History: Fiction or Science? (Chronology, No. 1)

Book Description

Recorded history is a finely-woven magic fabric of intricate lies about events predating the sixteenth century. There is not a single piece of evidence that can be reliably and independently traced back earlier than the eleventh century. This book details events that are substantiated by hard facts and logic, and validated by new astronomical research and statistical analysis of ancient sources.

Customer Reviews:

Calculations are only as good as your numbers.......2007-08-03

Yes, we can all agree that mainstream history is nearly 100% BS due to politics, economics, ego, problems with dating techniques, and various conspiracies. Agreed. But, I've been researching the distinct possibility that human history (in terms of civilizations) are much more ancient than we've been told, so coming across this book was very interesting to me. I wondered how Fomenko could be wrong (if at all) because he is very persuasive in his presentations. Then it dawned on me. If at previous times in prehistory, due to the various catastrophies that are well documented (comets, asteroids, planetary disruptions, plasma discharge, pole reversals, etc) the Earth was in a different position in relation to the sun, different tilt on its axis, different orbit, different rotation (in terms of velocity and DIRECTION), and the continents were in different positions, then would this not cause the ancients to see the sky (constellations) differently? In other words, is Fomenko making erronious assumptions about the physics of the Earth in pre-history, which then corrupt his data with regards to dating the relevant astrology? The last event to seriously disrupt our planet occured roughly 3500 years ago, according to other good researchers, so is it possible Fomenko has been confused by this? The vastly different physics of our planet in the not so distant past may explain this confusion, which is not to say the "mainstream" version of history is correct; on the contrary. I am not an expert in these fields, but wanted to see if this idea could spark discussion.

Pants on fire?.......2007-07-19

Will people ever read before spamming? Yes, Jesuits could not rewrite world history alone, they had help. Anyway, Dr Prof Acad A.Fomenko does not point to jesuits as the driving force of world wide history manipulation in published volumes 1,2,3;, actually he barely mentions the poor devils. Check it with 'Search inside' feature, please. China is rarely mentioned either, in fact, Dr Fomenko is completely eurocentric. Right, his theory contradicts all mainstream schools of history, because in their actual state they are all built on blatantly erroneus chronology. You don't need a mysterious cabal (conspiracy) to falsify history, the falsification is its modus operandi. It is inherent to history(ians) to falsify (distort) events, as it is inherent to humans to boast as it is inherent to power (authority) to legimize itself by referrring to glorious past made to its own order. Dr Prof Fomenko and team have identified scores of instances of such manipulation in Russian, European, etc.. history, and delivered valid statistical proof thereof. His own 'reconstruction' is completely another story. Forget c14 as a valid method of dating. W.Libby has initially discovered a brilliant method of INDEPENDENT dating. Too bad, c14 method has become a joke after a forced marrige with dendrochronology with consensual chronological scale inbuilt. Radiocarbon method can't stand blind tests, but is so very productive as a rubberstamp.

Accepted History & Chronology Must Be Changed. .......2007-04-09

There is no doubt that history as most know it is a sham, & institution's version of History both University & Church is fradulent & inaccurate. Everything was established with an agenda, The real "Dark Ages" are now when we have access to incredible amounts of information past authorities & more important 'common folk' didn't have but our institutions & educators are slow to evolve because of what has ignorantly & arrogantly been taught for too long. This is on many subjects not just Chronology.

For anyone to question "Why would a Mathematician have anything credible to say of History?" The answer is from Dr. Fomenko's preface in the book: "It would be worthwhile to remind the reader that in the XVI-XVII century Chronology was considered to be a subdivision of Mathematics." These volumes could possibly be some of the most important works to date & should be read by everyone with an interest in History, especially professors & educators who have a duty to the public. I have read both books & must say that 'Chronology 1' has some very eye opening & revolutionary information. Even if these volumes are part true the implications are profound & opens the doors to further investigations & questions which must be done. I speak several different lanquages & must say the logic Dr. Fomenko uses with "inflection" of words & words being read from left to right in one region & right to left in another then written backwards, the removal of vowels & get down to basics of words, or different cities & locations having the same name etc. is correct. Vowel usage has always been optional & varied, actually complicating linquistics & study. The first thing one has to understand is that words never had a fixed spelling in history like we do now, the spelling of words was mutable & regional, as well as names & titles of people were vast, varied & changed, NOTHING WAS FIXED or understood linear. Matters of Life & Death as well as financial profiteering yesterday & today were & are made with ignorant, illogical & conspiratorial views of history & reality, it's time people get closer to the Truth & society collectively grow up.

Very Interesting.......2007-03-07

It is a good proposal and I believe it will mature into something even better in the future. I think it deserves to be read.

History as Science Fiction.......2007-01-10

Anatoly Fomenko has written a very intriguing book, full of pictures, charts, and computer 'proof' of his thesis: backwards of AD900 we don't really know what happened or when. Between AD900 and AD1600 there is more certainty, but there is still a lot of fuzzy ground, and things don't get reliable until we get past the 1600's where the printing press made it very difficult for the perpetrators of this timeline manipulation to change anything that had been committed to print. The Dark Ages did not happen. Books were burned for a reason. One organization has doubled the actual length of its existence by expanding the real chronology. Read why.

I had always wondered why Christ died about AD33 and yet men waited until the 11th century to form the Knights Templar, the Cathars, etc and go after the Holy Land by force. Why the 1000 year gap? Turns out there wasn't more than a 10-12 year gap and he proves it using astronomy. This also implies that the planet is not as old as we have been told, and current Christian and other creationist scientists are already championing that idea without being aware of Fomenko's book. The two groups, creationist scientists and the Russian mathematical analysts corroborate each other. Fascinating.

Of course, all this flies in the face of what we have been told traditionally is the 'proper' chronology of western civilization, and most readers will experience 'cognitive dissonance' in reading this book. It means that our history going backwards from AD1600 becomes progressively more incorrect and unreliable until it cannot be trusted at all... in the space of 700-800 years.

Naturally, the curious, open-minded reader will want to know WHO did this, WHY, and did any of the events we think of as really ancient ever happen?
Dr. Fomenko is a respected scientist/mathematician at Moscow State University who has already answered these questions to the satisfaction of his initially skeptical colleagues. Most of them are now believers, a few still refuse to believe (the usual diehards), and of course the western press has ignored Fomenko's work -- for obvious reasons when you read the book. The ones who perpetrated this chronology ruse have a lot to answer for. They are still with us. That's why this book is a well-kept secret.

I gave the book a 4-star rating because I was unable to check out some of his claims; those I checked were as he said. But if even 1/3 of his claims are true, this punches a big hole in what we think is our history, the meaning of western civilization, our educational process (for repeating the ruse as gospel), and the trustworthiness of the organization that perpetrated this ruse, well-intentioned or not.

This book relates to current research into a Young Earth paradigm, to John Keel's discoveries about our planet, and Fr Malachi Martin's insights (in his now out-of-print books). We are indeed sheep who are manipulated and kept ignorant -- for a reason. While knowing what these men have to say may be the "booby prize" (as in: 'what can you do with this knowledge?'), it will provide interesting reading. Didn't someone say: "...and the Truth will set you free."?? For you to judge if this book contains the truth.

The Case for Easter: Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection

Average customer rating:

A LAWYER FINDS GOD
Same as Case for Christ
A must read...
Misnamed book, and author needs to research the day of Astare.
Is is a book?

The Case for Easter: Journalist Investigates the Evidence for the Resurrection
Lee Strobel
Manufacturer: Zondervan Publishing Company
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0310254752

Book Description

Did Jesus of Nazareth really rise from the dead?

Of the many world religions, only one claims that its founder returned from the grave. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very cornerstone of Christianity.

But a dead man coming back to life? In our sophisticated age, when myth has given way to science, who can take such a claim seriously? Some argue that Jesus never died on the cross. Conflicting accounts make the empty tomb seem suspect. And post-crucifixion sightings of Jesus have been explained in psychological terms.

How credible is the evidence for-and against-the resurrection? Focusing his award-winning skills as a legal journalist on history's most compelling enigma, Lee Strobel retraces the startling findings that led him from atheism to belief. Drawing on expert testimony first shared in his blockbuster book The Case for Christ, Strobel examines:

The Medical Evidence-Was Jesus' death a sham and his resurrection a hoax?

The Evidence of the Missing Body-Was Jesus' body really absent from his tomb?

The Evidence of Appearances-Was Jesus seen alive after his death on the cross?

Written in a hard-hitting journalistic style, The Case for Easter probes the core issues of the resurrection. Jesus Christ, risen from the dead: superstitious myth or life-changing reality? The evidence is in. The verdict is up to you.

Customer Reviews:

A LAWYER FINDS GOD.......2007-07-07

THE CASE FOR EASTER is a thin little book printed on cheap paper that seeks to prove three momentous tenets of the Christian faith. First, that Jesus Christ died on the cross; second, that he vacated the tomb in which he had been laid; third, that he afterwards appeared alive before others. The author, Lee Strobel, presents himself as an atheist who interviewed a different theologian on each these points, tested his reasoning and found it convincing. Distinguished as a legal reporter, he asserts that his method is no different from that used when collecting evidence in the case of a murder, a fraud or a missing person.

The book is laid out neatly in three parts, one for each question. The first is "The Medical Evidence: Was Jesus' Death a Sham and His Resurrection a Hoax?" Here Alexander Metherell, a medical doctor, engineer and Christian, describes for the author the gruesome physical effects of a Roman flogging and crucifixion followed by a spear through the ribs. He leaves no doubt that anyone who suffered the ordeal of Jesus Christ as described in the Gospels could not have survived to perpetrate a hoax. Nor, if by some amazing happenstance he did manage to survive, would he have been in a condition to get up and go anywhere on his own.

The second part is "The Evidence of the Missing Body: Was Jesus' Body Really Absent From His Tomb?" Here the theologian, professor and author William Lane Craig argues that Jesus' body was not thrown in a common grave along with others of the crucified, but taken by Joseph of Arimathea and placed in a separate tomb, just as Scripture says. He describes the way such a tomb would be sealed, explains why some women followers of Christ would have gone to visit the tomb and reconciles discrepancies in the different Gospels regarding their names, their actions and the presence of guards. He seconds the finding of historian Michael Grant that "if we apply the same sort of criteria that we would apply to any other ancient literary sources, then the evidence is firm and plausible enough to necessitate the conclusion that the tomb was, indeed, found empty." (p.46)

Anticipating the supernatural event of part 3, Craig dismisses the idea that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is improbable. What is improbable is the idea that his dead body spontaneously came back to life. "But the hypothesis that God raised Jesus from the dead doesn't contradict science or any known facts of experience. All it requires is that God exists, and I think there are good independent reasons for believing that he does... As long as the existence of God is even possible, it's possible that he acted in history by raising Jesus from the dead." (56)

The third part is "The Evidence of Appearances: Was Jesus Seen Alive After His Death on the Cross?" Here the theologian Gary Habermas, who has authored seven books on this question, lists all those witnesses named in Scriptural accounts, relates these accounts to the period immediately following the crucifixion and disputes the contention of naysayers that they could be based on legends or hallucinations. The once-atheistic author is so impressed that he confesses: "Although I tried, I couldn't think of any more thoroughly attested event in ancient history." (74) He concludes the book by avowing his faith in Jesus Christ as his savior from original sin. (87)

Needless to say, those who already believe in Scripture will find this exercise rewarding, because it will help them to combat the objections of non-believers and possibly to settle their own doubts. Non-believers will find it rewarding for exactly the opposite reasons. Few readers, I suspect, will be converted one way or the other, because the inquiry is clearly rigged. The attempt of the experts (and the already converted author) is not really to weigh the so-called evidence pro and con as a jury, but rather to plead the case as a defense attorney, producing all the reasons, suppositions and imagined scenarios that could possibly support Scripture. In the process, a huge number of methodological problems arise, nearly one on every page.

I shall mention but three. First, Professor Craig allows that the evangelists collected various stories and recast them according to their own lights, so that Matthew with his story of the guards (pp.40-41) and Mark who "loves to emphasize awe and fright and terror" (p.48) need not be taken whole cloth. This allowance removes the "inerrant word of the Holy Spirit" and throws everything in the Gospels up for grabs. It allows not only Craig to pick and choose, but also the skeptics.

Second, Craig and Habermas presume that "legendary corruption" of a historical event takes years to form, so that if the original stories of Jesus Christ's resurrection came soon after his crucifixion they must be true. (37, 53, 77-78) This argument denies the reality, which everyone knows, that stories of miracles can spring up overnight, urban legends can spread like wildfire and sightings of ghosts, aliens and missing persons happen all the time. The last Russian tsar, for example, was seen in different cities shortly after his execution in 1919, and his executed daughter Anastasia surfaced a few years after that. Hitler was seen repeatedly after World War II. Elvis is still being seen.

Third, Habermas uses twisted reasoning to smuggle in "eyewitness testimony." He accepts that Peter and James saw the arisen Christ, because Paul says so in Corinthians I:15 and he must have learned it from them. (67) He accepts that 500 brethren saw the arisen Christ at one time, because some of them were alive at the time of Paul's writing and could have contradicted him were it not so. (68-71) He accepts St. Luke's versions (in Acts of the Apostles) of speeches by St. Peter and St. Paul, which tell of the revelation, because they must have come from "very early sources." (73-74) The lawyer-author should not have admitted even one of these pieces of evidence: the first is hearsay collected at best three years and written down twenty years after the event; the second is hearsay and does not name any one of the 500; the third is reported and possibly invented speech written down forty to fifty years after the event and probably after both speakers were dead.

The worst flaw in the author's investigation is his double standard. He and the experts pretend to apply the same critical standards to the Scriptural accounts as they do to other ancient texts, whereas in fact they accept supernatural events in Scripture and rule them out in everything else. If plausibility is the supreme criterion and the supernatural need not be excluded, as Craig asserts, then every ancient history, myth and religion can be proven if one has the wit and the will.

Obviously the supernatural is the stumbling block. Professor Craig's statement that "the hypothesis that God raised Jesus from the dead doesn't contradict science or any known facts of experience" is simply a bald-faced contradiction of science and all the known facts of experience. The hard truth is that every single organism in the history of the earth has died or will die, and so far none of the dead has returned to life in any verifiable way, but only in memories, dreams, hallucinations, myths, religions and fiction. The hypothesis that God raised Jesus from the dead contradicts everything, absolutely everything. Hence St. Paul, hence the evidence of things not seen, hence the hope in the miracle of Easter.

Same as Case for Christ.......2007-05-14

This book is really an excerpt from The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel. If you've already read that book, then your've read this one. I think that should be spelled out so everyone knows that this is not a new book. It's wonderful to pass on to others to use as a witness tool; it's a short easy read which encourages people to take a close look at the evidence of the resurrection.

A must read..........2007-02-26

Who knew that Salvation could be found for $2.99 between the newspapers and the KK doughnuts at the Kroger? This book is one that I have now read twice and have committed to reading every Lent. Strobel provides a compelling case for Christ's resurrection. The best part is it's written in a clear, simple style that does not take away from the power of his argument. Many Christians criticize apologists like Strobel but I applaud him for speaking up on behalf of those who discredit the story of the resurrection, the main premise of Christianity. No matter where you are on your faith journey, there is something to be learned from this book. It graphically paints a vivid picture of the suffering of Jesus. With scriptures used throughout and only 3 chapters, it can be easily divided into three thought provoking Sunday School lessons leading up to Easter.

Misnamed book, and author needs to research the day of Astare........2007-02-06

Lee Stroebel does a great service for humanity with many of his works, by pointing out the facts which support Scriptures. However, when he names a book "The Case for Easter" instead of "The Case for the Resurrection" he is not doing a service. As most know Easter is just another name for the pagan goddess Astare. The Savior did not rise on her day, nor did He die on the day our modern calendar calls "Good Friday." He was the Passover Lamb. He was crucified at Passover. If we want to celebrate His resurrection, instead of doing so on a day set aside to honor a pagan diety, we need to do it 3, not 2, days after Golgotha, namely 3 days and nights after Passover. Yahushua does not want us to drink of the cup of demons and His cup too. One of the things He came into the world for was to defeat paganism in all it's forms. Would you want your special days celebrated not when they really happened, but on days set aside to honor pagan "gods" (or as Paul says, actually, demons)? What's wrong with celebrating the actual days associated with Him Who gave His life for us? Why should it be that traditon is more important than the truths of the Scriptures? Stroebel tells us we need to stick with the truth. He is right. When do we stop thinking we are honoring our Savior by celebrating events of His life that do not correlate to events in HIS life, but to pagan celebrations? Something to think about.

Is is a book?.......2006-06-09

I was expencting a book the same size as the book by Lee Strobel The Case for Christ. This is only a pocket sized book, and only exerpts from The case for Christ. I feel totally ripped off. I won't buy another book at this site.

Average customer rating:

Biased and worthless
The Best Single Volume for Beginners
Good for laymen
Wow! Great research.
Very informative!

Case for the Resurrection of Jesus
Gary R. Habermas
Manufacturer: Kregel Publications
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0825427886

Book Description

"A phenomenal resource that is both user-friendly and up-to-date, [and will] equip believers to defend this crucial issue." --Josh McDowell. Includes an interactive CD in a game-show format to test your memory of the key issues and concepts.

Customer Reviews:

Biased and worthless.......2007-08-21

Many things that Habermas presume as true concerning, for instance, the idea that most scholars regard the "empty tomb" as a fact of history, are simply false. Scholars are not nearly so unified on accepting many of the premises assumed. He presumes so many facts told us by the bible that he might as well just say "Jesus is risen because the bible says so" and save us some time and money.
For reasons why the resurrection is not supported by history, and for other challenges to fundamentalist Christianity, see the writings by Robert Price or Michael Tenenbaum on the matter.

The Best Single Volume for Beginners.......2007-08-17

In The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus Gary Habermas and his protégé Michael Licona have produced an amazing resource for presenting and defending the historic Christian faith. Case for the Resurrection presents Habermas's "minimal facts" approach to arguing for the resurrection of Christ - a method that avoids appealing to sources that only Christians would find compelling. To encourage readers to really assimilate the material, a quality video game is included on a CD-ROM in the back of the book.

It is divided into four parts. Part One is an introduction to the whole book that explains why Christ's resurrection is so important, gives an overview of the historical method, and previews the main points that will be discussed. Part Two delivers the minimal facts approach itself (see below). Part Three demonstrates how the approach can be used to handle common objections to Christ's resurrection. Part Four compliments part three by including many secondary objections that might be brought up, as well as a section on people skills. Nearly one third of the book awaits, however, as the main body is followed up by a series of sample conversations, an outline of the entire approach in (this alone is worth the price of the book), extensive notes, and a bibliography.

The book's strengths are many. The minimal facts approach "considers only those facts that are both strongly supported by evidence and are conceded by almost every scholar, even those who are skeptical" (p. 220). There are five facts brought to bear on the issue: (1) Jesus died by crucifixion, (2) Jesus' disciples believed that he rose and appeared to them, (3) the church persecutor Paul was suddenly changed, (4) the skeptic James (brother of Jesus) was suddenly changed, and (5) the tomb was empty. The authors note that point five is not technically a minimal fact because it only has about 75% acceptance by scholars rather than the vast majority required by the others, but there is enough evidence and agreement to include it anyway. Each of these is given plenty of supporting arguments and evidence.

The evidence and arguments are presented in an easily understood manner, even for the layperson. Memory aids are found throughout in the form of helpful acronyms, graphics, and summaries. These permeate the book to such an extent that even a cursory glance will deliver more useful information than an average Sunday school class. The writing is casual and friendly, which serves as a constant reminder that this is how the authors intend the material to be used. More than most apologetics texts, the authors show a great concern for the manner in which this information is communicated - they often stress the need for listening and responding to the objector's points without simply bulldozing them with facts.

I was not really planning on reviewing the CD-ROM game included with the book because I assumed it to be a mere add-on for promotional purposes, but to the degree that I expected this I was completely wrong. The game is actually a high quality trivia game with a humorous "host" who encourages the player (sometimes through playful ridicule) as he goes through the game. It was quite entertaining and really lets the reader objectively evaluate how well they truly grasp the material.

Case's weaknesses are few and minor. The book is entry-level without appearing "dumbed down" and so some of the more difficult scholarly objections were handled rather cursorily, but to offer much more would have weighed the book down. Further, the notes and bibliography can point the reader to more detailed refutations. There is quite a bit of repetition that was appreciated for aiding the memory and driving home how well the minimal facts approach can be used in numerous situations, but it could have been lightened considerably and still served its purpose. The weakest section of the book was chapter eleven which dealt with God's existence. It comes in section four (secondary issues) because it is not a direct objection to the resurrection itself, and is treated only briefly (less than ten pages), offering only two arguments (intelligent design and first cause). Both arguments use primarily scientific data for support rather than the considerably more powerful philosophical versions of the arguments, and many classical arguments are not mentioned at all. (Unlike, for example, William Lane Craig - another debate heavyweight - who uses the same basic evidential method when dealing with the resurrection, but includes the powerful Kalam cosmological argument for God's existence - supported by both scientific and philosophical evidence - in his overall case). Due to the evidential nature of the book (which reflects Habermas's apologetic methodology) this was not necessarily unexpected, but as an "armchair editor" I would have had that chapter expanded - possibly into a more robust appendix.

If there is a second edition, (or, better, a sequel!), more space should be devoted to theories being expounded in recent books like The Empty tomb: Jesus Beyond the Grave (Robert Price and Jeffery Jay Lowder, eds.), and ideas being promoted by other up-and-coming critics like Richard Carrier who has taken up the "spiritual resurrection" gauntlet. While some of these theories are briefly dealt with in Case for the Resurrection (and more thoroughly refuted in other works such as Norman Geisler's The Battle for the Resurrection: Updated Edition and N. T. Wright's The Resurrection of the Son of God (Christian Origins and the Question of God)) they will become less "academic" and more "popular" as the internet continues to close the gap between the two.

Good for laymen.......2007-06-13

I've been working on writing a speech for the resurrection. I've heard Gary Habermas speak on multiple occasions and I looked forward to getting this book.

This book has been very resourceful. However, for the striving apologist I would suggest picking up a book of a higher level. Habermas and Liocina are both evangelicals and they present their argument in that manner. For the striving apologist, I think Craig's arguments and Swinburn's arguments are some of the best for a general study of the resurrection. But, like I said, this book is resourceful as well. Aside from presenting their argument in a very evangelical way, they provide a lot of background information and other scholarly materials in their "Endnotes" section.

This is a good introductory book to the resurrection just as The Case for a Creator (Lee Strobel) is a good introductory book to intelligent design. There are however, essays, even books written on almost every single page covered in the The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus.

Wow! Great research........2007-05-26

From a historical point of view, Habermas does an exceptional job of conducting research and then distilling it down into a very readable format. He does it so well, in fact, that anyone who has never been through genuine historical research wouldn't have a clue what went in to this book. This was extroardinarily researched and then whittled down to perfection due to Habermas' constant tour of the debate circuit. This guy has been to some serious college campuses (i.e. Duke and the like) and NO ONE will challenge him on the historicity of the Resurrection. Pretty cool. Worth your time to read.

Very informative! .......2007-03-22

This is a great book. It's broken down well and easy to read. The endnotes contain even more information if you want to go deeper. After reading this book you can't help but proclaim, "Jesus Lives!"

Jesus Inquest, The: The Case for--and Against--the Resurrection of the Christ

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Easily eclipses The Da Vinci Code

Jesus Inquest, The: The Case for--and Against--the Resurrection of the Christ
Charles Foster
Manufacturer: Monarch Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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Book Description

Using a compelling trial format, The Jesus Inquest presents an unbiased examination of the resurrection that uncovers the undeniable forensic facts of Jesus' return to life.

Customer Reviews:

Easily eclipses The Da Vinci Code.......2006-12-08

This is an extraordinary achievement: for something that's so well and comprehensively researched it manages to be a remarkably compelling and exhilarating read. If you've read the Da Vinci Code (or haven't) you should consider upgrading to The Jesus Inquest. This guy seems to have covered all the angles surrounding the death and resurrection of the Nazarene - the documentary sources, the medical causes of death, ancient Jewish burial practices, the Turin shroud; and also the various hypotheses about what happened to the body.... and there are PICTURES too. He's obviously done a lot of leg-work around the Middle East to research this. The format of the two barristers, X and Y, arguing their case in court and slagging each other off in their deliciously ungentlemanly way works really well. A great read for people tired of the usual one-sided pro- or anti-Christian fare and who want to get a serious handle on what might actually have happened 2000 years ago, without falling asleep at the wheel. Pugnacious, provocative.... and extremely informative. NICE ONE.

The case for the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Little books on big subjects)

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The case for the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Little books on big subjects)
Chester E Tulga
Manufacturer: Conservative Baptist Fellowship
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Unknown Binding
ASIN: B0007FAAJY

Leading Lawyer's Case for the Resurrection

Average customer rating:

A good introduction
A cogent readable study of Jesus' resurrection

Leading Lawyer's Case for the Resurrection
Ross Clifford
Manufacturer: Canadian Institute for Law, Theology & Public
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Christianity | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books
ASIN: 1896363024

Book Description

A modern classic with chapters on the writings of distinguished jurists such as Simon Greenleaf, Lord Hailsham, Norman Anderson, and John Warwick Montgomery.

Customer Reviews:

A good introduction.......2001-12-21

This book only skims over the issues, but provides a helpful introduction to understanding the main evidences for the reliability of the Gospels, the evidence for the Resurrection, etc.

If you're looking for an in-depth treatment of the issues or an objective statement of the arguments for/against the Resurrection, don't look at this book. It is a compilation of opinions from lawyers that clearly have a Christian outlook, and no arguments from opposing schools of thought are treated with any serious consideration.

Nevertheless, it is a good start for someone new to Christian apologetics who wants a concise, and *generally* logical outline of evidences for the Resurrection, et al.

A cogent readable study of Jesus' resurrection.......1997-11-16

This book takes up the question of whether Jesus rose from the dead and analyses the evidence from the canons of juridical scholarship. The author assesses how eight prominent legal scholars have argued their case for Jesus' resurrection. However the text is not simply a study of how eight lawyers have argued for the resurrection. It also includes the author's insights into the issues. The text is very readable. Although tertiary educated readers will appreciate the text, and can follow up research from the end-notes, the general reader will benefit from the author's easy style. The book is not only a cogent assessment of the evidence for Jesus' resurrection, but also challenges the reader to arrive at a verdict. It is written by one who had doubts about the whole matter. Clifford urges the reader to move beyond the facts of the case to appropriate the emotional and spiritual benefits Jesus offers to those who commit themselves to Him and His teachings. A very worthwhile book to read by Christians and non-Christians alike.

The Case for Christmas: A Journalist Investigates the Identity of the Child in the Manger (Unabridged)

Average customer rating:

Hardly the Solid Argument I was Looking for
The Case for Christmas
Another solid Strobel work of Christian apologetics
Decent Pew Reading

The Case for Christmas: A Journalist Investigates the Identity of the Child in the Manger (Unabridged)
Lee Strobel
Manufacturer: audible.com
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Audio Download

ASIN: B000BNT94O

Customer Reviews:

Hardly the Solid Argument I was Looking for.......2006-12-29

Mr. Strobel takes the word of biblical scholars and presents it as his case for believing in Christ and Christmas. The way he simply glazes over the fact that the date we now celebrate Christmas was picked by a Christian official years after Jesus' death to conflict with a Pagan holiday is stated and then completely ignored. The author does nothing to address real questions about Christ and how Christmas came to be, instead he simply glosses over major questions that any non-Christian or real investigator may have. I was very disappointed in this book.

The Case for Christmas.......2006-01-30

If you ever wanted to read a thorough invetigation into the facts surrounding the Christmas Story this is it. Lee Strobel interviewed the leading authorities on all of the Biblical claims and concludes the matter in convincing style.

Another solid Strobel work of Christian apologetics.......2006-01-19

Lee Strobel has this approach down to a science, having honed his skills in "The Case for Christ" and "The Case for Faith." He identifies questions that he presumably has or had about Christianity from his previous perspective as an atheist and skeptic, finds extremely intelligent and impressively credentialed academics to interview, and writes down their answers to his questions. For a logical, sequential thinker, this approach most definitely works.

"The Case for Christmas" is a shorter and less exhaustive work than "Christ" or "Faith," and it is ideal for distribution to spiritual seekers at a time of year when many are more open to consider spiritual things. Though I would consider his previous books to be more significant because of their greater length and depth (and would suggest them instead to anyone searching for some quality contemporary apologetics), I would certainly recommend this book to anyone who would like to hear some well-reasoned arguments that support the notion that the Christmas story, as told in the Bible, may have actually happened. If you're skeptical but willing to hear some facts and explanations which suggest that the story of Jesus in the Gospels may actually be true, then I'd encourage you to read this book.

Decent Pew Reading.......2005-12-27

I go to church, on average, once a year on Christmas Eve because my mother sings in the choir. I'm an atheist, so are my brothers, but once a year is a tolerable sacrifice to support our mom. This year, at the Woodstown Presbyterian Church, I was handed a visitor's bag upon entry to the sanctuary. This book was inside in the bag, and I was happy to see it, since it gave me something to do during the ceremony. I'd heard about Strobel, though I'd yet to read anything by him.

I expected to dislike the book far more than I did. The only line that I can really fault was something silly in the last chapter, like: "I thought of all the Jews who had been brought up to unnecessarily fear Christians and was sad." That evangelical corniness aside, it's a quick and interesting book. The tone is polite and thoughtful.

It is a case for Christmas, or Christianity proper, but it is undoubtedly a lawyer's case. The author gives all the signs of somebody who knows what conclusion he wanted; though he professes skepticism, his behavior is otherwise louder. The question is how accurate the New Testament is, in particular the birth of Christ, and to this end the author interviews a half dozen biblical apologists, all with impressive credentials, who of course convince him that Jesus was indeed the son of God.

The lawyer's case is made well, but it is undeniably lopsided. Strobel's client is obvious. Were this a trial experts would be interviewed on both sides of every issue, as opposed to the one-sided treatment here. Perhaps six carefully picked authorities are enough to overcome Strobel's skepticism, but they do not suffice for me.

But I don't think the book professes to be anything more than a brief introduction to the Christian's argument, and it would be unfair to criticize it for being nothing more. In the last chapter, the author admirably invites the reader to study more on his own--surely a laudable call.

The book would make a sufficient first step on one's road to salvation or atheism--and those interested in such journeys could do worse than start here.

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