The Case for Faith: A Journalist Investigates the Toughest Objections to Christianity
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Create Date:2021-12-24 11:21:14
Update Date:2025-09-07
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Author:Lee Strobel
ISBN:1713651696
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Reviews
Ben,
A coworker gave me this book after a discussion on faith。 He is a Christian and I’d shared that I had a lot of skepticism about Christianity。There are interesting points that gave me a lot to think about, but it felt sensationalized like a piece on Fox News or MSNBC。 That’s perhaps comforting for a Christian using this book to reinforce their faith。 It’s unfortunate for someone like me who is curious and exploring。 These moments kept bringing my guard up。 For that reason, I read about a third of A coworker gave me this book after a discussion on faith。 He is a Christian and I’d shared that I had a lot of skepticism about Christianity。There are interesting points that gave me a lot to think about, but it felt sensationalized like a piece on Fox News or MSNBC。 That’s perhaps comforting for a Christian using this book to reinforce their faith。 It’s unfortunate for someone like me who is curious and exploring。 These moments kept bringing my guard up。 For that reason, I read about a third of the book 3+ years ago and put it on the shelf。 I picked it up this week and pushed through。I am glad I read it。 。。。more
Dede Gafa,
If you have questions that have remained unanswered, and you need some clarifications or insights on key issues with the Christian faith, reading this book is a good place to start。 And then continue seeking。 Surely, you shall find。 I gave 5 stars not because I agree with all the answers provided in the book, but because it is good food for thoughts。 It deserves to be read。
Laura,
Studied this in Sunday School。 Very well written and accessible。
Joni Fisher,
Ah, such a fresh view of a man’s search for faith。 He begins with objectiveness and skepticism。 His Frank search for truth surprises him。
Sreeja,
Disclaimer: I might be a bit biased as I’m reading this just to further my knowledge not really as someone who is new to Christianity。 With that said, I still think it does a great job answering some important questions especially about suffering and hell。 I’ve learned so much on these two topics specifically that I didn’t know and it did change my perspective。 So, I still recommend it!
Philip Howard,
The author did a great job as a journalist to investigate "the case for faith" for the reader in an astute and sophisticated matter and to add to his own personal spiritual growth。 The questions he deemed the toughest ("Big Eight") were asked of bible experts and I found the responses to be profound and thought provoking。 I believe my perception of faith has been augmented for the better because of this book。I would recommend this "The Case for Faith" to anyone wanting to know God more, if at al The author did a great job as a journalist to investigate "the case for faith" for the reader in an astute and sophisticated matter and to add to his own personal spiritual growth。 The questions he deemed the toughest ("Big Eight") were asked of bible experts and I found the responses to be profound and thought provoking。 I believe my perception of faith has been augmented for the better because of this book。I would recommend this "The Case for Faith" to anyone wanting to know God more, if at all, but lack the faith to do so。 I say, if at all, because I believe your heart must to be pricked to get full benefits from this book。 Although, author does endorse conversion from atheism, you can tell that his he wrote this book with the best intentions, looking for Him。 Faith can be gained by all。 。。。more
Kathleen Moy,
A refreshing re-read from many years ago。 Found the chapters on suffering and doubting to be the most compelling, the one on hell the most troublesome。 Highly recommend。
Ray,
I tried to get through this book, but once I got to the section with Ravi Zacharias, I couldn't go any further。 If Lee Strobel is/was a journalist, he didn't do a good job when interviewing the people for his book。 Obviously, this book has an agenda, but some of the points that the people made could easily be questioned and interrogated。 He also embellishes his interactions with them often making it seem like he was probably more aggressive than he was honestly。 Overall, a bad book to convince y I tried to get through this book, but once I got to the section with Ravi Zacharias, I couldn't go any further。 If Lee Strobel is/was a journalist, he didn't do a good job when interviewing the people for his book。 Obviously, this book has an agenda, but some of the points that the people made could easily be questioned and interrogated。 He also embellishes his interactions with them often making it seem like he was probably more aggressive than he was honestly。 Overall, a bad book to convince you to turn to faith, but a good book for an atheist to learn what some people somehow actually believe。 。。。more
Moc Mandex,
This was definitely a thought provoking read。 I was on the fence with the journalistic format, but all in all I enjoyed it。 Any Christian who has embraced Apologetics should give this book a read, it allows us to look at these situation in a point of view that might be skeptical and forces us to think about how to answer these questions。 However, I didn't find this book to be something that created a case for people who don't have a relationship with God yet to be convinced that this is the one This was definitely a thought provoking read。 I was on the fence with the journalistic format, but all in all I enjoyed it。 Any Christian who has embraced Apologetics should give this book a read, it allows us to look at these situation in a point of view that might be skeptical and forces us to think about how to answer these questions。 However, I didn't find this book to be something that created a case for people who don't have a relationship with God yet to be convinced that this is the one and only true faith。 I found it to be interesting and it definitely made sense when asking about meaning of life, predestination, morality and how it stems from God - but I noticed after that the only reason why I was agreeing with this so much and enjoying it was because I was filling in the gaps essentially saying " I know what you mean" and kept on going。 If I didn't know what he meant though, I wouldn't have found this book all that convincing, I would see it interesting and some good points, but not convincing - which is why I gave it a 4 instead of 5 stars。 If anything this is a great book to get your mind thinking and a great guide of direction of where to go after this to study further into theology。 。。。more
Tristan,
The most immediately impactful book I’ve read。
Jonathan,
I have enjoyed several of Strobel's books (Case for Christ, Case for Miracles) and hope to read more。 This book deals with good topics。 I have a concern that he interviewed defenders-of-the-gospel who projected humanism onto how God/Christ would do something。 This is a dangerous place to be in Theology and I'm uncomfortable, however well intentioned they may be, with some of the statements Strobel included from these interviews。 An example would be saying something like "God must be like。。。" or I have enjoyed several of Strobel's books (Case for Christ, Case for Miracles) and hope to read more。 This book deals with good topics。 I have a concern that he interviewed defenders-of-the-gospel who projected humanism onto how God/Christ would do something。 This is a dangerous place to be in Theology and I'm uncomfortable, however well intentioned they may be, with some of the statements Strobel included from these interviews。 An example would be saying something like "God must be like。。。" or "God wouldn't do。。。"。 There is a place for these type of statements but they must be grounded in specific scriptures。 Otherwise we are projecting our human nature upon the nature of God。 Other than that, I thought it was a good book。 。。。more
Ashley,
This was my first Strobel book。 While I'm not in love with the dialogue format in which he writes, I do think this book is packed with information and truth。 I didn't agree with all his points and thought he could go deeper in some of the areas of this book, particularly in the chapter about church atrocities, I think this is a solid read for someone with intellectual beefs about Christianity。 I appreciated that he did ask hard questions and that his explanations are relatively easy to understan This was my first Strobel book。 While I'm not in love with the dialogue format in which he writes, I do think this book is packed with information and truth。 I didn't agree with all his points and thought he could go deeper in some of the areas of this book, particularly in the chapter about church atrocities, I think this is a solid read for someone with intellectual beefs about Christianity。 I appreciated that he did ask hard questions and that his explanations are relatively easy to understand。 This book helped me grow in the knowledge and intellect of my faith and addressed questions I often don't hear much about in church。 I hope this book sparks conversations with those around me intellectual objections to Christianity。 。。。more
Alisha,
Spoiler alert: Jesus dies。 But then he doesn't。 But then he does again, kinda。Ok, for real though, it's difficult for me to review this book as a non-Christian。 It's definitely written for those questioning their faith in God and wrangling with the core tenets of their religion on an intellectual level。 As someone whose belief system aligns more closely with Vedic spirituality, I enjoyed being challenged by parts of this book。 I liked being confronted with questions of heaven and hell, of suffer Spoiler alert: Jesus dies。 But then he doesn't。 But then he does again, kinda。Ok, for real though, it's difficult for me to review this book as a non-Christian。 It's definitely written for those questioning their faith in God and wrangling with the core tenets of their religion on an intellectual level。 As someone whose belief system aligns more closely with Vedic spirituality, I enjoyed being challenged by parts of this book。 I liked being confronted with questions of heaven and hell, of suffering and evil。 I found the chapter about the divine origin of the universe to be particularly stimulating! But overall, I felt as though the author and I were having two separate conversations。 We diverged from our very point of origin。 He was striving to prove that Christianity is 'true', whereas I simply disagree that there has to be, or even that there can be, a single, universal truth。 ESPECIALLY when it comes to something as meta as a creator and our relationship with him / it / them / us。I found the emphasis on logic and reason really confounding, even reductive at times, for questions of faith and spirit。 Strobel hyperfocuses on science as an explanation for the divine, reassuring Christians that all facts point to God – the Christian god, specifically – but his dialectics felt like a means to an end。 I didn't want the spiritual to be proven to me in the language of the physical。 I didn't need it to be。 I would have preferred something that touched my heart and pointed to an experience of oneness。His arguments like "whatever begins to exist has a cause, and the universe exists, therefore it has a cause" came across as spurious and presumptive。 I couldn't help but wonder why, if he was so intent on proving the 'truth' of Christianity through science, he had failed to consider what quantum physics teaches about the observer effect。 That would raise SO many more questions, which would be far more interesting to discuss! Does god only exist because we are searching for him? To what extent do our limitations limit not only our god-concept, but the (un)reality of god itself?Aside from its propositional logic and non sequiturs, some of my other issues with this book include its hypocrisy between different chapters, its dismissal of other major religions, and its condoning of genocide in the Old Testament as part of God's good work (!!!)。 But perhaps what I find most fatal is that Strobel's golden beacon of logic, beneath the light of which this book is created, is doused at the final moment。 He ends by claiming that some things are simply beyond our understanding; God works in mysterious ways; not everything has to be resolved (and if it were, it wouldn't be true faith); and we can never truly know anything, anyway。 Very anti-climactic! Very confuse! Much concern! 。。。more
Peng,
A former investigative journalist rounds up the main objections plaguing non-believers on the existence of God and Christianity。 He interviews scholars, devout Christians and atheists-turned-Christians with hard-hitting questions and hears their arguments。I loved how Strobel had put forth ALL the questions and doubts I have ever had about Christianity。 Some of the interviewees had very clever use of analogies and logical explorations that dispelled some of my lingering doubts。 I also found it he A former investigative journalist rounds up the main objections plaguing non-believers on the existence of God and Christianity。 He interviews scholars, devout Christians and atheists-turned-Christians with hard-hitting questions and hears their arguments。I loved how Strobel had put forth ALL the questions and doubts I have ever had about Christianity。 Some of the interviewees had very clever use of analogies and logical explorations that dispelled some of my lingering doubts。 I also found it helpful how each chapter ends with several questions for reflection, and how the book concluded with some tips for seekers looking to further explore their faith。 The only reason why my ratings for this book falls short of 4 points is because I had trouble following some of the interviewees' line of reasoning (to the point of aggravating me)。 That said, I still appreciated learning the range of Christians' perspective。 。。。more
Edwina Callan,
I loved this book so much。It explained so many things that I have often wondered about。Highly recommended to those who seek to draw ever closer to God by fully (or better) understanding His word。
Delaney Zook,
Wow。 It took me four months, but I finally finished it。 This book taught me so many things。 I thought I knew the answer to some of these questions but I truly did learn so many new things。I truly believe this book is full of logically based findings and factual evidence。 If you’re struggling with following Jesus I highly recommend to read this book。I grew in my faith because i learned so much about God。 It’s a great, great book。
Emily,
I listened to this because I’d enjoyed “The Case for Grace” so much and had hoped for more of the same enjoyment。 This book was twice as long and less than half as enjoyable。
J。Dennis,
Nothing mind blowing for the reader who's been a believer for decades but Strobel's way of narrating conversations with those who can succinctly address common concerns or questions。 Regardless, it's a valuable read to affirm the faith and equip the reader to be able to consider and respond to these potential objections from others。 Nothing mind blowing for the reader who's been a believer for decades but Strobel's way of narrating conversations with those who can succinctly address common concerns or questions。 Regardless, it's a valuable read to affirm the faith and equip the reader to be able to consider and respond to these potential objections from others。 。。。more
Carina Shephard ,
3。5 stars // finished June 2021Overall, some good food for thought。 I don't agree with the author's beliefs as far as Creation is concerned (it's somewhat of a confusing muddle of inconsistent creationism/old earth/Big Bang/etc。; I am a young-earth creationist); but the more philosophical questions/answers I tracked along pretty well with。 The author has an excellent writing style that livens up potentially dry subject matter (although apparently every single one of the people he interviewed wor 3。5 stars // finished June 2021Overall, some good food for thought。 I don't agree with the author's beliefs as far as Creation is concerned (it's somewhat of a confusing muddle of inconsistent creationism/old earth/Big Bang/etc。; I am a young-earth creationist); but the more philosophical questions/answers I tracked along pretty well with。 The author has an excellent writing style that livens up potentially dry subject matter (although apparently every single one of the people he interviewed wore gold-rimmed glasses。 XD) 。。。more
Jeff,
This follow-up to Strobel's The Case for Christ, examines eight of the objections people give most often to the Christian faith。 As in his previous book, Strobel puts on his hat from a former career as an investigative journalist and interviews experts on the eight topics in question, attempting to put himself in the shoes of a skeptic。 Some of the chapters are excellent。 Others address difficult questions that are not always easily answered。 Overall the book provides a lot of food for thought a This follow-up to Strobel's The Case for Christ, examines eight of the objections people give most often to the Christian faith。 As in his previous book, Strobel puts on his hat from a former career as an investigative journalist and interviews experts on the eight topics in question, attempting to put himself in the shoes of a skeptic。 Some of the chapters are excellent。 Others address difficult questions that are not always easily answered。 Overall the book provides a lot of food for thought and discussion points for the reader to use in their conversations with friends and family who raise their objections to the Christian faith。 The eight chapters are bookended by a fascinating story about Strobel interviewing noted Canadian atheist Charles Templeton。 Very worthwhile read。 。。。more
Chelsea Darnell,
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 I read this book with the sole intention of discovering the answers to some of the harder objections that you can often be hit with as a dedicated Christian。 It certainly achieved that goal。 Strobel writes in an open an honest way, clear about his own struggles with faith along the way。 And as a journalist, he is completely thorough in the questions he asks, unafraid to get to the heart of the matter with his various interviewees。 He tackles the major objections to the faith, with a wide range o I read this book with the sole intention of discovering the answers to some of the harder objections that you can often be hit with as a dedicated Christian。 It certainly achieved that goal。 Strobel writes in an open an honest way, clear about his own struggles with faith along the way。 And as a journalist, he is completely thorough in the questions he asks, unafraid to get to the heart of the matter with his various interviewees。 He tackles the major objections to the faith, with a wide range of persons with significant accolades both academically and theologically。 I really enjoyed how eye opening some of the revelations were, particularly in regard to the science behind creation, and how it is pretty much impossible for learned people to accept that creation came from a random chain of events given the immense lack of evidence for such a supposition, and the sheer improbability of it。 And finding out the context behind certain scriptures and ideologies was similarly helpful in clearing up confusion。 As a Christian, it helped reaffirm what I already believe, and also gave me some great answers for the inevitable times I will be asked searching questions。 My only criticism of the book is that it comes across very high brow at times, and takes a lot of concentration to read。 It's very dense and seems to take a long time to get through because of this。 Sometimes it feels too scholarly for the lay person。But it's definitely worth the time and effort。 Would recommend。 。。。more
Moriah,
Best part: the interviews were excellent。Weakest: the set-up。 I was confused as to when in Strobel's personal journey the interviews took place。 Best part: the interviews were excellent。Weakest: the set-up。 I was confused as to when in Strobel's personal journey the interviews took place。 。。。more
L,
Excellent!
Carlos Miguel,
Actual Rating: 4。5/5(Lent reading 2021 #1)I really enjoyed this book since Lee is not afraid to ask very difficult questions。 The author starts with his main eight questions about the faith and interviews experts in the corresponding fields。 The book doesn't give answers but points for discussion and for the reader to make his/her own conclusions。 I really appreciated that in this book。However, the interviews are already bias since all are practicing Christians and I would have enjoy a more open Actual Rating: 4。5/5(Lent reading 2021 #1)I really enjoyed this book since Lee is not afraid to ask very difficult questions。 The author starts with his main eight questions about the faith and interviews experts in the corresponding fields。 The book doesn't give answers but points for discussion and for the reader to make his/her own conclusions。 I really appreciated that in this book。However, the interviews are already bias since all are practicing Christians and I would have enjoy a more open discussion with atheists as well weighing in。 Either way, the book is brilliant and made me wonder about my faith。 I am glad it opened the door for me to ask more questions rather than just accepting old teachings。 。。。more
Gloria Raynor,
I think the conviction was remarkable。 We often try to deny that which we are not fully exposed to。 Still truth will always out run our negative beliefs。Did not make a time and date recording。
Claire,
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers。 To view it, click here。 Highly highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to dive into their spirituality and/or discover answers to hard questions around the belief in God。 Strobel structures the book around the big 8 rejections people have against believing in God - from why is there suffering in the world, why does Hell exist, Christianity has a bad past, etc。 and then interviews experts (from pastors/priests to theologians) on a response。 I learned SO much and feel so much more connected to my faith。 I was raise Highly highly recommend this book for anyone wanting to dive into their spirituality and/or discover answers to hard questions around the belief in God。 Strobel structures the book around the big 8 rejections people have against believing in God - from why is there suffering in the world, why does Hell exist, Christianity has a bad past, etc。 and then interviews experts (from pastors/priests to theologians) on a response。 I learned SO much and feel so much more connected to my faith。 I was raised Catholic but was not confirmed because I wanted to discover religion for myself and really understand it。。 this book was my first venture into understanding the basis of Christian faith。 I finished this book in a few days because it was so digestible and asked all the questions I have always struggled to find answers or reasoning for! I am making my whole family read it now as well (: Thanks to this book, I feel so excited and hopeful to beginning my spiritual journey - it has truly opened up a whole new door for my life where I see everything with so much meaning! By the end, the author says: “I remained utterly convinced that the most rational and logical step people can take is to invest their faith in Jesus of Nazareth。” 。。。more
Zachary Creasman,
This book was awesome。 It really packs some insightful answers for those seeking to reaffirm their faith。 It can open your eyes do that you can find your faith even in the faith of so many doubts。 I would highly recommend it to anyone who is seeking and has questions about their faith。
Iris Li,
read it with my youth group。 interesting。 answers a lot of questions about christianity
Jon Kroeker,
The book is an interesting read and I enjoyed it。 There are many good points made throughout。 As a gift to you I am not going to write a novel here poking holes in Lee’s arguments as some reviewers have done here。There were a few difficulties I had with it - which don’t negate the information presented in the book。 I was a bit put off with each chapter being tidily wrapped up at the end with some sort of statement saying: “well, that convinced me。 It’s all resolved。 On to the next issue”。 In my The book is an interesting read and I enjoyed it。 There are many good points made throughout。 As a gift to you I am not going to write a novel here poking holes in Lee’s arguments as some reviewers have done here。There were a few difficulties I had with it - which don’t negate the information presented in the book。 I was a bit put off with each chapter being tidily wrapped up at the end with some sort of statement saying: “well, that convinced me。 It’s all resolved。 On to the next issue”。 In my opinion investigative reporting shouldn’t lead the reader like that。Then there is the absence of alternative viewpoints。 The investigative reporting should really be called something like: looking for Christian answers to some of the objections to Christianity。 Anyway, that is what I thought of it。 Read the book for yourselves and find out if you want to look into some of the stuff further。 。。。more
Richard J。,
I applaud Stobel for the work he does。 Although the critique that he does not interview skeptics in his books, only believers, is a valid one, his style and dedication to making his case is admirable。 It’s not deep theology, but it really shouldn’t be, his books are for the average reader, not someone that can give you the list of kings of Judah and their Israelite counterparts, or define Transubstantiation。 He still works hard to make reasonable cases for faith in Jesus, and he isn’t afraid to I applaud Stobel for the work he does。 Although the critique that he does not interview skeptics in his books, only believers, is a valid one, his style and dedication to making his case is admirable。 It’s not deep theology, but it really shouldn’t be, his books are for the average reader, not someone that can give you the list of kings of Judah and their Israelite counterparts, or define Transubstantiation。 He still works hard to make reasonable cases for faith in Jesus, and he isn’t afraid to ask the really difficult questions and write a book that admits it will never be able to fully satisfy you。tI had to give this book three stars while Case for Christ received four。 Mostly that is due to the incompleteness of this book。 It reaches deeper than the Case for Christ did, yet, as Stobel openly admits, the hardest questions of faith are fought on a battleground of emotions- the heart, not the mind。 Sure, tomorrow God could move the stars and arrange them to spell out “Here I am” in ancient Hebrew, but would that ever stop us from asking, “why is life so filled with suffering?” “How can you send people to hell?” “What about if I have doubts at times?” They are real questions, and I’m glad that Stobel takes time to address them, and be sincere that even with answers- the questions will still hurt。 So, it’s a good book, but ultimately, it isn’t completely satisfying, because they questions have so much nuance and real-world pain connected to them that it’s ridiculous to thing that telling a cancer patient that their cells are reproducing incorrectly is going to make them feel better。 Even if the difficult questions are answered, the answer does little to ease the suffering。 tStill though, this book was very good。 The continuing theme of courtroom drama works well for his style in these books。 I don’t think that all of the answers given are the full story, but that’s OK, it’s still a part of that story and I thought it was worth my time, believer or not。 。。。more