More Than a Carpenter

1.McDowell opens by noting that Jesus is unique in the way he made himself the central focus of his own teaching — unlike Moses, Muhammad, or Buddha, who pointed away from themselves to a law, a path, or a god. What is the significance of that difference? Why does it matter for how we evaluate Jesus's claims?

1.Explain the 'Lord, Liar, or Lunatic' trilemma in your own words. What logical work is it designed to do, and why does McDowell (following C. S. Lewis) consider it a decisive framing of the question?

1.What is the core objection McDowell is responding to in this chapter? How does the rise of 'new atheism' (referenced in the book's subject listing) sharpen that objection in the contemporary context?

1.McDowell uses three standard tests of historical document reliability: the bibliographical test, the internal evidence test, and the external evidence test. Briefly explain each in your own words. Which did you find most persuasive?

1.McDowell draws a sharp distinction between dying for a belief you hold sincerely (even if it is wrong) and dying for something you know to be a lie. Why is that distinction so important for evaluating the disciples' testimony about the Resurrection?

1.McDowell surveys the alternative theories that skeptics have offered to explain the empty tomb: the swoon theory, the theft theory, the wrong tomb theory, and the hallucination theory. Briefly summarize each. Which do you think is the most plausible alternative to the Resurrection, and what are its weaknesses?

1.McDowell presents a series of Old Testament prophecies that he argues were fulfilled specifically and verifiably in the life of Jesus — including the place of his birth, the manner of his entry into Jerusalem, the price of his betrayal, and details of his crucifixion. List two or three of these that struck you as most specific or surprising.

1.What does McDowell mean when he distinguishes between 'myth' and 'history'? Why does the distinction matter so much for evaluating the Gospel accounts of Jesus's life, death, and resurrection?

1.McDowell closes the book's argument not with more historical data but with the evidence of changed lives — including his own. Why does he consider this a legitimate and important category of evidence, rather than mere anecdote?

1.Looking back across the whole book, which chapter or argument had the greatest impact on you — intellectually, spiritually, or personally? What made it land so powerfully?