The Case for Faith by Lee Strobel

[evangelist6589]

My church is gonna do a series on this one in the Fall. I have never read it, however I have heard great things about it, and most of Lee's works. I have noticed however that in todays day and age there are many that want academic answers, and a real example of a Christian in their life. The Way of the Master has holes in these areas, and so other methods are needed sometimes.

Has anyone read it and what are your thoughts?


John

 

[preachinjesus]

It's a quality work. A very good text for a church to go through together to get some essential arguments down.

 

[mont974x4]

Try to find an older edition of the book. In the newer ones, for some ungodly reason, he decided to quote "the message" instead of the Bible.

 

[mandym]

Try to find an older edition of the book. In the newer ones, for some ungodly reason, he decided to quote "the message" instead of the Bible.

I didn't know that. Thanks

 

[Yeshua1]

Try to find an older edition of the book. In the newer ones, for some ungodly reason, he decided to quote "the message" instead of the Bible.

good book, but prefer the 2 books written byJosh McDowell, Evidencre and more Evisence that demands a verdict, as His foot notes alone worth purchase price!

 

[mont974x4]

good book, but prefer the 2 books written byJosh McDowell, Evidencre and more Evisence that demands a verdict, as His foot notes alone worth purchase price!

McDowell's stuff is certainly solid. I have Evidence for Christianity beside me as I type this. While easy to read, and easy to use, his stuff is more academic in focus, which is why we benefit from his good foot notes etc. I also like A Ready Defense.

The "Case for..." series are more focused with each book supporting one main thesis. They have there place, and I think they are good for most seekers, or even as a primer for teaching someone some apologetics.

 

[webdog]

I enjoyed all of the "case" books, goood journalism and arguments.

 

[RLBosley]

The "Case for..." series are really good. In fact, my best friend credits "The Case for the Christ" as a big influence in his coming to faith in Christ. The only one I can't really jump on board with is "The Case for a Creator", while it has some good stuff, Lee Strobel is an Old Earth Creationist so the book presents the earth as millions of years old, which I do not believe.

 

[evangelist6589]

good book, but prefer the 2 books written byJosh McDowell, Evidencre and more Evisence that demands a verdict, as His foot notes alone worth purchase price!

I have that one, however the reading level is very high. Its written for the PHD student.

 

[evangelist6589]

McDowell's stuff is certainly solid. I have Evidence for Christianity beside me as I type this. While easy to read, and easy to use, his stuff is more academic in focus, which is why we benefit from his good foot notes etc. I also like A Ready Defense.

The "Case for..." series are more focused with each book supporting one main thesis. They have there place, and I think they are good for most seekers, or even as a primer for teaching someone some apologetics.

I have both those books, but they are written for graduate level students. I think I am gonna buy the Lee Book, even though I may not be able to actually be in the class due to their time. I think I will enjoy the Case for Faith. I emailed the teacher and asked for handouts and lecture notes.

 

[evangelist6589]

The "Case for..." series are really good. In fact, my best friend credits "The Case for the Christ" as a big influence in his coming to faith in Christ. The only one I can't really jump on board with is "The Case for a Creator", while it has some good stuff, Lee Strobel is an Old Earth Creationist so the book presents the earth as millions of years old, which I do not believe.

Yeah thats a bad component. However he has lots of good stuff as well.

 

[LeeStrobel]

Hi, all! So glad to hear that my books have been helpful. In answer to one question, THE CASE FOR FAITH has not changed its primary Bible text (1984 NIV) through the years. Also, just FYI, there are video-driven curricula and Student Editions for all my Case books.

By the way, I thank God for Baptists! I love their heart for reaching the lost. Thanks for your faithfulness in spreading the Gospel. I'm privileged to partner with you in some small way.

Oops, my wife is calling me for dinner. I'm generally available through email via if you have any questions I can help with. Twitter is @LeeStrobel.

God's blessings to you, your families and your ministries,
Lee

 

[humblethinker]

Hi, all! So glad to hear that my books have been helpful. In answer to one question, THE CASE FOR FAITH has not changed its primary Bible text (1984 NIV) through the years. Also, just FYI, there are video-driven curricula and Student Editions for all my Case books.

By the way, I thank God for Baptists! I love their heart for reaching the lost. Thanks for your faithfulness in spreading the Gospel. I'm privileged to partner with you in some small way.

Oops, my wife is calling me for dinner. I'm generally available through email via if you have any questions I can help with. Twitter is @LeeStrobel.

God's blessings to you, your families and your ministries,
Lee

Hmmmm... I'm not so sure about this post ;-) It seems real convenient... But, I'll give you the benefit of the doubt "LeeStrobel" ;-)

It's funny, I was reading everyone's response to the book here, expecting that I'd probably be a rare dissenter and then I see Mr. Strobel's post... :tonofbricks: A pastor friend of mine gave me the book. He took it as a slight when I told him that I wasn't too impressed. Well, it has been a while since I read the book but, for what ever reason I was not too impressed. I could see why believers would like it. I had the feeling that if I were a skeptic I wouldn't doubt that Lee was convinced, however, the process in reaching his conclusions would have little influence on me. I don't think the style of writing was not to my liking either. It just didn't seem like it brought much new information or a new argument from an apologetic perspective.

Don't take my word for it though, buy the book, read it and post your thoughts!

 

[LeeStrobel]

My computer flags when my name is used on the Internet and so that's why I saw this posting and replied. I thought it would be a good opportunity to interact with some Baptist evangelism enthusiasts.

In response to one post, I've been gratified how God has used my Case books to lead so many skeptics to faith. We've had thousands of reports of conversions over the years. As an evangelist, it's been one of the greatest joys of my life. In fact, ten minutes ago I was reading a letter from an engineer named Doug Lhotka, a spiritual skeptic with a background in science and archaeology who read The Case for Faith, "certain I could easily refute it." He read it, then my other Case books, checked my references "and ended up launching a years-long investigation into Christianity."

Long story short -- he came to faith in Christ and is now part of Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, CO. By God's providence, during one of the first services he attended he turned around during the "greeting time" and there I was with my wife, Leslie. (That's the church we attend.) We shook hands and he told me a bit of his story.

I'm thrilled that many Christians have had their faith strengthened through my books but I'm especially excited about stories like Doug's. Will my books bring every skeptic who read them to faith? No, of course not. But I've seen lots of instances where atheists and agnostics have become believers as God, in His grace, has chosen to use one of my books in the evangelism process. During my book tour for The Case for the Real Jesus, we had 970 professions of faith. Praise God!

Lee

 

[humblethinker]

My computer flags when my name is used on the Internet and so that's why I saw this posting and replied. I thought it would be a good opportunity to interact with some Baptist evangelism enthusiasts.

In response to one post, I've been gratified how God has used my Case books to lead so many skeptics to faith. We've had thousands of reports of conversions over the years. As an evangelist, it's been one of the greatest joys of my life. In fact, ten minutes ago I was reading a letter from an engineer named Doug Lhotka, a spiritual skeptic with a background in science and archaeology who read The Case for Faith, "certain I could easily refute it." He read it, then my other Case books, checked my references "and ended up launching a years-long investigation into Christianity."

Long story short -- he came to faith in Christ and is now part of Cherry Hills Community Church in Highlands Ranch, CO. By God's providence, during one of the first services he attended he turned around during the "greeting time" and there I was with my wife, Leslie. (That's the church we attend.) We shook hands and he told me a bit of his story.

I'm thrilled that many Christians have had their faith strengthened through my books but I'm especially excited about stories like Doug's. Will my books bring every skeptic who read them to faith? No, of course not. But I've seen lots of instances where atheists and agnostics have become believers as God, in His grace, has chosen to use one of my books in the evangelism process. During my book tour for The Case for the Real Jesus, we had 970 professions of faith. Praise God!

Lee

:thumbsup::thumbsup: (btw, I was hesitant in my first response to believe that it was actually you)
That's wonderful! I think we, -me- often think that what I struggle with regarding my faith in Christ is what most atheists would struggle with... maybe a sort of self projection. I recognize that coming to faith in Christ is a personal issue and really is not about resolving all doubt but actually reframing the perception of my reasons for disbelief. Case in point, marriage -at least for men: Many single men may think of several objections to getting married (finances, loss of options, obligation, etc.) but let them reframe their objections in the experience of falling in love and voila! they find a way to manage the tensions... their doubts are not resolved completely, they are just reframed in light of something that is now much more significant and important. Faith is personal.

Imo, it is a win if we can get a skeptic to admit that they just might be wrong about their disbelief. It sounds like God has used your personal experience to help many people go beyond this and to actually re-examine and even reframe their objections and come to faith in Jesus. I'm a fan!

 

[preachinjesus]

I think we need a moderator to verify an IP address around here.

 

[humblethinker]

The "Case for..." series are really good. In fact, my best friend credits "The Case for the Christ" as a big influence in his coming to faith in Christ. The only one I can't really jump on board with is "The Case for a Creator", while it has some good stuff, Lee Strobel is an Old Earth Creationist so the book presents the earth as millions of years old, which I do not believe.

Just an interesting thought RLB, would you NOT give 'The Case for a Creator' to a skeptic who believed in evolution? If I were a YEC I think I still would since how God created would have nothing to do with denying the fact that He does exist. IOW, a person can come to faith in Jesus without believing YEC or any theistic view of origins. What do you think?

 

[RLBosley]

Just an interesting thought RLB, would you NOT give 'The Case for a Creator' to a skeptic who believed in evolution? If I were a YEC I think I still would since how God created would have nothing to do with denying the fact that He does exist. IOW, a person can come to faith in Jesus without believing YEC or any theistic view of origins. What do you think?

That is an interesting question. I haven't thought about it honestly because I don't even own a copy of "Creator". But I don't think I would actually, because it isn't apologetics regarding creation that saves, it's the gospel. So I would (if I was giving out any book) give them "the Case for Christ" or "The Case for the Real Jesus", or "More Than a Carpenter" for that matter. Usually when I witness or preach I ignore evolution/creation because winning that argument won't save and usually breaks down into pointless conflict.

But you are right that someone doesn't have to be a YEC to be saved. However I think that it is the most Biblical and presents the least amount of problems from a theological POV.

 

[RLBosley]

I think we need a moderator to verify an IP address around here.

Agreed. I hate to be suspicious of people... but it's the internet...

 

[LeeStrobel]

I understand suspicions with the Internet! Not sure what else I can do to verify my identity. You could send a tweet to my verified Twitter address -- @LeeStrobel -- and I can confirm it to you that way, if you'd like.

In terms of "The Case for a Creator," I start where the skeptic is at (regarding an old universe) and demonstrate that even if you accept that, the evidence of cosmology, physics, astronomy, biochemistry, human consciousness, etc., points powerfully and persuasively toward the existence of a Creator who just so happens to share the attributes of the God of the Bible.

Lee