The Case for Christ: Study Guide: Investigating the Evidence for Jesus

by Lee Strobel, Garry D. Poole

Is there credible evidence that Jesus of Nazareth really is the Son of God? Skeptics dismiss the Jesus of the Gospels by claiming there is no evidence in the case for Christ. Lee Strobel disagrees. The former legal journalist and one-time atheist knows how to ask tough questions. His own search for truth about Jesus led him to faith in Christ. Now Strobel invites you and your group to investigate the truth about Jesus Christ leading to the facts that guided Strobel from atheism to faith in Christ. In this revised six-session video study, participants will journey along with Strobel on a quest for the truth about Jesus. Rejecting easy answers, you will sift through fascinating historical evidence as you weigh compelling expert testimony. In the end, groups may very well see Jesus in a new way---and even, like Strobel, find their life transformed. Pastors, small group leaders, and individuals will find compelling answers for their questions about Jesus in this revised study guide, to be used in coordination with The Case for Christ Revised: A DVD Study (sold separately). The six sessions include: The Investigation of a Lifetime Eyewitness Evidence Evidence Outside the Bible Analyzing Jesus Evidence for the Resurrection Reaching Your Verdict

Genres: Nonfiction, Christian, Religion

112 pages, Paperback

First published December 23, 2013

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

[James Rickenbaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The case for Christ is compelling. Lee Strobel makes that case well. After having interviewed a number of reputable scholars ranging from Biblical scholars to psychologists, once-skeptic Strobel recognized that the evidence in support of the Biblical narrative (Jesus Christ is God incarnate, crucified and resurrected for the forgiveness of sins and salvation of the world) is overwhelming. This is a great read for skeptics and Christians alike.

My only problem with what I read comes from the theological end. The field of apologetics is very helpful for defending the faith, but it can set up the false narrative of “decision theology”. The idea that one can reason themselves into faith runs counter to the doctrine of faith in Scripture. Faith itself is a gift given by God according to his prerogative. It is not a conclusion to be drawn from evidence presented. Such an understanding leads to a kind of empiricism that seeks to encompass the One who cannot be encompassed, even by human reason or categorization.

[Lele · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredible book! I know that Jesus says we should believe even when we don’t see (to have faith is to believe in the unknown), but the bible also says we should always be ready to defend our faith! This book has many answers to questions that we hear all the time, and it really helps us understand better and know more about Jesus and Christianity and how history proves what Jesus and the bible teach and say. Lee did what many refuse to do, he opened his heart and mind to find the truth, even if that truth wasn’t what he had been expecting (he used to be an atheist), and seeing the evidence, he decided to humble himself and accept Jesus! Which is more than a lot of people are willing to do. I found this a fascinating book, I really recommend it.

It’s focused more on the historical and archaeological and physiological arguments, not really emotional ones. So you won’t find questions like: “If God is good then why does evil exist?” these types of questions are discussed in his other book: The Case For Faith.

[Luis Chávez · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're a naturally skeptical person like me—someone whose faith is often challenged by reason and who craves evidence-based answers—The Case for Christ is a must-read. Lee Strobel, a former investigative journalist and atheist, approaches the story of Jesus with the rigor of a courtroom case, interviewing experts across theology, history, and science to find out whether the claims about Christ can truly hold up under scrutiny.

This isn’t blind faith. It’s an honest, methodical pursuit of truth. And what Strobel uncovers is not only intellectually satisfying, but also spiritually profound.

If you've ever asked yourself, “Was Jesus really who he said he was?” or “Can I trust the accounts about his life, death, and resurrection?”—this book tackles those questions head-on.

Highly recommended for thinkers, doubters, and anyone seeking a faith that can stand up to tough questions.

[Uriel Urquijo · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book provides an overwhelming case for the evidence of Jesus as God’s revelation of Himself to mankind. The author is not only a skeptic, but he goes on a journey to try to disprove Christianity.

His research leads him to interview 10+ theologians who specialize in different fields, and after he is done, he has done the exact opposite of disprove Christianity. The data he collected reveals a bulletproof case that Jesus is in fact God in the flesh.

The authors writing can be difficult to understand at sometimes, as he definitely writes at the graduate or doctorate level. If you can get past that, you will find that you will be waterboarded with so much credible and unbiased information. It would be difficult to believe anyone would read this book and remain in a state of secularism/atheism.

[Dale Kueter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lee Strobel, former legal editor for the Chicago Tribune, exercises his Yale law degree by employing all the courtroom maneuvers of a prosecutor in examining the Gospels and other evidence for proof that Jesus is divine, the Messiah. As a reporter, he covered some sensational criminal trials. Now he, once an atheist, puts Jesus on trial. He interviews history professors, theologians, archeologists and experts on Greek and Hebrew customs of the time. He grills them about dates, nonconforming accounts, and every other twist and purported anomaly in the last 2,000 years. In the process, the reader, like Strobel, learns a lot. I read it not as one would dive through a murder novel, but instead as you might peruse a textbook. But it's not professorial. He writes like a reporter.

[Tashia Caylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Incredible story. It’s a beautiful piece to read especially for people that want to know more about the history of Christ based on facts. Tons of information things I had never learned. Definitely will lead you to have more of an open mind of things of Christ and the origin of early Christianity.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read the full book, the guide just didn't fit with my bible study group, the questions weren't a good fit

[Lisa Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those with questions here is the research step by step.

[Jonathon Bustamante · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book reinforced my faith and by incorporating history and arguable questions that are seen from a court of law.

If you are on the fence about your faith, this is a must read.

[keren 💫 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good and compelling book but also very dense so it took me a longgg time to finish

[Gilbertina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well thought out questions that Strobel proposes and that i have heard also, and for him contacting experts in the study of Jesus of Nazareth. It has made me believe more that this man was sent to show the characteristics of God so humans could finally understand the true characteristics of God. A loving God who asks that we love him Him first, then to love our neighbors second. If there is a God therefore, we must also recognize our inferiority to Him and be humble and come clean before him through His Son.

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were a few arguments that I didn’t agree with but by and large it was fascinating to approach the question, did Christ really live, die and resurrect as He claimed to have done? from a scientific, psychological, let’s look at the evidence point of view.