Rating: 
Summary: It accomplishes the goal
Review: Is this book an exhaustive defense of the Christian faith? NO! At 128 pages it is a clear and concise argument dealing with many areas where people have doubts. It is an extremely easy read and McDowell is a compelling storyteller. It is a great first step for those who are searching. Yes, the sources sighted are all somewhat old but the truth of those sources has not changed. Some reviewers have attacked their truthfulness of these sources based on the arguments of the Jesus Seminar. It needs to be remembered though that the Jesus seminar is on the Margins of Scholarship and in NO way reflects the views of most the scholarly world. Also, the Lord, Liar or Lunatic argument needs to be understood in its proper context. As McDowell states at the beginning of that chapter "...skeptics who regard Jesus as just a good moral man or prophet who said a lot of profound things." Of course there are more than 3 options. One can deny that Jesus ever lived or claim that the things written about him are just myths. But, that is not what most people do. They claim that he was just a good person. The Lord, Liar or Lunatic argument is directed towards those people. It is impossible to look at the teachings of Christ and conclude that he is anything other than the Lord, a Liar or a Lunatic. For those who deny the historicity of Jesus there are other chapters. :) This is a great starting place for people who are searching for the truth with an open mind and for those who need to strengthen their intellectual understanding of their faith. But, for those who are looking for deep arguments look else where since that was not the purpose of this booklet.
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Summary: A book that everyone should read at least once...
Review: I first read Josh McDowell's "More Than A Carpenter" when I was a freshman in college. Someone had given me the book, and although I was already a committed Christian, it literally blew me away with the simultaneous simplicity and depth of its arguments on behalf of Jesus Christ. Like a prosecutor laying out his case, McDowell presents a series of facts about Jesus of Nazareth and attempts to uncover the truth about his life. Jesus claimed to be God himself. So either Jesus was a liar, a lunatic, or the Lord. McDowell performs brilliantly in putting forward his case that Jesus was and is Lord. Few books better illustrate that believing in Christ is NOT a matter of "blind faith", but rather part of an intellectual exercise. Faith is a matter of believing in and trusting in the facts that are presented. (i.e., Are the words of Jesus trustworthy?) For most objective readers of McDowell's book, the answer will be a resounding yes... Britt Gillette
Author of "Conquest of Paradise: An End-Times Nano-Thriller"
Rating:
Summary: Deal With Jesus
Review: This book forces the reader to deal with the person of Jesus. One cannot walk away from this book claiming indifference to Him. Too many people aimles run straight to Hell, avoiding the gracious offer of grace, by simply not thinking about it. Jesus came to earth claiming to be God. He and His apostles claimed that he died in order to take God's wrath stored up for us all. He claimed that if anybody would give up all hope except hope in His death for salvation from our sins, they would be saved and if He was rejected, they would be left to face God's justice in an eternity in Hell. You have to embrace Him and His claims or reject them. Indifference and moral living does not count for anything. For a Christian read this book. It may be possible that you have been worshipping an idol, ignorant of who Jesus really is, or perhaps your faith will be strengthened. If you're not a Christian, read this book to understand what you are rejecting, then I pray that you would turn to Him for salvation.
Rating: 
Summary: The Day I Began to Doubt I Got This Book
Review: Throughout my life, I have been proud of being intelligent AND a Christian. But never until high school did I start hearing from non-believing peers that I MUST be blind; how can a Christian be in any way intelligent? I decided not to listen to them -- until one day during college, EVERY doubt I ever had of my faith emerged. The day the earth came down -- I ran to my Christian friends in desperate help, and the first book I came upon through recommendation was this book. Evidently, this was a Christian classic. And so I began to read, and from this experience, I learned a couple things and other points in hindsight, for viewers to know. 1) Josh McDowell has a powerful testimony. Just that made me feel a little better. However, my intellect told me I can't base my beliefs completely on other people's experiences. 2) I found out I was an extreme skeptic, and I had no idea how powerful my doubts were. I even wondered if I had EVER been a Christian. 3) This is a great introductory book into apologetics. It outlines the basics of most arguments an apologist can give. It's almost a mini-handbook, insightful and a comfort. 4) However, the very fact that I was not completely assured or fully convinced afterward says something. The book only made me want to run right to Jerusalem and start doing my own personal research; why? The book's arguments were 80% of the time decent and challenging enough to keep you encouraged you may be on the right track, but the other 20% was vague and lacking in thought of other possibilities. Yet, in hindsight, I would still recommend this to skeptics as an introductory book and helpful in your search for truth (good enough to get 3 stars from me!!), but this should not be your sole source to the evidence of Christianity. Overall, I left this book a little disappointed but also encouraged enough to go on and read more. Yes, I persevered. McDowell's book became my steam engine due to its good qualities, and so I kept on. I researched for several months over other books by McDowell ("A Ready Defense" is incredible, and "The Resurrection Factor" is thought provoking), Lee Strobel, Philip Yancey, Ravi Zacharias and even the Bible. And you know what? I'm still intelligent and a stronger Christian than I ever have been. I may have even become a TRUE Christian due to my reading and determination. Check out my wish list -- you will find out I'm not being phony here at all. I encourage you, overall, to read this as this is a great overview, then KEEP on reading. Don't give up. This book is only a good, decent foundation to today's apologetics.
Rating: 
Summary: A simple, easy to read case for the claims of Jesus Christ
Review: If you are trying to find a simple, easy to read case for the claims of Jesus Christ as the Son of God, Josh McDowell's "More Than A Carpenter" is what you've been looking for. It is not a powerful apologetic or a theological masterpiece but it is a great introduction into the study of who Jesus Christ really is. The foundation of the book is based on the three primary possibilities for who Christ is; Lord, liar or lunatic. This is backed up with a defense of the reliability of the Scriptures, an argument from changed lives over history and an argument for Christ's resurrection. I highly recommend the book to those wanting an introduction to who Jesus really is. The book will probably not convinced the hardened skeptic, but for many, it will be an opportunity for God to open their hearts and minds to the truth, that when received by faith, can transform their lives. If you are looking for apologetics, I recommend Ravi Zacharias, J.P Moreland or Norman Geisler. For a deeper examination of the claims of Christ from another skeptic turned Christian, you may want to check "The Case for Christ," by Lee Stroble.
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Summary: Great for Evangelism and Prospective Members
Review: This is a very readable, brief but good and solid explanation of the core reasons to believe in Jesus as the promised Messiah. Get this book and use it in evangelism and in church projects. Buy it to have on hand to give to prospective members.
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Summary: The Passion - Mel says, "Get this book".
Review: Mel Gibson had a show tonight on PAX TV of the making of, The passion ... He mentioned some sites he recommended and this book. I reviewed this book already but thought his recommend would be of interest. Diane
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Summary: A book that challenges, and deserves a spot in your library
Review: This book is a great introduction into apologetics*. It's a thought-provoking, credible, concise defense of the Christian faith. Whether the reader is a non-believer, a new believer, or a lifelong believer... this book is definitely worth the read. *What is apologetics? Apologetics is the academic effort to defend the Christian faith. Note this scripture: "But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." I Peter 3:15a (NIV)
Rating: 
Summary: The "evidence" had a reverse effect
Review: This book was not convincing to me at all. Very weak arguments, circular reasoning. I first read it when I was 16 (I'm 33 now) because I wanted my atheist boyfriend to be convinced Jesus was God. I read it first and decided not to give it to him, because he would have laughed at the illogical arguments. It was this book, in addition to my former preacher's sermons on "Intelligent Design," that made me start to question my faith. It had the reverse effect than what it intended!
I reread McDowell's book a few weeks ago. In my humble opinion, it still was not very good at all.
Rating:
Summary: Clearly is who he says he is
Review: This is a must have book for anyone wanting to have reading material on hand to share the gospel with others. I have never seen a book make it so clear that Jesus is who he says he is. So for those seeking, it can change lives. It doesn't base it's information just on the Bible, it pulls facts from other sources, that's what makes it so clear that he is who he says he is.Diane
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