More Than a Carpenter
by Josh McDowell
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Book Reviews of More Than a Carpenter
Book Review: Very weak and a disservice to Apologetics
Summary: 1 Stars
This is a bad book. Essentially, the author makes two tremendous mistakes. He uses an oversimplified argument of C.S. Lewis (that Jesus is Lord, Liar, or Lunatic)and he fails to take into account the best Biblical Scholarship of his day and the fact that the Bible is not written the way a journalist writes a news story. I am a believing Christian and I agree that one can mount a rational defense of Christianity. I would even suggest that the "Lord, Liar, or Lunatic" argument can work when presented properly, taking into account a close and critical reading of the New Testament as well as an argument from history. This book, however, fails to take into account the complex nature of the Gospels and it fails to address the criticisms that can be leveled against the Bible as history by higher critics.
I would suggest reading the works of Karl Keating as well as G.K. Chesterson and C.S. Lewis. All of these writers have a great appreciation for logic and the complexity of the written text. They are much better apologests.
Even better, Luke Timothy Johnson's "The Writings of the New Testament" outstandingly demonstrates how the Gospel writers wove traditions and sayings together into a historical-theological narrative that is not history in the sense of a "photographic account (my phrase)" but it is not legend or myth either.
"More Than a Carpenter" is just too oversimplistic to convince intelligent skeptics and be of value to Christians with a good grasp of Scripture, history, and theology.
Book Review: So Very Much More
Summary: 5 Stars
More than a Carpenter is a very good introductory book on apologetics and an excellent evangelistic tool. It takes a look at the claims of Christ and of His followers from various perspectives,attempting to address those who are skeptical re the claims of Christ. If Josh McDowells definition of history(A knowledge of the past based on testimony), is a good one, then the historic validity for the resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ is overwhelming. Twelve men of excellent moral character testified to its validity and eleven of them gave their lives firmly standing by that testimony. This is a brief example of the kind of help that is given to answer those who have doubts about some of the fundamental beliefs of Christians. Another example that could be given is in Chapter 9 on P.106 "The precise lineage; the place, time and manner of birth;peoples reactions,the betrayal;the manner of death.These are just a fragment of hundreds of details that made up the 'address' to identify God's son,the Messiah,the Saviour of the world." To any unbiased mind these fulfilled prophecies would be extraordinary evidence and yet there are many other prophecies that clearly point to Jesus as the promised Messiah. Though a person cannot be convinced or reasoned into the Kingdom of God(they must be born into it,spiritually,through the new birth),the Christian should be prepared to answer those who have questions regarding the Christian Faith, and there is much help in providing answers to the skeptics.Book Review: The "Mere Christianity" of apologetics
Summary: 4 Stars
Wonderful little book! I read the book as a Christian; therefore, I'm admittedly sympathetic to the arguments presented in it. I disagree with some of what the negative reviews say. This is not a particularly scholarly book in its presentation--I was especially surprised to see the number of quotes from the Encyclopedia Brittanica. However, Josh McDowell does make a fairly strong attempt to address counter-arguments. His overall appeal is, to my mind, logical. His book is clearly written for everyone--this is not a scholarly work by a scholarly theologian--it is intended for real people to read and enjoy. One thing to keep in mind--the Bible makes it clear that there were many who actually walked with Christ yet rejected his ministry. Therefore, how would anyone expect to achieve widespread consensus as to Christ's legitimacy through mere apologetics? It takes more than an argument--it takes a submissive spirit and a humble mind. But it doesn't take a blind leap of faith, and I think Josh McDowell has shown this beautifully. For me, this was a great faith builder. There were many things that McDowell brought up that I had never really considered before that very much helped me to love God with my mind. This is a tough thing for 20th century man to do. If you liked this book, I'd recommend "Mere Christianity" by C. S. Lewis. It's a common-sense approach to Christian theology written by and for the layman.Book Review: Circular arguments
Summary: 2 Stars
My father gave me this book to read in trying to convert me back to Christianity, I really didn't want to read it because I've read quite alot about the historical Jesus and was familiar with alot of the arguments. I didn't expect much but this book still disappointed in its terrible argumentation I'll start with the positives though, firstly it gives good evidence and reason to believe the Gospels are well preserved and it well establishes that the gospels do talk about real places and people. It is also a very short read and is quite easy to read, However when it comes to establishing that Jesus was the son of god it is disappointing to say the least. Most the arguments in this book are using the gospels as evidence that the gospels are true, for example there is a whole chapter dedicated to the empty tomb but the only evidence he gives of the empty tomb is the gospel accounts. But what does he do establish the gospels depict Jesus life accurately? He talks about how the gospels are only written a mere 20 years after Jesus died and further quoting a Christian source how that is nowhere near long enough for a story about a resurrection and other miracle stories to be formed by word of mouth. I don't know about you but 20 years is a long fringing time for a story to be passed around via word of mouth and be true to the original story. I could go all day But there are much better books out there defending christianity please look else where.Book Review: A compelling view of the original "Trial of the Century"
Summary: 5 Stars
With Easter in view, a reader may want to revisit what "all the fuss is about." Josh McDowell, still an active Christian apologist, carefully pieces together the legal components of the trial, execution and resurrection (Easter) of Jesus Christ. Essentially, McDowell acts as the attorney for the defendant (Jesus Christ) and leaves the reader to serve as jury. He invokes the testimony of many witnesses, both supportive and hostile to his "client." In the end, McDowell has outperformed his opposition and confidently awaits the reader's return from the jury room.
The book opens with McDowell's basic trilemma: do you find Jesus' claim to be the Messiah to flow from the truth or a lie? He allows the reader one of three choices: Jesus is telling the truth and is therefore "Lord;" he is lying and therefore a "Liar;" or he is essentially mad and doesn't realize he is a "Lunatic." As he leads the reader through his evidence that Jesus is truly Lord, McDowell calls on written, oral and circumstantial evidence.
With the recent scrutiny and consternation over the two trials of OJ Simpson, a reader will find many similar issues visited in More Than A Carpenter. Whether it's a fascination with legal argument, the pondering of the meaning of Easter or even sharp disagreement with basic Christian tenets, the reader will savor McDowell's concise (128 pages) rediscovery of the biggest trial ever