Do you find yourself stumped by questions about the truth of the gospel records and the reliability of the evidence for Jesus' life and teaching? You know the answer but find it hard to express your personal convictions in a way that doesn't simply sound unconvincing and short of evidence. Being personally sure of the authenticity of Jesus and what the New Testament has to say about him is one thing: presenting that elusive evidence to a sceptical friend is quite another.
If that is your problem, then The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, is a book that will offer you assistance. Drawing on his experience as an investigative journalist specialising in crime reporting, Strobel, now a pastor at Willow Creek Community Church near Chicago, conducts a series of legal enquiries into questions concerning Jesus' life, death and resurrection and the evidence upon which the New Testament claims are founded.
In affirming the reliability of the New Testament and its teaching, this book breaks no new ground - indeed, many other writers have undertaken that task rather more thoroughly than Strobel. What does make his investigation different is the way in which he goes about it. As a journalist, this Yale law graduate had perfected the tough art of interviewing and cross-examining witnesses: in particular, of asking the awkward question that his readers would want put.
In succession acknowledged experts from many different fields are put in the dock and questioned about the evidence. 'Can the biographies of Jesus be trusted?', 'Does archaeology confirm or contradict Jesus' biographies?', 'Was Jesus crazy when he claimed to be the son of God?' are just three of the questions put by Strobel as he interviewed theologians, archaeologists, a psychologist and a forensic scientist. All those interviewed are authorities in the area in which Strobel quizzes them - and Eden members will be interested to note that they happen to include Craig Blomberg and Don Carson.
While I found Strobel's style egregiously transatlantic, the book for me was nevertheless helpful and compelling reading.
Other books to look out for on the bookstall include:
Mark was our preacher on the morning of 9 February. In this consideration of the cross and its centrality he presents biblical truths for contemporary readers without compromising the teaching in any way.
The Rector of St Ebbe's, Oxford challenges us to think biblically about what we mean by worship - and he's not just talking about the hymns!