April 20, 2002
I recently read 2 books both by the same author and they were extremely insiteful and inspiring. They are of Christian content and though I don’t apologize for that I do want to state that in no way do I want this review and recommendation of these books to be construed as preaching or of trying to shove my personal views down the throats of those of a different religious persuassion. But it is a review of stuff I like (you can print your opinions elsewhere) so too bad.
The two books were by Lee Strobel and titled “The Case for Christ” and his follow up “The Case for Faith”. My mother was reading “Faith” and upon having a discussion with her about personal and religious stuff she pointed me towards “Faith”. Well in the book store I realized that Mr. Strobel had written “Christ” first and preceded to buy and obviously then read both. It turns out that Mr. Strobel, a newspaper reporter for a Chicago paper, was a little preturbed at his wife becoming a Christian given the fact that he was an atheist. He was prepared for the worst in the marriage but realized so a change, for the good, in his wife that he set out to find out more about Christianity. His intention of this was to actually discredit the foundation of Christianity, the Bible and the existence and/or credibility of Jesus Christ and let his wife know that she had been hornswaggled or something. Well in his research to prove the falsivity of Jesus and the Bible he came to realize and believe the only possible… what’s the word I’m looking for….uh… rational belief regarding the two was to embrace them. That is the journey he takes in “Christ”. He asks questions regarding the historical accuracy of the Bible and such and in doing so he proves to himself and probably many a reader along the way that a belief in Christ and the Bible is in no way ignorant or void of historical proof. So without saying it’s quite extraordinary that an atheist set out to disprove Christ and the accuracy of the Bible ends of believing and changing his life because of his journey. That’s essentially “Christ” (sorry for the lame and uneloquent writing, no reason to give for it, it just is).
Now “Faith”, his follow up, asks 8 of the toughest questions that Christians are often faced with, either asked by themselves or by others to them. The questions asked are often stumbling blocks or outright obstacles to Christians continuing their journey or to non-Christians taking up the journey and relationship with Christ. I don’t have the book in front of me now, I gave it to my friend to read after I finished but the questions were along the lines of “Why does God allow all this violence in the world if in fact He is good?”, “Isn’t it arrogant to believe and profess Jesus is the only possible way to God/Heaven?”, etc. Out of the 8 questions, I’d be willing to put money on the fact that at least 5 of those have been asked by you without anyone offering up any real or satisfactory answers or ones that can actually be backed up (yes some questions asked are backed up and proved by some of the world’s most reknowned scientists).
I’m feeling foolish right now given I can’t seem to remember any other specific questions given the impact it had on me but it’s quite revealing and very extraordinary in my opinion. I learned an immense amount and would definately recommend this to people of all religious persuassions. If you are truly interested in the “meaning of life” or “finding your purpose” or for some life changing thing or some answers to life’s most difficult questions for whatever reason then definately pick these books up. Even if Christianity isn’t your cup of tea but a spirituality plays an important part in your life or you want it to, these books should be read. They give an insight to Christianity that shouldn’t go unread. That doesn’t mean you have to believe or agree with the books obviously but if you’re looking to make an informed decision regarding religion/spirituality, or again it plays an important part in your life, these books offer up invaluable and necessary info to be considered and weighed in that decision.
