Customer Reviews

Christianity: Hoax or History? (Pocket Guide)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

For those that like More than a Carpenter, this book is excellent as a witnessing tool. It has Mr. McDowell's testimony first, then covers much of the same detail as More than a Carpenter. Josh uses sound logic, Biblical testimony and the power of God to convict and to bring seekers one step closer to an encounter with the risen Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior.

If people aren't convinced by this book, they're so blind... This books uses science, knowledge and of course the bible. Read and believe ;-)

Admittedly Most of Chrisianity like many religions weren't written by "God" or "Jesus" himself. Instead our whole belief system sits on the worlds of "Inspired" men. Micheal Korish was inspired in Waco, Texas! . Bottomline, it leaves the door open to translation, corruption and influence. So, whats wrong with asking questions and seeking whats right about our religion. But what really burns me was Reviewer Violet who finsihes with "If anyone comes to you bearing this book, beware: they're probably less interested in being holy than in being right." I would rather be Right and an outcast than Holy and Wrong! Sounds like she had a logic( ). I agree with the books purpose but thougt it could have been written a lot better.

I had the dubious good fortune to stumble onto a copy of this book, and of course I grabbed it up. I read it with great interest, as it is, I believe, a quite Protestant approach, and I am Catholic.

I couldn't believe it. One of the main arguments in the book to support Jesus's divinity is C. S. Lewis's argument that Jesus was either a liar, a lunatic, or God. The fact that the Gospels were composed years after Jesus lived, providing plenty of time for gossip, if not myths, to grow, and the possibility that the writers of the Gospel might have used metaphors or figures of speech to help the reader better understand Jesus's message, are both ignored.

C. S. Lewis's argument, furthermore, has started off its own bunch of problems. In short, while I have read this argument in Lewis's own words and think it is a good one, it makes people think that Christianity is about proving a point rather than living a life close to God.

The approach to the Resurrection, I might add, was absolutely no help at all when I had to try to reconcile the different accounts of the Resurrection story in the Gospels. Studying these stories is not going to make anyone a believer; it is going to make them a nervous wreck.

I was also appalled at the lack of attention paid to Jesus's actual words and message. For someone who worships Jesus, Josh McDowell doesn't actually seem to like Jesus very much. If anyone comes to you bearing this book, beware: they're probably less interested in being holy than in being right.

...McDowell's use of the "Lord, Liar, Lunatic" trilemma is just exhibit A of the snake-oil McDowell sells. This trilemma leaves out obvious alternatives such as:

1. The Gospels were wrong- Jesus didn't say it,

2. Jesus may have been sane, but may have still mistaken himself for being the messiah- and in no way thought of himself, btw, as the bible-god McDowell worships.

3. Other alternatives.

If you want to see warped, dysfunctional thinking, go ahead and read this book....