The Case for Easter: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Resurrection
By Lee Strobel
4.5/5
()
About this ebook
Did Jesus of Nazareth really rise from the dead?
Of the many world religions, only one claims that its founder returned from the grave. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the very cornerstone of Christianity.
But a dead man coming back to life? In our sophisticated age, when myth has given way to science, who can take such a claim seriously? Some argue that Jesus never died on the cross. Conflicting accounts make the empty tomb seem suspect.
How credible is the evidence for--and against--the resurrection? Focusing his award-winning skills as a legal journalist on history's most compelling enigma, Lee Strobel retraces the startling findings that led him from atheism to belief. He examines:
- The Medical Evidence: Was Jesus's death a sham and his resurrection a hoax?
- The Evidence of the Missing Body: Was Jesus's body really absent from his tomb?
- The Evidence of Appearances: Was Jesus seen alive after his death on the cross?
Written in a hard-hitting, journalistic style, The Case for Easter probes the core issues of the resurrection. Jesus Christ, risen from the dead: superstitious myth or life-changing reality? The evidence is in. The verdict is up to you.
Lee Strobel
Lee Strobel, former award-winning legal editor of the Chicago Tribune, is a New York Times bestselling author whose books have sold millions of copies worldwide. Lee earned a journalism degree at the University of Missouri and was awarded a Ford Foundation fellowship to study at Yale Law School, where he received a Master of Studies in Law degree. He was a journalist for fourteen years at the Chicago Tribune and other newspapers, winning Illinois’ top honors for investigative reporting (which he shared with a team he led) and public service journalism from United Press International. Lee also taught First Amendment Law at Roosevelt University. A former atheist, he served as a teaching pastor at three of America’s largest churches. Lee and his wife, Leslie, have been married for more than fifty years and live in Texas. Their daughter, Alison, and son, Kyle, are also authors. Website: www.leestrobel.com
Read more from Lee Strobel
Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Case for Christmas: A Journalist Investigates the Identity of the Child in the Manger Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Case for a Creator: A Journalist Investigates Scientific Evidence That Points Toward God Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Ambition: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Case for Christ Answer Booklet Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Case for Heaven: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for Life After Death Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Case for Miracles: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Supernatural Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Is God Real?: Exploring the Ultimate Question of Life Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask: (With Answers) Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Case for Christ Bible Study Guide Revised Edition: Investigating the Evidence for Jesus Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Finding the Real Jesus: A Guide for Curious Christians and Skeptical Seekers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Case for the Real Jesus: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks on the Identity of Christ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Contagious Faith: Discover Your Natural Style for Sharing Jesus with Others Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Case for Hope: Looking Ahead With Confidence and Courage Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related to The Case for Easter
Related ebooks
The Case for the Real Jesus: A Journalist Investigates Current Attacks on the Identity of Christ Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Finding the Real Jesus: A Guide for Curious Christians and Skeptical Seekers Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5NIV, Case for the Resurrection Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Case for Christ Bible Study Guide Revised Edition: Investigating the Evidence for Jesus Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Case for Christ Answer Booklet Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Case for Christ Student Edition: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Case for Christ Movie Edition: Solving the Biggest Mystery of All Time Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Case for Christ: A Journalist's Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Case for the Real Jesus Student Edition: A Journalist Investigates Current Challenges to Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Risen Indeed: A Historical Investigation Into the Resurrection of Jesus Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Son Rises: Historical Evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5A 30-Minute Overview of Cold-Case Christianity: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsI Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist (Foreword by David Limbaugh) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Jesus on Trial: A Lawyer Affirms the Truth of the Gospel Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Cold-Case Christianity Participant's Guide: A Homicide Detective Investigates the Claims of the Gospels Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Layman’s Manual on Christian Apologetics: Bridging the Essentials of Apologetics from the Ivory Tower to the Everyday Christian Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDid the Resurrection Happen . . . Really?: A Dialogue on Life, Death, and Hope Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Ultimate Guide to Defend Your Faith: A Complete Walk-Through of All 66 Books of the Bible / Photos / Maps / Charts / Timelines Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsExploring the Da Vinci Code: Investigating the Issues Raised by the Book and Movie Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLoving God: The Cost of Being a Christian Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Third Day: The Reality of the Resurrection Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bedrock of Christianity: The Unalterable Facts of Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Murder of Jesus Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Case for Miracles: A Journalist Investigates Evidence for the Supernatural Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5God's Outrageous Claims: Thirteen Discoveries That Can Transform Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Case for Grace: A Journalist Explores the Evidence of Transformed Lives Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Case for Hope: Looking Ahead With Confidence and Courage Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Case for Christianity Answer Book Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Case for Christ Graduate Edition: A Journalist’s Personal Investigation of the Evidence for Jesus Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Christianity For You
The Book of Enoch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Reflections on the Psalms Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Good Girl's Guide to Great Sex: Creating a Marriage That's Both Holy and Hot Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership: Follow Them and People Will Follow You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Purpose Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind... Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Girl, Wash Your Face: Stop Believing the Lies About Who You Are so You Can Become Who You Were Meant to Be Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Imagine Heaven: Near-Death Experiences, God's Promises, and the Exhilarating Future That Awaits You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Uninvited: Living Loved When You Feel Less Than, Left Out, and Lonely Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Winning the War in Your Mind Workbook: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Updated and Expanded Edition: When to Say Yes, How to Say No To Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Your Brain's Not Broken: Strategies for Navigating Your Emotions and Life with ADHD Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Present Over Perfect: Leaving Behind Frantic for a Simpler, More Soulful Way of Living Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Wild at Heart Expanded Edition: Discovering the Secret of a Man's Soul Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Law of Connection: Lesson 10 from The 21 Irrefutable Laws of Leadership Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5How to Lead When You're Not in Charge: Leveraging Influence When You Lack Authority Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Good Boundaries and Goodbyes: Loving Others Without Losing the Best of Who You Are Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Story: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Changes That Heal: Four Practical Steps to a Happier, Healthier You Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Boundaries Workbook: When to Say Yes, How to Say No to Take Control of Your Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Reviews for The Case for Easter
8 ratings3 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book - a distillation from the author's longer The Case for Christ - looks at Jesus's execution, entombment and resurrection, assessing the evidence of modern medical science and the New Testament, combined with logic, reason and historical methodology. The evidence of the Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles, while contradictory in some respects, is near contemporary and provides more thorough evidence than exists for many other ancient historical events, the essential truth of which are undisputed. Whatever one's views on religion, it is clear that the apostles and many other contemporaries deeply involved in the events of the time sincerely believed that Jesus had died, that he had been resurrected, that they themselves had seen him resurrected, and were therefore prepared to devote their lives to establishing the Christian church. The author and his interviewees find this a convincing line of reasoning and, to be sure, there is much to be said for it, though they are sometimes selective in which sources they choose to emphasise in making a particular point. Ultimately, though, they concede that one faces a choice between accepting this powerful line of argument or accepting the sceptics' notion that it is a fantasy to believe that a man could really rise from the dead. Anyway, interesting food for thought.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Strobel is an intriguing writer who blends his own journey to faith with good apologetics. The end result is thorough and accessible.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This is an exerpt from 'The case for Christ'. It is a short book and is therefore ideal to pass onto nonbelievers as it provides compelling evidence for the resurrection.
Book preview
The Case for Easter - Lee Strobel
Resources by Lee Strobel
The Case for Christ
The Case for Christ (audio)
The Case for Christ — Student Edition (with Jane Vogel)
The Case for Christ for Kids (with Rob Suggs)
The Case for Christ for Kids 90-Day Devotional (with Jess Florea)
The Case for Christmas
The Case for Christmas (audio)
The Case for a Creator
The Case for a Creator (audio)
The Case for a Creator — Student Edition (with Jane Vogel)
The Case for a Creator for Kids (with Rob Suggs)
The Case for Easter
The Case for Faith
The Case for Faith (audio)
The Case for Faith — Student Edition (with Jane Vogel)
The Case for Faith for Kids (with Rob Suggs)
The Case for the Real Jesus
The Case for the Real Jesus Student Edition (with Jane Vogel)
Discussing the Da Vinci Code (curriculum; with Garry Poole)
Discussing the Da Vinci Code (discussion guide; with Garry Poole)
Exploring the Da Vinci Code (with Garry Poole)
Experiencing the Passion of Jesus (with Garry Poole)
Faith Under Fire (curriculum series)
Finding the Real Jesus
God’s Outrageous Claims
Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary
Surviving a Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage (with Leslie Strobel)
Surviving a Spiritual Mismatch in Marriage (audio)
The Unexpected Adventure (with Mark Mittelberg)
What Jesus Would Say
ZONDERVAN
The Case for Easter
Copyright ©1998, 2003 by Lee Strobel
This is an excerpt from The Case for Christ Copyright © 1998
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of Zondervan.
ePub Edition August 2009 ISBN: 978-0-310-86585-8
Requests for information should be addressed to:
Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49530
ISBN 0-310-25475-2
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible: New International Version®. NIV ®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, or any other— except for brief quotations in printed reviews, without the prior permission of the publisher.
Interior design by Sherri L. Hoffman
CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Page
Introduction
1. The Medical Evidence: Was Jesus’ Death a Sham and His Resurrection a Hoax?
2. The Evidence of the Missing Body: Was Jesus’ Body Really Absent from His Tomb?
3. The Evidence of Appearances: Was Jesus Seen Alive After His Death on the Cross?
Conclusion
For Further Evidence
Notes
About the Publisher
INTRODUCTION
I picked up my phone at the Chicago Tribune and was assaulted by the sobbing, frantic voice of a distraught father. His nineteen-year-old daughter was missing, he said. She was a good girl, never in any trouble, not much more than an innocent child—and now she was gone. The police weren’t helping. Could I alert the city to her disappearance?
Moved by his anguish, I began to pursue the story. But when I interviewed his daughter’s friends and the police, a much different story emerged. Tragically, it turned out she had been a drug addict, a petty criminal, the girlfriend of a gang member, and a part-time prostitute. When police found her body a few days later, they determined she had been the victim of a heroin overdose.
I didn’t have the heart to tell her father all the details I had learned about her lifestyle. He sincerely believed she was an innocent child, but he had been wrong. His love for his daughter had blinded him. He had seen what he wanted to see, overlooking obvious clues that pointed in another direction. As a parent myself, I could hardly blame him for his wishful thinking.
To me—an atheist at the time—this was an apt analogy for the mindset of Christians. From my perspective, their faith blinded them to the real facts about Jesus, and they only saw what they wanted to see in him. Certainly he was only a legend or a mere mortal at best. In their wide-eyed gullibility, Christians sincerely believed he rose from the dead and thus proved he was the Son of God. But there was no doubt in my mind that they were sincerely wrong.
They had to be! As a reporter, I had seen lots of dead people—and none of them had ever come back to life. Christians could spin fanciful tales of an empty tomb, but they could never change the grim, absolute finality of death.
Then the unthinkable happened—my wife became a Christian. I anticipated the worst, and yet in the ensuing months I began to see winsome changes in her character and values. When she attributed this transformation to God, I knew it was time to use my journalism and legal training to thoroughly investigate Christianity. Maybe I could liberate her from this cult!
The starting point seemed obvious to me: clearly, the resurrection was the linchpin of the Christian faith. After all, anyone can claim to be the Son of God. But if someone could substantiate that assertion by returning to life after being certifiably dead and buried—well, that would be a compelling confirmation that he was telling the truth. Even for a skeptic like me.
As I began my investigation, three questions loomed: Was Jesus really dead after his ordeal on the cross? Was his tomb actually empty on that first Easter Morning? And did credible people subsequently encounter him? I decided to pursue these issues in order, starting with the medical evidence about the supposed demise of Jesus.
If these questions have ever intrigued you, then join me in the following pages as I retrace and expand upon the journey that unexpectedly ended up shaking my spiritual cynicism to its core.
1
THE MEDICAL EVIDENCE: WAS JESUS’ DEATH A SHAM AND HIS RESURRECTION A HOAX?
I paused to read the plaque hanging in the waiting room of a doctor’s office: "Let conversation cease. Let laughter flee. This