Christianity on Trial - by W Mark Lanier (Paperback)

About the Book

Does Christianity hold up under scrutiny? Mark Lanier, one of America's top trial lawyers, uses his experienced legal eye to examine the plausibility of the Christian faith. Bringing science, current knowledge, and common sense together in a courtroom approach, this "trial" elucidates a rich understanding of God and a strong foundation for Christian faith.

Book Synopsis

Does the Christian faith hold up under scrutiny? What does science tell us about the plausibility of a god? Can we trust the alleged eyewitness testimony of the life, death and resurrection of Jesus?These questions are worth investigating in order to find an answer solidified in fact and evidence. Mark Lanier, one of America's top trial lawyers, uses his experienced legal eye to examine the plausibility of the Christian faith. Bringing science, current knowledge, and common sense together in a courtroom approach, this "trial" elucidates a rich understanding of God and a strong foundation for Christian faith.Following the format of a traditional legal trial, Lanier takes us from opening statement to closing summation by way of testimony from well-known witnesses--the scientist, the theologian, the linguist, the humanist, the philosopher, the psychologist and the ancient biblical eye-witness. These sources and many others investigate the sticky subjects of the Christian worldview that are commonly scrutinized by skeptics or overlooked by marginal believers:

• Who is God in light of astronomical and subatomic science?
• How could divine inspiration of Scripture or Christ's bodily resurrection be possible?
• How should we see the nature of reality, free will and choice, ethics, morality and the idea of heaven and afterlife?

Lanier presents a persuasive case for the Christian faith and leaves it up to us to choose what is worthy of belief and what is not. Christianity on Trial provides a thought-provoking starting point in the search for truth.

Review Quotes

"Authored by one of the nation's leading trial lawyers, Christianity on Trial brilliantly employs the truth-finding methods of the legal process to produce an eminently readable, highly persuasive work of Christian apologetics. This is an extraordinary trial lawyer's version of Mere Christianity. In his inimitable fashion, Mark Lanier combines his superb expertise as a courtroom lawyer with profound knowledge of biblical scholarship and thoughtful reflection on daily life. Fearless in tackling the most difficult matters of belief, this engaging book speaks to all those interested in seeking truth--whether in the courtroom, in the library or in everyday life."

"It does a respectable job presenting a few fundamental arguments on topics such as the nature of God, prayer, the Bible, morality, truth, free will and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. . . . This book will be of interest to Christians looking for a few basic starting points to explaining and understanding their faith."

"One reviewer termed this book a 'modern-day Evidence that Demands a Verdict.' It was also, in some respects, reminiscent of Strobel's The Case for Christ. The case for having this book on your shelves is quite simply compelling."

"Trial lawyers are often noted for incisive analysis, broad knowledge and the ability to spot the weakness in the opposition's argument. Mark Lanier demonstrates every one of these instincts in Christianity on Trial. His expertise in using the biblical languages uniquely qualifies him to ask--and answer--all the really tough questions. As a fresh assessment of the intellectual validity of the Christian, this book will delight pastors, theologians, church members and even critics."

"W. Mark Lanier's Christianity on Trial is a good book to give to the lawyer who has everything except the belief that alone makes those things significant."

About the Author

W. Mark Lanier is a trial lawyer and founder of the Lanier Law Firm. U.S. News and World Report's Best Lawyers named him to its Best Lawyers in America list for nine consecutive years and as the 2013 Top Class Action Attorney in America. His courtroom work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, and he is a frequent guest on CNBC and Fox Business News. He is the founder of the Lanier Theological Library and teaches biblical literacy at Champion Forest Baptist Church in Houston, Texas.