The Case for Christ

SO I found this book in my closet, actually it's my sister-in-laws old closet and its her book, but anyways, I started reading it, it's called the Case for Christ by Lee Strobel (student edition). Strobel grew up going to church but not really believing or having the faith. He went through the motions until he graduated high school and he went on with his life, going to college and getting married. Anyways, a long story short, his wife became a Christian and he wanted to have some "evidence" that the Bible was truth. Strobel was a journalist so he found the "evidence" he needed to believe that the Bible held actual historical events and his faith was restored in Jesus Christ.  I'm going to use this blog-post to cite some interesting points he brought up in his book. ( It's a great book and a short read, student edition is only 115 pages. I plan on getting the longer version soon.)

Did Jesus really think he was God?

"When I decided to test the claims of Christianity, right off the bat I figured that Christians made a tactical error. Other religions believe in all kinds of invisible gods-sort of like monster wave story- that's kind of hard to pin down one way or the other. But Christians were basing their religion on the alleged teachings and miracles of someone they claim is an actual historical person- Jesus Christ- who, they say, is God. 


Who did Jesus say he was?

The gospel of John in the New Testament opens with a majestic claim that Jesus, here called "the Word," is God.
 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made....The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1:1-3, 14, NIV

Some of the Jewish leaders gathered around Jesus and said, "How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly." Jesus responded, "I did tell you, but you do not believe... I and the Father are one."
 Attributes of God                                  Claims about Jesus
 omniscience                                         In John 16:30 the apostle John affirms of Jesus, "Now we can
(all knowing)                                          see that you know all things."

omnipresence                                      Jesus said in Matthew 28:20, "Surely I am with you always,
(everywhere present)                            to the very end of age."

omnipotence                                         "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me,"
(all powerful)                                          Jesus said in Matthew 28:18

eternality                                               John1:1 declares of Jesus, "In the beginning was the Word, and the
(no beginning or end)                             Word was with God, and the Word was God."

immutability                                          Hebrews 13:8 says, "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today
(unchanging)                                         and forever."

"You believe because you see me. Those who believe without seeing me will be truly happy" John 20:29, NCV

Some people suggest that Jesus was a great moral teacher, but he wasn't God. The argument just won't work. Great moral teachers don't lie and say that they are God. But Jesus did claim that he was God.

Would somebody be willing to die for a claim he knew was a lie?
Was he willing to die because he believed he was telling the truth?

Other religions are based on people doing something to earn favor of God. Christianity is based on what Christ has already done on the cross. No body can do anything to earn God's favor, rather, Jesus offers forgiveness and eternal life as a gift. 

I had alot of beautiful ceremonies and traditions, but our God was a distant God who said, "Here are the rules- you live by them, you'll be ok. None of it made sense; none of it was satisfying.

Scholars have concluded that no archaeological evidence found to date flat-out contradicts the Bible. Archaeology can uncover evidence that confirms what the Bible says.




No one has uncovered any of the cities mentioned in the Book of Mormon.
No one has uncovered any artifacts related to the Book of Mormon.
No one has found any inscriptions confirming the Book of Mormon.
No one has identified any person, place, nation, or name mentioned in the Book of Mormon.

If you find yourself wondering whether archaeology can be used to substantiate the claims of just about any religious belief, you're not alone.
I wrote to the Smithsonian Institute and asked whether any evidence supported the claims of the Mormonism and the Book of Mormon. They told me in unequivocal terms that archaeologists see "no direct connection between the archaeology of the New World and the subject matter of the book." (above is what one expert wrote on the topic.)



(dont worry, theres more of the book to come! -allie)