“Few serious antiquities scholars take Strobel’s work seriously. ‘The Case for Christ’ is commonly presented as a research project by a die-hard atheist who was converted by the interviews recorded in the book.

In reality, Lee converted years earlier. When he began the ‘investigation’ recorded in the book Lee was already a mega-church Pastor and had written three prior books in defense of evangelical Christianity.

The problem with Strobel’s books is pretty easy to spot: It’s confirmatory thinking. His investigation involved selecting a line-up of Evangelicals (most of them not historians) who support his views and pitching them softballs, under the guise of a ‘tough skeptical’ investigation.

The skeptical stance is merely a literary device, because he fails to ask the questions or consult mainstream experts who hold different views from himself.”

We can do a lot better. It has been recommended for far too long. Serious works by William Lane Craig or Mike Licona are more persuasive and intellectually honest.

Dr Ian N Mills is an Assistant Professor of Classics and Religious Studies in New York. He holds an M.A. and Ph.D. in Classics and Biblical Studies from Duke University and a BA from University of Minnesota. Ian is married to a pastor’s daughter and is himself is a practicing Christian.

Dr. Laura Robinson is a New Testament professor at Butler University. She holds a Ph.D in New Testament from Duke University, a M.A. in Biblical Exegesis and Systematic Theology from Wheaton, and a B.A in Literature. In her personal life, Laura is a practicing Christian and married to a pastor.