Book Review

The Case for Christ - Lee Strobel

Although this book was in my book shelf for quite some time, I happened to take it only a few days back. Unlike other book I've read, which deals about the evidence of Christ or the Bible, this book presents a case in a way an investigation would proceed. Lee Strobel, a seasoned and a legal editor of the Chicago Times at that time, decided to put his experience to build a case against Christ. But it turned to be a case for Christ.

An atheist by himself, his investigation opened into the claims by and about Jesus, when his wife announced one day that she is a Christian. Lee expected his fun loving, carefree and risk-taking Lesie, to lead a dull life, volunteering for grimy soup kitchens and all-night vigils. “Instead”, says Lee “I was pleasantly surprised – even fascinated – by the fundamental changes in her character, her integrity, and her personal confidence.” As a reporter and well aware of the danger of quickly jumping into conclusion, he interviews top scholars and authorities who have impeccable academic credential to ascertain the facts and evidence. As the evidence mounts for Christ, his spiritual journey also takes an unexpected turn - for Christ.

This Book answers many questions, often tough ones, skeptics would ask. Presented in a fascinating way the evidence from both sides, could be read and enjoyed by both lay and intellects alike. Divided into 3 parts, Strobel dedicates one whole part to deal with the claims of the resurrection. Above all, The Case for Christ encourages the reader to read the Bible about Christ and his eternal love for mankind.

More information: http://www.amazon.com/Case-Christ-Journalists-Personal-Investigation/dp/0310209307/ref=cm_cmu_pg_i

Did you know?

Baal

Baal, a pagan god, against whom a lot is mentioned in the Bible, is a fertility god. The Canaanites, who were predominantly farmers, worshiped Baal for the fertility of the soil, animals and humans. Baal was thought to go underground during the summer. For the rains to come, people used to offer sacrifices to please him enough to return. Animals and even human sacrifices were offered. Human sacrifices were usually in the form of babies given to the searing hot iron hands of Baal idol.

God said to the Israelites not to worship any other gods. But they forgot God and went after the gods of the surrounding nations, sacrificing babies, indulging in public sexual acts in order to please Baal. Male and female priests were available for this purpose. Jeremiah the prophet, warned of this and prophesized the judgment of God, if they did not repent (Jeremiah 19). Later we see the prophesy fulfilled and the Assyrian army, one of the brutal in ancient times, invading thus making the place a “Valley of slaughter”, just as God said he would.

We live in a time where these things happen in our society - families broken, indulging in immoral ways and unborn children killed. In other words, we do Baal worship. Let us repent and come back to God of the Bible. Let us seek forgiveness which is given freely. 

The Power of God's Word

Isa 55:11 "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. "(KJV)

Words have the power to impact thought, instill reason and communicate the mind of the person. When one communicates with words, what we get is the personality, character, integrity and wisdom of the speaker. Where there is a thought, there has to be a thinker and the medium by which the thinker communicates thoughts is by words. The Bible repeats this pattern over and over again. My Word, the Word of God, the Word of the LORD, etc. are terms used over and over when God speaks.

So what's so different about God's word. One may think, "Are they not words which are similar to what I am reading now." Well yes, very much the same. However, there is a marked difference between what we communicate as words and what God communicates as his Word.

The Word of God is ALIVE!!!

"Still, what's the difference", you may ask. My words also have life since I am alive. Not really! Man's words have only the power to communicate a thought. This is far different from God's Word. Examine the scripture portion from Isaiah. It states that God's Word is a messenger. It has the power to act according to what God has said. Thus we read that it was by the power of His Word that God spoke the worlds into existence. (Heb. 11:3) He just spoke it and it was done. In this is the power of God. Man's power is limited to what he can physically act on by transforming his thoughts into action. God does not have to transform His Word into action. His Word proceeds from Himself and has power to do exactly what he wants.

This is something a Christian has to learn as a principle. God never lets us have empty words. The words that He has given us is an extension of who He is. It reflects His majestic character, produces reverence and awe, assures in the darkest trials and most importantly is trustworthy. The Words are alive. Keep feeding on them and you will soon see that it has the awesome power to transform you into the image of the Son of God who is the Word of God.

Points to Ponder

Will you die for a lie?

Many who say that the Bible is full of fancy stories and wishful thinking forget the fact that many of first and second century Christians died for what they believed. Their faith and belief came from their own witness - for the apostles and few others - and from reliable and verifiable eyewitness. The apostles were convinced beyond a shadow of a doubt that they had seen the resurrected Jesus. They and the first century Christians had nothing to gain from a human point of view, but had to face a life of hardship. They often went without food, slept exposed to the elements, were ridiculed, beaten, imprisoned. Many were executed in torturous ways. Church tradition says all of the apostles except John had experienced terrible death because of their preaching of Jesus which according to apostle John’s own words "...which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled...".  Even today Christians continue to be martyred, not just because what they believe about a book, but because of their personal relationship with Jesus, whom the Bible introduces.

For more information about how apostles died: http://www.gotquestions.org/apostles-die.html   

About the Bible

Bible – also known as the book of books is more than just a book. There are many good reasons to take this book in any of the translations available and have a read. More than just a few concepts or a good impression that the reader will have, this book is a life turner. A few reasons that make this book different are given below.

Amazingly continuous

Bible consists of 66 books written over a period of 1500 years by more than forty authors from different walk of life, from kings, military leaders to fishermen and peasants. Primary language for writing is Hebrew and Greek, but some sections are written in Aramaic. The literary styles vary – poetry, law, historical narrative, prophesy etc. Topics discussed are wide. Yet if read from cover to cover, we can see the excellent degree of harmony between the books. The Book presents a single unfolding story of God’s love to mankind by unveiling the plan and execution of the great redemption. Throughout, we can see the leading character presented – Jesus in whom God’s love to us was shown.

Its reach

The copies of Bible sold or distributed amount to billions. As The Cambridge History of the Bible states, “No other book has known anything approaching this constant circulation”. Bible is the first book that is translated. The number of languages translated to is more than 2200. And the translation work to many new languages is ongoing. In order to do the translation, to new languages where writing is not known, scripts, grammar and dictionary had to be invented. Thus Bible contributed much to the civilization in terms of language and literature. 

Teachings

Unlike the teaching of other ancient scripture, Bible differs in the characteristics of its teachings.

History

The books 1 Samuel through 2 Chronicles presents approximately five centuries of the history of Israel and the surrounding nations. The distinguished archaeologist, Professor Albright, who begins his classic essay, "The Biblical Period," with these observations: "Hebrew national tradition excels all others in its clear picture of tribal and family origins.  In Egypt and Babylon, in Assyria and Phoenicia, in Greece and Rome, we look in vain for anything comparable…”

Prophesy

One of the most interesting feature of the Bible is the prophesy it contains. Some are already fulfilled and others which are yet to. Some prophesies are fulfilled in contemporary times. Wilbur Smith, who compiled a personal library of twenty-five thousand volumes says, “It is the only volume ever produced by man, or a group of men in which is to be found a large body of prophecies relating to individual nations, to Israel, to all peoples of the earth, to certain cities, and to the coming of the One who was to be the Messiah.”  The prophesies  regarding Jesus are so accurate, that critics say it was written after the life of Jesus.    

Personalities

The Bible deals very frankly with the sins of its characters.  Other biographies that we see try to cover up, overlook, or ignore the shady side of people.  Take the great literary geniuses; most are painted as saints.  The Bible does not do it that way.  It simply tells it the way it is! "The Bible is not such a book a man would write if he could, or could write if he would" 

Authoritative

The teachings of the Bible are very authoritative. Topics like who is man, who is God, what is his relationship with God, life after death, God’s impending judgment on man, the end of all things etc are taught with much certainty across the Bible. There are no mays or mights when dealing with such topics.

Bible reforms man

The best thing about the Bible is it reforms man, which is more important than its other characteristics. It gives you a purpose for living. Drunkards, rebels, drug addicts, murders, prostitutes and those who have lost all hope have been touched and reformed by the Bible. It is possible only through the belief of the one man that the Bible points out – Jesus Christ. The Bible says “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

Have you had a chance to read this book? Get a copy and read it – today.