God's Outrageous Claims [Paperback]

Lee Strobel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

Take the Bible seriously and you'll discover that God makes some pretty amazing claims about you -- and about what he wants to do in your life. God's Outrageous Claims examines important assertions that can transform your life into an adventure of faith, growth, and lasting fulfillment. Discover how to grow in virtue, relate to others with authenticity, and make a real difference in the midst of a culture that's unraveling at the seams. God's Outrageous Claims is your guide to an exciting and challenging spiritual journey that can change you and your world profoundly.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In this extended tract, Strobel effectively cites instances of tragedy and depravity from the years he was a hard-bitten, atheistic Chicago Tribune reporter. He is now a Christian and a teaching pastor at that paragon of contemporary congregation-building success, Willow Creek Community Church, and he doesn't let the anecdotes distract from his main thrust: presenting Christian principles programmatically, in the manner of self-improvement how-to's on health, psychology, and business development. Besides the "discoveries" announced by the chapter titles ("There's Freedom in Forgiving Your Enemies," "A Dose of Doubt May Strengthen Your Faith," "Jesus Is the Only Path to God," and other propositions that arise out of basic Christian doctrine), in several chapters, Strobel suggests smaller programs for integrating the discoveries into personal behavior and belief. He is best when he sticks to matters of the spirit and interpersonal relations and to the Bible, Willow Creek's ministry, and other evangelical writers for authority. When he goes afield in the chapter on sexual morality to matters of criminology and psychology, he fails to adequately bolster his assertions with citations from those disciplines. Most winningly, however, he completely avoids the political advocacy that turns so many away from similar proselytizing books. Ray Olson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

A former spiritual skeptic explores 13 of Gods phenomenal claims that can transform any life.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 16 and up
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0310225612
• ISBN-13: 978-0310225614
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 5.4 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (16 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,158,748 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lee Strobel (www.LeeStrobel.com), with a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and a Master of Studies in Law degree from Yale Law School, was the award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune and a spiritual skeptic until 1981. His books include four Gold Medallion winners and the 2005 Christian Book of the Year (coauthored with Garry Poole). He and his wife live in Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

90 of 95 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely terrific book!, May 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: God's Outrageous Claims (Paperback)

This is a wonderful, insightful, and well-written book for both Christians and spiritual seekers. The author explores several controversial topics -- including sexuality, doubt, business ethics, and forgiveness -- from a biblical perspective. He explores the "why" behind Christian teachings, showing the relevance and wisdom of Jesus' instructions. And he talks about the "how" -- how to forgive those who've wronged you; how to maintain integrity in the business world; how to overcome loneliness; and how to deal with the doubts that pester everyone. His chapter on Jesus' most controversial claim -- that He's the one and only Son of God -- is worth the price of the book! I highly recommend this creative and powerful book to everyone who's investigating the most outlandish assertions of Jesus of Nazareth. This book will make a difference in every aspect of your world.

35 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What God says in the Bible contradicts popular culture, July 21, 2003

By 

Rachelle Ayala (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: God's Outrageous Claims (Paperback)

Many people, especially people that did not grow up in a church (myself included), have all sorts of notions about God that are partly fantasy and partly the way we would like God to be. What Lee Strobel presents in his book is that God has prescriptions for our daily living that is counter-intuitive, and not what we imagined. Jesus tells us to love our enemies, to pray for those who despitefully use us. These are not just platitudes, but actually benefit us. Strobel demonstrates through illustrations and examples, how doing the counter-intuitive things God's way actually helps us in the situation. Forgiveness of enemies, giving and sacrificing for others, putting others first, asking God and leaning on Him for strength, all are extremely liberating if one is able to actually believe and practice (easier said than done). This is where Strobel's book comes in, giving examples, pointing out Scripture, and inspiring us to look more deeply into God's way. And this includes God's only way of salvation for us, which is His only begotten Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. If you get to that chapter, you'll discover that God has reserved blessings for you beyond what you would have imagined.

This book is highly recommended for skeptics, people who have not been raised Christian, and people who came to the Faith late in their lives.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Helpful though political, May 31, 2008

By 

Irish Critic (Cherrywood, Republic of Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: God's Outrageous Claims: Discover What They Mean for You (Walker Large Print Books) (Christian Softcover Originals) (Paperback)

At times Lee Strobel can be focussed and lucid. At other times he's inclined to rant. There's encouragement in this book, distorted statistics too. I've something to say on all 13 chapters. However just as very short reviews are the least helpful, so very long ones are the least read! Instead I'll expand on just four...

#3 RAT RACE: Jam packed with useful advice on business ethics and approaching one's work-life with Biblical principles. The talented (atheist) novelist Thomas Hardy wrote about those who "at church profess so much and believe so little". Strobel deals well the topic. He asserts, "for many faith is a weekend proposition not a weekday reality". Good chapter.

#9 SEX: Contains some insightful and helpful arguments, especially on the subject of pornography. But the chapter's too political. I agree that Hollywood trivialises sex. However, quotes like "the more pre-marital sex you have...the more likely that you'll cheat after you're wed" insult my intelligence. Countries that sell a large number of umbrellas also tend to get a lot of rain!! Selfishness and a bad attitude to commitment are what cause infidelity - not living with your fiancee. A loving commitment doesn't become 'valid' the day it's celebrated publicly. You can't squeeze the Almighty into a Registry Office and you won't find phrases like "with this ring I thee wed" in the Bible! Weak chapter in my view.

#11 HEAVEN & #12 THE ONLY PATH: If these are the only two chapters you read, they're worth the book's price! They systematically, clearly and intelligently explain the core Christian message and the significance of the Resurrection. They also emphasise that redemption is found in a PERSON rather than a religious system, and how only one person in history was qualified to pay the penalty for sin.

Strobel is a committed Christian who's sincere in his faith. What's more he's been gifted with a profound understanding of important Biblical principles - in particular the nature of Grace. He presents most of his arguments intelligently and persuasively. However, IMHO his black & white views on sex only reinforce a secular world's stereotype of us Christians; ie. Prudes riddled with neuroses on one particular subject. You cannot contract AIDS by having "pre-marital" sex (Page 53). Viruses are biological; marital stati a matter of civic record. It's also unfortunate that Strobel cites 'Mother' Theresa as model of Christian virtue - someone who went into the poorest, most over-populated city in the world and actively campaigned against family planning.

All book are written (and reviewed!) by fallible humans. If you buy this book don't be put off by the author's political tone. Much of the content is helpful and encouraging, so "don't throw out the baby with the bathwater"!