Evidence for Christianity (Historical Evidences for the Christian Faith)

Read it. You have nothing to lose. The information here is presented without bias. It is a mere record of historical facts. This is not an argument to convince people of the genuineness of Christianity. It is a presentation of the history on which biblical Christianity is based. It is a very thorough, factual, historical resource. Know the facts!

As a PhD candidate in English, I find this book thoroughly researched with an extensive bibliography added with both believers and nonbelievers. Anyone who denies the historicity of the Old and New Testaments is simply denying the facts of modern research and archeology. McDowell began his journey for truth as an atheist but with a legal and inquiring mind collected irrefutable evidence to not only convince himself of the truth of the Bible and the resurrection of Jesus Christ but compels the rational reader to also arrive at the same conclusion. The crux of Christianity, which separates it from all over false beliefs, is the resurrection of Christ. It boils down to this: His enemies had no reason to remove the crucified body of Christ. The disciples were powerless and fearful of their own lives to attempt such an insurmountable task. The only possible explanation is that of a supernatural event. Most people who read the overwhelming evidence of this book begin their criticism with a presupposition of antisupernaturalism which even modern scientists are beginning to debate. In McDowell's own words, "If you read the exhaustive evidence presented in this detailed research and support of Christianity and scripture and you still don't believe that Christ is the Messiah than it is simply because you are UNWILLING to believe. There is no preacher's tone to this book. It is factual and convincing through and through. Many are called but few are chosen.

This work (compendium, really) was not intended to be read straight through. It was intended to bring together the basics of the evidence for the Christian faith. All of the historical evidence cannot be contained in one book, and the author does not try. He instead lays out a logical outline that helps the reader find what he's looking for, and gives easily-understood information and excellent citations of the top scholars, secular and Christian, in that particular area. Although there is enough material for a lifetime of discussion and argument in this book, the reader is warned by McDowell that the evidence he has pulled together is not the primary focus. That focus should not be on winning arguments by throwing out evidence, but on the valid questions people bring to the table in their spiritual journey, and how the evidence can help address those questions. For the seeker, then, this book represents a treasure trove of sources to investigate on one's own or with a friend. For the Christian layman, if approached as intended, this book will be a wonderful resource for answering specific questions concerning historical evidences for the Bible and Christianity. It is not intended to teach one how to debate non-Christians. It will be very helpful, though, in addressing the distressing lack of historical knowledge about Christianity so prevalent in our churches and society at large today. I find this book continually open on my desk as I prepare papers, lessons for Sunday School, or Bible study. The beauty of this book is that I don't have to read several pages in order to jump into the author's stream of thought. This book should be on every pastor's and lay leader's bookshelf.

To be honest the book is "loaded" with so much information it overwhelmed me a bit.I guess I expected a more concise demonstration of evidence.If I were an atheist or skeptic this book would raise questions that would not be easily answered in my mind.Hopefully it will persuade some to believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.

Josh McDowell's books over the years have been a great resource for Christians seeking to defend their faith. In our age of secular tolerance, McDowell offers proof positive of the uniqueness of both Jesus Christ and the Bible in order to defend Christianity. In this updated form of various books from McDowell into this one volume edition, McDowell once again does a great job of showing the abundent evidence that exists if one will open their mind in their search for the truth. Truth is not "out there" but is found in the Lord Jesus and in the Bible (John 14:6). As Christians we must be able to defend our faith against the tide of unbelief, secular humanism, and other religions (1 Peter 3:15-16). This book is well worth the price and every disciple of Jesus should read and study this book.