of the Christian faith regardless of how compelling. They are determined that God isn't really (and is on the same level as the "flying spaghetti monster" and tooth fairy) and really and truly do not want to be proven otherwise. I think that Strobel has definitely done his research, however, missed out on this whole "truth is relative" phase that many in the West are going through.
I still think it's a good book and a worthwhile read especially during the Easter season for anyone truly seeking to know more. Strobel is a brilliant man, a keen and able scholar, a pragmatic thinker, and an eloquent writer. I was not disappointed and will be looking into reading some more of his books in the near future.
My only concern with Strobel's book is that while I think it is a great encouragement for those already inside the fold and provides additional evidence and reassurance for our beliefs, I am not too sure of what it does for those outside. I don't doubt that God may use a book like this to bring others unto Himself, however, I believe it was likely written at a different era. 20 years ago, people were more likely to engage in sound and logical arguments. Unfortunately, today, I feel that many atheists are atheists because they choose to be. That is to say, they will continue to find and poke holes in all arguments of the Christian faith regardless of how compelling. They are determined that God isn't really (and is on the same level as the "flying spaghetti monster" and tooth fairy) and really and truly do not want to be proven otherwise. I think that Strobel has definitely done his research, however, missed out on this whole "truth is relative" phase that many in the West are going through.
I still think it's a good book and a worthwhile read especially during the Easter season for anyone truly seeking to know more. Strobel is a brilliant man, a keen and able scholar, a pragmatic thinker, and an eloquent writer. I was not disappointed and will be looking into reading some more of his books in the near future.
March 21, 2016
What nauseating tripe. Strobel is a true believer masquerading as a skeptic pitching soft ball questions to christian theologians and other scholars. He receives the answers he expects and "challenges" them by giving them the opportunity to elaborate on their singularly unsatisfying and predictable answers to his predicable questions. As he recounted each of his interviews I was constantly saying why doesn't he ask about that, or that, or that. He didn't interview a single person who doubted the story of the resurrection and there are plenty of accomplished people out there who do. This is not how you conduct an investigation. It says a lot about the critical thinking ability of many Christians that they believe that Strobel's is an honest and incisive inquiry into controversial subjects.
September 21, 2016
Do you want evidence? This is Evidence and this is very well researched evidence. Lee writes like a man who really knows what he is talking about and he backs up all his investigations with well documented facts. This is a great read and it is truly convincing. I would recommend this book to anyone.
I read this book originally in 2014 and just reread it again in 2016. This is a great book with a very thorough investigation on not only the Resurrection but on the Crucifixion. I think it should be compulsive reading for all new Christians, and it is a great review for "old-timers" like me too.
I read this book originally in 2014 and just reread it again in 2016. This is a great book with a very thorough investigation on not only the Resurrection but on the Crucifixion. I think it should be compulsive reading for all new Christians, and it is a great review for "old-timers" like me too.
August 5, 2025
Was talking with a friend who's exploring the faith recently and figured I should refresh the knowledge aspect of why I believe what I believe. Couldn't get a hold of The Case for Christ yet, but I managed to get a copy of this one instead, which is pretty apt and concise since it focuses on the foundation of the Christian faith—did Jesus really die, was buried, and rose again three days later?
I believe it to be truth, and I loved how the conclusion of this short book also tapped into the personal aspect of faith. Definitely have plans to reread this when the next Easter comes up again.
""When Jesus was crucified," Moreland told me, "his followers were discouraged and depressed. So they dispersed. The Jesus movement was all but stopped in its tracks. Then, after a short period of time, we see them abandoning their occupations, regathering, and committing themselves to spreading a very specific message—that Jesus Christ was the Messiah of God who died on a cross, returned to life, and was seen alive by them.
And they were willing to spend the rest of their lives proclaiming this, without any payoff from a human point of view. They faced a life of hardship. They often went without food, slept exposed to the elements, were ridiculed, beaten, imprisoned. And finally, most of them were executed in torturous ways. For what? For good intentions? No, because they were convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that they had seen Jesus Christ alive from the dead."
I believe it to be truth, and I loved how the conclusion of this short book also tapped into the personal aspect of faith. Definitely have plans to reread this when the next Easter comes up again.
""When Jesus was crucified," Moreland told me, "his followers were discouraged and depressed. So they dispersed. The Jesus movement was all but stopped in its tracks. Then, after a short period of time, we see them abandoning their occupations, regathering, and committing themselves to spreading a very specific message—that Jesus Christ was the Messiah of God who died on a cross, returned to life, and was seen alive by them.
And they were willing to spend the rest of their lives proclaiming this, without any payoff from a human point of view. They faced a life of hardship. They often went without food, slept exposed to the elements, were ridiculed, beaten, imprisoned. And finally, most of them were executed in torturous ways. For what? For good intentions? No, because they were convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that they had seen Jesus Christ alive from the dead."
March 24, 2024
Started listening to the audiobook on the morning of Palm Sunday, finished later that afternoon. A super quick 2.5ish hour audiobook listen. I was especially impacted by the gruesome description by a medical doctor interviewed by Strobel of the evidence for Jesus’ death on the cross. I had purposely never thought IN DEPTH of exactly what Jesus endured on the cross from a medical standpoint. In the past, I have shuddered away the thoughts of lashes and piercing nails and asphyxiation but…this time I listened and allowed myself to feel the horror and shame his crucifixion SHOULD elicit. I had to literally pause a couple times to cry and pray and ask forgiveness for forgetting exactly what Jesus did for me on the cross and what that means about the depths of his love for his own. For ME!
ANYWHO. I enjoyed the book. Great to remember that this is a true story. The first Easter ACTUALLY happened and there just so happens to be a lot of good evidence for it.
ANYWHO. I enjoyed the book. Great to remember that this is a true story. The first Easter ACTUALLY happened and there just so happens to be a lot of good evidence for it.
April 15, 2023
Having previously studied other pieces by Lee Strobel, I decided to pick this up during the Easter season this year. The text really examines only three concepts, albeit in great scientific and historical detail. The three focuses are was Christ truly dead, was the tomb actually empty, and did He appear to others alive after the crucifixion. If you’re searching for reason to believe, or not believe, in the Resurrection this text provides well-researched and documented evidence to help you solidify your beliefs.
I found the text emotionally difficult to read with all the scientific and medical information concerning the process of death by crucifixion. However, as a believer in the resurrected Christ, I feel compelled to be building my knowledge of historical and scientific evidence of such, so I may discuss it with others.
I found the text emotionally difficult to read with all the scientific and medical information concerning the process of death by crucifixion. However, as a believer in the resurrected Christ, I feel compelled to be building my knowledge of historical and scientific evidence of such, so I may discuss it with others.
August 10, 2020
Strobel acts like he approaches this subject as a cynic, but by the time he writes this he'd been a Christian for some time. Although perhaps not a big deal to most, to me it affects the book's effectiveness. He is not flying around the country looking for answers, he is researching another highly profitable book for his "The Case For" series.
However, He covers the main arguments for the resurrection with ease and skilful narration, using a series of interviews to illuminate the common perspectives and arguments for the resurrection.
However, He covers the main arguments for the resurrection with ease and skilful narration, using a series of interviews to illuminate the common perspectives and arguments for the resurrection.
April 21, 2019
A very thorough and insightful examination of the events that birthed an entire faith. I like his straight shooting journalistic approach, especially as a realist looking to ground my faith in Jesus in historical accuracy. This excerpt from The Case for Christ eases all my concerns. I look forward to diving deeper into the history of the early church.
June 8, 2022
It's a good place to start for people just starting to get into the apologetics surrounding Easter. There were moments where I wanted more details or a more in-depth explanation of things, but considering that Lee Strobel lists each experts name with the list of books each have written, I'm sure some of these details will be covered in those instead.
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March 12, 2025Very short journalistic-styled written book which I have a hard time reading/connecting with. It was well researched and backed by scripture. I was enthralled and moved to tears with the medical evidence of Jesus’s crucifixion that was discussed. I’m so thankful to know Him and be known and loved by Him.
April 17, 2023
I found out things I never knew about. Also, the true meaning of Easter and all of that. It was very cool to find new things out. I'm not religious or anything but I gave it a shot it was given to at a children's egg hunt, so I said oh why not ill read it.
April 12, 2025
I’m reading The Case for Christ but with Resurrection Sunday coming up I thought I would check out this book The Case for Easter, and man do I feel educated. I’m in this season of getting to know God more and have just been wanting to know the history of God and Jesus. This book aims to answer two questions; did Jesus actually die on the cross? And did Jesus actually rise from the dead? And it did just that! Excited to jump back into The Case for Christ now!!
April 5, 2023
Such an important book and couldn’t get through it without many tears. Overwhelming, convincing, and comforting. It’s an easy, intriguing read, too; I think I’ll pick it back up once a year.
June 8, 2023
For a construction of reason, this was easy to read. I'll reference it in the future.
April 20, 2025
A quick, informative, easy read that reminds the believer of the historical truth of Jesus. This is also a good reminder of how history is actually researched and explored. The beginning is very gruesome.
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