The Case for Christ:
A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus
by: Lee Strobel

Lee Strobel, a former reporter for the Chicago Tribune, had achieved the position of legal editor for the newspaper before writing the book. Being a Christian, Strobel recognized the importance of proving the resurrection of Jesus. “And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins!” (1 Cor. 15:17, NKJV). Even so, the author sought not only to strengthen the case for Christians, but to prove to atheists, and adherents of any other religion for that matter, that Jesus Christ was everything the Scriptures claimed.

Strobel claims that his book is not meant to endorse the veracity or falsity of who Christ is. He maintains that the book is meant to present all the facts and then allow the reader to come to his own conclusion. Unfortunately, despite Strobel’s sincere goal, the book fails to accomplish this. Instead, the book presents facts from a strictly Christian point-of-view and does not address obvious objections of non-believers. You see, the book is comprised mainly of interviews which the author conducts with biblical scholars. The author never interviews non-Christian or even non-conservative historical scholars. Sometimes, though, he quotes from Michael Martin’s book, The Case Against Christianity, to raise objections with the scholars. Nevertheless, the Christians always have the last word, making Strobel’s job much easier.

Despite this qualm, The Case for Christ is chock full of historical truths relating to the life of Jesus. This is especially true in chapter six, where Strobel asks Gregory A. Boyd, Ph.D., whether the Jesus of history is the same as the Jesus of faith. Boyd says,

“‘…these liberals say historical research can’t possibly discover the Jesus of faith, because the Jesus of faith is not rooted in history. He’s merely a symbol. But listen: Jesus is not a symbol of anything unless he’s rooted in history. The Nicene Creed doesn’t say, “We wish these things were true.” It says, “Jesus Christ…rose again from the dead.” The theological truth is based on historical truth. That’s the way the New Testament talks… I don’t want to base my life on a symbol, I want reality, and the Christian faith has always been rooted in reality’” (pp. 124-125).

The book was additionally helpful in explaining the historical context of the life of Jesus. Oftentimes scholars disproved critics’ notions by explaining Jewish, Greek, and/or Roman culture of the period. For example, a theory exists that Christ never actually died on the cross but fainted and then regained consciousness while in the tomb. Dr. Alexander Metherell disproved this hypothesis by explaining the excruciating details of Roman crucifixion. The doctor’s summary is as follows:

“‘Remember that [Jesus] was already in hypovolemic shock from the massive blood loss even before the crucifixion started. He couldn’t possibly have faked his death, because you can’t fake the inability to breathe for long. Besides, the spear thrust into his heart would have settled the issue once and for all. And the Romans weren’t about to risk their own death by allowing him to walk away alive.’” (pp. 201)

Despite the objection stated before, I believe The Case for Christ cogently explains the historical truth of Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. In addition, reading the brilliant arguments as set forth by the scholars is quite enrapturing. Although Strobel’s journalism skills are not put to full use here, his interviewing and writing talents very much are. The book will encourage Christians to have confidence that what they belief about Jesus is true, and it will force non-Christians to strongly consider Christ’s claims. As such, I would absolutely recommend that anyone, no matter his belief, read this book.

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