God's Outrageous Claims: Thirteen Discoveries That Can Revolutionize Your Life

by Lee Strobel

The author explains how to live a powerful and authentic Christian life by understanding God's promises

Genres: Christian, Christian Living, Nonfiction, Christian Non Fiction, Faith, Spirituality, Religion

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Lee 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.

Reviews

[Oceana Reads Co. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just love the way Lee Strobel writes. It speaks to my brain, haha.
There are 13 outrageous claims he says God has through the Bible. They are practical and he used stories and research to prove his points.
It’s great!

[Anna]

Like the "Case for Faith", this book is incredibly challenging on a personal level -- God said some pretty outrageous things, especially by today's standards. Well-written, easy to read, and backed up by modern statistics (etc), the book is a challenge and an encouragement, offering insight into so many different aspects of our day-to-day lives...and a reminder that faith in God is a risk. But in the end, there is no greater joy, and no greater adventure. Highly recommended.

[Kristina Tešić · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee draws attention in a good way to the thirteen important topics that need to be thought about and that can change not only our lives but also the relationship we have with God and other people around us. Amazing statements that can really change your life. Good recommendation

[Brian Eshleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I expected perhaps little known miracles from the Bible. Instead, most of God's Outrageous Claims had to do with His attitude towards humans and His ability to use us. Still, this was worth being reminded of. Lee Strobel intersperses meaningful biblical quotes with the sincerity of his own story, this time not hypothetical interviews with experts but the mileposts in his own thinking that led to his HEART'S conversion. The author is also quite adept at picking up quotes from every source from GK Chesterton to Murphy Brown and using them to illustrate his points.

[Peter Nathanael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Till now I've read books by him that dealt with scientific and academic aspect of Christianity but this book goes beyond that to establish him as a Christian author instead of only being limited to a apologist. A very real life teaching book through a experienced man of god.

[Anneliese Dalaba · Rating 5 out of 5]

In God’s Outrageous Claims, Lee Strobel answers some of the toughest questions that we have been asked or that we have grappled with ourselves. Many of these claims we say we believe but can’t find the words to explain why we believe them.

For example, how do we know that what we believe about Christianity is really true? Have you ever doubted what you’ve been taught about Christianity? Be honest. Have you ever dared to ask yourself if what you believe is really true? Lee Strobel explains this better than I’ve ever heard it before. And since he comes at the question from both ends—having been an atheist who became a believer and now a Christian who, like any of us, doesn’t have all the answers—he is able to clarify the issues of our doubts and leaves us with a deeper understanding of our faith.

Did you see the movie, The Passion of the Christ? I’m certain not many of us missed it. The hardest part for me to bear in that film was when they flogged Jesus—almost endlessly. Wait until you hear what Mel Gibson told Lee Strobel about that scene. The former Lee Strobel—the atheist—wanted to disprove that Jesus was God. It seemed impossible to his intellectual mind and he researched every aspect of the crucifixion, death, and resurrection to prove his case. After you listen to this portion, I assure you, your doubts will be laid to rest.

There is so much more I could tell you about this powerful and in-depth study, but you should read or listen to it for yourself. It is filled with captivating stories and illustrations that keep the reader enthralled to the end.

[Jarmo Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The former atheist and journalist Lee Strobel is best known for his apologetic books on the Christian faith, especially those beginning with “The Case for …”. In this more devotional and spiritually oriented book, he examines thirteen outrageous claims made by God/Jesus and explains how these claims are for our good when they are followed and taken to heart. He also highlights what makes these claims unique and how they can help transform our lives. Examples from the book include forgiving one’s enemies, Jesus as the only Way and why this is worth embracing, and why waiting with sex until marriage is ultimately for our good.

The book is simple, well written, and engaging as a reader, and Strobel also draws on his own life experiences in relation to several of God’s outrageous claims. If you primarily associate Strobel with pure apologetics, this book may serve as a refreshing break from the apologetic sphere—although he does not entirely leave apologetics behind, since these claims also carry an apologetic dimension.

[Cyndi Beane-Henry · Rating 5 out of 5]

As always, a great read by Strobel.

In this book, Strobel, follows 13 claims about God, and how those claims are very real in our lives today!

Those 13 claims are:
* There's Freedom in Forgiving Your Enemies
* You Can Even Learn To Forgive Yourself
* You Can Survive The Rat Race Without Becoming A Rat
* You Can Make A Difference That Will Last For Eternity
* God Can Give You Power As Power Is Needed
* You Gain When You Give Yourself Away
* A Dose of Doubt May Strengthen Your Faith
* God Has A Cure For Your Secret Loneliness
* God's Rules on Sex Can Liberate Us
* Random Acts of Kindness Aren't Enough
* Heaven Is More Than Wishful Thinking
* Jesus Is The Only Path To God
* Playing It Safe Is the Most Dangerous Way to Live

Awesome insight as only Lee Strobel can bring! This is another read I highly recommend for all to read!

[Joseph · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was OK. Some things were already told in other of his books.

I do like the stories he has of his experiences being a pastor or editor when he talks about others and wish they were more expanded. He writes enough were you are like OK, well what happened next...

One thing I wasn't a fan of was when he was talking about a family who had just moved the area and went one time to his church. He got a call late at night as they needed help because their car ran out of gas. He said he helped them and basically forgot about it. But those people didn't and later he didn't realize they were involved with the church afterwards, etc. I thought if you were one of the Pastors I am surprised you didn't follow up with them or have more contact with them since they were new. It came off a bit of he is too busy for that type of stuff...

[Kenneth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lee Strobel has written a number of books expounding Christianity and the reasons for belief and in this one he sets forth how we should go about living the Christian life and why it matters. He discusses Christian ethics, how and why we need to forgive others and even ourselves, for our shortcomings. Overall, this is an excellent book and manual for pointers in how to live the Christian life. One other good thing - while upholding basic Christian teaching, he is not "preachy" about it. Throughout, he mentions episodes from his own past - earlier in his life he was an atheist and was quite "worldly" in his way of life. He tells how and why he became a Jesus follower. Very inspiring.

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outrageously good! It seems strange to read a book from Lee that isn’t full of interviews of other people, so used am I of reading the now many ‘Case for...’ series of books. However, this book shows off Lee’s writing skills as he weaves his way wonderfully through the many claims of the Bible, that make people ask whether Christianity is something they want to involve themselves in. He brings his answers to each claim in a way that challenges and encourages those of us who are already believers, but are also authentic and gracious to those who are seeking.

A thoroughly recommended read.

[Rithun Regi · Rating 5 out of 5]

An amazing book which talks about God's outrageous claims which can truly revolutionize one's life.There are people who are seekers of the truth and wants to fill a void in their lives.That void can only be filled by Jesus Christ and this book is very well written. The author is a cynic turned believer who seeked truth and found it and it revolutionized his life. He talks logic and rationale and throws light on a variety of topics which confounds the normal mortal of the spiritual realm.

[Jose Antonio Gil Gil · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book feels way more like a Christian self help book than any other thing.

The author is a competent enough apologetic compiler, and other of his books work well on that field. On the other hand, this one, even if it has no mortal flaw, it feels bland and lacking of a deep theology.

It gets funny when the author stumbles with some actual truths but tries to “keep it cool” so he keeps inside Protestant doctrines and doesn’t validates Catholic distinctive features.

[Dominika · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, so well written, that I enjoyed it even though I didn't agree with everything.

[Carol Nunn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth reading. Enjoy his books and style of writing.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please read this book! It can change your life!

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent read to understand more truth.

[Matthew Kilpatrick · Rating 1 out of 5]

There are so many things Strobel gets wrong in this book, I have to isolate myself to a few in particular.
1. Terry Anderson, while he publicly forgave his captors and gave Strobel a good example to use when recommending forgiving your enemies, also successfully sued the Iranian government for nearly $30,000,000 in recompense for his ordeal. Strobel fails to mention this.
2. According to Strobel, only Christians get to be happy or even have a chance at happiness.
3. Jesus did not invent the Golden Rule or compassion as Strobel seems to think. Jainism extolls the same virtues and predates both Christ and Christianity by several centuries.
4. The "evidence" Strobel gives to support Christ's unique divinity isn't nearly as compelling as he insists it to be.
And I won't even go into how painfully antiquated his views are in relation to sex and sexuality.

[Molly Woodcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

As part of my 2013 resolutions I made a goal to read 10 religious books. Why? Because there are at least that many on my bookshelves I've purchased over the years and never read.
I bought this particular book in 2006 and let me tell you, it made me question my life in so many ways, but all good ones.
Just to warn you though, Lee Strobel backs up every claim with tons of proof. It might start to sound a little redundant, but it's worth it. Read this book!!!!

[John Orman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of the more interesting entries in that list of outrageous claims:

There is freedom in forgiving our enemies and ourselves.

We can survive the Rat Race without becoming a Rat.

We can make a difference that will last an eternity.

You gain when you give yourself away.

Playing it safe is the most dangerous way to live.

Much food for thought and life-changing resolutions in this book!

[Jenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great follow-up to "Authenic Faith". This (both books, really) really challenged me to claim Christ's promises in my life. This book helped me go from knowing them in my head, to believing them in my heart and allowing that to change the way I order my priorities in life.

[Mboggler2011 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can say that this book is an eye-opener though I have just finished reading 3 chapters but it really enlightens me up. It convinces me more that truly God is true and His claims were absolute truth.

[Lisa]

Strobel is a trained journalist and very prolific. His thoughts are basic Christianity and solid. Again, I could not finish it but not because it is a valuable book for a believer to read. It just did not hold my attention.

[Atchisson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to Metaxes topic, but without the silliness. Strobel is as good as it gets right now for popular apologetics.

[Christian Painter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this book even more than the Case For Christ. He is a fantastic story teller. This really helps in reaffirming ones faith.

[Obed Huerta]

Lo estoy leyendo y motiva e inspira...

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I listened to this book and it was very challenging and interesting. I may need to revisit it in another format at some point. But there are so many good books...

[Janet Danner · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would be good for a seeker or new believer.

[Santi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rich, high profile reading, very convincing evidence of explaining Jesus

[Frances · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little dated but then I have an old version. He does however make good points and everything he says still is true.