The Case for Christmas by Lee Strobel

 

"A Journalist Investigates the Identity of the Child in the Manger"

    -subtitle of The Case for Christmas

There was to be a Bible study class using this theme so I purchased the book. The classes would actually entail using the videos that complement the book. I did read it, however, and learned a great deal. It was not your ordinary Bible commentary but more like a detective story with someone looking for evidence, not of a crime, of course, but of the birth and origin of Jesus Christ. (see subtitle at the top)

With only 100 pages the book is in 6 parts: Introduction, Ch 1The Eyewitness Evidence; Ch2 "The Scientific Evidence"; Ch3 "The Profile Evidence"; Ch4 "The Fingerprint Evidence" and the Conclusion, "The Verdict of History." I gained new knowledge in each part. The author is an investigative journalist seeking information and theories from several experts, including a Messianic Jew. He quotes from interviews with these authorities.

One of the most striking quotes was from philosopher William Lane Craig, who first found the virgin birth a stumbling block but after study came to this conclusion: "If I really do believe in a God who created the universe, then for him to create a Y chromosome would be child's play!"

I am rating the book a 5. Easy to read, informative and perfect for December!