More Than a Carpenter

Rating:
Summary: Christianity is not a "blind faith"
Review: I have recommended this book to many friends, chritians and non-christians alike. Josh McDowell challenges christians to love God with their mind too (part of the greatest commandments), and challenges atheists and others about Jesus' resurrection, His claims to deity, and the Biblical records. Josh himself used to be an atheist who tried to argue against Christianity, but found his arguments wouldn't stand up (his own words about himself, see the back cover). This book covers interesting theories about the resurrection, whether it happened or not, how reliable are the Biblical records, and the messianic prophecies. It is an easy read and easy to understand.

Rating:
Summary: Ridiculous
Review: This book, which I was assigned to read for a Bible project, is a joke. Most of his argument simply attempts to solidify claims that the Bible has not been manipulated over the ages. Estblishing the fact that the Bible remains in context with its original manuscript hardly solidifies the claims of Christian doctrine. Also, he confidently states that because Jesus is neither a liar or lunatic, he can only be the Son of God. While my view may be a little biased, most of this book came in the form of insultingly blatant equivication attemping to refute solid claims against Christianity.

By his presented examples, he has the capacity to reduce any atheistic intellect into a God-fearing Christian in under a minute.

Rating:
Summary: Soft Apologetics
Review: By "soft," I mean that this book is not a high-pressure, technical mumbo-jumbo theodicy, but a calm, grandfatherly, face to face discussion about why Jesus Christ is different from other men. Mr. McDowell has a very pleasing style that has a soft and gentle touch to what he says, so I don't see how anyone could be offended at this book. After all, tolerance is a two way street. Moreover, tolerance should always be coupled with curiosity. I am willing to give the crackpot and the loudmouth his or her day in court, just out of respect and curiosity for other people's opinions.

This book covers the normal apologetic points, such as the "Liar, Lunatic, or Lord" syllogism. Mr. McDowell also discusses the scientific data that support the Christian message. Yes, scientific data does support Christianity. He also discusses the higher criticism data, which is the textual integrity of the Bible. Another point is that is fascination is Chapter Five, which shows how the character of the apostles changed after the Resurrection. It is the old "Two Peters Problem": You have the Peter of the Gospels who is rash, brash, and denied knowing the Lord. Then you have the other Peter standing firm before the Sanhedrin, and eventually being crucified for his faith. What caused this radical change, to the point where it looks like that there were two different Peters? Something drastic happened to this man, and what it was, was the Resurrection.

This book is an excellent overview of Christian Apologetics. The arguments are easy to memorize and to articulate. It is also a good read for someone intimidated by the Bible, or who is curious about what we Christians really believe and why.

Rating:
Summary: A masterpiece
Review: I was raised a Roman Catholic as far back as I can remember. Tragedies in my life immeasurably challenged my belief in God. It was challenged to the point where I began to despise talk of religion, specifically the faith I was raised with -- Christianity. I began to consistently ask myself, "Is God real??" My "blind belief" wavered to the point where I found myself with a strong tendency to challenge religious believers, almost to the point of unconsciously trying to convince them out of their faith whenever I can. I became a man of logic and reasoning, and simply could not entertain "blind belief" in any way.

Then I read this book. It was logical and compelling, and I found myself with no sound way to refute what Josh McDowell was saying. I could criticize his thoroughness, but diving into excruciating detail onto the sciences he employed would've been criticized as redundant. It did not have the "hype" and "hoopla" of "Praise the Lord!" mentality. It was just plain scientific reasoning, logic, and common sense.

I saw the criticisms other people had of this book, and I find it hard to understand how they could castigate this book as they did. I was very steadfast in my resentment towards Christianity, but I was influenced otherwise -- I just had to be because the logic that the author used, for me, made sense. For example, I lost a great deal of faith in Christianity when I learned how the Bible was written many years after Jesus' death, and that it was largely a result of "word of mouth". But the author points out that if the miracles of Jesus were farce, how can it withstand its persistence through all those years? If any of us decided to make some sensational claim like being able to fly without wings, and if we were to start disseminating such information, how long do you think that will last? Will it last decades so as to eventually land on a book of "facts"? The point here is that the human way of doing things has a way of weeding out untruths and inaccuracies of "news", and that the words and deeds of Jesus would not have lasted as long as it did if there were no corroborations so strong as to withstand such forces; this is true for anything, religious incidents or otherwise. For me, this was a reasonable and persuasive argument that Jesus did do what he did, or it would have been shot down way sooner, much less making it into a book.

I only have 1000 words for this review, so let me end it by saying this. I now am totally convinced that God and Jesus are REAL. It is hard to accept that at this day and age, and I've been through that phase of constant skepticism.

My biggest arsenal against Christianity was my own intellect. But this book used the very foundation I had for disbelieving to show me otherwise. How can I not respect that?

Rating:
Summary: Critics Beware: This Might Make You a Believer
Review: This is an expertly written book that packs a great deal of evidence supporting Christ's claims to be the Messiah and His resurrection into 128 pages. I think too many Christians skip over tough questions by claiming Christianity is based soley on faith when there are volumes of evidence to support their beliefs. McDowell does an outstanding job of arming Christians with facts that even critics of the Bible cannot refute. The Apostle Paul instructed Christians to "always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have" and this book is a great reference for just that.

Rating:
Summary: An example of false logic
Review: This book is based on faulty reasoning (not to mention one individual's personal opinion). To say that, because someone is not A (liar), nor B (lunatic), makes him automatically C (Lord) is ludicrous, and insulting to one's intelligence. Whoever said there are only three options, anyway? His ideas are not based on logical reasoning and fact, as he would like his readers to believe, but on religious beliefs. Beliefs cannot be proven - they are taken on faith. Maybe Mr. McDowell should take an introductory logic course before making such bold claims, and presenting them as though they are fact.

Rating:
Summary: The gospel of Christ presented in a simple way
Review: More than a Carpenter is a small book that everyone should read. The author is not an expert but does his best to communicate that Jesus lives and that his message is a powerful one. I read it on a plane ride to Texas and loved a lot of the insights that Mr.McDowell included. I also liked the way he presented various scenarios about many key moments in the Gospels. It was a pleasant read and I passed the book on to a female friend while in Texas. Once read, it should be passed on so others can enjoy it as well.

Rating:
Summary: Meets the needs of the intellect so it may be open to faith.
Review: McDowell's explanations are understandable, well documented and thorough. I read this little book with a sincere desire to understand what it intends to say on its own terms. I discovered that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That is, the true impact of McDowell's thesis came after I understood there is a real choice to be made, other than passive neutrality or reflexive denial, regarding the status of Jesus Christ. In my experience, even the most tenacious unbelievers are reluctant to call Jesus a liar or lunatic; to me, they avoid the choice by ignoring the facts. McDowell demonstrates this is not credible.

Rating:
Summary: Evangelical cheerleading at its most maudlin
Review: I was given a copy of this book by someone trying to get me to accept-Jesus-as-my-personal-savior. You know how it goes. This book is such drivel that I needn't reiterate its shortcomings. (Do a web search and you'll find the work's already been done.)

I read the book with an open mind, but found McDowell's argument to be absolutely childish. Supposedly, he began as an atheist and became a Christian after doing a little research and being confronted with overwhelming "evidence" that Jesus was the "Son of God." Truly, I think he must have had a head injury of some sort, because the excrement he presents is not evidence. It's the biggest piece of rubbish I have ever read. Period.

Rating:
Summary: It Strengthened my Faith
Review: I read this book as part of a discipleship course in my church, and it strengthened my faith. McDowell presents Christ for who He really is. He is Lord once you rule out tho options of lair and lunatic. The biblical records are reliable. The disciples could not possibly die for a lie, knowing it was a lie. No one can disprove the resurrection. Jesus fulfills all of the propecies of Messiah. Jesus is the only way. McDowell does an excellent job of showing these and many more points. It is a must read for any Christian. (Also great for unbelievers!)