The Case For The Real Jesus: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks On The Identity Of Christ (2007) - Plot & Excerpts
To be clear, I am a Christian whose primary concern is history. I am not concerned by claims that historians make or threatened by provocative questions, I am simply looking for answers in history that make the most real-world sense. By contrast, Strobel is a Christian journalist and author who is defending Christian beliefs that appear to be threatened by historical claims. In proper journalistic fashion, he seeks to refute popular claims that appear to undermine belief in Jesus as we currently see it. In Short: This book asks some relevant questions about Jesus in history and is accessible to any reader interested, but it is not the consideration in depth or scope that I am looking for. Strobel says he tried to enter the debate as open mindedly as he did in “Case for Christ,” as an atheist, but the focus of the book is using Christian scholars to refute the claims against Christianity made by both good historians and those with an ax to grid.In Detail:This book is narrated in Strobel’s usual, interview style, which is an effective approach given the antagonistic nature of the content. He presents his questions and motivations clearly, he finds credible experts in the field of New Testament studies, and researches opposing viewpoints that represent what he feels are the main dissenting viewpoints against belief in a historically viable Jesus. Each expert is given a thorough CV, a brief bio, and an opportunity to lay the foundation for the current section’s topic. Strobel makes sure it includes how and why they believe Jesus is historically viable and why our current belief system makes sense. Strobel then cross-examines them as a prosecuting attorney would do (or in his case as the legal editor of the Chicago Tribune) by attacking their main points with quotes and references from other scholars. Each scholar is then given as long as necessary to revitalize their major points by answering or refuting Strobel’s counters. In all, it is an effective strategy. Several of the points made are timely, accurate, and useful. One such is the disparity between Dr. Bart Ehrman’s opinions that the errors in the New Testament manuscript documents make the text unreliable to its core vs. the low probable impact these differences probably have. Despite the very excellent sections, I found it lacking for the following reasons:1)tHe never interviews a non-believer, let alone a person who openly opposes Christianity. All arguments for the viability of Jesus in history and subsequent Christianity are made by believers. Everyone has bias, even people who are truly trying to be “objective” or “open minded” about the data presented. This is the same reason historians approach the Gospel narratives with caution – even though they are clearly the best sources of information we have about Jesus himself. The Gospels were written by believers, Christians, who want others to understand why he is the messiah, among other things. It does not discredit them, but it makes them less overtly reliable about Jesus’ messianic claims than another writing that does not promote Jesus as messiah. Each of these historians wants Jesus what is written about Jesus to be true. This does not discredit them, but it does lessen the “objectiveness” slightly. Strobel points out himself with using the “attestation of enemies” as a very powerful source of reliability when making the same point. Strobel does include tidbits about the agreement of skeptics but only through the Christian scholar.2)tIn many cases – the interview with Dr. Edwin Yamauchi being the most pronounced – when Strobel asks a question that conflicts with a point just made, the answer is often, “no, that isn’t true.” No further questioning, cross-examination, or clarification. Just . . . “no?!” I found these segments particularly unsatisfying because of point #1, because we are simply relying on the judgment of the scholar and not the cogency of his reasoning related to the facts involved, and because the lack of detail makes it difficult to follow up afterward and research the point on my own. I am left with a felt need to go and buy Yamauchi’s books to try and understand, rather than having the means readily available here. Yet another thing I don’t have time to do. 3)tThe book center’s itself on the current beliefs of and attacks against Christianity. It does not question some of the more foundational considerations, such as the fact our versions of evangelical, protestant, catholic, or Pentecostal beliefs may not reflect the 1st century understandings of what Jesus meant by what he said in the gospels. Also, little allowance is made for the validity of certain claims against Christianity, such as the need for caution when approaching the New Testament with certain assumptions about chronology or our desire for the bible to be inerrant, infallible and authoritative in all aspects of the universe. Maybe Dr. Ehrman’s professor was right, Mark just got it wrong. Maybe the bible was never meant to be held up to an empirical microscope – as was attempted in the 19th and 20th centuries, causing reactions against questioning the bible that we are still dealing with today. Some of this is mentioned but not adequately considered.4)tThere is no clarification that understanding history and belief in a certain theology is different. Most of the arguments made are cogent and understandable, but an unspoken assumption remains: if the favorable situation is allowable in historical terms (our current versions of Christianity) it is assumed to be the best answer. Jesus had to act in history or our beliefs are unfounded and useless. Even if we can show that Jesus doing certain things in history is the best answer, it doesn’t mean that our current beliefs are right about him. I do understand that this book is written by a believer for other believers, it remains an important historical point that should be very clear in a book that wants to address historical concerns. In Conclusion:I am glad Lee Strobel wrote this book because I appreciated his willingness to ask these questions, which many Christians could find too large or taboo to consider. This book will help people feel more secure in their beliefs against current climates, criticisms, and invalid arguments made against our faith. I feel that this sort of understanding is a necessary beginning for the Christianity of history to continue amid large skepticism and outright hostility toward any moral regulation. The answers about Jesus from our parent’s and grandparent’s generations do not seem to meet the needs of our current experience. I believe returning to the source is the only way to understand him for now and for the future, but I do not think that this book is the monumental or definitive work against historical criticism for which it could be mistaken. Thank you, Lee Strobel, for creating this very accessible opening into the historical conversation.
I enjoyed reading this book. I am quite fond of Strobel's style, and his personality and bluntless bleeds through the pages and words.As a journalist who has an extensive background in law and expertise in investigation, seeking reliable sources, and gathering evidence, he has a compelling skill set that allows you to trust in his methods and his approach to embarking on his personal journey to bolster his case for the REAL Jesus.This book is in the same format as The Case for Christ, in that he has specific goals, specific topics to tackle, a systematic approach, and specifically chosen experts to answer his toughest questions.In this book, he sets out to tackle six of the biggest objections to the true identity of Jesus Christ as he is described in the New Testament. These are powerful objections in our post-modern day, and he understands that if even one of them goes through, the traditional picture of Jesus is compromised and a huge shadow of doubt falls upon the entire revolution that Jesus supposedly began.The six objections are:1. Scholars are uncovering a radically different Jesus in ancient documents just as credible as the four Gospels.2. The Bible's portrait of Jesus can't be trusted because the church tampered with the text.3. New explanations have refuted Jesus' Resurrection.4. Christianity's beliefs about Jesus were copied from pagan religions. 5. Jesus was an imposter who failed to fulfill the messianic prophecies.6. People should be free to pick and choose what they believe about Jesus.It is easy to see that these are very strong claims that Strobel truly believed needed to be cleared if he was going to maintain confidence in his worldview as a Christian.Like The Case for Christ, Strobel chooses experts all over the nation to interview to discuss these claims one by one, bringing to them the objection in full force with multiple additional lines of reasoning related to them.I have to say that I was compelled by much of the evidence being presented by the scholars he chose to interview. They provided facts backed by evidence and sound reasoning.However, like my objection for his previous book, this book is highly biased toward the Christian worldview, as he seeks out only Christian scholars to address the issues. Again, this is fine, since the objections are aimed at Christians, and Strobel seeks out learned Christians to provide their defense. However, I do feel as though this book would be much more balanced and interesting if he interviewed atheist and agnostic skeptics as well, perhaps putting cases from both sides head to head to provide the reader with more opportunity to be challenged and apply a greater degree of critical thinking.I do like how Strobel includes study questions at the end of each chapter, as well as additional resources on each topic that he recommends people look into if they have more questions.One thing I did learn through reading this book that troubled me was that I realized how prevalent intentional deception in the scholarly world really is. I knew it was a real thing, but to know that scholars are deliberately twisting the facts and distorting the truth to intentionally mislead people to follow their own biases is quite upsetting. People can be hurt and broken by such deception and be turned away from their pursuit of the truth, and this is something that really angers me. Knowing this is making me have to be a lot more careful and critical myself when reading books and articles by people, including Christian authors, as well, even though everyone does have their own biases (I'm no exception).All in all, Strobel did a fine job with writing this book. It was easy to read and included many compelling arguments that have yet to be thoroughly dismantled. I'm interested in learning about what some skeptics might have to say to respond to the defense that Strobel provided.
What do You think about The Case For The Real Jesus: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks On The Identity Of Christ (2007)?
It's interesting, but not 100% what I was hoping for: the facts the author presents are just as nebulous, in certain areas, to me as the falsehoods or accusations he's trying to disprove...I need more history with the information he's discussing--there's a presumption of familiarity of either side of the argument on Jesus--and the people he interviews appear credible, but I don't get a deep sense of why he's chosen these people in particular to interview--is it because of some seminal work? Because they're friends? Because only they were available when he called? This book is probably better for someone who has a greater historical sense and more biblical background than I do, but it is enjoyable otherwise.Strobel offers further reading at the end of each chapter, some of the books I might checkout at some point. And I agree with another reviewer that Strobel is arguing in a vacuum so there's no rebuttal from the opposition, though he does bring up points on behalf of the opposition in order to push against the truths the people he interviews believe in. With Strobel's investigative background I did expect a lot more information. I could've done without the aside information of him nodding to show he understands someone, or what they're wearing. But his writing is accessible and the tone is genial. But in some ways I think I'm more confused than when I began reading this book.Overall, it's decent, and I would've liked it a whole lot more if he'd stayed away from the phrase "mental jujitsu." ...Seriously? Where he uses it makes me want to hit my head against a wall. The fact pointed out to him during an interview was hardly a feat of astounding mental calculation.
—Michelle
Fantastic book! I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Lee Strobel. I like his investigative journalist approach to topics, with solid reasons and sound logic. In this book, Lee sets out to investigate the claims about Jesus by critics and skeptics. Is what the church teaches about Jesus reasonable? Or has it all been proven false by modern scholarship? How can we know the REAL Jesus? Lee tackles six challenges to the church’s teaching about Jesus.1. Scholars are uncovering a radically different Jesus in ancient documents just as credible as the four gospels.2. The Bible’s portrait of Jesus can’t be trusted.3. New explanations have refuted Jesus’ resurrection.4. Christianity’s beliefs about Jesus were copied from pagan religions.5. Jesus was an imposter who failed to fulfill the Messianic prophecies.6. People should be free to pick and choose what to believe about Jesus.Christianity is a reasonable faith, with logically sound reasons for believing the truth about Jesus! The evidence is solid and overwhelming, the REAL Jesus can be known, and salvation is found only in Him.-Jerry
—Jerry Simmons
My faith has never really swayed in the past and I have always been a Christian and believer. This book (audio) only strengthens my belief in Jesus and Christianity as a religion. Strobel's interviews with the leading historical and Biblical leaders denounce any non sense books, claims, etc from the left wing crazy liberals and radicals that have been popping up lately stating that Jesus was not the Son of God, the New Testament is made up, other Gospels have been out there, but edited out and other fictitious claims. Critics on this site that have given this review as 1 star have really bashed the book and it is hard to understand if they just didn't like the book or they are not Christians. They have said he only interviewed Christian people and no one else. To a degree it is a fair statement, however the book is stating what the attacks are and acting almost as a rebuttal to them. That is what the title suggest and that is what it is. Taking it one step further would have interesting in expanding the book, but the book itself is outstanding. Listening to the author on CD is even better as you can really hear his enthusiasm when talking about it.
—Joseph
