Professors at Southeastern Seminary are always reading new books. Center for Faith and Culture Director Ken Keathley is no different — and we want to give you a peek into what’s on his reading list in the new monthly series, “What I’m Reading.”
By Ken Keathley
Last week Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary had the good fortune of having Lee Strobel and his wife Leslie on campus. He presented the Page Lectures in chapel and spoke to students in various settings throughout the week. In 1981, Strobel was working as an award-winning investigative journalist for the Chicago Tribune when Leslie became a Christian. Strobel was a strident atheist and her conversion put a serious strain on their marriage. In an attempt to discredit her faith, he used his journalistic skills to try to disprove the resurrection of Jesus. Instead, Strobel became convinced in the truthfulness of the Gospel and he also became a follower of Christ.
Strobel’s findings became the basis of his best-selling book, The Case for Christ. And by best-selling I mean that over 5 million copies have been sold. Each chapter presents Strobel interviewing a recognized scholar in New Testament studies. Step-by-step the evidence is laid out for the historicity of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Alternative theories are considered—the swoon theory, the stolen body theory, the wrong tomb theory, and so on—and their respective shortcomings demonstrated. Strobel writes with a breezy, journalistic style that makes the book fun and actually easy to read.
If you haven’t read The Case for Christ then you need to. If you have read the book then you know how effectively it presents the gospel. Paperback versions are available for less than $10. I keep several copies on hand to give away to those who have questions or objections to the Christian faith. Giving a copy of The Case for Christ is an effective way to share one’s faith.
An extra bonus: In 2017 a movie was released that tells the Strobels’ story, named aptly, The Case for Christ. It is very well done and presently available on Netflix. Two thumbs up!
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