From the Book - First edition
SECTION 1: Learn to be a detective: ten important principles every aspiring detective needs to master -- Chapter 1: Don't be a "know-it-all": resisting the influence of dangerous presuppositions -- Chapter 2: Learn how to "infer": understanding the role of "abductive reasoning" -- Chapter 3: Think "circumstantially": respecting the nature of circumstantial evidence -- Chapter 4: Test your witnesses: evaluating the reliability of witnesses -- Chapter 5: Hang on every word: examining the choice and meaning of language -- Chapter 6: Separate artifacts from evidence: determining what's important evidentially -- Chapter 7: Resist conspiracy theories: recognizing the rarity of true conspiracies -- Chapter 8: Respect the "chain of custody": establishing reliability by tracing the evidence -- Chapter 9: Know when "enough is enough"" getting comfortable with your conclusions -- Chapter 10: Prepare for an attack: distinguishing between possible alternatives and reasonable refutations --
SECTION 2: Examine the evidence: applying the principles of investigation to the claims of the New Testament -- Chapter 11: Were they present? were the gospels written early enough to have been authored by true eyewitnesses? -- Chapter 12: Were they corroborated? Is the testimony of the gospel writers confirmed by outside sources and evidence? -- Chapter 13: Were they accurate? did the gospel writers falsely report anything that would invalidate their testimony? -- Chapter 14: Were they biased? were the gospel writers motivated to lie about their testimony? -- Postscript: Becoming a "two decision" Christian: deciding to believe and defend the truth --
APPENDIX: Witnesses and resources: compiling the resources necessary to make the case
Case files: Expert witnesses: identifying the expert witnesses who can testify comprehensively about the evidence described in each chapter
Case files: Assisting officers: identifying the officers and detectives who have assisted in making the case for Christianity
Case files: Case notes: collecting the data and information supporting the evidence described in each chapter
