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 It is interesting not only from the standpoint of proving that Jesus is who he said he was, but also in the author's examination of evidence collection itself. With regards to the comments of neece@incom.net, people are going to see what they want to see, even in the face of clear evidence - Romans 1:19-25.
Who was Jesus? What is Christianity really about? What about science and evolution? Can an old book written by dead guys be relevant? or real? What about good people who die? Why is there so much pain and suffering in the world? These basic questions are soundly answered with love, authority, and simplicity. Josh McDowell can be trusted to articulate the plain truth and speak in sound doctrine. With a heart for young people and solid doctrine underlying his faith, this former atheist explodes the myths of the popular culture and reveals the Truth, this Jesus, standing bright and bidding in His glory. I buy these books 6 or 8 at a time to give them away to seekers or those I witness to.
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Josh McDowell's "More Than A Carpenter" is out-dated, inaccurate, illogical, and irrational. His book was written more than 20 years ago and many of his sources were 60-100 years old even then! A great deal of excellent research has been done since then by such serious scholars as E.P Sanders, Robin Lane Fox, and Robert Funk. By quoting fellow believers Mr McDowell is merely, as they say, "Preaching to the choir." McDowell asks "Are The Biblical Records Reliable?" Most scholars believe the the Gospels were written 40-70 years after Jesus died. According to the Jesus Seminar they were pious fictions by unknown authors; the names were merely attributed to them at a later date. The Gospels were not eyewitness accounts but second hand, hearsay at best. The Gospel writers combed the Scriptures looking for messianci prophesies. They then created stories about Jesus which would fulfill, what they believed, were prophesies. In some cases they mis-translated or misinterpreted them. The answer to McDowell's question is that the Gospels are not reliable. The Jesus Seminar also concluded that Jesus did not actually say 82% of the words attributed to him.
Mr. McDowell also asks "Who Would Die For A Lie?" The answer is millions of people throughout history have died for all sorts of spurious reasons. Heaven's Gate is a recent example. Just because someone is willing to die for a certain belief does not make it true or factual. Furthermore archaeology has not proved the Bible, especially not the New Testament.
The question is asked "Did You Hear What Happened To Saul?" Saul or Paul had a "vision" or hallucination which may have been an epileptic fit. It is important to note that Paul never even knew Jesus. He freely admits his knowledge of Jesus cam only from his vision. Furthermore the disciples who had personally known and followed Jesus fiercely rejected Paul, criticized him for preaching falsely, and thought he was out of his mi!nd. Paul's experience and conversion are therefore no proof for the author's arguments. Paul's statements are unreliable and of no use.
With regard to the trials of Jesus, no disciples were present so how could they know what was said. Furthermore there were no witnesses to the Resurrection. The accounts of finding the empty tomb were both varied and contradictory. And why did a number of his own disciples not recognize Jesus afterward and fail to believe he had come back from the dead.? Again, someone having a vision is no proof.
Many scholars believed Jesus never claimed to be the Messiah. Later followers wanted to believe Jesus had been the Messiah rather than admit his mission had failed. The later Church creatively changed or misinterpreted the messages of Jesus. In a number of statements Jesus said his teachings were not meant for the Gentiles, but only for the Jews. Jesus was neither Lord, liar, nor lunatic.
In summary Josh McDowell's arguments are weak, out-dated, insupported, unproven, and illogical. The search for the historical Jesus is a fascinating one but "More Than A Carpenter" is not worth reading. The same mistakes were made in the author's more in-depth "Evidence That Demands An Answer."
