Evidence for Christianity [Paperback]

Josh McDowell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 11, 2006

Whether debating Marxists, college professors, or Islamic apologists, Josh McDowell's hallmark has always been to walk boldly into enemy territory and speak truth. This book is based on the expectation that, with a growing number of adults becoming increasingly skeptical toward Christianity, there is a need for a solid body of persuasive evidence to be presented to them. This is a sourcebook for doubting seekers as well as current believers who need persuasive information to share with friends. Evidence for Christianity is McDowell's compelling answer to the hard questions so many Christians are afraid to discuss.

Product Details

• Paperback: 743 pages
• Publisher: Thomas Nelson; New pbk. ed edition (April 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1418506281
• ISBN-13: 978-1418506285
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 2.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,874 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Josh McDowell has been reaching the spiritually skeptical for almost five decades. Since beginning ministry in 1961, Josh has delivered more than 24,000 talks to over 10 million young people in 118 countries. He is the author or co-author of 120 books, with over 51 million copies distributed worldwide; including More Than a Carpenter (over 15 million copies printed in 85 languages), and The New Evidence That Demands a Verdict, recognized by World magazine as one of the twentieth century's top 40 books. Josh continues to travel throughout the United States and countries around the world, helping young people and adults strengthen their faith and understanding of Scripture. Josh will tell you that his family is his ministry. He and his wife, Dottie, have been married for 39 years and have four children and four grandchildren.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

59 of 71 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Terrific Compilation of Proofs and Evidences, April 5, 2006

By 

Pithy Commentz (CT) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Evidence for Christianity (Paperback)

Evidence for Christianity contains hundreds upon hundreds of solid arguments and established, credible, and need I add irrefutable facts that successfully demonstrate and prove (yes, prove) not only the validity of both the Old and New Testaments, but the existence of God as Yeshua the Nazarene.

There is, however, one major-and I do mean major-problem within this publication: The chapter on Messianic prophecies is so lacking in clarity that I fear Talmudic scholars trained in the `refutation of Christianity' will ultimately laugh in triumph when they read the chapter by itself. Joshua McDowell only lists about 50 prophecies, many of which outwardly have nothing to do with the Messiah when applied in modern Rabbinical context of the OT (although McDowell does list many interpretations from Targum, which satisfactorily demonstrate the ancient Hebrew exegesis of these Scriptures) McDowell fails to list all of the Messianic prophecies, and doesn't analyze the ostensive modern-Judaic responses and arguments to Christian Scripture usage; arguments of which, may I add, have all been refuted by many, many Christian and Messianic Jewish scholars unsurpassed in their fields, some of whom were even trained Talmudists. Unless you explain why Messianic prophecy in the OT is interpreted the way it is by Christians and Messianic Jews (and there are numerous legitimate reasons), Rabbis will ultimately accuse the NT of twisting and perverting Scripture, which in actuality is not the case at all. Simply listing references from Targum is not enough-there are plenty of Messianic prophecy interpretations in Gemara that can definitely be used to counter rabbinical claims that Yeshua is not Messiah. McDowell also fails to explain why the majority of Jews today disbelieve that Yeshua is Messiah. Unless all of these aspects, arguments, and refutations are compiled, Messianic prophecy correlated into the NT looks abysmally foolish to the trained rabbinical scholar. For this reason, I must deduct a star. Fortunately, there are many arguments and historical proofs scattered throughout this compilation that, if organized, would lead rabbis down the serious road of doubt, if not lead them to renounce Rabbinism altogether.

By trying to discredit the information within this compilation, atheists would be attempting to undermine years and years of historical and archeological facts obtained from an overwhelming number of secular sources. This work also contains a great assortment of philosophical and theological arguments for Christ Yeshua being God as well, although I quiver at the works of many modern Christian theologians and pseudo-apologetics: Many skeptics, whether atheist or Judaic, argue the question "If filled with God's Holy Spirit why don't Christians have sound, irrefutable answers to all inquiries?" The answer: most Christians haven't even scratched the surface, let alone have been truly baptized by the Holy Ghost. Besides, many Christian scholars are unfamiliar with the Talmud and the Jewish arguments against Christ. Although this compilation is sound for the most part, the author could have done so much more to prove the existence of Christ to Jewish unbelievers. Overall, I'm satisfied with this scholarly work; it will indubitably frustrate skeptics and atheists alike. My experience in Christ Yeshua precludes any possibility of Him not being God anyway.

15 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Resource For Defending the Faith, February 17, 2007

By 

Roy Ingle "The Seeking Disciple" (Lexington, SC) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Evidence for Christianity (Paperback)

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.

16 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Decent Piece of Work, July 5, 2007

By 

David I. Williams - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Evidence for Christianity (Paperback)

Evidence For Christianity

Josh McDowell

Josh McDowell's Evidence For Christianity is a conglomeration of material gleaned from his earlier apologetic works with some new material thrown in. The book is meant as a sourcebook more than a work read cover to cover. The book is full of interesting information gleaned from archeology and other sources. If one is not familiar with F. F. Bruce of Norman Geisler, you will be by the time you wade through this material.

In its better moments, the book has some fascinating historical tidbits. However, it is an apologetic work, not a book by or for the historian.

Like many apologists, McDowell often relies on circular reasoning to get to certain points. The Biblical texts are often cited as proof of themselves. After reading this the evidence will show you that the early Church believed that Christ was God and rose again on the third day, but nothing can actually prove the case. That is a matter of faith.

All told it is not a bad book. There is some very useful information in it. Some of this information would have been useful when I attended college. However, if you intend to debate someone who has a more liberal philosophy be careful using some of the arguments here. My professors would have poked holes in many of the arguments found here. While I agree with McDowell's beliefs, some of his reasoning will leave you open to easy rebuttal.

Read the book and glean the data. Find your own arguments.