Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell, Sean McDowell

Evidence That Demands a Verdict by Josh McDowell, Sean McDowell ISBN-13: 9781401676704 Hardcover: 880 pages Publisher: Thomas Nelson Released: Oct. 3, 2017

Source: Review copy from the publisher through BookLook.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
The modern apologetics classic that started it all is now completely revised and updated—because the truth of the Bible doesn’t change, but its critics do. With the original Evidence That Demands a Verdict, bestselling author Josh McDowell gave Christian readers the answers they needed to defend their faith against the harshest critics and skeptics. Since that time, Evidence has remained a trusted resource for believers young and old. Bringing historical documentation and the best modern scholarship to bear on the trustworthiness of the Bible and its teachings, this extensive volume has encouraged and strengthened millions. Now, with his son Sean McDowell, Josh McDowell has updated and expanded this classic resource for a new generation. This is a book that invites readers to bring their doubts and doesn’t shy away from the tough questions.

Features Include:
• Thoroughly revised and updated from the previous edition
• All-new chapters defending against the latest attacks from Christianity’s critics
• Designed to be a go-to reference for even the toughest questions
• Offers thoughtful responses to the Bible’s most difficult and extraordinary passages
• Expansive defense of Christianity’s core truths, including the resurrection of Jesus Christ


My Review:
Evidence That Demands a Verdict is a collection of evidence that helps believers have confidence and unbelievers see that there is a reasoned, factual basis to Christianity. I've owned previous editions of this book, the latest being the 1999 version. This book has been updated to include the latest discoveries and arguments as well as commentary at the beginning from Sean McDowell. While much of the core evidence is the same, there has been some rewriting and changes made as the new information was added. Even if you've read the previous versions, it's worth getting this version for the new material. I'd highly recommend this as a great reference resource (for looking up information that interests you) or to read through from start to finish.

The book covered why we believe that there is a god (evidence for theism), ways that the Bible is unique from other books, how the Bible was written, manuscript and archeological evidence that the New and Old Testaments are accurate, how the text of the Bible was copied by scribes and how accurate they were, information about the Gnostic gospels and other texts that were not included in the Bible and why they weren't included. Christian and non-Christian sources and archeological discoveries that support the existence of Jesus, examining Jesus' claims to deity and does that make him lord, liar, or lunatic. Old Testament prophecies that Jesus fulfilled, evidence for Jesus' literal, bodily resurrection, and why the apostles were willing to die. How the Old Testament and ancient near eastern texts are similar but also strikingly different, evidence for the historical reliability of Genesis (Adam and Eve, the patriarchs), Exodus, the conquest, the united monarchy, the divided monarchy, the exilic period, and other books of the Old Testament (Pentateuch, Isaiah, Daniel). Some alleged contradictions in the Bible and how they can be harmonized. Why truth matters, can you know the truth, answering skeptics, are miracles possible, and many other topics.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.


Excerpt: Read an excerpt using Google Preview.