Summary

In "More Than a Carpenter," Josh McDowell, with his son Sean, explores the historical evidence for Jesus Christ's divinity. Josh recounts his journey from skepticism to faith, initiated by a challenge from university friends to examine the evidence. He shares his initial struggles with the implications of Christianity for his lifestyle and pride, and his eventual conversion experience, marked by a profound change in his life and relationships, including reconciliation with his alcoholic father. The book addresses common questions and objections to Christianity, examining the reliability of biblical accounts, the historical evidence for the resurrection, and the fulfillment of prophecies in Jesus. It delves into Jesus' claims of deity, presenting the trilemma of Lord, liar, or lunatic, arguing that the evidence points overwhelmingly to the truth of Jesus' claims. The authors also discuss the challenge of the New Atheism, examining their arguments and demonstrating that they often rely on recycled ideas and fail to adequately account for the origins of life, the fine-tuning of the universe, and the existence of objective moral values. The book emphasizes that faith in Christ is not blind faith, but rather an intelligent faith rooted in historical evidence and the transformative power of a relationship with Jesus. It invites readers to consider the evidence and make their own informed decisions about who Jesus is and what his claims mean for their lives.