Josh: Excitement of the Unexpected

If you're reading this review, you probably already know that Josh McDowell (b. 1939) is a very famous Christian speaker with Campus Crusade for Christ, and the author of many famous books such as The New Evidence That Demands A Verdict Fully Updated To Answer The Questions Challenging Christians Today, More Than a Carpenter, and Right From Wrong. Well, this 1981 biography by Joe Musser (who has written other biographies, such as Joni) fills in a lot of points that Josh doesn't have time to cover in his lectures and talks: such as that he never drank alcohol (as a reaction to his own father's alcoholism, which caused his mother's death); after graduating from high school in 1957 he joined the Air National Guard, but was discharged after a head injury caused by a pipe falling on him. He enrolled in college, and (influenced by a group of Christian students and faculty he admired) became a Christian. He broke off his engagement with his girlfriend, went to Wheaton College and then Talbot Theological Seminary. In 1964 he joined the staff of Campus Crusade for Christ, despite occasional disagreements with their decisions---such as sending him as a speaker to South America in the late 1960s. ("He knew God didn't call him to an organization that had perfect leadership. But they were his leaders.") Eventually, he and a staff of 11 researchers put together the information in "Evidence," and his fame grew. (Note that Josh does not receive any royalties from CCC books, in accordance with their policy). Josh achieved fame from this book, and his many speaking engagements on American university campuses; he married a CCC staffer, Dorothy ("Dottie") Youd, and set up his own office ("Josh McDowell Ministries") in Dallas. Don Stewart and Ron Ralston became Josh's apprentices, his staff increased, and they had three children (as of 1980). Musser isn't always the best biographer at filling in dates and places, but this book contains much information about Josh and his ministry that is available nowhere else. Although now "dated," it is still highly recommended for anyone wanting to know more about Josh McDowell.